Wedding + Mom's Artwork = Truly Personalized Wedding Stationary

Congratulations to Tracy and Frank - married this weekend in beautiful up-north Michigan! Here is a look at their custom wedding stationary and the story behind what makes this artwork so special...

Mother-of-the-bride, Patti, an artist and watercolorist, painted a series of flowers for her daughter, Tracy. Knowing she wanted to incorporate her mom's paintings into her wedding invitations, Tracy sought custom designed wedding stationary so she could use the artwork throughout the wedding. What a special way to personalize her wedding!

Wedding stationary package included: Custom invite, reply card w/envelope, reception card, accommodations and directions enclosure and folded thank you note card w/ a gorgeous blue envelope!

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Baby Shower in the Board Room

Friday, I had the pleasure of throwing a baby shower for a friend and co-worker. Alexis is a fellow artist and a proud modern-hippie. She is a connoisseur of all things earth-friendly, and naturally enjoys a meatless diet - bacon was far from this vegetarian menu!

My favorite part was the veggie-inspired center-pieces - I just had to share them! Creativity is a blessing and can be so much fun! 

It was easy to be inspired by the green, orange and brown themed nursery that Alexis has so delicately handcrafted for her soon-arriving baby girl. You'll notice the proud parents-to-be, Alexis and Kevin below. They are the one's beaming with joy - oh, and the one with the big belly!! :)

Alexis is a very talented photographer and owner of Studio Xplore - check out her blog! I can imagine we will see many photos of the baby when she arrives..!!

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Logo Flashback | Design Process for Shutter Sam Photography

Here is a little flashback to show the design process and inspiration behind the logo I designed for Shutter Sam Photography last summer.

CLIENT: Sam Vanderlist, of Shutter Sam Photography, is a charismatic, bright person with tons of energy. She describes herself as someone who "doesn't take herself too seriously and loves to have fun." I couldn't agree more! When she explained her business goals to me in a preliminary meeting, it was ever apparent that this life-loving woman wanted to infuse nothing less into her brand...

GOAL: Sam described her photography style as "sweet," with a touch of "vintage-glam; like an old, antique dresser you just can't ignore."  Her ideal image would be fun and outgoing, sweet and flirty, and match her vintage-style of photo processing.

INSPIRATION: I was immediately drawn to a camera shutter because of it's motion and relationship to Sam's business name. However, as we journeyed through the design process, Sam felt less attached to shutter imagery and more drawn to flowers! So there we went! Crafty yarn and retro patterns, still invigorated with tons of motion and energy...

After trillions of font considerations, illustrations and variations of them... I presented Sam with a few options, of which only one could prevail...

OPTIONS: Below are a few proposed logos that came close, but no cigar! (above image just for fun: vintage cigar poster) Isn't it fun to see an idea evolve into a real logo?!

THE FINAL CALL... A flirty-retro typeface with a lot of energy and a flower mark that is bright and layered. It's curvy and vivacious, unique and clearly fun.

STATIONARY was next! Letterhead and mailing labels were designed to compliment the rebrand. Sam has found many ways to incorporate patterns and colors into her brand, truly making it her own. Fun project with an amazing photographer! We started meeting as clients in coffee shops and now we have lunch as friends!! Gotta love that! Thanks Sam!

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Decoding Book Cover Design | Buckle Your Chin Strap

Recently released, Buckle Your Chin Strap is a father's story about "playing the next play" no matter what challenges you face. Author, Richard Williams, asked me to read the story in it's infancy stages and design a cover to suit. I want to share some of reasons and themes that inspired the design of this cover...

Decoding the Cover 

Here is a little insight behind the design choices made for Buckle Your Chin Strap cover art.
(Click image to enlarge)

Buy it Online

Buckle Your Chin Strap is available at Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com.
All proceeds support Michael's Wings Foundation. 
Michaels' Wings is a nonprofit foundation named after the author's infant son who passed away 22 years ago. The Foundation was created to lend support to teenage pregnant girls. The support will come in three general areas; financial, educational and in faith.

 

Author's Inspiration: (Left) Linda, Dick, Mollie, Brayden, Amber and Steven Williams. (Right) Mollie Williams with her son, Brayden. 

I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to work with friend and author, Richard Williams, on his book. I received this awfully generous letter from him, dated 3/14/10:

"Dear Mrs. Schertzing,

This letter serves to thank you for your awesome design of my book titled "Buckle Your Chin Strap" cover. I have received phenomenal compliments from my publisher Bezalel Books and countless readers.

