I wouldn’t have guessed that being asked to make a bathroom sign would excite me. Using my scroll saw for other work beside my animal mounts has been an idea I’ve been playing with for awhile so it was a great opportunity to be handed such a project to see what I could do. I was given limited time to create the bathroom, recycling, and trash signs which after some brainstorming I choose to go with washroom, recycle, and waste for those words better fit the setting for this vegan and 100% gluten-free quick cuisine eatery. The space is also shared with Prana Yoga Trolley Square so, “washroom,” seemed best with that business as well. The only direction I was given was to be minimal with a sans serif typeface. It’s hard to tell in the photos, but the signs extend .75″ out and only the top layer is stained so the sides are natural with the layers of wood exposed. It matches really well with the seating – especially the booths that have the same layer exposure.

Ian Brandt’s newest concept Cafe Supernatural is opening any day now and the interior is stunning. Here’s a little preview to get ya’ll excited:

This menu for Vertical Diner has been a project that has taken way too long and I’m so excited it’s off my project list! This is the first time the owner, Ian Brandt, had a menu professionally designed as well as my first time professionally designing a menu. Plus changes in recipes and local food sources affected the overall menu and half explains the lengthy process. Obviously there’s an upgrade of black ink vs. color and the way it’s printed won’t smear on the new menu covers. But other than that, organization and overall design kicks the old menu’s ass.

I wanted to do an obvious diner design without having to go back in time as the atmosphere is not of any kind of time warp. A modern and timeless design fits well with this vegan restaurant which is in itself is a modern food service. This also created a challenge on handling text without coming off as a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. The original menu never clarifies that chicken is not really “chicken” and sausage is not really “sausage,” and etc. This obviously created confusion to some. But Brandt’s goal is to not advertise his establishments as vegan because a) Sadly, most people have a negative response to the word vegan mostly because they assume they are being judged for eating meat by said vegan and b) The cuisine prepared should be liked by everyone regardless if they are omnivores or herbivores and c) This is a sustainable restaurant supporting as much local and organically grown ingredients as possible and believes in the full circle of local supporting local. I also believe, as a practicing vegetarian, that even the plant eaters can take offense to a menu that appears to showcase any animal related words. And that some vegans can feel ultra defensive to how their small world is treated and can rebel against other vegan supporting businesses under small circumstances. So, we had to find a happy balance and I feel we achieved it by italicizing cheese, sour cream, ice cream, and so on as quotation marks surrounding the meat words caused too much attention. I look forward to see how the community reacts to the menu and if it does anything to their sales now with the better understanding of the industry that this menu translates.

I was also able to condense the drink menu which is permanently placed at each table so that the last page is blank to have interchangeable ad space for Brandt’s other establishments and to announce any events, specials, etc. such as the opening of his newest concept, Cafe Supernatural, another 100% plant-based foods restaurant that specializes in 100% gluten-free dishes, small plates, and quick cuisine. The new establishment will be located at Trolley Square and opening date is TBD, but should be next month. In the end, I didn’t have time to design the logo for it but I will be able to help with design here and there (currently working on the web design).

Vertical Diner’s menu has been a really encouraging project that I hope will help re-designing the menu for Sage’s Cafe with ease. Then their websites, then their signs, then labels and the list goes on and on.

Sigh. Jessica Hische (hiss-shh).

What an amazing lady. No, that’s not right. Girl. No, that’s not right either. Doll face. That sounds about right.

If you haven’t heard of Jessica Hische you are probably not a graphic designer. If you are a graphic designer and haven’t heard of her, then you must not use letters. Jessica is a very young and famous letterer. Graduating from the Tyler School of Art only 5 years ago, making a name for herself is an understatement.  Jessica works as a freelance letterer and illustrator with big name clients such as Tiffany & Co., Target, The New York Times, and American Express, just to name a few. But she doesn’t stop there. She’s a secret web designer creating several educational micro-sites such as Should I Work for Free? and Mom This is How Twitter Works. She pimps her mom’s services at Studio Momager and pimps a variety of printing services at Inker Linker. Cannot wait to sign up for that once I get the rollers rollin’! Her biggest online project is her claim to fame (besides being super talented and awesome), the Daily Drop Cap is a year-long, give or take, of illustrated drop caps – a letter a day/2 hours a day.

It truly felt like an honor to hear her speak on Thursday. As most lectures do, we learned about how Jessica came to be. But not as most lectures, we got a bit of a comedy show and a lot of motivational speaking. Jessica made her presentation as if we can do this too. Advising us that we can still have a specialty, it’s never too late, and do what you love. She definitely tooted the horns of all the ladies in the room saying there needs to be more female presence in the lettering world.

I’ve been following Jessica since 2009, as most people have, and I really am just in awe of her drive and talent. Only a few years older than me, I’m inspired by all that she does.

Tonight and the next couple of days are going to be a blast. At 5:30pm the AIGA of Salt Lake will be hosting a reception: 50 books/50 covers at the University of Utah Marriott Library, 4th floor. Afterwards we will all venture down to the first floor to the Gould Auditorium for a free screening of Proceed and Be Bold, a documentary of Amos Kennedy who will not only be there for a little Q&A after but will also be conducting a workshop, The Joker’s Wild: Unpredictable Letterpress, all Friday and Saturday at the Book Arts Program. I was able to squeeze into a slot for the small workshop and I cannot wait to learn and observe Mr. Kennedy.

