Gift Topper

What a fun way to wrap a present. Since the season of present wrapping is coming upon us, maybe I'll try this creative substitute for a bow as shown on Martha Stewarts blog. Time to get out the exacto knife....

West Side Market Wayfinding System

The above pictures are of my final project that I completed for my B.F.A. in Visual Communication Design at Kent State University. I researched wayfinding systems and the use of symbols directional systems. I looked at how systems directed users, especially non-English speaking users, throughout environments and contributed to positive user experiences. I then used the information I gathered to come up with a wayfinding system for the West Side Market in Cleveland. The West Side Market is a market located just west of downtown Cleveland and it home to more than 100 vendors and sells a wide range of products. The market is a Cleveland landmark than has been around for nearly 100 years. 

The market receives a large amount of visitors and customers daily, many from different backgrounds. Unfortunately they have no clear directional system and many people get disoriented and lost easily. I created a wayfinding system that directed users, enhanced the overall experience, and complimented the unique architecture of the market. I implemented symbols that represented the different products sold at the market and used colors to direct users to different areas. The wayfinding system consisted of exterior signage, parking signs, interior directional signs, booth signs, an orientation map, an informational pamphlet and a narrative that highlighted the history and people of the market. I assembled my entire project in an 11x17" book that I bound and covered myself.

I presented my research and project to a small group of Kent professors in early August. Although I was very nervous, I passed and then finally graduated on August 21st! Overall, I was very happy with the end result of my project. Now, I have to get it in front of the tenants association at the market, so maybe they can implement some of my ideas...I'll keep you posted.

ahhh...letterpress

Every time I see great letterpressed cards like these above (from 42 Pressed),  I yearn to get behind a press and create my own cards and invitations. I check ebay all the time for letterpress machines that would help me start up my own business. Yet I know that now is not the time to do so. I have just graduated from Kent with a degree in VCD and need to get a job first (so I will have the money to fund my own business). I hope to get a couple of years under my belt before I start out on my own. I should be hearing from a public relations and marketing firm this week about a full time position there. I am keeping my fingers crossed. And until I get my own press, I will just frequently visit sites like 42 Pressed to swoon over their little beauties.

Yum....

I love a good ice cream...especially one like Salty Caramel, which is one of the signature flavors at Jenis, an ice cream shop based in Columbus with locations in central Ohio. I have yet to make down to a shop to try one of their enticing flavors...but that is definitely on my to do list this summer. And I love the packaging and design work created by Meg Russell. Another great perk...they use fresh ingredients from Ohio's countryside.

Beautiful Work

I stubbled across this identity project on Push IQ's website, a design studio in Colorado, with a large portfolio of great work. I love the hand crafted element to it, with the use of the stamp and the recycled paper. I also love that its for such an amazing and worthy client. Well done.

A cupcake for breakfast.

I love cupcakes...I love unwrapping them....I love how they are your own personal delicacies. And this cupcake just seems perfect...it's like a fancy blueberry muffin. I have been in a baking mood lately...maybe because I have had a little more time on my hands since my internship is up. I made banana bread the other day and now I think I might have to make these cupcakes...I have been looking for a good recipe and this one looks so good. The bad thing about these is that I will be eating them for breakfast (and for every meal after that...)

What every designer needs....

Here's a great and fun flowchart for finding a typeface by Danish Julian Hansen. And I love that Papyrus is not even an option!

What a great collection...

Here's an image that caught my attention from a Flickr set by sarcoptiform, courtesy of Shawn Wolfe. (It's part of a series.) All these lids were collected from the 1990's and 2000's....I wonder where they are all from. Anyways, I thought it was a pretty cool shot...simple yet elegant.

How sweet it is...

I love this sweet-themed wedding with a lollipops, macaroons, and a peppermint rock candy cake. And I am especially loving the colors...baby blue, red, and yellow....they are so fresh and retro. What's great about this theme is it could easily be applied to a birthday party, picnic, or shower. Check out the rest of these great "wedding themes" at Style Me Pretty...it's a great site for the bridal community or just aspiring designers...and brides (someday), like myself.

Cleveland Film.

The film festival is here in Cleveland and although the weather is getting warmer and I want to be outside as much as possible, I think I'll have to go and check out some of the films.  The opening night was tonight and it continues through March 28th. And what really attracted me to this event was the great branding of the event designed by one of my favorite Cleveland design firms,Twist...(I love the handling of type.) 

An Ampersand a Day...Yay!

I came upon this great blog that gives a different ampersand for every day...I love it. Who doesn't love an ampersand?! Check it out.

A new identity...but still the same old me?!

Well, I just sent out a few more resumes/cover letters to design /marketing/advertising firms. I have heard responses back from 2 companies looking to set up an interview in the coming weeks, which is great. So hopefully I will set something up for the coming semester. I thought I would post the new mark I made for myself a couple weeks ago. i like it...it has a clean and modern look to it. I am just not sure yet about the color...I keep going back and forth between this bluish-gray color and a lime green color. But here's the mark...let me know what you think.

Very cute...

These are just the greatest letterpress cards from Paper Wheel Press for your valentine. I love the simple illustrations and the clever message. Someday ...maybe I'll get my own letterpress machine to make my own.

Or if you just need to say I'm sorry to that special someone...

Images from Paper Wheel Press.