Graphic Design Services~Print Media
The test of a well designed print media piece is, “Does it communicate? Is it understandable? Is the intention of the creator easily received?” Often the design gets in the way of the message and the intended audience misses the point entirely. So much attention gets paid to special effects and fancy tricks that the design becomes the message.
Color, layout and text all should combine into a unit that clearly conveys a meaning. “Keep it simple and effective” is my mantra.
- Logos
- Brochures
- Ads, Fliers
- Photography
Logos
A good logo must fulfill three essential requirements: it must be appropriate, aesthetically pleasing, and it must reflect the company’s credibility.
- Appropriate: it means that the emblem must reflect, simply, the main features of the company or product.
- Aesthetically pleasing: it means that the logo must be acceptable, avoiding visual difficulties since the visual perception is the most important factor to consider when designing.
- Credibility: it means that people should feel identified with the logo and that the company seal of guarantee creates a climate of trust.
Signature Records Nashville
This logo was intended to be an upgrade from an earlier one which was really just an italic font. There was a desire to include "SRN" as the company was expanding beyond the basic functions of a record distribution company into other areas of the entertainmcontentent business. The idea was to eventually drop the "Signature Records Nashville" entirely for the "SRN" graphic.
Missouri Master Gardener 2009 Conference
The only stipulation for the design was to have the state-shaped symbol inside the "o" of "growing." The "Missouri" font and water reference behind it are tips to the state license plate.
HDS Design Group
The company manufacturers and sells custom motorcycle parts. They wanted a "dark but business-like" appearance to their logo and website.
Sweet Dreams Benefit Concert
The logo depends on the "Delene" logo (the font - "Budmo Jiggler" - was chosen by the performer) with the graceful bend and rise of the the concert title, as she was particularly fond of the Patsy Cline song.
"The Club" Comedy Club
A generic comedian with a distinctive font was really all that was required for this fun representaion of a comedy club in a resort hotel. The client suggested a clip art figure, but this comic-style icon was found and modified to fit the context of the location.
Missouri Master Gardener Conference (University of Missouri Extension)
It was communcated that the theme of the conference was to be "Gardening Secrets of the Ozark Mountains" as the event was to be hosted in that region. I came up with the tree and mountains, then added the stone fence with gate for good measure. The oval design was keeping in mind that this would be used on t-shirts and stationery as well as published ads and the conference website.
FantasticTalent.com
I can't claim total originality for this logo - it was created as part of a contest- but I had quite a bit to do with adapting it for it's final use and have since adapted it for print (on a white background) as well.
Brochures
The success of a business greatly depends upon the success of its marketing communication. It is important for an organization to communicate to its potential customers about its products. Brochures, ads, fliers and other forms of print communication greatly help in this pursuit.
Delene Entertainment Tri-fold Brochure, outside
The question was, "How best to promote Branson area entertainers for off-season engagements?" We came up with the idea of "Where do they all go..." and went from there. The colorful block design was inspired by a web page for a California art museum. Another requirment was that the brochure must be ready for mailing with first class postage.
Delene Entertainment Tri-fold Brochure, inside
The block theme was continued; the most recognizable or marketable entertainers were featured.
All About Windows Tri-fold Brochure, outside
The client chose the color scheme, text, logo and photos. The rest was up to me.
All About Windows Tri-fold Brochure, inside
I thought the color scheme presented a fairly upscale mood and so chose the heavy curtain to frame the left.
The Club Tri-fold Brochure, outside
This presented a challenge. Take a generic name and position it in a market already over-saturated with entertainment options. We stuck with the "first comedy club" idea because it was true and it made the venue stand out among the crowd.
The Club Tri-fold Brochure, inside
The challenge continued on the inside spread. How to promote comedians without knowing who they are or being able to use any pictures? (No contracts had been signed!) We went with stock photos to represent the idea of comedians and relied heavily on the other features of the venue.
Branson West Therapeutic Massage Tri-fold Brochure, outside
On this one, content was provided; all that was necessary was to come up with some stock photos for massage representation and do a lay-out, figure out colors, etc.
Branson West Therapeutic Massage Tri-fold Brochure, inside
Again, content provided. Layout and stock photos added.
Delene 16 Page Press Pack, cover
I was handed a folder full of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, pictures (in both digital and hard copy form) and a slew of copy and told to turn it into an "8 page brochure." 3 months and 16 saddle-stitched pages later, here's the front page of the result. View the entire piece in PDF form.
Ads, Fliers
The challenge of print ads usually takes the form of too much information for too little space, or the space is an odd size or small or large, or whatever. Here are a few ways I handled these challenges.
Delene Concert Poster
A poster created for a performance in Appleton, WI. The collage idea was suggested to me by her marketing manager at the time.
Lewin Productions Show Ad
The artwork was pretty much in place. I made several modifications for the client.
The Club Coupon, front
A common form of marketing in Branson, this 4" by 4" coupon was handed out wherever tourists congregated. The back contained what, when, where, etc.
University of Missouri - Master Gardener Fall Program
One page combination flier/program distributed to attendees.
Lisa Layne Flier
Handout promoting a Branson Christmas Show..
FantasticTalent.com Promotional Piece
A one page flier designed to market the web site to established entertainers wanting to increase exposure, bookings, etc. This example is a comp and not a completed product. A Flash video was produced for the website and the client wanted the theme of the video carried-over to the printed piece.
Branson West Therapeutic Massage Print Ad
For newspapers and newsletters.
Master Gardener Conference Display Ad
For use in Luxury Living Magazine to advertise an annual conference for the University of Missour Extension Master Gardener Program.
Sweet Dreams Benefit Concert Ad
Layout used for both newspaper/magazine and flier.
The Club Print Ad
A one-column width ad for newspaper use. Created also in grayscale.
Photography
There is a gamut of design elements such as photographs, charts, diagrams and other graphic elements which are each important and should be employed to add more aesthetics and meaning to the message. The most important of these is photography. I recommend that my clients use professional photographers whenever possible and affordable, however I can, in a pinch, create artwork for a print or web layout which will suffice for a budget-minded client. I can manipulate the photos and make them work at a fraction of the cost of a pro shoot. (Although I highly recommend a pro shoot when budget will allow.)
A few examples of my photographic work
I recommend to my clients that they should use professional photographers when possible and affordabel, but I can take photos and "massage" them for a layout or website as necessary. The examples to the left demonstrate some of my work in this area. Most of these were done for budget-conscious clients and were taken with a Nikon point-and-shoot camera (3.1 megapixel) with available lighting or flash and then worked-over in Photoshop to fit the media they were intended for.
