June 30, 2011

Got creative ideas? A few vendors you should know

Filed under: Creativity — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 6:17 pm

You have a great idea for a book, tee shirt, invitation, app or other creative project. But how do you make it?

Here are some of the vendors I met with at the HOW Design Conference. One of them is bound to match your creative needs.

Vendors for creative projects

Blurb Books

Are you an author, photographer or designer? Blurb Books is for you. Make your own book using their easy-to-use software or create a custom design. (Designers: an InDesign plug-in is coming soon!) Create a softcover or paperback book—or a hardcover book that can rival any store-bought book. For high-end projects, they now offer a “Proline” that includes premium papers and linen endpapers. I’ve made many a Blurb book…and have several in the works!

My business cards—printed by Jakprints

Jakprints

In addition to printing business cards and other paper goodies—like my super-cool square business cards with rounded corners!—they also print apparel, including allover printed full-color tees.

Moo

Moo has developed a cult following among artists and designers for their ability to print multiple back designs on a business card. Go to a craft show and you’re bound to see some Moo Cards. To add to their coolness factor, they are now offering stickers. Yes, you can print multiple designs—and even create a sticker book.

The Paper Mill Store

This is the “candy store” for paper-loving kids. I’m a frequent shopper here, as papers can be purchased in small quantities. Perfect for that party or wedding invitation you may be working on. Specialty papers such as perforated papers are also available.

Uncommon iPhone Cases

You stare at your phone all day, why not have a  case that’s nice to look at? Uncommon lets you create your own iPhone case by simply uploading your artwork.

Felt & Wire Supply

Need blank notecards, twine, rubber stamps, or other goodies for your crafty projects? Check out this new shop from Mohawk and Felt & Wire. I adore the rice paper masking tape.

Method Apps

Have an idea for a mobile app? Their turnkey system makes it easy to create and maintain your very own app. Custom apps also available.

MyDesignShop

Need to brush up on your art or design skills? Looking to take your creative hobby into a business? Find the books you need here—as well as Moleskine notebooks to jot down your great ideas.

Know other great vendors for creative or artsy folks? Share in the comments!

June 28, 2011

Designing the perfect conference experience

Filed under: Small Business,Tipsheet — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 12:26 pm

Going to an industry conference can be overwhelming. So many sessions to choose from, people to network with, resources to learn about—not to mention socializing with industry friends and colleagues. Whew.

After attending my very first HOW Design Conference in Chicago this weekend, I’ve decided to share a few ways I discovered to make attending a conference more manageable and rewarding.

How to design your conference experience

  1. Scenes from the HOW Design Conference in Chicago

    Create your schedule: decide in advance which sessions you want to attend (as well as vendor tables) and mark your calendar or onsite agenda—this way, you won’t miss out on anything. Unless you forget to look at your calendar, which I tend to do! (see question #3)

  2. Pack your supplies: bring lots of business cards, plus a notebook and pens. A small pouch to store collected business cards is handy (thanks to my friend Grace for that idea!) as well as a water bottle.
  3. Make a list of people to meet: amid the myriad attendees, you may forget who you wanted to catch up with. I like to make a list in Evernote so I can update on the fly.
  4. Refer to your agenda often: it’s easy to get off-track and miss sessions or other activities while you’re wandering or networking. Also a good idea is to set alarms on your mobile calendar.
  5. Get out of your comfort zone: introduce yourself to a person you’ve been wanting to meet: a speaker, someone you follow on twitter, etc.
  6. Collaborate with others: put yourself in situations where you can bounce ideas off others, i.e. speaker lunches, roundtable sessions. Often it’s easier for an outsider to give you a new perspective.
  7. Be open to new ideas: listen to other people’s opinions, take a session you may not ordinarily choose.
  8. Talk to as many people as possible: you never know where that next great idea (or resource) will come from.
  9. Take lots of notes: I like to create a margin in my notebook where I keep a running “to do list” or list of action items (which makes #13 much easier!)
  10. Don’t burn out: take frequent breaks, drink lots of water—and if necessary, duck out of a session (inconspicuously, of course) that is draining your energy.
  11. Keep a “follow-up” list: make a list of people to follow-up with post-conference—include notes to jog your memory (after several days, it’s easy to forget!) Again, I use Evernote for this task.
  12. Keep in touch: follow up with the valuable connections you make: email about something you spoke about, add them to your newsletter, or just say hi.
  13. Give yourself time to decompress: wait a bit before you dive into all the information you collected. It gives your body and mind time to relax—plus it firms up ideas swimming in your head.
  14. Make a post-conference “To Do list”: go through your notes and create a “To Do List”: a list of action items that you can focus on based on what you learned.

How do you make the most of a conference? Leave a comment!

