Not all projects go final. Such is the case with the logo at left. This design for the Community Alliance for Preservation represented the organization’s mission: “…to enhance Rockingham County’s rural character, urban spaces and natural and cultural resources.” The tree showed rural and natural character, the fence pointed to man-made structures. After a few rounds of revisions, this logo was ready to serve the organization for years to come.

Wrong. Members of the organization decided they wanted to use their existing logo instead. Though all involved were gracious and paid me for my time, the quirky green logo remains buried in a past projects folder on my server. There is no business card or letterhead home for this one, or even a misguided application on a Powerpoint slide.

Still, the fate of the logo must not be mourned. I design for my clients, not myself. Sometimes factors beyond the quality of the design determine a project’s final outcome. Maybe the president’s niece designed the existing logo, or 2,000 T-shirts were printed with the current logo before the redesign began. I may never know the reason why some projects don’t get final approval.

My goal is always to serve my clients. Sometimes that means bringing a project to completion, but sometimes it means letting one go.

I still like this little green guy, don’t you?

The Problem:
Present conservation consulting projects and services in a well organized and aesthetically pleasing website.

The Solution:
Expanding upon the clients’ desire for a navigation bar header and contact information footer, Natural accents, such as leaves and stones, placed on photos draw attention to the photography. Generous margins and linespacing facilitate legibility and give the site an open feel. An off-white background color, added at the suggestion of another designer, softens the linear elements of the site and keeps with the natural theme.

Client Response:
“Thank you…a ton for making me look so good.”

The Problem:
The Amani Festival celebrates cultural diversity in order to promote understanding among people of different backgrounds. The annual street fair, taking place in the downtown streets of Carlisle, PA needed a visual representation of their 2010 theme, “Creating Connections.”

The Solution:
Planning committee members suggested using different types of hands reaching out towards each other to represent diversity and connections. Vibrant colors and an illustrative approach project the positive energy generated by people connecting with one another. The graphic will be applied to posters, hang tags, booklets and advertising.

Client Response:
” Thank you again for the beautiful work and for bringing Amani into the new millennium. “

The Problem:
Simplify an existing photography website using the existing logo and color scheme for Saskia Paulussen Photography, LLC.

The Solution:
Use simple design elements such as line and tonal changes to present photography as the focal point of  the site. Photos placed on each page give viewers continuous exposure to the photographer’s capabilities. A slide show and rotating photo area on the first pages show viewers a variety of photojournalistic approaches immediately upon entry to the site.

Client Response:
“…everyone is raving and loves it.  Thank you!”

The Solution:
Combine antique fabric patterns, textures and a bouncy font. The business’s established pink and black polka dot pattern scallops translates into a lighter white on pink polka dot pattern to keep the design light and airy.

Client Response:
“This is perfect.”

The Problem:
Illustrate thirty concepts of leadership for flashcards using different ages and races of people within three weeks.

The Solution:
Translate client’s description of each illustration into a colored pencil line drawing. Scan in the drawing and add flat areas of color in Photoshop. Bold primary colors, not associated with skin tones illustrate different races of people. The bold colors focus attention on the concepts of the card, rather than specific atributes of the people.

Client Response:
“…you…have my deepest gratitude. This project means a lot to me, and you’ve made it come to life.”

The Problem
Holly Chapple has big plans for her blog, The Full Bouquet. This florist, mother of seven, tourism board member and antiquer desired to create a hub of information for brides, mothers, travelers and shoppers. Her multi-topic blog required a header graphic anchored in her floral business with room to expand into other areas. She requested a limited color palette to allow photography on the blog to stand out.

The Solution
The bouquet began as a simple pencil sketch of flowers only. The sketch deveveloped further into a marker rendering, with separate sketches of the bride and groom, wine, children, and car collaged into the boquet in Photoshop. Three colors spread throughout the illustration brightened the heavy black line drawing without overwhelming the image.

Client Response
“You have been awesome. This is truly remarkable and exactly what I wanted.”