The above poster was well collaborated and letterpress printed by Spencer Charles and David Wolske. I love the strong headline to compliment the strong word styling of Amos Kennedy as well to advertise the free reception and screening. David did a great job documenting the process of how the poster came to be on his blog. The silver is a nice touch.

The 3rd Annual Craft Lake City was held yesterday, a blistering hot day. I had sweaty bangs and sticky legs to prove it. The 2nd annual was my very first big event and my oh my what a year it has been since. I have learned and observed so much and grown to a point where I feel very comfortable with the direction I am going in.

Today was one of those days that made all those exhausting and hard days worth it. My sales were like none other I have ever experienced and it’s simply flattering people want pieces you’ve made with your own hands. It’s also a great feeling to know the investment you put in yourself is paying off. Then all of those fights and arguments with my mother about how I choose to go to art school felt as if they never happened when she texted me, “I’m very proud of you,” at the end of the day. Everyone who stopped by, strangers and chums, were very encouraging. I’m really excited about the sale I have to ship to New York, the commissioned project for Blonde Grizzly, and the possible commission projects to come pending e-mails and quotes.

With the parents and the boy out of town as well as the majority of my talented friends who were also vendors, I am very fortunate that my dear friend and former roommate Di was able to help get through a long hot day. Seriously couldn’t have done it without her!

I was asked to participate in the Salt Lake Film Festival Poster Show/Competition. I would be lying if I said it didn’t slip my mind until three days prior to the opening on Friday the 20th. With limited time as well as the idea of putting text onto a piece that may not be selected for use, I went digital (far right). I won’t be surprised if my piece isn’t selected, especially when the show consisted of so many talents such as Kat Martin (to the left of mine), Travis Bone, Andy Chase and more.

Saturday, after lunch at the Living Traditions Festival and napping at the dog park, I went to the Spring Art Adoption held at the new Signed & Numbered location. It was my first time participating in this event and I had a lot of fun as well as did I receive great feedback. I even got to share the event with fellow Utah Stater, Ernie Gentry. Can’t wait to participate in it again! And the venue holds a lot of potential for more art shows. In fact, we’ve even started brainstorming a theme that I really want to see follow through. All I’m going to say is, watch out Steve Buscemi. I’m totally carving your face (in a non-threatening way).

And mark your calendars! I will have a show or be showing in every gallery stroll this summer (every third Friday of the month).

I love business cards. Seriously. I collect them. They can say a lot without saying anything. And at the Twilite Bar on Cinco de Mayo, I picked up this gem and it gave me a chuckle. Dear Matt, this is a wonderful first impression. I hope you remember me, or that night even. You should have my card.

PS (in case you wanted to know)

I am very happy with how my recent project turned out despite the numerous things going on in my life right now. I got a phone call about a month ago from a man needing not only a brochure for an upcoming convention but a new logo, business cards, letterhead… the works. If it weren’t for the logo design, I don’t know if I would’ve taken the project. I just really love creating identities so it sounded more fun than work. And it was. I didn’t have a lot of time but after some sketches, I got my a-ha! moment. Here’s the logo DNA:

The Waste Away Consulting logo was created by being mindful to what the company does best – eliminates unnecessary waste with an eco-friendly conscience while saving money. The logo successfully translates this by firstly showcasing the letter “W” in the negative space which is hugely symbolic of eliminating waste. The center triangular shape represents a  business after working with Waste Away Consulting. The uplifting green color signifies a positive experience, the excitement over saved money and of course, earth friendly. The point of the said triangular shape is pointing upwards which reinforces the positive experience. The two darker triangular shapes again translate the unnecessary waste while pointing downwards in a sense of “going away.” All shapes have rounded edges to imply the circular motion of recycling and movement. The overall color of the logo works like a pie chart of the average waste vs. savings. The overall shape of the logo is skinny and tall – standing confident in what Waste Away Consulting believes in.

This was the quickest I was able to produce a design to press piece and love it during the entirety of the process. I did the design on Wednesday, ordered negatives on Thursday and made the plates as well as printed 4 runs on Friday.

My graduation gift to the boy is a set of designed and letterpress printed announcements/invitations. When I had the text all done, I felt like something was missing. I told him I really want to blind de-boss a pattern in the background but couldn’t think of imagery that was more personal to him and his degree. This is when I learned about the greek symbol for psychology, Psi. Mixed with the University of Utah’s “U” really completes it, I think (click on image to view larger). The boy and I only had a few “bridezilla” moments when he made me flip the direction of the pattern, told me to make the symbols bigger (which I refused) and demanded picture messages after each run. Other than that, he was a delightful client!

My legs are still tired from watching other people breakdance. Last night I celebrated a few big wins from City Weekly‘s Best of Utah 2011 at Club Elevate. Cali’s Natural Foods won Best Natural Foods, Sage’s Cafe won Best Vegetarian (for the 10th year in a row!) and Vertical Diner won Best Vegan Dishes. Well deserved if I may say so. Signed & Numbered also picked up an award for Best Relocation.

I work for awesome folk.