originals :: paper art & design

Before I left on my road trip to the Great Northwest I designed new business cards. As a designer you can imagine how difficult it was designing for myself. A million ideas going through my head and having to choose one.

I decided to make a business card that’s a miniature representation of my design niche. It’s slightly shorter than a standard business card, folds in half like a greeting card and has all my info in a clean and concise layout.

It perfectly proves my ability to do all the things I market myself to do!  Now that’s a successful design solution!  Agree?

I fold the business card in half and corner round the two right corners to compliment my round swirl and font, and then slip two cards into this miniature black envelope. BC ADVICE: Always give two business cards away, one for the recipient and another for the the recipient to give away!

For fun I take my business card to another level of fabulous!  I add an eyelet to really hit home my ability to truly create an original business card.  Besides, the point these days is to stand out, right? So do it, dare to be different and be an original!

I do this bindery step by hand and it’s  well worth it in the long run! Check these out!

Then I insert a natural thin cord through the eyelet and tie a knot, and like that, you have a functional tag and business card that’s sure to be a conversation piece for weeks and months to come.

So tell me this, if you received a business card like this, would you keep it or toss it? My bet is that you’d keep it. That, to me, is why spending a little extra on your business card is very important. Cheaper isn’t always better.

Have a great day!

The Kirksville Stars and Stripes Marathon/Half Marathon was nearly a month ago, but since I was gone I didn’t get the opportunity to capture any images of the event itself. I posted early electronic files showing these marathon items, but seeing the real thing gives them credibility.

This is the finisher medal. Each participant received one as they crossed the finish line. A nice keepsake for such an amazing accomplishment. I ran the Seattle Rock’n Roll Half Marathon this summer, and let me tell you, it really is an accomplishment I’m very proud of.

Here is the number bib that each runner received in their goody bag.  When Allen received them from our vendor he said, “Brooke, these are a keepsake all by themselves.”  That made me smile.  I hope some of the runners felt the same way.

The 100 series was for the marathon runners, and 200 series for half marathon.

This is a template Allen cut out and used for mile markers along the route.  He totally understands the power of branding an event, OR is simply entertaining me, either way you’ve gotta love it.  Under each logo painted on the route was the mile marker in white.

I simply love the color and texture of this shot, it has so much character, kinda like each and every runner!

Have a great weekend and remember to slow down and take time to enjoy the simple things in life.

Here are two of three custom wedding items being shipped this week. This one comes from a bride in Canada. She wanted a marriage license that included their vows, their colors and wedding theme and most importantly… the inclusion of their children in the signing.

Their wedding colors are silver and butter yellow, and the ceremony is at a beautiful rustic lodge. I designed this piece 11 x 14 so it will fit a traditional picture frame and/or mat.

Here’s what Tamara wrote in one of her email messages, “It is perfect! We are thrilled..it is exactly what we wanted for all of us to sign in participation of the ceremony! I will highly recommend you Brooke…it’s awesome!”

Beth was in search of a guest book alternative.  We combined our two ideas and came up with this beautiful and functional piece.  Beth is having a small wedding at a vineyard in Missouri and wanted a vintage look and to incorporated grape leaves if possible.  I do believe we hit this one right on.  This piece matches her invitations (that I’ve yet to blog about).

This piece is digitally printed on a fabulous textured card stock and is fabulous to touch.  The script font compliments the scrolling graphic beautifully!  I get so giddy when fonts and graphics blend this well… I’m such a graphic designer!  HA.

This piece is also 11 x 14 so that it can be matted and framed for years of enjoyment.  One more coming… stay tuned.

What will I do with my time when this marathon is over?  I’m certain Allen will come up with some other multisport event… do I hear Century Ride?!  For those new to the blog… my husband is the Director of the first Kirksville Stars and Stripes Marathon that takes place on Saturday, July 3rd.  In addition to designing the marathon logo, below are some of the marketing materials I designed for this awesome event. This is our 11×17 full color poster. I added runners to compliment the single runner in the logo itself. I really like the way it turned out.

Here is the Registration Form we posted on the marathon website and mailed to an established runners list.

This is the Sponsorship Form which mirrors the Registration Form… continuity is important in branding an event (or business). We used this form to solicit sponsors that we know enjoy the sport of running. We hope to build on this base next year. Interested in the title sponsor?  Somebody, anybody?

Here is the current T-shirt design. It’s not final yet, but we’d better be by the end of the week! HA!

