New Branding: Chapel Farm Collection

I just finished this branding board for Chapel Farm Collection. Chapel Farm Collection is a carefully curated assortment of antiques, jewelry, and vintage gifts discovered by a mother and her two daughter-in-laws. Many more details coming soon about this project and lots of surprises ahead.

As a designer, there's nothing more rewarding than stepping back from a project and thinking, Wow, this is so them. After a lot of hard work and several rounds of concepts, that's exactly how I feel about this branding board. I think we finally nailed it. The "Chapel Farm" font was designed by one of the Pilot's close family friends years ago, who has since passed away. It was very important to them to integrate this font into the new design. The steeple is a replication of the beautiful steeple at Chapel Farm (see below). There are many other hidden meanings throughout the entire design, which makes it that much more special.

Check out how gorgeous Chapel Farm is. The entire time I was there during our first brainstorming session, I couldn't help but feel the Lord's presence there—in a very strong way. It only seemed right that He was represented in the identity of this new business. I'm truly honored to work with this fabulous Pilot trio, Jeanna, Jordan and Brooke. Website coming soon, but for now check out their facebook page.

More on this fun project and new business coming soon. Word is that they'll be hosting a show at their fabulous barn the weekend of March 14 during Fairhope's Arts and Crafts weekend. We will be some busy, busy bees until then!

Branding: Mobile Mardi Gras style

I'm killing two birds with one stone today. Here's a “Throw Back Thursday Wednesday” post + branding project. Thankfully, tomorrow I'll be far away from my computer and in the Tennessee mountain land—eating lots of turkey and being thankful for a much needed break! I'm so excited to re-share this branding project I designed back in-the-day (see original blog post here). I completed this design project in March of 2011...so it's pretty old school now...but still one of my all-time favorite projects. Throwback from Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Kings and Queens and Beads, Oh My!

Yes, Mardi Gras was last Tuesday, but I wanted to share with you some design work I did for the King of Mardi Gras Juvenile Carnival Court, Benjamin Partridge Cummings Jr. I met with his mother, Laura Cummings, before Christmas and we have been working diligently ever since. Laura was an absolute joy to work with and I loved getting to know her and her family.

As you should know, Mobile is the original Mardi Gras. Believe me, as a "transplant" to this town, you can't help but notice the pride Mobilians have in that title. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course the crowds of parade goers that is Mardi Gras in Mobile. I've grown to love it, but when you experience it for the first time it is a very foreign culture and like nothing you've ever seen. There's a lot that goes into Mardi Gras, especially for the King and Court's family...whew...it's a different world around here. It really reminded me of planning a wedding!

King Ben's royal monogram was custom designed and began with pen and paper. The rakes and cowbells symbolize the history of Mobile Mardi Gras. Ben's family played a major role in the Mardi Gras history, which made it even more special. Here is excerpt from the Press Register article: "Most Mardi Gras royals have relatives who were involved in Carnival festivities in the past. But Benjamin Partridge Cummings Jr., the 2011 juvenile king for the Mobile Carnival Association, has a unique claim to fame. His fourth great-grandfather (that’s the great-great-great-great grandfather) was an antebellum Mobile hardware store owner whose rakes, cowbells and other tools helped found Mobile’s very first mystic society."

This hand-assembled pocketfold Coronation invitation featured a custom-designed royal monogram for the MCA's Juvenile King.

Here's a great picture and article of the fabulous King Benjamin in the Press Register I designed these neckties for the family to give out as gifts. I've never designed clothing before, let alone neckties, so this was a fun and challenging project.

And finally, one of my favorite creations was Ben's royal crest, which illustrates and symbolizes everything that he loves.

What an incredible memory for the entire family, and I'm truly honored to have been a part of it.