originals :: paper art & design

Last weekend was the 2010 NEMO Bridal Expo.  Not only was Originals Paper Art an invitation vendor in the show, I was also a member of the Bridal Expo steering committee and the Kirksville Arts Center Bridal Expo committee! I was stretched a little thin last week.  It was fun… but I’m really glad it’s over for another year. Kristina, Katie and I put together a beautiful booth for the Kirksville Arts Center.  I ordered flowers and cupcakes, designed print ads and favors, and edited and recorded radio ads.

These little favors are printed on light weight vellum, adhered to skewers and curled with scissors (you know the method). They turned out really cute. My theory was the recipient would want to know what the message said and thus unroll the favor. I witnessed many unroll it which made the hours of assembly well worth it! The message read, “We have an elegant venue for your wedding celebrations in downtown Kirksville”.

Here are the cupcakes on the tiered cupcake stand in the Kirksville Arts Center booth at the NEMO Bridal Expo. Unfortunately I ordered too many cupcakes, however, I’d rather have too many than not enough.

Kristina researched chair covers, table design and floral arrangements. The round table dressed up beautifully. The most talked about feature was how the table itself was lit from below. It was stunning with the dim booth space. Many brides thought table design was a service we provided.  Hmm.  Sounds like an opportunity knocking… anybody there?!

Katie is a graphic designer and paper fanatic just like me! She designed the faux menus, place cards and table card to give this beautiful table a personal touch. She also designed our information card that has all the rental information.  It was a terrific team effort and so much fun.

So then, in addition to sharing my party favor design and snapshot photography, I want to plug the Kirksville Arts Center as a lovely space to rent if you have an upcoming event in northeast Missouri. Call Judy at (660) 665-0500 if you have questions about the space. Be sure to tell her I sent you!  Have a great day!

The 2010 Northeast Missouri Bridal Expo (brought to you by Tailor-Made Events) is this Sunday, January 31st and I’m getting my booth layout figured out this week.  Here is one of my display towers.  Each will present four original invitation ensembles.

Originals Paper Art & Design invitations do not come from an overflowing catalog or electronic template, but from a creative session between the bridal couple and me!  They are truly original and designed to represent the couple and their special day.

Whether your budget is average or ample, I can design an invitation for you. I must be honest, if you have a strict budget, Originals is not your best option. A set budget is beneficial prior to the creative session… it helps us stay on track when discussion your invitation options.

I’ll have hundreds of invitation samples at the Expo for you to look at and get ideas.  Your invitation is the first thing your guests see and it indicates what they can expect the day of your wedding.  Represent yourselves well.

Originals has a rainbow of paper colors, tactile textures and fancy finishes available in hot pink, rich red or chocolate brown, you name it, we’ve got your color scheme covered!

I’m an Envelopments dealer/designer and have access to their entire line of paper, dimensional pockets and original graphics.  Check out their website and let me know if I can be of assistance with your Envelopments needs.

See you at the Bridal Expo this Sunday! Be sure to drop by my booth and register to win a variety of Originals Paper Art & Design prizes!

This is sweet little baby Garrett Allen Fischer… isn’t he just darling!  He’s the second Fischer boy and Allen’s namesake.  We haven’t met him yet — summer can’t get here soon enough.

I used the same design elements for his brother Cole two years ago.  I absolutely adore the circles, round font, and new to this announcement… the excited, wide-eyed fish!  It’s a terrific combination and so fitting for our friends.  This announcement would be so sweet mounted and framed in a shadow box.

Details. Details. Details.  They make the difference between a large photo website template and an Originals custom announcement.  If you’re expecting or know somebody who is, this is a great way to announce the arrival of your loved one.  Purchasing baby announcements as a bridal shower gift is unique, unexpected and well received.  Contact me today to discuss how to get started.

I’ve been designing the ArtSmart Conference brochure for The Best Of Missouri Hands (BOMH) the past three years and I find this one to be very clever and eye catching!

