HP's Travel Map!!

I had to post this when I saw it on Designworklife, a blog I follow. It's a map of the travels of the characters of Harry Potter 7 by Delane Meadows. I love and appreciate great infographics and I love the subject matter of this one in particular. Maybe I should take some time off work and follow this map on a trip through England...who wants to join me?

cool currency

I love this currency redesign by Dowling | Duncan for the 2010 Dollar Redesign Project. It's an annual competition by New York based designer Richard Smith to redesign the US dollar. Wouldn't this make you want to hold on to your money for a little longer...they are so pretty to look at!

Happy New Year

And what better way to celebrate the New Year than with this beautiful print by Natalie Tweedie of Nebo Pecklo. It is a letterpress print of her own drawing and you can see more of her creations at her blog here. One of my resolutions for the New Year is to finally use my small tabletop letterpress machine that I purchased back in October!! I cannot wait to make cards, labels, and small prints. So, hopefully this cold weather will allow me some extra time indoors where I can explore some fun projects. Hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2011!!!

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.