I put together this design as a “logo” for a 5k sponsored by a local Traverse City church. As in past projects I did my best to incorporate the West Side compass rose into the design.

Sometimes with these illustrated type-shapes there is a risk the viewer may not quite “get it.” Luckily I’ve always found a way to make it just obvious enough (but not too obvious)

I’ve found a new test for this sort of thing though. I showed this design to my 7-yr-old sun and he told me it was West Side 5k and Fun Run and that it was for church.

Perfect!

I’ve seen my logos in a variety of different applications over the years, some standard (like a brochure or polo shirt) and some less-so (like a paintball course or a helium balloon). This application has to be the most unique yet though.

A good friend asked if I’d create a “logo” for his dad’s woodworking projects. His 60th birthday was coming up and they planned to get him a branding iron so that he could put his stamp on his (totally amazing) pieces.

I couldn’t put a lot of time into the logo itself, since it was a favor for a friend… but I think it turned out pretty nice for the time I had.

So Doug sent me this sweet bowl that he crafted from spalted maple. Very beautiful and unique.

I found this vintage illustration and re-purposed it with some subtle additions.

I love the look of confidence on the warrior’s face… like “whatever, bear.”

Download

• iPad
• iPhone/iPod Touch
• iPhone4

More Free iPad and iPhone4 Wallpapers

• Japanese Bird
• The Inward Eye
• Vintage Lake Superior
• Vintage Native American Village

This year the Traverse City Film Festival posthumously honored John Hughes with their equivalent of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

When I discovered it was for his movies that I’d be designing posters I totally flipped. It would be tough to find any body of pop-culture work I’d be as excited about.

My goal for each poster was to make it as iconic as the film itself. So much so that I wouldn’t even have to put the title on there.

I decided that might be a little bit of a stretch, so I did include the title at the bottom of each, but see if you can guess the movie without looking… and let me know which is your favorite.

The posters will be on display and for sale at the TCFF Filmmaker’s Party on Friday, July 30.  The cool textures on some of these low-res previews are hard to see, so if you can make it to the party to see them in full movie-poster size I’ll see you there!

Don’t forget!

• Follow me on Twitter
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• Check my blog Strong Odors for regular editorial writing and illustration

Over the past year I’ve been concentrating more and more on illustration though. It is really at the heart of most the projects I’ve done, even my video work has an “illustration” vibe to it.

The Future

Right now I’m creating a strategy to separate my illustration portfolio from the rest of my design services. I haven’t quite figured out how to organize all my offerings, but it will definitely mean at least one new website specifically for illustration.

The other site will continue to feature my identity, print and motion design that is an attractive and affordable solution for non-profits and businesses.

Until then, stay posted here for new illustrations and keep watching Strong Odors where I’m constantly writing and illustrating editorial content.

Here are a few of my favorite illustrations that will be featured on the new site.

This wallpaper comes from a found public domain photo. I have no idea what exactly is going on here, but I love it. Do the natives know that these white guys are smoking the pipe?

Enjoy this free wallpaper for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and the super-cool iPhone 4

Download

• iPad
• iPhone/iPod Touch
• iPhone4

More Free iPad and iPhone4 Wallpapers

• Japanese Bird
• The Inward Eye
• Vintage Lake Superior

Today’s free wallpaper comes from a photo I took during a recent backpacking trip on the shore of Lake Superior.

It’s also the first of this series to be released in the new higher-resolution iPhone 4 size!

Don’t worry though, I went back and added the 640 x 960 iPhone 4 Wallpaper to each of the past couple too…

I love this one… hope you enjoy it!

Download

• iPad
• iPhone 4
• iPhone/iPod Touch

I can’t remember where this idea came from… but I wrote it down one day and came back to it today.

I’ve found that I like a lot of the art on Design by Humans, but consider very few of the t-shirts “wearable” designs.

Maybe I’m getting old…

This is another effort to create something DBH could print that someone could actually wear.

If you could take a minute to cast a vote I’d appreciate it so much. Thanks!

New free wallpaper for iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch

Enjoy!

Download

• iPad
• iPhone 4
• iPhone/iPod Touch

I really enjoy working with the folks at Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery. They put a lot of thought into every project to make sure it is done right, but they also trust my expertise and instincts.

I’ve designed a several rack cards over the years… here are a few tips for designing a rack card that works

1. Keep it simple

This is pretty much the rule of thumb for every design project. Every once in a while a “more is more” direction will work… but for most projects it’s best to see how much you can strip away. A rack card has to make a great first impression or else it will end up right back on the rack. If the reader is confused or visually overloaded by the design, she’ll put it back and go for another.

2. Top 2 inches

Most potential customers only see the top two inches of every card in the rack.  Obviously this makes that space the most important part of the design. Single out the number one value, experience or product that your business offers. In this case it is the wine tasting that will attract both the area’s visitors who came with wine in mind and those who have come for a variety of other reasons but looking for fun activities.

It is really important to design this space so the casual passer-by will see it at just a glance (even from across the room). Don’t jump to the conclusion that “flashy” will stand out… in a lot of cases “simple” is more likely to stand out in a sea of flash. (Just look at which cards immediate jump out in the image at right).

3. Make it unique

This piece will be competing with a number of others that promote similar services. It is really important that yours stands apart from the competition. What is it about your product that makes your business worth visiting? Or if your business is essentially the same as your competition’s, what visual representation can you use to be unique? It could be a black and white design or use of illustration or cartoon character.

4. Essentials only

You don’t have much space to work with and we’ve already set out to keep this piece simple. So you must boil down your business into a few bullet points. The contact info and maybe one big special offer or event splash is all you need or want. Anyone that pulls your card out of the rack and finds a paragraph (no matter how well written or welcoming) is going to put that thing back like it’s on fire.

Whenever I’m involved in preparing copy for a promotional piece (ad, brochure, video), I always put much more value on emotion than information. Many business are so info-centric that all their promotions are crammed with as much information as possible. This seems to make sense on paper, but the truth is that information rarely moves people to action.

I was supplied the copy for this piece, but I think the Gill’s Pier staff did a pretty good job focusing on “experience” rather than “product.” They could have gone on and on about the types of wine they create, vintages, types of barrels, processes, etc., but instead they know that people visit because it is fun and stress-free.

5. Go with a pro

You are a gifted business owner. You’ve gotten to where you are by concentrating on your strengths and doing what you do best. Chances are that you’ve got the discipline and drive to create a brochure on your own… but trust me, it’s not worth it.

A good designer will know which rules to follow and which ones to break with any design. She’ll listen to your input and use it to create a brochure that works, and chances are she’ll do it for a reasonable rate and at a cost far less than the gray hairs you’d have by trying to do her work yourself.

If you’re a small business or non-profit looking for top-tier design at affordable rates, I’d love to help. Contact me today and we’ll create something awesome!

Gill’s Pier Winery Rack Card

• Front Rack Card Detail
• Back Rack Card Detail