June 22, 2011

Kicking off the summer in (creative) style

Filed under: Creativity,Small Business — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 6:56 pm

Yesterday (June 21st) was the Summer Solstice, which marks the longest day of the year.

Besides more “al fresco work days” (via laptop and wireless), I’ve been planning a few ways for my small business to kick off summer in creative style.

How I kicked off my summer…

Sending a “Happy Summer Solstice” card

I like to stay in touch with clients and friends by sending cards with a handwritten note throughout the year. And since my logo is the sun, sending a “summer solstice” card seemed only natural.

TIP: sending a card on a less-expected holiday always makes an impact.

Attending the HOW Design Conference

Leaving the office for a few days to get creatively inspired and network with other professionals is important for small business owners—especially solopreneurs. So this year, I decided to attend the HOW Design Conference, which just happens to take place in my hometown!

TIP: let your clients know you will be out of the office at a professional conference. They will appreciate knowing that you are working on improving your business (which benefits them!)

How did your small business kick off summer?

June 21, 2011

Shop local, eat local

Filed under: Local (Chicago) — Tags: , , — lidia @ 1:13 pm

Our first CSA box and dishes prepared with the featured ingredients

Since I’m a big supporter of working with local businesses, it only seemed natural (pun intended) to get food locally.

Growing your own food is healthy, but it’s a daunting concept for city dwellers like myself. So we decided to let the farm do the growing for us and join a CSA (community supported agriculture). We signed up with Harvest Moon Organics, a farm located in southwest Wisconsin, not far from Chicago.

How does a CSA work? You pay for a “share” of the season’s harvest. The farm delivers a weekly box filled with in-season produce (plus in our case, fresh eggs) to a nearby pickup location. You pick up your box and explore the organic goodies inside.

Our first box was filled with a few old favorites (lettuce, asparagus) as well as unfamiliar faces (garlic scapes). What to do with those garlic scapes? I promptly reached out to my twitter pals, who were happy to oblige with new recipe ideas.

Recent articles in Whole Living and Food & Wine have sung the praises of CSAs both as a way to support local farms, as well as a reason to mix up your cooking routine. Not to mention, upping the health ante in your diet with all that fresh organic produce.

Looking for a CSA in your area? Check LocalHarvest.org for info and locations.

What about you… do you eat local? Leave a comment!

June 20, 2011

Put your dog to work

Filed under: Small Business,Workspace — Tags: , , — lidia @ 11:00 am

It's time to take a break!

Why should kids be the only ones who get a chance to peek into Mom & Dad’s workplace?

Mark your calendars: Friday, June 24 is Take Your Dog to Work Day!

In my case, I’m lucky to have Essie in the office regularly. Essie is a great office-mate. She doesn’t complain much. She’s a great stress-reliever and walking partner. Plus, I don’t even have to pay her (well, maybe in kibble). She also keeps me from hunching over my keyboard for hours on end. How can you resist a furry paw on your arm, begging you to go out? Now if only I could train her to fetch me a cup of coffee.

See Essie “hard at work” in the Take Your Dog to Work Day Photo Gallery.

Are you planning to take your dog to the office on Take Your Dog to Work Day?

Does your dog work with you full-time? Share in the comments!

June 16, 2011

Featured Project: conference branding & online collateral

Filed under: Featured Projects — lidia @ 10:00 am

Clockwise from top: Conference Logo, Website and PowerPoint Template

Our client BAI recently approached us for branding and online collateral for a new forum they were offering: BAI Bank Executive Marketing Exchange.

Because this event was for marketing professionals, they wanted to make sure the design was appropriate for the banking industry without being conservative. We chose a bold palette of black, magenta and steel blue and created both a logotype and standalone icon to be used throughout the online collateral materials.

June 15, 2011

Got ideas? Our three favorite journals & sketchbooks

Filed under: Creativity,Design & Art — Tags: , , — lidia @ 11:15 am

Moleskine Cahier Notebooks, Strathmore Windpower Sketchbook & Pantone Notebooks

As I prepare to attend the HOW Design Conference in Chicago, I’ve started the search for a new sketchbook to record all the great ideas that will no doubt arise.

Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of sketchbooks and notebooks. Some are filled with business brainstorms, designs and color palettes for new stationery products or conceptual thumbnails for new projects. Others are purely artistic, made up of with pencil and ink sketches or watercolor illustrations. I even have sketchbooks from my high school/college days featuring a visual documentation of the alternative rock era.

It’s always inspiring to sit down and peruse my old sketchbooks. It makes me think about where I’ve been, where I am now, and how the two influence each other.  I never fail to be moved by an old idea or somehow find a way to apply it to a current project or challenge.