Find the Missing Pieces for Your Success in the Arts – that’s the theme for 2010.  It’s taking place at the Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino in Boonville, Missouri.  Check out the BOMH website to learn more about this fabulous non-profit organization.

Are you involved in the professional art market OR considering it?  This series is for you… look at the line up of events offered to you AND the keynote speaker!  Sweet!

Inside the brochure is a description of all the “pieces” involved in this weekend adventure.  Thinking you and a friend might want to participate?  I’m going to direct you straight to the BOMH website… there you can register online or download the brochure and mail your registration form and payment.  Good times are in store for those who attend.  Sign up today for the Early Bird discount!

Have a marvelous Monday! Cheers!

Cheers to another happy bride! Beth called me yesterday, in lieu of an email (she said), to tell me in person how much she loved her invitations. She continued to say they were all that she wanted and more. As you can imagine… I love receiving this kind of phone call. Rewind four months: Beth contacted me with her wedding theme, colors and concept right from the beginning. We had a nice long conversation over the phone and from that day forward we worked through various situations one email at a time. So for those interested in my work, but not in my neighborhood, not to worry… we can make it work.

Beth and I both researched pine cones and agreed on this one. It complimented the script font I chose for their names that was already in place and well-liked!

I used her favorite color, eggplant purple, as the anchor card and kept it classy with a black layer, black satin ribbon wrap, ecru invitation and a splash of metallic silver in the pine cone. It’s very striking in person and oh, SO tactile.  Love it!

The black satin ribbon wraps around the invitation and holds her information cards in place.  I like this option because once the information cards have been removed, the ribbon doesn’t lose it’s purpose… it simply becomes one with the invitation itself.  Follow me on that?

Beth needed three additional cards:  (1) an Information card that included hotel information, travel suggestions and a schedule of events for the entire weekend; (2) an RSVP card with Return Envelope; and (3) a Dinner Reception card detailing the celebration that followed the ceremony. All three cards included the same design specs and pine cone graphic.

The above snapshot showcases her Friday night Hot Chocolate, Coffee & Confections invitation, mailing envelope and RSVP postcard. And the final piece I designed for Beth and Tyler was a Thank You note to match. Whew! How’s that for a stationery suite. Nice.

Here’s a nice message I received from Claudia (mother of the bride) as well. Toot! Toot!

Dear Brooke,

The invitations arrived today and we (Beth, her Dad and me) were so pleased with them…..thank you for doing such a wonderful job and also your input that helped Beth put her ideas into them.

Many thanks,
Claudia

Allen Goans is organizing the first Kirksville Stars and Stripes Marathon & Half Marathon for July 3, 2010 at 6:00 AM. Not only am I his wife, I am his graphic designer, marketer and PR gal! Here’s the logo we developed together:

The STARS symbolize our midwest athletes… anybody that can run a marathon or half marathon is a STAR in my book! The STRIPES represent the country roads in which the runners will travel for 13.1 or 26.2 miles. And of course the summer sun that will be greeting the runners at 6:00 AM! Your thoughts on our logo…? An official website will be up soon for the Stars and Stripes Marathon/Half Marathon… but for now check out the KIRKSVILLE MULTISPORT blog for race details.

I received a phone call a few weeks ago from Millie at The Blue Note.  She accepted a new position as Special Events Coordinator and wanted some fun and reflective business cards.  Here are the four design concepts I sent her for review.

Here is the design of (budget) choice.  Millie REALLY wanted to go with the coaster design… but we all know that’s a spendy option.  With a line up of event bookings she hopes to order them next time!  How fun will THAT be!

Rather than having these cards die cut, Allen created a cutting jig for our large cutter.  The high tech jig is pictured below made of chipboard.  The top and left edges are perfectly square and fit into the cutter this way.  Allen places a stack of cards into the jig (as shown), places the cut out jig piece on top of the cards, clamps down the cutter to hold the cards securely in place and cuts.  Just like that we have an angled cut.  The angled cut is designed to match the slanted roof in the logo AND most importantly makes the card stand out in a pile of cards!

