April 27, 2011

Featured project: conference branding & collateral

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 6:13 pm

For the second year, we worked with BAI to create branding and collateral for their conference, BAI Payments Connect.

The challenge was not only to convey a complicated concept, but to clearly market three distinct conference tracks—all while standing out from other banking events. It also had to be flexible enough to be adapted to multiple print and online uses.

Our design utilized a simple graphic accented with three distinct colors—one for each track. The colors, as well as track icons, were used throughout the conference materials and onsite signage to assist conference attendees in finding their desired sessions.

Above: website creative, web banners; below: conference logo and track icons, PowerPoint template, conference guide


Celebrate communication design: today is World Graphics Day

Filed under: Design & Art — Tags: , — lidia @ 10:00 am

World Graphics Day was created by Icograda (International Council of Graphic Design Associations) as an opportunity to recognize communication design, its role in the world (and celebrate Icograda‘s birthday). On this occasion, designers reflect and hope that our global network can contribute to greater understanding between people and can help to build bridges where divides and inequities exist.

Working in the world of graphic design for over ten years, I’ve seen plenty of changes. It’s not just about making something look pretty. Today, graphic designers have the power and responsibility to create change, raise awareness and bring about positive changes in our communities and world.

Why do I value design?

  1. It helps create connections between people
  2. It solves a problem or challenge
  3. It generates positive feelings and changes

April 25, 2011

From our greeting card shop: Mother’s Day Gifts

Filed under: Featured Projects,From our greeting card shop — lidia @ 10:06 pm

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th. Need a gift for Mom, or other special mom in your life? Our personalized Flat Notecards are a great gift idea for moms of all ages!

Choose from several notecard designs personalized with Mom’s name. She will love the personal gift, not to mention having a card on hand when she needs one.

Quantities starting at 25 are available. Easy online ordering and personalization.

Visit the Greetings by Lidia Varesco Design online shop.

Order by this Friday, April 29 for delivery in time for Mother’s Day.

April 22, 2011

3 Easy Ways to Make a Difference on Earth Day

Filed under: Green — lidia @ 10:30 am

Today is Earth Day but for many of us, it’s a pretty vague concept. What should I do to celebrate Earth Day?

Below are several easy and unique ways to can make a difference today.

3 easy ways to celebrate Earth Day

Starbucks Free Coffee on Earth Day

Starbucks is offering a free brewed coffee or tea if you bring in a reusable mug today.

Office Depot Pen Recycling

This week, bring in 10 used writing instruments for recycling to Office Depot and receive a coupon toward a Sharpie, EXPO, or Paper Mate product.

Creative Pitch Paper Donation (Chicago)

This local organization collects art supplies and donates them to art teachers in need. They are currently in need of paper donations. Everything 8.5″ x 11″ and up is welcome (WHITE / MATTE paper is preferred). They have a drop-off location in the Loop. See the Creative Pitch website for contact info.

These are a few easy ways to get started, but why stop there? Celebrate Earth Day everyday by consciously making an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle in your business and personal life.

Need ideas? Read our blog post on “green” office finds. And see what we do in our design studio to be green.

April 14, 2011

Cool office finds: Earth Day edition

Filed under: Uncategorized — lidia @ 10:17 am

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we’ve found lots of earth-friendly office goodies to share!

Chicagoans: some of our picks are from local companies, so you can minimize your footprint and support local business by shopping local.

Earth-friendly office goodies

Stainless Food Storage Containers

Brown bag it to the office? Ditch the plastic bags for this stylish and reusable sandwich solution, available from local company Stainless Cups.

They also carry stainless water bottles and tumblers.

Recycled Sari Journal

With smooth paper that’s perfect for sketching ideas or taking meeting notes, these lovely journals are made from recycled traditional heavy saris.

Find them and many other green goodies at Chicago fair trade and eco-friendly boutique Greenheart.

Bobble Reusable Bottles

These eco-friendly water bottles from water bobble combine form and function beautifully, filtering your water as you drink out of a stylish bottle.

Fill up at your office tap or water fountain and you can stay hydrated, while knowing the water you’re drinking is pure and tasty.

Recycled File Folders

One of the most-used items in our offices has to be file folders. Switch to a folder made from 100% post consumer recycled fibers and feel better about your filing.

Available online at Greenline Paper Company, these folders are a natural kraft color—in my opinion, more stylish than manila! Greenline also sells lots of other recycled office products and supplies.

Know other environmentally-friendly office goodies? Share them in the comments!

April 13, 2011

What does design mean to you? Share your thoughs today @onedayfordesign

Filed under: Design & Art — Tags: — lidia @ 10:00 am

Share your thoughts on design with the world—today!

One Day For Design brings together a global community of designers and design enthusiasts to exchange ideas, challenge viewpoints and push boundaries—collaborating in real time on the future of our profession and the organizations behind it.

Moderators are leading a one-day live online discussion of topics such as:

  • What does it mean to be a designer today?
  • Where do you find your design inspiration?
  • What are your thoughts on sustainability?
  • Is design an art form, strategic tool or some combination of both?

Join the conversation right now via the One Day For Design website or via Twitter (#1d4d)

April 11, 2011

Signs of Spring in Chicago

Filed under: Local (Chicago) — Tags: , — lidia @ 6:39 pm

Potted pansies, runners and a busy Mary Bartelme Park in the West Loop

With our first 80+ degree day yesterday, Chicagoans were pleasantly reminded: yes, it does get warm in Chicago.

After many long months of cold, snow, rain and greyness in general, the warm day brought the city alive. Bulky jackets were shed for shorts. Smells of BBQ lingered in the air. Kids and dogs populated the parks and streets. The warm day also nicely coincided with Chicago’s kick-off to the running season, the Shamrock Shuffle.

Though most trees and plant life have yet to wake up, I managed to find some signs of spring in my Chicago neighborhood, as well as in my mom’s garden. Go Spring!

Follow my Chicago spring tweets (and others’) at #signsofspring.

Snowdrops and sedum make their spring debut

 

April 6, 2011

See one of our designs in The Big Book of Packaging!

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , — lidia @ 4:30 pm

Yesterday, I received my copies of The Big Book of Packaging, featuring one of my packaging design projects.

Featured in the book is product packaging and a POP display we designed for Justin Blair & Company‘s  line of foot comfort products. (Read more about the project)

Produced by Crescent Hill Books and published by HarperCollins Publishers, the book features hundreds of fine examples of packaging design—not to mention a rockin’ binding with exposed book boards (fellow bookbinding geeks will appreciate this). A great reference for designers and marketers alike.

Thanks to Crescent Hill and HarperCollins for the opportunity to be a part of this exciting new book!