Logo design: Type the Knot

Have you noticed the recent trend of typewriters being used at weddings or events? Cute little vintage vignettes set up for guests to type up a message to the bride and groom. I think it's such a sweet, charming idea.

I recently worked with Ryan Adney—an English teacher in Arizona who uses typewriters in the classroom—on a logo for his new business: Type the Knot. I've written about Ryan before. He is serious typewriter enthusiast who has accumulated quite a collection. Type the Knot offers a fleet of gorgeous old typewriters, beautifully shined up, restored and well-maintained as rentals for weddings and events. If you're in the Phoenix area and are looking for that little extra touch for your wedding, check out Type the Knot.

Logo: Chicalookate

I just finished this logo for my friend Kate, aka chicalookate. Kate is an avid photographer with a great sense of humor. She makes notebooks and notepads from recycled materials, sells prints of her photos … and scours the earth for the funniest quotes around. She prints these in typewriter style on magnets, mirrors and more. Hence the typewriter.

Logo design: Leocadia

I recently completed this logo design for a wonderfully warm and talented woman in the Cincinnati area who makes all kinds of sewn goodies with the most beautiful fabrics and great care: clutches, purses, children's clothing, accessories and more. Leocadia was the name of her grandmother who was a very successful hatmaker from Grand Rapids (I love the Michigan connection!) and the creative inspiration behind Patty's work and business name. She will be launching an Etsy shop in the coming months and below is a look at the shop banner I put together for it. Keep an eye out!!    

Logo Design: Paddlepass

As some of you may know, I work part-time as a graphic designer for the City of Ann Arbor's Parks and Recreation Department. I don't always have the opportunity or time to use a lot of illustration in this position, but this project was just begging for it. The director of the canoe liveries is involved in a new national program called Paddlepass, aimed at getting ninth graders interested and on the rivers. They needed a logo and I was thrilled to work on the project. Canoeing and kayaking hold a very special place in my heart: I went to summer camp for nine years as a kid and canoeing was my all-time number one favorite activity. I went on to be a counselor teaching canoeing for two years and later had the thrill and privilege of learning to kayak on the wild rivers of Australia. You can see more of my logo design work on my portfolio site here.

Logo Love: b. handmade designs

A little logo love for you this Friday afternoon…  I recently finished a new logo project with Becky Schreiner, owner of Frayed Sew — a boutique in Helena, Montana featuring all sorts of handmade goodness. She wanted a new logo for her other business, b. handmade designs. She makes lovely sewn goods including onesies, scarves, hair accessories, cosmetic bags, napkin sets and more. We settled on two finals because they both just worked.

I also put together a few new banners for her Etsy shop using elements from both logos.

AND, a super huge thank you to everyone who voted on the AIGA Wish You Were Here competition. I'm really pleased to be one of the 25 winners whose designs will be printed as postcards and ailed throughout the country. There will be a one-night-only display of all the winning designs Thursday, April 21 at the Re:view gallery in midtown Detroit.There will be postcards on hand to fill out and mail to friends and family so bring your address book! You'll also be able to buy complete sets of the 25 postcards. Hooray!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Logo love: Elements Event Design

Here's a look at a new logo--plus a little bundle of flowers--I designed for the super-talented Mandi Buckland's Element Event Design.

Mandi specializes in rustic, yet chic concept-driven events. She is big on craft and handmade elements and has such a creative mind. Here's a sprinking of photos to show what I mean -- I would love to attend one of these gorgeous events!