My niece presented me with a gift on her birthday — a piece of artwork she created through a program at the library. It instantly earned a spot on a special wall in my office, where meaningful design is posted. Pablo Picasso said: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once she grows up". Ava, I am inspired by your beautiful reminder of our roots!
a golden anniversary
2016 marks the Indianapolis Urban League's golden anniversary, for which I developed a special logo to commemorate the organization's landmark year as it continues to secure equal opportunities for citizens and promote positive youth development through an array of services and programs.
she's my heart
A self-composed, handwritten poem by my niece, which I transposed into a notecard and paired with an earthy envelope. Gabriella, we can definitely change the world through kindness and acceptance. I love your sweet, hopeful heart — and you.
year of mercy
I began working with Baltimore-based Jesuit Volunteer Corps this past summer. JVC is an organization that engages brave young believers in life-changing service across 37 U.S. cities and seven countries. These young believers — called "JVs" (Jesuit Volunteers) — work for justice with and for individuals who are disenfranchised, marginalized or vulnerable, such as children with limited educational opportunities, people who are homeless, patients diagnosed with AIDS, survivors of domestic abuse, low-wage earners, former gang members, refugees and the elderly.
For JVC's spring appeal, we created a flat card showcasing gritty, journalistic-style images and a quotation from Pope Francis promoting mercy. A semi-transparent supplement communicating the appeal was positioned atop the card and, along with a remittance envelope for gift collection, these three coordinating pieces were enclosed in an A7 mailing envelope.
See the passionate young women and men who are committed to social justice.
website launch: hire learning
I had the privilege of working with founder (and statistics wizard) Robert Goodloe in developing his company's new identity, business cards and online presence. Hire Learning offers tutoring services for a variety of mathematical and statistical subjects, including AP courses, for students in elementary school, middle school, high school, college and graduate school. If you or your student need a boost in math comprehension and classroom performance, visit Hire Learning's website to learn more.
The new homepage of Hire Learning, a private tutoring service founded by Robert Goodloe.
fiesta with a 'z'
Margaritas always seem to make moments more carefree. And weddings are a reason to celebrate. So when I was contracted to design an invitation to a couple's shower, I asked the client if I had the creative license to go festive yet tasteful. The mother of the bride agreed to this direction, and I got to work. I proposed a unique Z-fold, beautifully separating the invitation into three panels and distinguishing a natural hierarchy to share the inclusive information. I hand-picked coordinating outer and inner envelopes from Paper Source and, with that, it was a fiesta waiting to happen.
mass ave
Millikan on Mass is a new apartment community located in downtown Indy. I had the good fortune of giving life to its identity — a tailor-made project given the modern value it was to demonstrate. Along with the logo and several key marketing pieces, I also conceptualized graphics for a series of windows along Massachusetts Avenue and East Michigan Street. (shout out to Herd Strategies!)
campaign for the oaks
The Campaign for The Oaks launches this fall, where The Oaks Academy and I developed a variety of materials to support the school's elaborate fundraising effort. The theme we identified is "We are The Oaks Academy", and it translated seamlessly through the annual report, campaign booklet, teaser cards and pledge brochure. Learn how The Oaks is a catalyst for change at theoaksacademy.org.
bloomz box
Eye Level, LLC, creates landscape design products which allow customers to transform their outdoor living areas into gracious entertaining and at-home escapes. I was contracted by the company to develop an identity for its newest product, a fiberglass flower box engineered to grow exceptional flower and plant arrangements. After presenting Eye Level with concepts ranging from whimsical to classical, their marketing team selected this vibrant design…
an annual june event
For the past five years, I've worked with the Indianapolis Urban League on various projects and, in particular, the organization's Equal Opportunity Day materials. Each year I attend the luncheon and listen intently to a brilliant keynote speaker — always leaving me more inspired than when I arrived. A sincere thank you to Tony, Brian and the amazing Miss Tanya for entrusting me to help carry out IUL's important mission.
out with the old, in with the new
Polishing a logo and transforming communications pieces after a number of years can breathe new energy into one's business. Whether simply refreshing your look or completely reinventing yourself, a makeover creates a newfound sense of pride (and uncuffs you from the previous decade!).
the art of advertising
When Wilson Kehoe Winingham approached me to develop an ad series for their medical malpractice area, I put pencil to paper and began brainstorming. My objective was to deliver a sharp-cutting message without the use of expected stock photos—a person on crutches or a newborn confined to an incubator. The result was "brilliant", said the firm's partners. The full-page advertisements are currently rotating in Indiana Lawyer magazine.
website launch: all out training
High fives to client Eddie Gill for the launch of his new website. This was a particularly fun project for me because I spent time at several of Eddie's youth sessions and clinics where I also had the opportunity to get creative with my camera. I have no training in photography but simply applied my artistry through the lens. See the custom images and full design at the All Out Training website.
The new homepage of NBA veteran Eddie Gill's youth basketball training program.
fun texts
Always rewarding to receive messages of gratitude from clients upon the close of projects. Thank you, Brian, Linda and Nathan, for your fun, unexpected texts!
annual report ... with a smile
My favorite school in Indianapolis is The Oaks Academy. Their FYE 2013/14 annual reports are off the press and in the hands of the community. I especially love the paper we chose for this project, providing a classical accent. Mr. Hart, Head of School at the Fall Creek campus, also delivered a smile to my face with his letter of thanks. But my thank you is to The Oaks Academy for the opportunity to apply my creativity as we collectively work to enrich and impact the lives of local children and their families.
little tree
I am thankful today to Dimitri and Josie for sending their expression of gratitude in the form of a bonsai tree — simply one of the sweetest professional tokens of appreciation I've received. A bonsai tree, I learned, symbolizes harmony, order of thoughts, balance and all that is good. And so the perfect spot for this little tree is atop my work desk, where I strive to convey the very same through my creative projects.
