Category: Showcase

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Digital Art Showcase

Branded printed labels make the world go round

The round labels are proving very popular, so popular in fact that I am currently trialing some round gloss style labels and transparent style labels. Once I am happy with the quality and look, I’ll put them online as part of the Printed Stationery range. From samples to date, I suspect they will be a big hit!

In the meantime, you can look at some highlights of most recent orders from my lovely clients. Client supplied designs from Abi of ‘Sew You’ (sewing queen and a bit of a design junkie) and Kerry of ‘Truffle Piglet’ (don’t you just love the name?). Sara of ‘Kitty Eden’ would have designed her own, but I saw one of her flower brooches and was inspired, so sent her a design, which she didn’t have any choice but to accept.

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Digital Art Handmade Showcase

Not so secret ‘pie club’

I am a proud member of the ‘twitter pie club’, along with the lovely and talented illustrators and designers @muddleduck, @jennyariane, @catpalairet, @DeeAndrews.

We decided that it would be fun to create a badge for each other. We considered doing a ‘secret santa’ thing, but it got a bit complex and so in the end Jenny suggested doing it alphabetically. So I made a steak and ale badge for @catpalairet and the very yummy mummy @muddleduck made one for me. Pictures of all badges will be posted on our flickr group (yes we are taking this very seriously) once all the badges arrive at their destinations.

I love my badge and it pretty much captures my love of pie, all hand-sewn – how clever! Thank you very much Julia!

Categories
Digital Art Feature Handmade Showcase

Inkling Prints labels and Button bears

You are getting two topics for the price of one in today’s post.

The very talented designer and illustrator Kiran (@InklingPrints) ordered some printed round labels the other day. I was really looking forward to seeing the artwork she was supplying as her work is just gorgeous. I wasn’t disappointed. There are some designs that just ‘work’ and this is definitely one of them. I have been allowed to show you a sneaky preview of the labels…nice heh?

I have a four year old birthday party to go to on Saturday and I always try and buy handmade when it comes to gifts. I recently commissioned a Holly Fairy and Ben Elf for the little Crayons from Amanda at Handmade by Button and thanks to the power of facebook and the birthday boy’s Mummy’s statuses, I knew what his favourite characters were. So, on Wednesday night I sent @giantbutton a message asking (aka pleading) to see if she could knock up a special commission. A couple of hours later, a homage to Brave Captain Barnacles was cut, sewn and finished! Now that’s what I call exceptional customer service.

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Clients Digital Art Showcase

Mel Anderson Design designed labels

The very lovely Mel Anderson ordered some round labels today. Mel is a super talented felt and textile artist, she also takes great pride in the presentation of her work (see sample picture below). She is also an excellent client, in that she pretty much gives me free-reign with the ‘design’ aspect.

I really wanted to incorporate some of Mel’s personaility and unique style into the labels to showcase her work and to keep her branding consistent and what better way than by using her ‘Love x’ felt art (quickly becoming a best-seller for Valentine’s day) as inspiration? I have allowed for 3 various designs all based on Mel’s work for maximum flexibility.

I have really enjoyed designing these and hope they will compliment the whole ‘Mel Anderson Design‘ experience when you buy a piece from her.

Categories
Feature Handmade Showcase

Retro Valentine’s card

I was tweeting with Wendy (@1stUniqueGifts) last night and she was very complimentary about my Geek ‘inspired’ Valentine’s card designs. However, she ‘got’ them but didn’t think Mr. 1st uniqueGifts would ‘get’ them, he was more of a Batman fan apparently.

So, that got me thinking on ideas for a more retro style of Superhero based cards. This is my first ‘Kapow!’ card. I have an idea for a Superman and Spiderman as well, but that will have to wait until Monday when I am officially back at work!

Freestyle original hand-drawn with ink on card 127x127mm.

Buy Now – Free P&P

You Kapow Me
£3.75




More cards can be seen in the ‘Homage to Handmade‘ page.

Categories
Digital Art Showcase

Wedding monogram logo design

I was recently contacted by a journalist asking for samples of my wedding monogram design work for publication in a wedding magazine next year.

I whipped up some samples to her specification and printed off some labels, which worked particularly well. Fingers crossed that they get a feature in the magazine in the next year.

I really enjoy working on monograms, they are like mini-logos but without the seriousness. They are an expression of the happy couple’s personality and style. I still design with the view that the monogram should work in all context of the wedding stationery as well as any digital media, but it’s a much more relaxed process.

Time allowing, I would like to explore this product more in the new year. I think there are more and more ‘design’ conscience couples out there and they look to adding their own personal stamp on their big day.

Apparently, next season’s wedding palette is going to be purples, teals and monochrome. Lovely!

My monograms can currently be ordered exclusively on Gift Wrapped and Gorgeous for a very modest fee of £35.

Categories
Branding and Logos Showcase

New website and revamped logo

I always like to change the design of my website at least once a year. I think it helps keeps it fresh and up to date as well as giving me an opportunity to experiment with any ideas I’ve been storing away.

I have also played around with the logo a little bit. I realise that I am probably going against everything I keep saying to clients about keeping a consistent brand and identity, but I’m a designer, and hey, I am allowed to mess around with my own logo!

Categories
Digital Art Showcase Work in Progress

No such thing as too much orange

I love being a designer. I don’t get to travel around the world (yet) in my job, but I get to work with companies all around the world.

Most recently I was asked to work on a concept for a New Zealand ISP for their pre-pay site which was aimed at students. Their corporate colours are orange, grey and grey.

I was given free reign to go wild and wacky and so I thought, what is the opposite of funky and cool?

Flock wallpaper.

In orange.

Imagine my delight when they opt for that design. Sometimes clients just surprise me in the best sense of the word.

Categories
Digital Art Showcase

I heart faces

Inspired by Mrs PinkMilk, I have decided to enter the I heart Faces competition. This weeks’ Photo Challenge – “Best Face Photo”. Open to all photographers, bumbling point and clickers like me to professionals. Not sure what the prize is, if any.

Here is my entry, Master Crayons in his deer-stalker gazing at Mister Crayons out of shot.

{update: Just noticed that the hat is on back-to-front. This is what happens when Daddy dresses the children.}

Categories
Digital Art Showcase

Geek/Nerd Valentine’s cards

As promised, because even “IT” folks need love. I am particularly fond of the Pi one, only because it’s almost the same as cake!

All cards are free P&P and presented in a cellophane bag.

Delivery: Please allow 2/3 working days from date of order to receive your hand-illustrated card.

Please visit the new online shop to order your cards.