Some of my favorite sketchbooks

  • Moleskine Cahier Notebook: by the makers of the classic Italian journal, the softcover notebooks are easy to tuck in your purse or bag.
  • Strathmore Windpower Sketch: it has a nice subtle paper texture, perfect for ink pen and colored pencil—my two favorite sketching tools.
  • Pantone A6 Notebook: I have yet to buy one, but I’m already in love with the orange Pantone-chip inspired design!

What are your favorite sketching  or note-taking tools? Share in the comments!

June 13, 2011

Color trend for 2011: magenta

Filed under: Design & Art — Tags: , , — lidia @ 2:46 pm

L to R: Benefit Invitation and Conference Identity featuring 'it' color magenta

According to DayGlo (the world’s largest manufacturer of daylight fluorescent pigments), the ‘it’ color for this year is magenta.

Looking at customer purchases and orders in 2010, DayGlo’s Brand Action Team predicts this potent pink color will be used widely this year, from cosmetics packaging to print media.

Here at the design studio, we are clearly ahead of the color curve: two of our recent projects featured shades of magenta.

Read the DayGlo article.

Share your thoughts on magenta in the marketplace (or examples) in the comments!

June 11, 2011

Trends in stationery: watercolor

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

Selections from our greeting card collection featuring watercolor artwork

Because I couldn’t attend the recent National Stationery Show, I had to settle for living vicariously through those who did.

One of those lucky people was Grace from design*sponge, who blogged about one of the stationery trends she saw: watercolor.

Over the years, I’ve done lots of watercolor painting and started incorporating it into my greeting card designs several years ago (see examples above). I’m glad to hear it’s finally getting some well-deserved attention. In this digital age, it’s nice to see the obvious handmade touch that a splash of watercolor offers.

Visit our greeting card shop to see our collection of designer greeting cards and stationery.

June 6, 2011

Hidden gems: unique sights to see in Chicago

Filed under: Creativity,Design & Art,Local (Chicago) — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 2:35 am

Summer is a great time to get out and explore Chicago’s great museums and public spaces. You may be familiar with the well-known spots, but but have you seen some of our hidden gems?

Being a fan of art and nature, I’m constantly seeking out new and interesting places to get my inspiration fix. Here are a few museums, gardens and cultural institutions that you may not have seen yet—tucked away in Chicago’s neighborhoods, along main streets, and in surrounding areas.

Unique sights to see in Chicago…

Loyola University Museum of Art (Magnificent Mile, Chicago IL)

A great stop on your next Magnificent Mile shopping trip, The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) is located in Lewis Towers, a historic 1926 Gothic Revival building on the Water Tower Campus of Loyola University Chicago. The Museum maintains collections that explore and promote the spiritual in art of all faiths and cultures.

Oriental Institute (Hyde Park, Chicago IL)

One of my favorite local spots, The Oriental Institute is a research organization and museum devoted to the study of the ancient Near East—a fascinating period in art history (and one of my favorites!) The museum displays objects recovered by Oriental Institute excavations in permanent galleries devoted to ancient Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Mesopotamia and others, as well as rotating special exhibits.

The current Huichol exhibit

National Museum of Mexican Art (Pilsen, Chicago IL)

Maybe I’m biased because of my love of Mayan art (not to mention they are one of my clients) but this small museum manages to host some of the most striking art exhibits I’ve seen. Pair that with a rockin’ gift shop and eclectic restaurants and cafes nearby and you have the makings of a great museum trip.

See my blog post about the invitation and gallery graphics I designed for the current Huichol exhibit.

International Museum of Surgical Science (downtown, Chicago IL)

Admittedly I have not visited this museum (I’m scared!), but my friend who is a nurse did and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Museum features historical and modern-day artifacts, paintings and illustrations relating to the medical field. See a listing of current exhibitions.

One of my hand-bound journals

Gallery at the Center for Book & Paper Arts (CBPA) at Columbia College Chicago (South Loop, Chicago, IL)

Did you know Columbia College—my alma mater—has a center devoted to book and paper arts? It sure does and I was lucky enough to study hand bookbinding there post-graduation. The gallery features intriguing book and paper-related exhibitions and lectures. Check the website for gallery hours and current exhibitions.

Lurie Gardens at Millennium Park (Downtown, Chicago IL)

A true respite from the bustling city, the Lurie Gardens are located in the southeast end of Millennium Park, just steps from downtown Michigan Avenue. Stroll through the beautiful wildflowers or attend a free guided garden walk.

…and just outside Chicago

Japanese Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden Regenstein Center (Glencoe IL)

In addition to the breathtaking horticultural displays and lovely walking paths, the Chicago Botanic Garden hosts a wide variety of exhibitions, including photography and artwork. They also have workshops and classes for gardeners and artists. Gardening questions? They also maintain an extensive horticulture library, available to Garden members. I’ve been a member for years and still discover something new on each trip!

Know other hidden gems in Chicago? Leave a comment!

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