As some of you may know I was a graphic designer in my past life. Ha! Ha! That just came out of my screwy brain. Think you know what I mean though. Before I became a sahm (and even before I worked with Electronic Goose in a dreaded retail job), I was a graphic designer. I worked in publishing for 6 years. I worked at three publishing companies in those six years working my way up very fast from a part timer at a well known hunting and fishing publisher to a senior designer for a major publishing company in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I originally dreamed of working at a really unique and fun graphic design place. As I finished school and being in the very competitive Chicago land job market I had to send out hundreds of resumes. It was disappointing to say in the least. I eventually ended up just taking out the yellow pages and cold calling any place that sounded remotely interesting. I could not afford to do a no pay internship, so I never got that experience to put on my resume. It was worlds harder to find a job.
So, I didn't get to do all the neat little cutsie design projects on a regular basis like most design majors dream of. I did however get to work on some pretty big and impressive ads, promotional pieces, magazine spreads, newspaper design, etc. I would do design projects on the side for family and friends from time to time which were/are usually very fun. I don't typically post any of the projects that I work on because they have pictures that I do not have permission to post on the blog that that family member knows nothing about. That's how I prefer it to be though which works out fine. I have been recently working on a logo, business card, letterhead, etc. for one of my friend's mothers. She will be opening a boutique which is not farm from where I live. She plans on having her logo (my original design) made into a neon sign, lighted sign for the building exterior, etc. It will go in the local papers as well. I have no idea why it feels so awesome NOW! I have had many designs I created on the internet, in people's invites, in magazines, newspapers, framed and hanging in people's homes, etc. Maybe it's because now I am able to put my heart into it. The money is not the object any more. I enjoy helping friends and family and making things special for them. It's not about handing it to a sales person and then having them get the kudos for my work. It's also no longer (usually) about designing something with lots of rules and constraints that ends up looking wonderful to a client but horrible to me. God, I hated that. Then my fellow designers would also think it was awful but it brought in the money for the account because the client was pleased with what we thought looked horrible. So embarrassing.
Anyway, this is the business card that I designed for the boutique. I cannot give out all the info about the boutique because I do not have permission. It will be a mix of ladies and men's items, and a mix of both clothes and accessories for many styles and sizes. She asked that I make a set of silver business cards for the guys and a set of pink business cards for the girls for her. Her store is opening before we would be able to get an order done from a printer so I printed them on my ink jet just to get her rolling and so that she'd have something to hand out for her grand opening which is tomorrow. She asked for 100-150 cards. I printed up 166 cards total and about half each of pink and silver. I then found this 4 tier card holder at Staples and thought it would make a nice effect to alternate color for each tier. I had no idea how it would transport to go to her grand opening tomorrow (with Little Buddy in tow), so I tied a thick pink ribbon around it to keep the cards in place and I think it's almost too pretty to use them now. Ha! Wish I could show you the rest of the logo, it's a vintage angel with horns and a halo (the name of the boutique is Heavenly Sinful). It had a devil's tail but she was freaked out by the tail so the angel is now "de-tailed." Hope she likes the cards and the holder!!!
8 comments:
That is beautiful, I love the color choices. Thank you so much for sharing your great work but also the designer's viewpoint.
Detailed, poor little angel!
So pretty.
I *hated* designing things for people on commission! There were so many times I wanted to flat out ask them if they are either blind or just stupid? But since it was *their* money, I just had to stand there with my mouth shut and make the changes *they* wanted. I am thrilled beyond belief to now be working on *my* terms in an environment where I'm in charge of my own creativity. It's just such an amazing freedom. And I'm producing a lot better work!
I love the colors she choose! She's going to love the display and the ribbon! Such a personal touch.
LOVE it! You are so talented, my friend. And your designs always look so ... complete. Wish I could see more of them.
Thanks for all the compliments. I went today and she absolutely loved it. She set it right out on the counter and handing out the cards. I had no idea what to expect for the payment cause she's an old family friend and I left it up to her. She gave me a check which I shoved in my purse to look at later, I know, I'm a nut. Then she insisted I make sure it was enough before I left. WOW! I was hoping for $75-$100 a little for me and my time and the rest for the cards, ink, gas, etc. She paid me more than 4 times that much. I felt very unsure about accepting that much from a friend but she insisted that I take it because I deserve it and I worked hard on everything for her. Cha-ching!!! I have no idea what to spend it on???
Dori, I had NO idea that you were/are a designer. How nutty is that? Both cops wive's, moms, and designers? Glad I found you!! What do you do and can you post some of it? Happy that you can relate :)
The cards look great, Val! The whole presentation with the case and ribbon is just beautiful.
That is so cool that you got fairl compensated. It's tough for artists to price their work. Congratulations, I'm very happy for you.
i love the card holder. That's always nice to get more than what you expected. i know what I would get with a few extra hundred dollars. did you go shopping?
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