Book Design

Since I'm such an avid reader, I've always been fascinated by book cover design. If I find myself in Barnes & Noble I will pick up a book based on it's appearance and compliment it's good qualities while pointing out the bad (typically to a completely uninterested audience). But, I was a reader long before I knew that Comic Sans was spelled U-G-L-Y, or even before I knew what typography was.

This fact, in addition to the fact that I'm cheap, means that I read many an ugly book and enjoy it! Because, let's face it, you can't judge if a book is going to be well written from the cover. You can, however, discern what sort of story you're getting yourself into, a fact the following article expounds upon. I always wonder if non-designers really think about the choices they make when it comes to any purchase they make, including books.

In this article, Johnson points out that it could be impossible to tell why people choose certain books. With the influence of television, movies, and the internet, it is difficult to determine how individuals make the choices they do. Despite this, Johnson's article is a great analysis of the current trends you see in the book store, and provides food for thought.

ServPro "What to Expect" Brochure

The following images show the front, inside and back of the ServPro What to Expect brochure. This brochure was created to inform residential and commercial victims of flooding and fire about the cleanup and restoration process. ServPro is always a fun client because I get to design with orange and lime! :)

PFS Lester Golf Tournament Invite 2011

This was a 5.5x8.5 invitation for the Performance Foodservice Lester golf tournament.

Lascassas Drugs

The Lascassas Drugs postcard was a simplistic way to advertise a new location and introduce two new additions to the Lascassas Drugs family! The color scheme of the postcard reflects the colors used in the Lascassas Drugs logo.

Website Buts

This is an interface design for a campaign called "Website Buts." The concept behind the campaign is the idea that there are so many people out there that say, "I have a website but..." and the design firm behind this website could help you "turn your but into an and."

This was a simply designed website created for informing everyone about websites, hosting and domain names. The interface is friendly and approachable appealing to anyone who wants to learn about the nature of websites or anyone who needs a website. The design firm's official web page is displayed at the bottom and is a direct link to examples of work and pricing.

I also created the illustration of the butt on the computer screen. This was such a challenge for me. How do you create an appealing butt that isn't sexy or disgusting? I could have used a baby, but that would be more cute than funny. "Plumber's crack" is the stereotypical go-to funny butt I think, and I think this is my take on the concept. The tattoo is the company's logo.

Click the image for full view.

Guilt

So, with the final completion of my website (if you can consider four portfolio pieces complete) I'm suddenly riddled with guilt about never updating a blog I intended to use as a vital part of my design self. How else can I keep track of what I've done and when? How can I see how I've grown as a designer? A copywriter? A creative?

I suppose these questions cannot be answered unless I am disciplined and continue to update my blog with my "everyday designing adventures." Laziness is a poor excuse, but, in the end, it's probably the reason for my laxness. My portfolio website has taken up a chunk of my creative free time and then the whole life thing tends to get in the way - how horrid.

And, with this update I will pledge to build a growing memory of what I have accomplished in order to one day look back and smile at what I have learned (or learn from my mistakes) and also to keep a current portfolio of my design work.

Here's to resolutions all year round!

Free Rice!

This isn't something I've designed. This is Free Rice, a online vocabulary-building game that promotes education while donating rice to end world hunger. This is how it works: click on the banner, start playing the vocabulary game and for each word you answer correctly, you donate 10 grains of rice. The rice is able to be donated due to advertisers who pay to be featured on this site. Not a big English fan? There's other subjects too, like math and geography.

So, while you're wasting time in front of the internet, be sure to check this site out and support an amazing cause.