Who We Are

We are creative individuals who work in concert—in other words, as a team. Whatever the project is, we work on it together. We wrestle with the issues and refine the details as a team, then work apart and come together again, as much as the project requires. Sometimes a project calls for more, so then we add other creative colleagues whom we trust to our team. We have found that working in this way nurtures our creative vision and helps us better meet our clients’ needs.

Chris

After working for nearly a decade and a half as a public-school teacher, Chris Calvet went seeking a different career, one that could draw from his creative roots. Before teaching, he had nurtured his artistic side by studying classical guitar and earning a bachelor’s degree in music from Biola University and a master’s from Cal State Fullerton. This time, he moved into graphic design, quickly discovering that he had a strong aptitude for that creative field as well. Since then, his design work has been honored by the California Department of Health Services and by liquidlibrary.

In 2002, Chris and his wife, Debi, founded AdvantGroup LLC to provide complete creative services that would help small businesses prosper. Today, Chris helps AdvantGroup clients realize their vision through dynamic, audience-appropriate graphic design and Web design, which are his primary areas of responsibility. He continues to find that his past experience—especially in music but also in education—informs and enriches his work for clients today.

Chris is a member of AIGA, “the professional association for design.” He has been active in the Orange County chapter for several years, including serving on the board as Sponsorship Director.

Chris Calvet

Principal

 
 
Debi

Before Debi Calvet became self-employed in 1996, she worked in the banking industry for 15 years. During the six years that she operated her first business, she discovered—through her clients—that she had a talent for writing promotional copy. Like Chris, she’d had a musical background (in fact, they originally met by accident when friends invited them separately to a concert), so when they started talking about going into business together, the idea of combining their design and writing abilities to offer creative services sounded just right.

Since AdvantGroup’s founding in 2002, Debi has had primary responsibility for writing the copy that is essential to creating effective communications for clients. She, like Chris, finds that her experience—in music, banking, and self-employment—influences her work for clients. Her attention to detail (okay, sometimes it’s obsessive) leads to a stronger and better final product.

Debi has served on two business expo committees for the Orange Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Bureau and has been a Chamber Ambassador. She has also assisted Chris with his responsibilities as AIGA Orange County’s Sponsorship Director.

Debi Calvet

Principal