Words, well-crafted

With the relaunch for client Chapel Hill Press underway, I wanted to share these snippets of ink of the my work, per se, created in collaboration with Stitch Design Co.

Here, I created the brand architecture and tagline; developed framework, wrote copy and directed photography for e-commerce website with blog; oversaw creation of refreshed logo for stationery, collateral, social media. 

Even better, publishing inquiries have increased substantially in the last three months since launch!

This selection of imagery represents the main tenets of the rebranding initiative -- to express a place where:

personal touch is paramount

heritage is honored 

individualism is the gold standard

word craft is embraced for its earnestness

You will see this creative sampling also reflects this bespoke publishing house that is full of integrity, design savvy, not to mention humanity + heart. 

I also personally conceived the company's tagline. I felt its double entendre both speaks to the detailed process of book-writing and book-making. 

Chapel Hill Press. Words, well-crafted.

No surprise, coming from the genteel CEO Edwina Woodbury, former EVP / CFO of Avon Products, Inc. Not only is she truly a southern lady, but also she is whip smart and dedicated to full-service book-making and personal touch for emergent and established authors alike.

Strategic, artful, simple...and...well-crafted: I definitely relished this made-to-measure opportunity to rebrand a delightful, thoughtful, successful company.

Thank you, Chapel Hill Press. 

Images courtesy of Stitch Design Co.

Pattern Play

Today, I ventured over to Pottery Barn Kids in need of kiddo supplies. As a big fan of hearts of all kinds, my heart kinda stopped over these....

2016 POTTERY BARN KIDS 

Because I co-conceived these:

2012 PLATYPUS DESIGNER DUCT TAPE (the predecessor)

Coincidence? Hmmmm.....

These PBK hearts sure look similar to a 2012 "I Heart Tape" pattern co-conceived with my super fab client Platypus Designer Duct Tape. An upstart brand, I not only rebranded this company, but also led creative, marketing + PR efforts and new product development/assortment too.

Unlike the competition, our patterns were specifically designed to mix+match so that tapes would beautifully and seamlessly integrate for fashion-forward projects including wearables, jewelry/accessories, general crafting and DIY decorating. 

All led to national press as well as greater retail distribution, and expanded use of products, particularly within the home sector. 

For "inspiration," check out these super quick, budget-friendly ideas that uplevel, upcycle + uplift! Who can resist such easy, stylish improvement? Not me.

• Small bulletin board in "I Heart Tape" with bow in "Sour Apple Linen"
• Hair bow in "Pink Polka Dot"
• Magazine holder in "I Heart Tape"
• Cubby storage unit in "Picnic Gingham"
• Pencil cup in "Houndstooth" and "Denim"
• Pencils and clips in "Real Leopard," "Argyle," "Pink Polka Dot" + "Picnic Gingham"
• Bulletin board in "Grass," "Argyle" + "Sour Apple Linen"
• Picture frame in "Pool Chevron"
• Assorted covered boxes in "Jolly Roger" + more
• Paper bin in "I Heart Tape"

Platypus Designer Duct Tape. Make It With Tape.

Select patterns above include: Pink Polka Dot, Sour Apple Linen, Picnic Gingham, Houndstooth, Denim, Real Leopard, Argyle, Jolly Roger, Green Grass, Pool Chevron + I Heart Tape.

A Novel Approach....

After much conceptual development and creative teamwork with Stitch Design Co., I'm happy to reveal the new and improved indie publisher Chapel Hill Press! Everything about this client project was custom: from brand architecture, photography with Olivia Rae James, styling and composition, website design, and social media presence to illustrative ink wells and animated feather quills!

As full-service, book-makers, Chapel Hill Press combines brilliant leadership, true southern hospitality and super (book) smarts to make one fine publishing house. True to its brand tenets, thoughtfulness, attention to detail and good old-fashioned communication sets Chapel Hill Press apart from the shapeless sameness of other publishing mills...and it shows.

Edwina Woodbury, former CFO of AVON, lends not only personal touch but business acumen to the business of book conception and construction. She believes no story should be left unturned, and welcomes emerging authors of all kinds to embrace their passions and share their experiences with others. She pushes humanity forward.

I couldn't be more proud of this novel work...Soulful and beautiful, that's why print matters.

 [ chapelhillpress.com ]

What's in a name?....

Embarking on rebranding is always a challenge. 

The toughest client I've ever met: Lissa Lowe. 

(Sounds akin to Mark Twain's "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco...," doesn't it?)

Truthfully, it wasn't difficult to define my brand. I am pretty clear about what I believe about myself and what I want to offer to clients, colleagues, friends, and family alike. The challenging part was expressing it graphically, colorfully, smartly on budget. And, on time.

Enter Kaori Drome, a graphic designer whom I met through a letterpress friend of mine, Evan Calkins of Hoban Press. (Check out the fab work created by each of them!)

My directive to Kaori was to leverage my initials --  LL -- in the brand architecture keeping these principles in mind:

• The LL logo is the foundation. It must fundamentally be able to stand alone, but -- importantly -- must work as a specific grouping having a common thread.

• Figuratively, LL logo needed to feel open, like avenues of communication allowing for two-way exchange + free-flowing ideas.

• Aesthetically, LL logo had to be uncomplicated + creatively thoughtful in form with the resulting pattern articulating modernism, minimalism, and interconnectivity. The color palette requires moxie. A selection of singleminded hues that also enjoy being a part of a collective family.

