Wow, it’s been a busy year for me. So busy that I forgot to post several cool projects that I completed this year. Here’s one of them… I completed this label design for Bunker’s Bar & Grill, a local sports bar earlier this year. The client had a couple of requests: they’d like a sports … Read more Bunkers Sauce Labels
I just received this cute little bit of direct marking in the mail this week: As you can see, it’s addressed to “Our Neighbor”. How nice! But the return address is in San Antonio, Texas. Hmm…a quick Google maps search shows that San Antonio is about 1200 miles from Dayton. Wow, that’s some neighborhood! I … Read more Mail Fail…Local is Relative
As mentioned in my previous posts, I had the privilege of attending the 2010 CFC and HOW Design Conferences in Denver in June of this year. Like any conference, you share stories with your colleagues. Eventually someone breaks out the business cards and you trade. And while I love a well-designed business card, I have … Read more How Not to Make Friends After A Conference
I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Creative Freelancer Conference and a few sessions of the 2010 HOW Design Conference. In a stroke of brilliance, F&W Media decided to hold the CFC, HOW, and inHOWse conferences all at the same location and at the same time. As a result, my CFC package included access … Read more CFC & HOW 2010: Part 2
I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Creative Freelancer Conference and a few sessions of the 2010 HOW Design Conference. In a stroke of brilliance, F&W Media decided to hold the CFC, HOW, and inHOWse conferences all at the same location and at the same time. As a result, my CFC package included access … Read more CFC & HOW 2010: Part 1
After a short hiatus, the HOWiezine is back and to the theme for issue 14 was Coffee. Personally, I’m not a coffee fan, but I couldn’t miss a chance to participate, so I signed up without being inspired as to what I’d do. I did something thinking and I figured I could use my aversion … Read more HZ-14: Coffee
What’s a Mail Fail? When a direct mail mail fails to: target the proper audience and/or other fun errors such as typos. The other day I literally received three Mail Fails in one day! I was thrilled and entertained by these off-the-mark and mailers: 1) Toyota Wants Your Car! I received this official looking letter … Read more Mail Fail x3
As a designer, I do my best to make sure that the solutions I develop for my clients are appropriate and meaningful to their target audience in order to help them sell their wares or services. For the most part, I believe that it’s not evil, however when even a 3 year old makes judgements … Read more Even A 3 Year Old Knows Branding
I’d love it if you’d vote for my poster here, but please pick your fav, great work here all around. Like many people, I was shocked and saddened by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. I did my small part by donated a few bucks to a good organization. But in situations … Read more Haiti Poster Project
I apparently haven’t been keeping up with the Pepsi throwbacks. I found a new version (from the 80s(?) at my local supermarket. And of course, I had to buy ’em! I still prefer the first throwback design. It’s clean simple, nostalgic, and just plain cool. Pepsi needs to ditch the current formula, go back to … Read more Pepsi Should Make Throwback Formula "the Pepsi"
A seemingly easy round this time: fill 15 half-inch square blocks with Pantone colors and arrange them however you wish. 15 blocks of color is a lot of color! Especially since I was determined to use a different color for each block. I turned to my favorite theme: Art Deco. The very formal and gridded … Read more Creative Postcard Club: Pantone Blocks
Here’s the story: my dad served in the Navy in WWII. Over the years, he lost his 2 medals. Luckily, there are online stores that sell veterans replacement medals. I ordered the ones my dad had and thought nothing more of it. Until I realized that the company I bought from sold my name all … Read more Disturbed by Direct Mail
I spied this nice ad for the new Ford Taurus in National Geo recently. I was truly impressed with the new body style, so I decided to read the ad. Well, that was my bad. Should’ve just left well enough alone… 😛 The text at the top of the ad extols how the new Taurus … Read more Another Ad Gone Bad
A buddy at work received a mailer from Time Warner Cable’s business service. I couldn’t help but notice their main image: Uh, say what? Using your EYEBALL logo as a bullseye? What genius came up with this one?! What are they trying to say here: using TWC will making you want to poke your eyes … Read more When Ads Go Bad
My friends and I went out to Red Robin the other day for dinner. We are all addicted to their tasty onion rings (oh, and their burgers too. 😛 Once seated, I spied their ultra-cool new drinks menu that is in the shape of a mug. Very clever, great job to the folks who designed … Read more Cool Mug Menu!
The people at Cheez-It crack me up. They have a nice Trek related t-shirt reward on their recent packaging. It’s a pretty cool lookin’ shirt: This is the part that cracks me up: Now, I know that the new Star Trek has a broader appeal; however, I’m fairly confident that most “regular” folks won’t be … Read more Cheezy Trek T-Shirt Offer
My buddy Keith from the HOW Design Forum makes hand screened prints for a good cause over at The Ink Initiative had a sale in early July on his limited edition, hand screened prints. The best part? The money from the sale of the prints goes to help out a great cause: “The concept is … Read more Cool Ink Initiative Prints Help Raise Money for Good Cause!
