It seems I’m craving a lot of makeovers lately. Not only do I want one for myself but it was time to give my blog one too. I like to do it at least once a year, and while last year it was a little extreme (goodbye old blog), this year it’s was just a matter of aesthetics.
As with most things, it’s a work in progress and there are a few kinks I need to work out. The new design was supposed to part of a more expanded web presence but there’s still a lot of work to be done before it’s complete. However, knowing I had a new design just waiting made me look at my old blog design with a little distaste. So, I’m just launching the blog component for now and will slowly add the additions over time.
I do hope you like it and if you experience any funky stuff, please let me know in the comments. I am aware of most of the kinks but haven’t had a chance to preview this on a PC and on the dreaded Internet Explorer! ;)
To celebrate the new look around here, I’m offering my blog readers a shop discount. If you fancy yourself some modernemotive goods, simply enter “newblog2011” in the coupon code field when you check out on Etsy for 20% off. Offer is valid until Tuesday, February 15th, noon EST.
Happy Friday folks!
Artwork Copyright: Mary Kate McDevitt. The print can be purchased in her Etsy shop.
I’m testing a new product in the shop – printable paper goods. I’ve debated many a time whether I wanted to offer these but hey, I won’t know until I try right? First up are printable bookplates. As a kid (okay and an adult) I was always a little possessed with my books. I was never a fan of lending them to others and I STILL remember the one book I lost and WHO has it. Should of put a bookplate on it. ;)
Printable Zig Zag/Chevron Bookplates
Printable Sketched Lines Bookplates
IDEA: Want to use these as regular labels instead? Just request a file without the text. No problem. :)
P.S. Don’t forget… today is the last day to get 25% OFF my 2010 Holiday Collection and 2011 Desk Calendars.
I find there are two main sources to creative blocks. The usual and perhaps most dreaded kind being the days (weeks) when you are simply uninspired and have got nothing. Zip. Nadda. Then, there are the days when you have so many creative ideas/thoughts that you are so high on excitement you eventually begin to bounce all over the place. You may get somewhere but slowly you reach a state where you can’t think straight. Before you know it, you begin to feel overwhelmed. Then you begin to doubt things. Then the downward spiral speeds up and you’ve guessed it… creative block rears it’s ugly head.
I found myself dealing with the latter early afternoon. Rather than sit and work through it and likely get nowhere as I so often do, I opted for a healthy doze of fresh air. When I’m in a “creative zone” I often forget to take the time to enjoy the outdoors as I get so lost in what I’m doing. But, as J. had left St. Lawrence Market missing some of our meat order, I decided to walk back down with him and take my camera along.
As I walked, I found my brain slowing down and just absorbing the beauty of my surroundings. My thoughts began to feel less scrambled and overwhelming. I felt my focus coming back and soon knew exactly what I wanted to do creatively and had pushed aside all the doubt that had crept in. Phew!
Thank you dear outdoors. I need to remember how essential you are to the creative process more often.
So excitement took over and I decided to put my 2011 Calendar on pre-order. Patience is clearly not my virtue. Here’s a look at more of the monthly patterns.
Available in both my Etsy and Big Cartel shops. It will start shipping out late next week.
Have an awesome weekend!
I’ve got a sneak peek for you today. I’ve been busy designing all week (hence my lack of presence over here) and one of the projects I wrapped up was the very first modernemotive calendar for 2011. I’m so excited to get this in the shop. I am just waiting (i.e. stalking my mailbox) for the last component.
It will be available in my shop very soon so stay tuned.
What did you get up to this week? Man did it fly by huh?
My long term goals for modernemotive always extended beyond just paper goods. So, as I sit here at somewhat of a crossroads with my company, I’ve been exploring what avenues are currently viable (from a financial and experience perspective) and I began to realize that my innocent little tagline – ecofriendly paper goods – was pigeon holing me. Perhaps more so as requests are coming in for design services beyond what I currently offer. As a result, I’m rethinking my tagline. It’s still important for me to include the ecofriendly aspect. Even though my services will be expanding (more on this another day), I will still be incorporating the eco factor in there when possible.
So, here’s what I’ve come up with so far. I’m inclined to go with the first option.
What are your thoughts? Any other suggestions?
UPDATE: A Twitter friend, Sabine of La Marquise des Anges, suggested the last tagline which I’m kind of liking. I can’t decide!
I’m sure many of you have seen and heard of Ork Posters. Well, I’m eagerly anticipating the release of their Toronto neighborhoods poster. Though I have a love/hate relationship with this city, I’d still proudly hang this beauty on my wall.
What are you crushing on right now?
Artwork Copyright: Ork Inc.
Thank you for all your feedback yesterday on my icon. It is truly appreciated and I was thrilled to see the comments left fell inline with what emotions/feelings I hoped it would evoke.
The incorporation of the icon has already begun. Check out the new blog header.
I wanted to stay true to the simplicity of my blog layout so the new update is nothing major, but I think it works.
Do you?
As mentioned last week, I’m embarking on the task of designing a whole identity package for modernemotive. True to my word, the process has begun. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to dedicate a lot of time to it last week, but just the act of exploration really got my creative juices flowing so I’ll be sharing lots more over the coming weeks. While I have a slew of post ideas for this particular topic, words are escaping me right now but they’ll come. They’ll come! Don’t you hate when that happens? Anyway, I digress…
Here’s a sneak peak at the new modernemotive icon. I’ve wanted to introduce a icon for a while and I can now finally strike it off my to-do list. I’m still deciding when and where it will be used but I plan on getting labels printed so that it can be applied to product packaging, mailings etc.
What do you think?
Me: “No.”
Yep, a particular stationery designer – *ahem* me *ahem* – doesn’t have a business card. Shocking isn’t it? I can’t tell you how many opportunities I’ve potentially lost due to the absence of this handy piece of paper. Yet here I still sit business card-less. Bad Adele!
I’m sure a lot of designers can identify with the fact that it is soooooo hard to design for yourself. As a perfectionist already, it hits an all time extreme when it comes to hiring myself.
As I’m preparing to contact retailers and other venues to spread the word about modernemotive, I’ve decided to jump in and design a whole identity package for myself. It’ll include letterheads, envelopes, labels, packaging design… the whole shebang. Let the fun begin!
I plan on sharing the process here on my blog so if you don’t hear from me about on this matter within a few weeks, please give me a nudge. I’m hiring you as my virtual Project Managers… sound good? You in?
And while we’re at it, please tell me I’m not the only one missing an important piece of their business puzzle? It feels lonely up in here.
Photo Credit: Kevin Steele