• Lastly, there needed to be unexpectedness in the LL logo construction -- a new way to express "think outside of a box." After all, LL's form a square. The overall approach had to "think different," the perfect nod to my days as Senior Worldwide Advertising Manager at Apple. There needed to be unconventionality amid harmonious form.

No small task.

Not only was Kaori was spot on with creating workable designs, she is a pattern whiz....and a very professional, personable designer. Our virtual collaboration was a joy.

Without further adieu, here's the work that transpired for both my corporate and personal brand identity and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Together, I think we nailed it. 

There is equity in establishing the architecture of this brand. 

And, it shows.

Clearly Conceptual: Through the lens of Sue Tallon

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with acclaimed photographer Sue Tallon on a special project for client Clearly Kombucha. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sue's artistry, view her portfolio here.)

Co-art directing and styling with Village Theorem, we wanted to capture the personality and flavor profile of each Clearly Kombucha beverage through conceptual product stills. The lens needed to telegraph the vibrancy of each beverage as well as its clarity. 

With the only requirement being that liquid be shot in a glass, we experimented with truckloads (literally) of props - many from Sue's personal stash - textiles, paper goods, fruits, feathers, spices and paints to yield dynamic shots. 

No constraints. No "formula." No stress. Just the imaginations of three creative people collaborating in the photo studio to create visually stunning, organically composed imagery. 

Yep, this shoot was one of my most refreshing ever - with one of the most down-to-earth photographers on the planet. Many thanks to the lovely Sue and her awesome rep Norman Maslov too. Couldn't have done it without you two.

Now, taste this yummy:

classic grape

asian pear

black currant

Do you like to chai?

Sharing this spicy shot, a collaboration from a recent client shoot with acclaimed photographer Sue Tallon and Village Theorem. This is my kind of chai.

(more fun shots coming soon!)

Outtasight Outtakes

Recently, I was back in San Francisco strategizing and styling some fashionable business with photographers Sue Tallon (known for her award-winning food imagery + light work) and Marie Killen (receiving buzz for her fashion / beauty shots + color work) on a collaborative client project with co-conspirator Village Theorem.

Some outtasight outtakes, methinks:

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I'm excited to announce that The Paper Chronicles has launched!

When Sarah Schwartz, the founding editor of Stationery Trends -- an award-winning trade quarterly magazine devoted to all things paper -- contacted me to help her conceptualize and name her bubbling blog of an idea, I jumped at the chance.

Not only has Sarah spent the bulk of her career traveling to trade shows around the world to spot emerging trends, she is a frequent industry speaker who has been quoted extensively in the media. (She also worked at HarperCollins; publishing is in her blood.)

Since the mission of the blog was to keep letter-writing, card-sending and invitation-using alive, we thought it was important to -- well -- chronicle all things stationery and of good design, daily. The logo was designed in collaboration with Jason Arbuckle of the fabulous paper line J. Falkner.

Including a Sourcebook was next in order to include a wide range of industry resources. After all, good words need to be spread! 

Learn more here: thepaperchronicles.com 

Oh goodie, beauty!

My latest global client project in partnership with Mary Lou Quinlan & Co began in late summer for AVON. Has been very exciting...! While confidential was, well, beautiful. 

Hooray - Rachel Ray spots Platypus Designer Duct Tape!

Hot off the press! 

I am so excited that my client Platypus Designer Duct Tape is included in the "Just Spotted" edit in the October issue.

Fun fact: Rob Jordan, head honcho over at Platypus, is the originator of patterned duct tape designs (that "other" company continues to mimic him down to the detail...). Platy's Pink Polka Dot - with its unique seamless matte finish - is totally chic + can be styled in so many ways. And very on trend this fashion season.

Purchase your stash at Spoonsisters.com (as indicated). Or you can visit DesignerDuctTape.com where each roll is a wee bit less expensive + sold for $5.95/per. There are 20 additional designs too. 

All of the patterns are meant to mix+match - ideal for crafting, decorating + entertaining. Check out Rob's "Rolling Right Along" blog for some fabulous - and easy - DIY ideas.

Big thank you, Rachael Ray, for making our day!

Thank you, Forbes!

Recently, my client Mary Lou Quinlan, the New York Times bestselling author of The God Box as well as an internationally known authority on marketing to women, was asked by journalist Kathy Caprino to contribute to Forbes.com as a part of her series entitled "Entrepreneurial Women Rocking the World."

Mary Lou's article follow focuses on virtual global team building. As creative director and marketing strategist for the launch of the multi-dimensional brand the God Box project, including the hardcover keepsake book, performance, website, mobile app, series of short films, social media presence + more, my heartfelt gratitude to these talented ladies for including me within this article as well as touting virtual global team curation.

Handpicking a team that spans the globe, all companies should embrace new ways to work and ideate, just as forward thinking Mary Lou did.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2012/06/21/staffing-2-0-top-5-lessons-in-building-a-virtual-global-team/

What an honor, thank you!

Hitting The New York Times best seller list...!

Congratulations to my fabulous client Mary Lou Quinlan for being selected for The New York Times best seller list for her new book, The God Box: Sharing my mother's gift of faith, love and letting go. It is such a beautiful story about legacy (read more here via reviews on Amazon). What an incredible honor and accomplishment, especially since the book has only been out for a few weeks...!

As creative director and marketing strategist for the God Box project (theGodBoxproject.com) including this book, I couldn't be more thrilled and more honored to collaborate with such a wonderful, dynamic, uber talented woman. Thank you, Mary Lou!

P.S. More soon about the newly launched The God Box mobile app on iTunes! Is really endearing....