You took the time to read the book while in concept stage and created a cover which was absolutely perfect for what the message and story portrays. You are truly a talented and creative artist. I was especially appreciative and impressed with the patience and professionalism you displayed in the submission of the cover and revisions that were necessary to the publisher.  

Thank you for your creative masterpiece. I would recommend you and your talents for any potential authors who want an awesome cover to showcase their books. Please let my signature to this letter affirm in any of your potential customer's minds that I highly recommend you and Ten4 Design Studio. Thanks again!"

Richard J. Williams

-Author and Co-Founder of Michael's Wings

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Under Construction!

Hello friends,
I "unplugged" last week and went to Florida with my family. On the unfortunate rainy days, I spent some time doing a little construction on my blog. (You may have noticed some blank posts...) Through the these continuous improvements, I'm hoping for a better stage to share thoughts and work with you!  Thanks for bearing with me as I work out the kinks :)

By the way, who's out there anyway?! Leave a comment about where you vacationed last.... Love to know who I'm reaching out to!

Siesta Key, Florida.  Pictured: Dad, Me, Ash (sister), Mom, Jeffery (brother), Jeanna (sister-in-law), Eric (brother). Missing (and we really missed him too!): Brad (hubby)

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Super Bowl Logos I - XLIV

Talk about a design evolution! Look at the colors... the fonts... the filters!! Oh my!
Here is the complete list of Super Bowl logos, from I through XLIV:

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Logo Designer 4 the New Spartan Logo; Are you?!

An outpouring of criticism and a PR war over the new MSU Spartan logo! Well, since I'm a Spartan fan, from East Lansing and a logo designer... I thought I should comment. My position may surprise you!

YES, tradition and community are vested in a logo.

OF COURSE, alumni and supporters take pride in the university ultimately represented by a logo.

But, (I say this even as logo designer) it's important that we not glorify a logo and lose sight of the bigger picture… Don’t worship false idols. While often synonymous with a brand, a logo is (with a bit of understatement) just that – a logo; a visual mark to promote recognition. And logos evolve – they must to stay relevant to their loyal supporters.

Even the best logos evolve. Take NIKE, one of the most recognizable icons worldwide who also happens to be partnering with MSU athletic director, Mark Hollis, on this project—what an honor!! It has changed multiple times since it was designed for $35 in 1971. (See other examples of some of the largest organizations brand evolutions here.)

The 2010 Spartan head, like the above Nike evolution, changed subtly to refresh the look while retaining the most significant features. (Note: We were privy to this sketch only because of a leak. If someone ever snuck a premature glimpse of one of my unfinished campaigns, I’d be bummed – it's a total spoiler when you don't have the whole thing.)

We fall in love with a logo because we love the brand. We love the brand because of the services or people behind them. Realize that it’s the community, it’s the school, it’s the program that we adore. 

Support the evolution of the brand! Support being a part of something worth rebranding!

So many things float along in a sea of undesigned abyss… Celebrate that our community cares enough to bleed green this deeply.

This redesign isn’t disloyal. It isn’t unfair.

It’s progress and you should be proud!  Be proud at a time when Michigan struggles with a losing economy that we have a program that warrants new life! (The Wolverines can't say that!)

It’s not changing because it doesn’t work; it’s evolving because it does.

Embrace what a redesign truly means. Progress. Profit. Potential!

Go GREEN!

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Introducing a NEW wedding stationary package >> The Savvy Chic

Everyone has to pick and choose what they "splurge" on when planning a wedding. So if you splurged on the reception venue or the dress but still want custom invites.... I have a solution for you because I know that on your wedding day, compromising is not an option!

It's called the Savvy Chic and it's made for the sensible bride of 2010 (or the gotta-love him, penny-pinching groom). It's practical yet still offers a custom announcement for your unique event and personality. It starts simple but allows you to choose any à la carte stationary pieces if you desire them.

As you know, invitations are the first impression of your wedding day. They set the tone, the formality and the mood. The Savvy Chic package offers a more affordable way to make sure that this first impression is truly representative of you and of your day.
Email danni@ten4designstudio.com for more info on the package.

BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT QUESTION....

When do I mail invitations?

• Save-the-Dates     At least 4 months prior to wedding date
• Invitations            8-10 weeks prior to wedding date
• Reply cards          Request back 2-4 weeks, prior to wedding date

DID YOU KNOW?

The initials RSVP are short for the French “Repondez S’il Vous Plait” or simply, "please respond." 

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