This was a new project for me, a Race Number Bib! Are you familiar?  I’ve worn a handful, but never imagined designing one. Fun. Fun.

Last, but not least, the Finisher Medal. It’s a simple 2.25 round medal that hangs from a ribbon and every runner/walker receives one as they cross the finish line. It’s a symbol of completion, satisfaction and bragging rights!

So, as you can see, if you have a sporting event that needs a designers touch… I’m here to assist you! Waste no time… contact me soon for your 2011 Event!

If you’re in the Kirksville area and a patron of the arts, please swing by Arts Center this evening between 5:30-7:00 and join us for the Kirksville Arts Association Membership Mixer. Here’s the flyer for more details:

I just got to thinking I should have done “BEFORE & AFTER” pictures of this brochure.  Perhaps I’ll follow up with that idea later this week.

This is obviously a tri-fold brochure I designed for the Adair County Public Library.  It’s an informational self-mailer piece  marketing their Endowments and Gifts.

Glenda came to me and said they needed to step it up and hire a designer to overhaul the brochure and give it a professional look.  They provided me with all the copy, photos, and logos.  The brochure came together quickly and under budget.

With ample preparation and planning on your end… hiring a professional designer doesn’t have to break the bank!  If you’re looking at some of your own marketing materials that really need updating, contact me today and let’s talk!

If you didn’t already know, I’m behind all the Stars and Stripes Marathon marketing materials. We’re fine tuning the sponsor logos on the poster and preparing it for press.  Here’s what it looks like as of 7:35 pm:

Are you in the midwest neighborhood… like any state touching Missouri? If so, please consider this first time marathon/half marathon run and or walk. The race itself is in conjunction with the weekend long Red, White and Blue Festival put on by the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce.

I’ve always loved product packaging and package design. So when Dr. Cynthia Hayes from Cynergy Health contacted me to design a Kleenex box cover for allergy season, I jumped at the opportunity. They plan to cover dozens of Kleenex boxes and deliver them to local doctors offices to promote referrals to their Allergy & Asthma practice.  And we all know how bad allergy season is this year.  The two together ought to make for a successful campaign.

I started this project by creating an accurate template for the 2″ tall Kleenex box Cynergy Health chose to use. A key step to a successful cover up!

I used both the Cynergy Health logo (the clinic) and Cynergy Allergy & Asthma logo (the practice).  The filigree floral is a graphic standard of Cynergy Health and the floating dots represent allergens in the air.

Note how the white lines match up on the corners.  My husband has 20 years of print experience and this was the first thing he looked at!  He was impressed at my accuracy.

If you’re considering a marketing campaign or product promotion that includes packaging, be sure to consider me while shopping designers, I assure you, I’ll represent you well.  Have a great afternoon.

How great is that name!  Hound Around Hotel is just that… a fabulous hotel for hounds to hang out with other hounds while you’re away taking care of business or pleasure!  Many of you already know we have five dogs and we usually get dog sitters to feed and water them while we’re away.  But a couple of our large dogs are getting up there in age and I needed the peace of mind they were cared for 24/7.  Enter Janine Sevits of Hound Around Hotel.  She is fabulous and very accommodating!  Check out her website for more details.

Janine plans to schedule a photo shoot to capture a photo of her with her hounds for future marketing efforts… but as you can imagine, that will be quite the undertaking by all. So until that day comes we pulled a great stock photo that depicts her business well. It’s quite simple, Hound Around Hotel boards dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds.

The beauty of being a graphic designer is that I have a business most people are willing to trade services with. Janine needed updated business cards and I needed somebody I could trust to watch my two older dogs during a recent trip to Seattle. And there you have it! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Hound Around Hotel located just outside of Kirksville, MO. Tell her Brooke referred you! Thanks.

Are you as crazy over paper as I am? If so, get a look at these new swatch books that arrived yesterday from Envelopments! It’s like Christmas in April here at the Originals Paper Art studio. I can hardly wait to make samples with the new colors and prints.

A great new addition to their line of paper is a selection of LETTERPRESS papers. They’re beautiful, heavy weight and have fabulous texture.  If you’re in the market for custom letterpress invitations, announcements or stationery… we need to talk!

But wait, that’s not all… they added a bunch of new patterns and color combos to their already incredible paper selection.  Not only do these papers come in card stock, they have complimentary light weight papers, envelopes, envelope liners and their infamous pockets!  Be sure to visit their website to see all they have to offer.

