Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Sketchbook Project

This is a really great idea. Thousands of sketchbooks get displayed in galleries across the country during the tour. The subtitle is "It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks." See a few examples below and click here to get more information and participate.

[image credit: Ken McCarthy]
[image credit: Duncan Reid]
[image credit: Kate Castelli]

Monday, August 30, 2010

Watercolour Illustrations - Stina Persson

Gorgeous watercolour illustrations from artist Stina Persson - via the Free People Clothing blog.


[image credits: Stina Persson]

Ligatures & Love...

For the self-professed typography nerds like myself - this card from A.favourite Design (via Felt & Wire Shop) is adorable!

[image credit: a.favourite design - ligature card]

Daily Drop Cap - Jessica Hische

Typographer and illustrator Jessica Hische has a fantastic blog called Daily Drop Cap where she posts an illustrated drop cap every day. It is a great way to start your day with bit of typographic inspiration and the letters are available for use in blogs (follow the instructions she includes below each image). Here is today's post which is an adorable illustration and seen below is a more traditional drop cap with gorgeous typography. Check out the full blog here.

[image credits: Jessica Hische of Daily Drop Cap]

Friday, August 27, 2010

Gillian Tennant

I first saw the work of Gillian Tennant on Daydream Lily and checked out her full collection for myself. I love the soft colour palette and the easy-dressing pieces. Looks exactly like the kind of outfits I would love to wear every day in the summer!



[image credits: Gillian Tennant]

Friday, August 20, 2010

Draw! Pilgrim

Loving these graphic prints by Lee of Draw! Pilgrim from Australia. Read an interview with Lee on The Design Files and check out her beautifully illustrated website here.


[image credits: Draw! Pilgrim]

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Fee Harding of Burnt Feather


LOVE these illustrations by Fee Harding of Burnt Feather. Seen on the Daydream Lily blog.

[image credit: Burnt Feather]

[image credit: Burnt Feather]

Monday, August 16, 2010

Isle of Sky - Artists' Business Cards

Check out this clever idea by Isle of Skye for creating custom business cards using a rubber stamp with all the information and then stamp it onto card stock with any custom image such as paint splatters as seen below. An interview with illustrator Skye Jefferys can be read here on The Design Files.


[image credits: Isle of Skye]

Business Card Design

This is a recent business card design I did for Shanna Taillon who teaches flute lessons as well as performs for special events such as weddings.
[image credit: me]

Friday, August 13, 2010

1970's Landscaping Book - Photoshoot

On Wednesday I picked up a 1970's landscaping book by Reader's Digest at the Uxbridge Library that was being discarded (on a rack near the entrance marked FREE!) and I've been brainstorming unique ways to use it ever since! Today I decided to have an impromptu photo shoot in our back yard using the book, some roses, and other garden items. Here are three of my favourite shots...

[image credit: me]

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Smashing Magazine - Creative Business Cards

Smashing Magazine compiled a bunch of really creative business cards which are incredibly inspirational for anyone looking to have a card designed. A few of my favourites are below and the rest of the examples can be found here.

[image credit: Brandon Knowlden]

[image credit: Y&R]
[image credit: Ralev]
[image credit: Taste of Ink Studio]

Monday, August 9, 2010

An apple a day...

Second type/illustration attempt...
[image credit: me]

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Lazy Days of Summer

I was thinking of cottages, hazy skies and vivid sunsets when creating this little illustrated phrase! My goal is to create some type of design or visual idea every couple of days.
[image credit: me]

Friday, August 6, 2010

10 Things You Can Do to Keep a Customer - Ivana Taylor

This is a great article from Marketing Strategist Ivana Taylor with simple, but important points on keeping a customer. Summarized, those points are:

1) Calculate your customer net worth
2) Identify what is most important to your customers
3) Review the next customer letter you see and remove all elements of "corporate-speak" from it
4) Get employees involved in building your brand and communicating with customers
5) Create a "key account" plan for a critical customer
6) Offer an insane guarantee
7) Give them the star treatment
8) Create an advisory board
9) Monthly "surprise gift"
10) LOVE them

Check out the rest of the article on the American Express Open Forum here.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Project Thirty Three

The owner of Jive Time Records in Seattle scans in vintage record covers to a blog called Project Thirty Three. Check it out here...http://www.projectthirtythree.com/









Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Memorial University - Research Report

University research combined with some of the top movies of all time. An article in the National Post yesterday highlighted the fact that a research report does not have to be boring. "The Shining: Research Stars 2010" promotes Memorial University's "research stars" through blockbuster film posters. For example, the faculty of the Ocean Sciences Centre are featured on a "Ocean's 16" poster. A few of my favourites are includes below and the rest of the report images can be found here.

[image credit: Memorial University]

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Rolling Roadshow Posters - Olly Moss

The Rolling Roadshow is a collaboration with Levi's and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema who put on a tour of famous movies including the Rocky series, The Blues Brothers, and Jackie Brown among others. Movie posters for each film were re-designed by Olly Moss and they are stunning examples of silkscreening. Here are a few of my favourites, but check out the rest here by clicking on "design" then "rolling roadshow."

[image credit: Olly Moss]