LIVING WATERS – Series 1 – Art Prints
I think these images would look lovely on the walls of a spa, massage room, medical center or peaceful place of healing. Large format, high resolution canvas wrapped prints available (or small ones). To order prints, please drop me a line using the contact page or email michelecarbery{@}gmail{dot}com. Thanks for looking.
© Michele Carbery, 2011. http://www.michelecarbery.com
Thank You to Steve Jobs – from a graphic designer
I would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to Steve Jobs of Apple, who resigned as CEO today. Steve’s incredible vision transformed, and continues to transform, the way designers and illustrators work.
Steve Jobs, chair of the board of Apple Computers, holds up an Apple II computer in 1984. (AP/Wide World Photos)
What joy to be able to quickly create on-screen the ideas and images in our minds! We almost take it for granted now but this has been an amazing process of innovation and change during the past 3 decades.
While a Graphic Designer’s inner skills of strategic, creative design and marketing insight remain irreplaceable, the tools of the trade have transformed dramatically from layout paper, markers, technical pen, art knife, repro camera and drawing board; into powerful desktop workstations and laptop computers that enable typographic and image manipulation magic to happen almost as fast as we can think it. Almost.
I continue to DREAM of the day when the iPad becomes a true graphics workstation – images, media and typography moved with a touch, and illustrations created with a paintbrush-on-canvas feel – this magic is coming, I’m sure of it. In fact many of the components are already present.
Steve’s vision and steadfastness through the years – and that of the outstanding professionals who supported him and made his ideas come to life – established the pathway for the creation of tools that enable our own creative vision to be manifested with ever-increasing clarity, depth and efficiency.
The creative flow behind this pathway of innovation is now so strong that I am sure the momentum will continue successfully.
Sending very good wishes to you Steve.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Graphic Designer
~Michèle Carbery
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/08/24Steve-Jobs-Resigns-as-CEO-of-Apple.html
Make Someone’s Day BEAUTIFUL
Surely, now, more than ever, we need beauty in the world. Beauty in appearances. Beauty in how we communicate with each other. Beauty in solutions that help others. Beauty in our inner and outer actions.
I have been so inspired by the examples I’ve personally experienced of people making things beautiful. This weekend, I received a beautiful package from my Mum. A beautiful Laura Ashley shirt, delicately wrapped in pretty tissue paper. So much thought and care had been put into making every detail BEAUTIFUL in that package. I was very moved. It is a creative act of Grace and Love to make things beautiful for others, isn’t it.
Another example, a handmade greeting card from a caring friend. Such a delicate and detailed design wrapped in a ribbon. So much thought and care in the physical action of making something beautiful for another person. Precious, tangible expressions of love and kindness.
Amidst the challenges that we may face, it can be transformative when a bit of beauty graces our day. There are countless ways we can each make the day a little more beautiful for ourself and others. How and where you see beauty is entirely unique to you and others. That’s part of what makes it magical.
In addition to spontaneous experience, we can choose to see beauty. Every choice to notice and appreciate beauty creates more of it in the world. Every little act and creation of beauty is worth it. It matters.
Beauty is far from frivolous, it is vital. Beauty is a doorway into peaceful, inspired, joy. Beauty reminds us of our values. Beauty reconnects us with the magic that made our childhood experience of life vibrant and full of possibility, and brings this magic into the present moment. Beauty is a portal into the most blessed places in our lives, heart and mind.
Tonight, I’m giving thanks for all the precious gifts of beauty in life. And, wishing you joy in making your world, and that of those around you, truly beautiful.
Integrated Marketing Communications
WHAT: Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) is the integration of a suite of communication tools, channels, functions and resources into a single, strategic program. Both internal and external communications tools may be incorporated into a seamless, data-driven program of marketing communications, branding and dialog that are relevant to the audience’s activities and needs.
WHY: Maximize the impact on desired audience(s), brand management, and profitable customer relationships while managing cost. Ensure consistency of message and the complementary use of media.