Once you’re done surfing the net for ideas, contact me to discuss how we can make your dream stationery come to life! You’ll be happy you did.

I’d like to introduce one of my new clients, Billiards on Broadway. They’re located on Broadway in downtown Columbia, Missouri. They came to me with a well thought out plan and lots of graphic frustration. After a two-hour meeting absorbing all of their ideas and information, Les looked at me and said, “Can you do all this?” Molly replied for me, “Look how comfortable she is standing there, of course she can do it.” I cherish that moment!

This is the logo they’ve been working around for two years. It’s caused them much frustration and cost them many dollars. So as you can imagine, it was the first project we tackled on their list. I reproduced their existing logo into a vector format so that they and all their graphic vendors can work with it.  I felt so good when Molly asked, “Where were you two years ago?”

This is just the beginning of my many design assignments. I’m helping Billiards on Broadway fine tune their already fabulous branding efforts. One thing we’re really focusing on is getting the message out that they serve food. And let me tell you… if you’re a burger and fries fan, you MUST eat here! Their burgers are pattied fresh every day using fresh (never frozen) chuck beef and their fries are also cut on-site and deep fried to order. I ate lunch with Les and Molly last Friday during our meeting and OMG… they’re delicious! Go by and try their Famous Billiards Burger and tell them Brooke sent you!

This post not only promotes one of my design projects… it also promotes my wonderful client Pawsitive Animalworks, and friend, Laci Cook. I got the pleasure of designing her custom logo, standard ad templates and exterior sign a few years ago… and this full page newspaper ad just last week.

At the time Laci came to me with this ad project she didn’t have access to her business images taken by fabulous photographer and friend Hector Contreras of Studio 1004, so I scanned through images I’ve taken of my five dogs and was able to develop my idea.  She was very pleased with the final ad.

If you live in the northeast Missouri area, have a dog, and haven’t been to Pawsitive Animalworks… perhaps now is the time to check it out!  She has lots going on this spring.  Tell her Brooke sent you!

A few words from Laci:
Brooke, Thank you, thank you, thank you! The ad was PERFECT and I appreciate the fast result after my short notice. I wouldn’t recommend, or personally use, anyone else! You’re AWESOME!

I was approached by Seattle Central Community College to design a department logo for their Distance Education and eLearning program.  The SCCC logo is shown in the upper left corner of my sketchbook.  My first round of sketches are shown below and my thought process behind each sketch in writing below it.

Every once in a while I don’t connect with the vision of my client (the first time) and this was one of those times. I was so focused on making the DEeL logo compliment the existing SCCC logo that I didn’t expand the creative field. My client asked me to send a round of new ideas and to please provide a rough electronic version of each rather than sketches… and so I did. Here is round two of the sketches (per their feedback and focus) and quick electronic versions.

Why sketch? you may ask… I’m a believer that by sketching you can get lots of ideas in a short amount of time and then elaborate on the strong ideas. When I work on the computer I tend to perfect everything… and that’s a waste of my time and the client’s money. It doesn’t always work… like in this case, however it usually does. Here is the DEeL logo finalized.

What are your thoughts on the final logo? Care to share your feedback with me? I’m happy with it and believe it’s a nice compliment to SCCC, graphically represents the program and has nice icon appeal. Gotta run! Have a great day!

Months ago I designed this blended logo and every time I see it I’m very proud to say I did it. Saturday night we went to a wine and chocolate tasting hosted by West Winery at Jackson Stables & Mocha Hut and had a great time. Delicious wine paired with Belgian chocolates… what could be better on Valentine’s Day weekend?!

If you’re following my blog and live in the midwest, you should escape to this little piece of heaven.  West Winery at Jackson Stables is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy an evening of quality time with friends and family.  They encourage you to bring your own picnic basket with snacks and treat yourself to some wine.  They occasionally have musicians play too!  Check out their events schedule on their website.  And tell them Brooke sent you!

Hello Brooke,

Went to Jackson Stables last night and ended up buying a pair of wine glasses because I liked the logo so much. Later, when I got back home, I found your site and just wanted to tell you what a nice job that you did making the combination logo. It is very attractive. In fact, it has a floral bouquet with a hint of oak and yet a surprising finish. Or something like that.

Thanks again for the great glasses and take care,
Kevin Casey

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!