I just finished up a new custom lettered logo for the Western Ohio Epilepsy Foundation. Every year in the summer they hold a huge mud volleyball tournament and every two years they change the theme of the event. For 2010-11 the new theme will be a fun one, “Muddy Gras”!




I had a lot of freedom on this one and with the main theme being mud there was tons of fun to be had! This kind of free for all crazy lettering is my favorite to do.

I find it easy to be passionate about projecst like this. It is for a good cause, has a fun theme, and really… how much more fun can you ask for in designing a logo for an event where people are playing some sloppy muddy volleyball on a scorching Ohio summer day!

I recently had the great experience of doing some lettering on the fly while being filmed. What a trip! I was working with two of my great new co workers Brian Ward and Andy Nick as they put together an animated piece for the brand spanking new Real Art Real Mart! I am now working at Real Art in the interactive department getting my creative on with a great group of creatives.

During my first week I was asked to execute this lettering on glass over a green screen with a sharpie, while being filmed. The lettering was pre designed by Real Art’s Mary. Ill have to say it was quite awkward. We worked to figure out the position that worked for not only the filming but my comfort so that I could draw this funky lettering piece. It took a few takes and they also filmed me stamping, and sliding other elements into the scene. It was a blast! Very much the first time I have ever done anything quite like that.

Here is a great blog post by Brian Ward Explaining the Process in much greater detail.

Here is the finished piece that is right now displayed on Real Art’s home page promoting Real Mart. Real Mart is an online store where you can purchase a collection of great creative items custom made my Real Art employees. I am super excited to get some products up myself. Check out Real Mart now!

 
Lately I have had the future of web and print design on my mind. I have been curious to know others perspectives on what is going on with the transitions we are seeing everyday in the design industry. Like many designers I have a love for both. I started off being mostly print but thankfully about four years ago started digging deep (when time allowed) into learning as much as I could about web design. I began learning how to develop code which was something I did not think my brain would take a liking to. To my complete delight those few years ago, I discovered that I actually enjoyed learning the programming language that makes the pretty designs functional. I am now so thankful I took out that time because it has been a huge advantage for me on many levels. That is a whole other subject so I wont get off topic.

In this post I just wanted to share my perspective on the changes in print and web and hopefully spark others to share their perspectives. As I said above, with being in the industry I naturally have seen some changes taking place. Its effecting everyone. It even effected my last place of full time employment. What I am seeing is that if businesses, schools and of course designers / design firms don’t keep up with the demands of the web and interactive design, they are going to be left in the dust. It is the future and really it is a super exciting thing to keep up with!

For a company the importance obviously lies in that the web is and has been for some time now, vital in reaching, educating, and interacting with your audience. There is just no denying it, no second guessing. If a company or individual is stuck on the old way of doing things and not open to moving with these transitions, I am afraid it’s not going to just be a matter of your preference or opinion, your going to hurt yourself and your business.

For a designer or firm it might mean learning a whole new thing that I can agree, may seem very intimidating. Learning how to design for web and how to find the right people or means for programming and bringing these things to life is a challenge when you first start but it really isnt all that bad once you get rolling. I found a great article at a website that I frequent and he gives a pretty decent comparison on web and print design. http://css-tricks.com/print-design-to-web-design/. Both have their challenges, limitations, etc. and some may argue that web has more limitation. There is a lot involved and much to consider but think about the impact that is behind new technologies.

On the subject of print I am in no way saying or agreeing that print is dying like some will say. Is is changing? Yes. Is it downsizing in some ways? I think its looking that way to some degree. I do not however believe it will ever completely die. There is always going to be a need for that tangible piece in hands. I have heard many designers say this same thing. While the rate of digital’s grown in this industry is more than apparent, I think print still holds its foundations place and is here to stay. On our love for design side of things, we never want it to go away!. There is something about holding that printed piece you just created that give a satisfaction like no other.

In conclusion my point is simply this. Be open to these important transitions we are experiencing and have been experiencing. Like anything in this life, don’t be intimidated by new things just because you don’t know them. You always have to get over that first hump and it only becomes easier as you open up and embrace it. For designers, an encouraging note is that all of the great design skills and fundamentals you have will be used in the same way. For companies questioning how much they should invest in web strategies, there is NO question, you should! Do the digital dive if you haven’t already. The water is far from cold.

 
Time for another inspiration post! I always find it interesting the places I find myself inspired in finding new and great ideas. I will grace you with sharing my experience with these places, or times that I find myself most inspired to discover fresh creative ideas, but also want to hear where others find their inspiring moments! Shall We?

I think most everybody can agree that the times or places that we find ourselves most inspired or capable of being focused in finding new ideas is placed where we are relaxed. These are environments where we can actually free out brains of daily clutter so to let it be filled with new things. It only makes sense right!

There are two places or times that I find myself at when my brain seems to effortlessly be pumping out some great ideas. Unfortunately both of these places seem to not be the most convenient place in terms of access for jotting down or recording these great ideas. The first place is the shower. I find this very strange for multiple reasons but mostly because I am usually in the shower in the morning. I am not exactly what you would call a morning person, However, like most of us find, a nice hot shower can get you started for the day. The challenge however is how to quickly record these things that come to me? I guess I need to invent water proof note paper! Thanks to steam on the glass I am not left without any means of jotting down sketches or notes if I feel my memory wont serve me well enough.
The second place is when I have my eyes close and am close to dozing off. This seems not so bad as you can easily make sure to have a note book by your bed for these crazy inspiring times. The challenge is making sure your dozing doesn’t go all the way before you have a chance to record your ideas.
The good thing for me is that I usually find that my memory serves me well enough that I am able to remember my great ideas that are birth during these circumstances long enough to record them in a safer place.

Now how about you? When do you find yourself most inspired. Dont be shy! Heck I just admitted that I am a shower thinker.

The New year is finally here and I cannot express how excited I am. I am very optimistic about 2010 and have many exciting hopes and goals. What are yours?

I am excited to continue in working hard to offer my passion and love through creative problem solving. I want to meet new people and form new relationships. I am ready to explore new ideas and watch them come to life and full fill their purpose. A Whole new year, a clean slate, ready for something big.

2009 holds a special place. I am so thankful because I can come out of 2009 feeling good. I met the goals that I set for myself and for Link Creative. All within a very challenging time. In fact, I look back and see what I accomplished and wonder how!? I am certainly not tooting my own horn here. I’m counting my blessings from above.

Goodbye 2009, Thank you for the opportunities and growth you brought. Hello 2010, I’m ready to Rock!

Happy New Year everyone. A special thanks goes out to all of my wonderful client, friends and family.