IN THE STUDIO // MADDIEBIRD BAKERY

It was so great working with Michele McAtee to come up with a logo for her new business. One that describes the nature of her work and one that will grow with her as her business expands. Michele describes her work this way: "Maddiebird Bakery... [bakes] cakes from scratch and custom-decorates each cake to be an original work of art...delicious, delicious art." Michele wanted something that was both folksy and young looking. I think she got it and I can't wait to see what she does with it. More to come...

{A GIRL} YOU SHOULD KNOW // ROSANN KONIECZNY

I love letters. Their form, their design, their shape as an object, their way of conjuring complex emotions with their simplicity. When I get a new font specimen book in the mail I pour over it like it's a long awaited love letter. I. Love. Letters. I have always wanted to try my hand at calligraphy and, believe me, someday I will. But for now I will leave the beautiful art of hand lettering up to people like Rosann Konieczny.

Rosann began her career as a graphic designer specializing in hand lettering and type design. Then motherhood called and her career took a different path. She was able to pursue her passion for hand lettering and her desire to provide a unique and personal service. Rosann is a Minnesota based artist who has clients from around the nation. She specializes in wedding stationery, but also has clients like The American Institute of Architects, Minneapolis Saint Paul magazine, Twin Cities Business Monthly, Carlson Companies, and Fantasy Flight Games.

I am just waiting for a client to come to me wanting a letterpress hand lettered invitation or business logo. I know just where to go.

P.S. {A Girl} You Should Know is a new post category highlighting a Minnesota wedding professional. And yes, sometimes it will be {A Guy} You Should Know.

IN THE STUDIO // WEDDING BOOTCAMP

I am participating in the Independent Wedding Association's Something New wedding fair this Saturday. This is an organization I am so proud to be a part of and it's fair is top-notch. Always at the best locations, always the most creative wedding vendors the cities have to offer and always the best information a to-be-wed could want and need. This fair is offering a Wedding Boot Camp where vendors will speak on various topics like "Libations 101" and "Eco Chic Weddings".

I will be talking about branding your wedding. I will go over some of the questions I ask my clients to think about and answer when I'm trying to come up with a custom design for them. Things that couples wouldn't necessarily think about but questions that would help create an invitation that speaks to who they are as a couple. This also could be seen as a "how to communicate to your designer to get what you want" mini-session. And if a couple isn't interested in custom work thinking about these questions would help them find a pre-designed invitation easier.

IN THE STUDIO // INTRODUCING AMY

I love being able to place the face with the blogger {or the business, for that matter} and love people/businesses that do that for me. I, however, like a certain amount of anonymity {plus I hate getting my photo taken}. Despite that, it was high time to give others the opportunity to place my face with my name and see the person behind the design. Here I am. And to be honest I think it's both cute and cringe-worthy. Here is the equation:

concept = cute
that I actually had to have a head shot taken of myself = cringe-worthy

It was fun to create the shot: a piece of handmade paper behind me thinking about Armato Design & Press. That part made having to pose for it a little better...but only a little.

IN THE STUDIO // HEIRLOOM MIDWIFERY

I'm back in the office more frequently now following a bit of a maternity leave. What a perfect logo to have to design postpartum, no? Heirloom Midwifery is the new business of Mandy Toavs. Mandy wanted something that referenced the age old craft that is midwifery, but also wanted her logo to look contemporary thereby alluding to her educated, trustworthy and modern practice. I think this does the job quite well. It sets her apart from her competition {most of whom have some variation of a pregnant woman's silhouette and bad typography, which is another post altogether} while still illustrating how she wants her business portrayed. Why the pear, you ask? The uterus is often referred to as pear shaped. I love logos that have a distinct meaning but don't slap you right in the face with said meaning. Congratulations on your new business Mandy!