If you’re in the Columbia (Missouri) area and looking to book a venue this year for ANY special occasion, you should consider The Blue Note!  Call Millie for all the fabulous details… and be sure to tell her Brooke sent you!

My sister came up with a fabulous gift for her guy for Christmas and recruited me to bring her thoughtful idea to life. Her guy is a snapshot photographer and loves to photograph flowers. She sent me her favorite photos (of his) to choose from along with the quote, “Earth laughs in flowers” by Ralph Waldo Emerson and told me to perform my design magic.  This is what I came up with:

I chose an old Polaroid picture frame to capture the essence of his thought process while snapping the photo, added a note to a random few using a casual handwriting font and scattered them around like you might do while admiring your favorite things (no matter what those “things” are). The quote was well thought out too… the word EARTH is sky blue and the words laughs in flowers is in a fluid and spiky font that resembles grass.

Here it is in all it’s glory! I went to STARBUCKS on New Year’s Eve and found a Create Your Own Tumbler just so I could photograph the finished product for my blog! However, I didn’t pass up the chance to get a seasonal Eggnog Latte while I was at it! Not until I was waiting for my husband to finish his First Night 5k race (while talking to my sister in freezing cold temperatures) did I realize just how fun this project was – and that I really wanted to do one for myself as well!

Have you ever considered a “create it yourself” project and wished you had some creative assistance? Let me help you! It’s very easy… I promise! My sister is 2,000 miles away in Washington state and she simply traced the template and emailed it to me. I used the template to design the tumbler and then sent her the final printed templates having never seen the actual tumbler – live and in person! It was a team effort to create this very personal gift for her special guy. He’s lucky to have such a thoughtful lady in his life!

While talking to my sister about this creative adventure we experienced together I got to thinking about what a great client gift this would make… hmm… think about it… I sure am! The options are ENDLESS!

Speaking of coffee… it’s a balmy 11 degrees here in Northeast Missouri and I need to go get a warm up on my coffee and get to work! Have a warm and wonderful day. A great big thank you to my sister, Paige, for recruiting me for this project… I loved doing it for her… for him. Cheers!

Originals Paper Art (OPA) has had the same logo for ten years (1999-2009). It carried us through two retail stores, numerous bridal shows and business expos,  a home design studio and now an office in town. Yep, that’s right… Originals has changed and developed through the years and I felt the logo needed to reflect that change in the new year.  Here’s the OPA logo the first ten years…

For those who didn’t know – the name Originals was created using my handwriting (A).  I used the tag line Paper Art (B) to define what my retail store had to offer (back in 1999). I added the rectangle box (C) as an second logo option to solidify the logo and used these two versions for a few years.  I added the swirl graphic (D) into the mix and it changed colors through the years based on the marketing piece.  In the last three years I combined the rectangle box logo and green swirl (E) and worked on branding the logo via my blog and printed materials.

TA-DAH! Here’s the updated OPA logo that will lead us into 2010 and beyond! It’s a nice transition from the “original” logo without compromising the hard work I put into my branding efforts through the years.

I switched out my handwritten Originals for a nice round, contemporary font (A & B) and kept the swirl by incorporating it as the O.  I really like the way they work together.  I added (& DESIGN) to the tag line since my business has really transitioned from a retail paper store to an invitation and design studio.  I softened the rectangle box by adding rounded corners and removing the outline (C & D).  Each version of the logo has a black version and a color version… perfect for different print and media needs.  I’m working with a variety of savvy brides and business clients and want to reflect that characteristic with this flourish (E).  It can stand alone or with the OPA logo.  I love it and am very excited to implement it into all my marketing efforts.

How about you?  Do you like it?  I’d love to hear your feedback… do share.  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and short note to my clients and loyal blog readers… I’m going to take advantage of this quiet time and slip away from the office for a little time off between Christmas and New Years.  I’ll be back in the office Monday, January 4th. This is a perfect time of year to make connections with friends and family afar… and THAT I plan to do! Enjoy the season and all that it represents.

