Design + Style : #9

I think what stands out to me about today's Design + Style combo is how strong they both are. Those letterforms + her eyebrows! So beautiful. A strong element goes a long way.

Design + Style

Spaces // Yas Imamura

I'm so excited to share another amazingly talented creative on today's Spaces feature. I'd like to introduce Yas Imamura, the illustrator and designer behind Quill & Fox. She creates the most beautiful illustrations and designs for her stationary shop - some of which will be sold in various Anthropologie stores soon!

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

Hi! My name is Yas Imamura. I make cards and stationery for my lil shop called Quill & Fox. 

Describe your creative journey.

I graduated from a marketing and graphic design background, but it was shortly after finishing school that I've gotten into illustration and fine art. I was very much motivated and set to work from home doing work that I love!

Share a little bit about your space.

I share the work room with my husband who also works from home. His table is  at the opposite side. I occupy most of it because of the nature of my work. I do all of my day to day things and design work at my desk. There is a table at another room in our house that I should use for production but I prefer to work here in the same room where everything is. I also love working on the floor (I'm one of those!).  I do a lot of my twining and packing near my shelves. The floor is the biggest table after all isn't it? 

What's your favorite thing about your space?

I should say my throw blanket because it keeps me warm and snug while burning through the midnight oil. It's unfortunately in the wash and wasn't in pictures. So another fave I should say is my mini hot-air balloon hanging on top of my printer. It was given to us by our friend Sheri as a wedding present (So awesome!!). I'm absolutely obsessed with looking at it.

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

A distraction! Be it a small television, a scenic window, or a fun, lovable company like my husband. I think it's good to be organically distracted by things and to have some kind of respite when our brain has been zoning in too much on work. Distraction helps me a lot in my creative thought process. As long as it's not Facebook (Ha!). 

Thanks Yas for sharing your workspace with us!

Photos by her husband, Andrew Imamura.

Design + Style : #8

How perfectly geometric is this week's Design + Style combo? The design, from Geometry Daily - a site chalk full of daily geometric designs. And that girls dress is so amazing - with all those layered pleats.

T&Cake

I'm seriously loving this identity job by Build for T&Cake. How perfect is the scalloped edge as if there is a bite out of the logo? Not to mention the type choice - so playful and perfect. 

Spaces // Jennifer Young

Today's Spaces comes from the very talented Jennifer Young of I Art U. Jennifer is an amazing photographer and blogger, as I'm sure you can tell.

How beautiful is her space?

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

Hi! I’m Jennifer Young, lifestyle photographer and blogger over at I ART U. Taking photos and blogging fills up most of my time these days.

Describe your creative journey.

I have always been the creative type but my career as a photographer started within the last couple of years. I studied music my entire life (got my Masters in Clarinet Performance!) but a recent move to the central coast (San Luis Obispo, CA) helped me transition into and pursue photography. I’ve always wanted to be photographer!

Share a little bit about your space.

Let’s be honest, my workspace doesn’t always look this neat, but I thought I’d tidy it up a bit for all of you! I work best in a clean and uncluttered space filled with things I love. My husband built all of the shelving units, which is amazing to not only store and organize my many books, magazines, and photos, but to display current things that inspire me. I love the workstation below the main shelving unit, which was built for working on projects or to use as a laptop station. My desk was a $5 thrift store find—sanded and refinished by my husband as well. He’s amazing!

What's your favorite thing about your space?

My favorite thing about my space is that it changes so frequently--from the vignettes and books, to the images displayed, to the light that changes from season to season.

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

I think it’s important to have something in your space that represents growth and change. For me, it’s natural light and plants.

Check out Jennifer's blog I Art U, as well as her photography blog. You can also follow her on Twitter.

Thanks Jennifer!

*Photos by Jennifer Young

Arlina Rose

Here's a peak at some recent work I did for a friend of mine. Arlina Rose is a photographer based in Texas, creating some really beautiful images. If you live in her area, you need to work with her - she is so sweet and you'll love her. Branding included a logo and blog - stay tuned, there will be more to come as we are currently working on her business cards.

Design + Style : #7

I love how these two go together. Maybe it's the line in the "Loop" logo that is similar to the lines in her shirt, or it's the simple yet elegant touches that get me.

Design + Style

Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day!

There is still time to download and print the Valentine's Day card I made, if you need a last minute card. Head over and share it with your friends!

Spaces // Joanna Waterfall of Waterfall Creative

I'm kicking off this week with a new feature, Spaces, featuring designers, artists, and creatives in their workspaces. We each have that space where our ideas come to life, and the sweet Joanna Waterfall is sharing a bit about her space today. I met Joanna a few weeks ago when we helped at Blogshop LA - it was so great to get to know her. 