HOW: Integrated marketing begins with the development of a Marketing Plan. The Plan identifies and coordinates all components of the marketing approach. A marketing plan may be based on the following:
1. Analyze current situation.
2. Identify marketing objectives.
3. Establish marketing budget.
4. Develop plan for implementation.
CHANGING MEDIA: Social media is an opportunity to enter into a direct dialogue with consumers and engage audiences at a variety of levels, developing an experiential relationship. This arena requires a clear understanding of the audience’s wants and needs, and the ability to evolve with the constantly-moving flow of communications while remaining on-track with the objectives defined in the Marketing Plan.
© Michele Carbery, 2011
Evolving Branding
Today, I started integrating the new branding into my communications tools. Here’s how the updated website is looking so far. When working with branding, sometimes clients desire to launch a new brand all in one go and this can be very exciting for both their employees and customers. At other times, it is helpful to make staged changes in order to maintain some continuity and recognition through the process until the final objective is achieved. For my personal branding, I’m choosing a staged approach.
4 Ways to Increase Design ‘Shelf Life’
A lot of the design work being produced at this time is intended to evolve at a fast and responsive pace, but for projects such as branding, the ability to endure and sail steadily through the ever-changing sea of design trends can be very valuable.
As visual media becomes increasingly rich, I find it enjoyable to maintain balance by also looking at and creating designs that are uncluttered, clean and peaceful. In doing so, I’ve noticed aspects that seem to be key to the long ‘shelf life’ of a design.
An example is this brochure. I illustrated and designed it years ago. It has floated through time and trends as they have come and gone. I look at projects like these and the work of other designers to learn about what helps to create an enduring, but not boring, designed communication.
Here are 4 functions I’ve noticed that appear to be achieved by designs that endure:
1/ Balanced sensory input, and visual breathing space.
2/ The use of thought-provoking images and words.
3/ Creating visual and written satisfaction, instead of excitement.
4/ A sense of floating alongside or through trends, rather than being encompassed by them.
Do you notice other aspects that help a design to endure in positive ways?
© Michele Carbery, 2011
A Designer’s Response to the Riot’s in England
Peaceful Broom Army shows the way! I have been SO inspired, reading news about British community members working to clean-up the cities after the riots. What a beautiful example of the true British values. In acknowledgment of the community spirit of those seeking to restore order and clean-up, I was inspired to create this design. T-shirts and other items available at. http://www.cafepress.com/createkindness
With any proceeds from t-shirts and items that are sold, I will make a donation to a non-profit in the UK that is helping, or needs help, in the areas affected by the riots
Feel free to SHARE this image for non-commercial use, as long as it includes the credit “Designed by Michele Carbery, © 2011″. I sincerely hope it inspires peace and community healing. Other designs are below.
Things designers don’t expect to have in their portfolios (but, really DO)
When people ask me what it’s like to be a graphic design and communications professional, the phrase, “The work is very varied,” often comes to mind. The other thing I LOVE about this job is that designers and communications specialists can make anything beautiful! Yes, anything. You might want to set aside your breakfast bagel before reading further…
A recent project that required design, illustration and some copy editing was titled, “Proper Procedures for Pooping in the Woods.”
The objective was to create a public information tool to assist people in taking care of this essential function in ways that protect the environment and the experience of other visitors to an outdoors location.
For the section titled, “Tools You May Need:” I decided to apply an appealing illustration style to create a fun and interesting read. Here is some of the work that was done. I created the illustrations by-hand, scanned them then digitally added color and shading.
These kinds of projects come up more often than expected. I have a designer friend who was asked to create a booklet showing stool samples. Yes, really. And, she made it beautiful! An excellent creative communications tool. As designers, that’s what we do! Here’s to celebrating those unexpected projects in our portfolios. They may not be as ‘sexy’ as the corporate branding projects, but they are a real and rewarding part of a designer’s life.
© Michele Carbery, 2011
A global perspective of visitors to this blog