It’s that time of year again.  Our friends and business partners at SilverBox Photographers are pumping out OBSs (Originals Box Sets) just in time for Christmas.  Usually we do one set per bride/groom as part of their proof package… however, this bride wanted to give the OBS as a gift to her parents and grandparents as gifts.  So… the four you see here are all the same and will be given as gifts to her family.

If you’re new to my blog and unfamiliar with SilverBox Photographers… be sure to venture over to their blog and see their work, they are very talented and professional photographers, not to mention fabulous friends!  If you or somebody you know is getting married this summer, consider SilverBox Photographers… and tell them Brooke sent you.

Here are two projects that are done and out the door!  I was hired to write on this over-sized picture mat.  I can see it now with a black and white family photo taken Christmas morning with everybody in their pj’s in front of the Christmas tree!  I guess I’ll never know… but it’s fun to imagine!

I spent about an hour with my calligraphy pen finding the right style of letters, letter spacing and dip of descenders.  Then I penciled very light lines and took the scary step of actually writing in pen… BIG deep breath… and GO.  Success.  I turned out well.

My client Snyder Engineering came to me with their own design idea and I brought it to life and got it printed for them.  It resembles the ad campaign I just finished designing for them!  A terrific choice for keeping your name in front of your clients and vendors.

Inside we personalized their greeting and pre-printed envelopes as well.  If you’re in the market for custom note cards (or Christmas cards in this case), be sure to contact me to discuss your options.  They’re really pretty reasonable and a great marketing tool.

Enjoy your weekend… we have just one week ’til Christmas! Cheers!

I don’t fully agree with all 7 rules… but I do love the 7 Rules to Understand Design and Designers wall decal.

1) Designers are meant to be loved not to be understood.
2) The purpose of design is to make the ordinary extraordinary.
3) The best designers are the ones who find the good clients.
4) Design must seduce, shape &, more importantly, evoke an emotional response.
5) Good design can be planned but great design just happens.
6) Design the right things, design the things right.
7) Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Pulled from The Donut Project

People ask me all the time if I design for clients out-of-state. The answer is “quite often”. It’s pretty common to have distant bridal couples that I never meet in person… however, between phone calls and email messages we work through wedding stationery electronically. The same is becoming common with my design clients as well. I have a handful of distant design clients I’ve acquired through the years that find me via an existing friendship, a professional referral, even a Google search. That’s how Sandra found me!

Sandra is my client contact at RED BARN. In the past year I designed their logo, stationery, catalog binder and spec sheets, marketing story tag, order form, fax form and price sheet! Below is a letter from Sandra to me after her first visit to “market” in North Carolina. I just had to share.

If you’re on the fence deciding on a local designer vs. a distant designer… make your choice based on what you really want when it comes to design style… you’ll be glad you did! Are you in the market to freshen up your marketing materials for 2010? If so, and you like my style, give me and call and let’s talk!

Cheers!

HEY LOOK! Some of my designs and interview comments were published in this book! Freelance Design in Practice by Cathy Fishel. If you’re considering freelance design as a career move, you should buy this book, it’s full of great information. Here are a few snapshots.

Do these invitations look familiar? They are two favorites that receive inquiries all the time.  The white and yellow wedding invitation was designed for Kristan and Bryant… you can find the original blog entry on my previous blog Snapshots! I first blogged about it on April 21, 2008. And the red and brown booklet invitation was designed for Nancy and Dave… it was the very first blog entry on my previous blog Snapshots! as well (dated February 3, 2008).  Enjoy!

The story below is referring to the inforward logo and posters I designed for MFA last year.  The original blog entry on this project is on my Snapshots! blog and is dated March 7, 2008.  You can read the entire story and see the posters as well.

Another MFA project on my Snapshots! blog… the redesign of  Today’s Farmer magazine that I was hired to redesign last year.  Check out the entire story back May 8,2008

And just for fun… I had to take a picture of the credits page that has my name and website listed.