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

Hello! My name is Joanna Waterfall and I recently started my own graphic design business, Waterfall Creative. Although running your own business isn't easy, it has been so rewarding! Having the ability to meet awesome people and work with them to create something new is the greatest job in the world. 

Describe your creative journey.

I have always considered myself an artist- ever since I was young I wanted to be one. My first two years of college I was a fine arts major- learning how to draw, paint and design. After transferring schools, I decided to focus on graphic design. I graduated with my degree in graphic design and digital media and began working at a design firm in Newport Beach upon graduation. Soon after I got married and moved to LA. Wanting to be free in my design and creativity I started freelancing full time. And here I am today!

Share a little bit about your space.

My space was made for me by my husband (he's the best!). Before that I was working from my laptop on the kitchen table!  I have such an eclectic style, liking everything from big bold patterns, to more subtle, neutral illustrations. (My Kelli Murray print is my favorite!) So my space has a little bit of everything. It's still a work in progress, there's so much I want to do with it... but for now, it's so great to have a designated work area for me when I work from home. I know that when I'm in that chair, it's business time! I love having my big chalkboard where I can jot down to-do's or ideas that come to me. My big bulletin board is full of encouraging notes from happy clients, magazine clippings, and friend's business cards I collect. Looking at those things are what keeps me going on days where I need some inspiration!

What's your favorite thing about your space?

That it's mine to do whatever I want with! Coming from working in an office, I felt very restricted on what I could and couldn't do. Now, the possibilities are endless! And I also love the fact that it is homemade by my husband. It reminds me of his support and love, and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

Whatever makes you do what you do best! Only restrict things that stop you from making good work. If you can't work without caffeine, and you want a coffee maker on your desk, go for it! Place things around you that inspire you. Make your space a place of freedom where when you are in it, you feel the most like yourself! The notes from my clients are so great for me to have in my work area, because it makes me so happy when I can bring some joy to others. They remind me why I do what I do.

Be sure to check out Waterfall Creative, Joanna's Blog, and follow her on Twitter.

Thanks Joanna!

Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming Spaces features!

*Photos by Joanna

Currently

+ Wanting to buy a color, name it and the money goes to help save a child's life!

+ Liking One of Kind's edition releases

+ Entering to win five Madewell Spring / Summer looks

+ Getting the perfect tattoos for Valentine's Day

+ Listening to Weekend by Smith Westerns

New Series

We all have that space where we create and work. For some it's a designated corner or it's that spot on the couch that get's the most sunlight. And for others, it's that perfect studio space that we all wish we had. Wherever we work, that workspace is important to our act of creating. 

I'm so excited because coming Monday I'll be starting a new series, Spaces,  where I feature designers, artists and other creatives in their workspaces. If you'd think you'd be a good fit for the series in the future, shoot me an email hello(at)evablackdesign.com. 

clock / scissors / cabinet

Design + Style : #6

This week's Design + Style post has the most wonderful shade of burnt orange. How perfect are they? They've both killed it with their color schemes.

Design + Style

Make Some Things

Great concept for The Rabbit Hole Ideation Station for promotional materials and business cards by The Hungry Workshop. They really grasped the slogan "make some things" with these die cut rabbits you pop out of the card and assemble!

F. Troupe

Great type work by Colin Pinegar for F. Troupe.

via Type That I Like

Currently

+ Continually looking through Madewell's Spring Lookbook 

+ Watching a 5-year-old's take various certain logos

+ Sharing a free Valentine's Day Card Printable with you

+ Listening to DesignersMX while I work

+ Planning on making this Black Bean & Butternut Soup

+ Inspired by all these Design Quotes

Michelle M. Photo

I'd like to share a new logo I've been working on for my friend Michelle Mosqueda. Michelle and I went to school together and I'm honored that she asked me to help rebrand herself - she has amazing talent. We went through a few versions before we felt it was perfect. The top is her logo and the bottom is a banner for her blog.

You can check out some of our process on Dribbble.

A Hoot A Day

How fun are these owls by Jen B. Peters? You have to check out the rest (as well as the rest of her work) - her illustrations are so playful and lighthearted!

Design + Style : #5 / With Liz Grant

I'm so excited to share this week's Design + Style Post from Liz Grant of Liz Designs Things.  I love her take on this weeks post. I met Liz through twitter recently and have loved chatting with her about various things like freelancing! She's a gem and creates some beautiful work. This won't be the last time Liz will be contributing - stay tuned for more. 

From Liz:

For this week's Design + Style Post, both images have an abstract aesthetic to them, with a fresh color scheme. Seriously, this girl has mad style, right?! That necklace, with those shades, throw in the pop of red,  perfection.

Design + Style

Have A Good Cake

Can you say great color combination? P.A.R did an amazing job with Strata Bakery's identity. You know they did a great job picking colors when you see it in on a page and it immediately catches your eye. e

via Pinterest