Typography at Home

> Recently, I was looking around in a furniture store, and found some great items using typography as the main design element. Love the canvas fabric, the colors, the rustic feel—my poor husband still hasn't gotten used to me taking pictures of random things...but it had to be done!

Better Bar Code

> Who says everything HAS to be done a certain way? I love the creativity applied to every detail of this product packaging, even down to the required bar code (barn code). More important that simply being creative, it's applicable to the product line (turkey sausage).

Misspellings

> Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that either a person has a knack for spelling or they don't. I LOVE spelling. One of my college roommates figured this out right away, and for years after college, I'd receive phone calls from her, asking how to spell some word (yes, I've dated myself...this was before the Internet became the tool that it is. In fact, now that I think about it, the Internet may have become popular about the same time she stopped calling me for how to spell words! Hmm...)

> Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I received a resume from a soon-to-be college graduate. Even though I currently have no need for employees, I still like to look at resumes and portfolios that come my way. Occasionally, I have colleagues who are looking for designers--and you never know. So I read through it, and found several typos—eek! But it happens. In fact, one of my vendors pointed out one in my own email newsletter last month, and my mom has pointed out a couple in my blog postings (I get a little weak in the knees when I realize my carelessness!) However, in a resume? That CAN'T happen!

> So, while I couldn't give her a recommendation, pass her resume on to someone else, or even keep it on file for possible help in the future, I thought I would give her a little help in editing. You know, give her a better chance with the next resume she sent out. I sent her a carefully-worded email and pointed out the errors: You're pursuing, not pursing. It's an internship, not an interne ship. And the scariest for me as a designer: they're brochures. Not broachers. 

> I received a very nice email in return, thanking me for the time I spent, and for noticing some missed spell words (well, I tried!)

Color & Patterns

> I love these bracelets! The rich, earthy colors; the variety of patterns, I love the combination of all of them together (except that fuschia one near the left—nothing against the color itself, I just think it sticks out with the others. And not in the good way.

> Still, I love them. Keeping the pic in my inspiration folder—have to figure out a project using geometric patterns together—kind of like a quilt. They're handmade in Colombia, available here.

Typographic Tile

> This past week I was on vacation, visiting family in Texas. We went hiking on Enchanted Rock (really cool!) Afterwards, we had lunch on the patio of a German cafe, then strolled down the main street in Fredericksburg. Lots of antique stores and shops—a great way to spend the afternoon.

> As we were walking, I had to stop and take a picture of this awesome tile entryway. I always get strange looks when I take photos like this, but seriously, who can't appreciate how cool this is!

Inspired By...Lovely Packaging

[ I follow several blogs on a regular basis. Here's another one that inspires me. Hope you enjoy it too ].

One of my favorite blogs to spend way too much time on is lovely package. And lovely it is. Regular updates with wonderful photos of amazing, innovative, creative, tasteful packaging designs. A great resource for inspiration for any design project.

Featuring Features

> I'm currently working on a brand for a company whose target audience includes wealthy individuals or companies. So, I discussed doing some things that communicate a message of refinement, taste, and the ability to use money wisely without going overboard on flamboyance.

> There are several collateral items in the works, but business cards needed to happen first.

> We considered several print techniques, but eventually landed on using a heavier duplex stock with a ribbed texture on one side. A silver metallic ink was used to print information on the dark navy side of the paper—enough contrast to be readable, but also to bring in the richness of silver, which also ties into the company name, also printed in silver, but with a raised technique to make it pop off the card and give an additional textural quality. And the best part: the logo is not only printed but embossed, with an intentional "empty" space on the back of the card. The embossing job was done so well, that even with the fine detail, it almost appears to be a debossed logo when you're looking at the back of the card.

> A lot of special techniques, but done in just the right amounts so rather than being overboard, it's a complementary grouping of features that helps to communicate money spent, but responsibly. The right message to send to their own clients.