New

I'm in the process of something really exciting -- redesigning my website & blog! Right now I'm wrapping up design on it and I've really noticed a shift in certain design aspects that I'm really drawn to. Here are a few things I've been pinning recently! Can't wait to show you all. 

BusyCal

I always get excited about new technology/apps/anything that helps productivity ( or are just plan awesome ) -- and I've recently started using BusyCal for my calendar. I was originally just using iCal, but ran into some issues with syncing, because my account is with google calendar. So after doing some research and trying the free version of BusyCal, I was hooked. 

Some great aspects to it: 

• I used to use TeuxDeux for everything. BUT BusyCal has it's own To Do lists (on the right hand side). Plus this syncs with Apple's reminders app, so I can access them from my phone on the go! I can also add certain To Do's on whatever day in my calendar, tomorrow of even three weeks ahead. I think I also like having the To Do's right near my calendar so everything is together in one place.

• The weather! BusyCal gives a little weather report for the next week or so! And with cool little illustrations. 

• Because I use Google Calendar as my account, I have a lot of old calendars for old clients, which can be annoying in my list on the left. With BusyCal you can upsubscribe from specific calendars and hide them from the list - keeping everything organized!

I'm sure there are a lot my really great features I could share! Do any of you use BusyCal? What are some other apps you use and love?

Here are some others I love: 

• Basecamp ( project management )

• Sparrow ( mail )

• iFontMaker ( fun! )

Brand + Website Launch : Make Me Joyful

I'm excited to share a recent brand + website launch with you! Cheryl of, Make Me Joyful, came to me this spring with big ideas for her new brand. Make Me Joyful is all about making life joyful, just as it should be. Cheryl has some really great ideas behind the brand and I can't wait to see where it goes! Here's a peak into the site, but be sure to head over and check it out live, makemejoyful.com.

http://makemejoyful.com/

Inspo Board : Shea Mcgee

It's been awhile since I shared in inspiration board with you! Here's a peek into a current project for interior designer, Shea Mcgee. 

Find most of the sources here.

Design Journey

I'm over at Waterfall Creative today sharing my Design Journey! Joanna's newest blog feature that I'm really excited about, that features various designers and how they entered the design world. I can't wait to see who she features next.

AND I'm also over at Amy Moore Studio, sharing my Objets de Valeur, pop over and check that out too.

Inspiration Board : Brand Update

Sometimes we decide, as a client and designer, that it's a good time for a little brand update when already designing a new website ( or anytime really! ) ! It's a fun way to update a brand you might already have, just tweaking it a little, using, new type, illustrations or color, but sticking to your original brand so your clients recognize it easily. That's what this inspiration board is for. Be on the lookout for a new website for the client as well. 

Your Opinion...

I'm in the process of designing some prints for Society6, specifically for iPhones cases. I've been searching for a new case myself and can't decide which to pick, so I thought it'd be fun to design some. 

SO, I'm looking for YOUR opinion, specifically when it comes to colors: When you're looking for a new case, are you drawn to more neutral colored ones or bright colors? How do you pick a case? Based on color or based on pattern / artwork? Do you ever feel that if you have a bright colored case you'll get sick of it faster? ( Maybe I just have a bit of a fear when it comes to a commitment to color because my current case is white! )

Share your thoughts, I really value your opinons!

Recent Brand : Dreyma Studio

Here's a little look into a recent brand launch for Dreyma Studio. Dreyma Studio is a handmade luxury bath and body line, inspired by California, fashion, and travel. We created the logo in the various colors for the different products Dreyma carries. 

Check out the inspiration board made for Dreyma.

Recent Brand : Ember Grove

I'm excited to share a recent brand launch with you, Ember Grove Photography. Rachel Yoder wanted her brand "to provide beautiful, natural images that portray the light, laughter, joy community, and love of relationships and life." Rachel's focus was on nature and wanted to incorporate hand drawn elements  within her logo. She also wanted a couple options for watermarks in addition to her logo, to use for various sizes and needs.

Recent Inspiration Boards

In the past couple weeks I've started a few projects which of course means the fun part -- inspiration boards. Here are a couple and I'll try to share a couple more later, otherwise it may be image overload! 

Happy Friday!

All image sources can be found on my 'clients' Pinterest board.

Inspiration Board: California, Fashion, Travel

Had so much fun putting this vintage beach glam inspiration board for a new client! As well as putting together a new layout for my boards -- I wanted something different but was still visually interesting!

More to come.

All image sources can be found here.

Something New

For a while now, I've been on a kick to spend time learning calligraphy or mostly how to use a quill. I spent sometime this weekend playing around and practicing. Mostly writing lines from Parks and Rec because it was playing in the background! And I'm loving it. As you can see it's still not perfect. The biggest problem I'm having, which I think effects the smoothness of the letterforms is keeping ink in my nib. I'm constantly having to refill, sometimes I can't even finish a word. 

To all the calligraphy pros out there, what am I doing wrong?

Inspiration Board - Golden Nature

Here's a recent Inspiration Board I put together for a new client's branding project. 

I love when clients have killer style and ideas! It's really important to know your style and your brand.

All sources can be found on my Pinterest board

Inspiration Boards

I like to use inspiration boards as a way to figure out more what my clients like/don't like. I try to put things into the board that I think they'll like and things I'm not totally sure about, that way I can figure out exactly how they want to represent they're brand. I also like to include their own inspiration in the board. It really is a fun way to begin working together.

up up / graph paper / b.cards / arrows / peony / strawberries / flowers / lab / border / great lakes / linen / botanique / flowers two / font 1 / font 2  --- (phew!)

Dribbble

I made my first shot on Dribbble last night! I'm not sure what I'm more excited about, that, or because my url is dribbble.com/eva (just eva. not my full name or my last name. just eva - this never happens).

This shot is of one possible logo concept I'm working on for a friend of mine!

christmas cards

Currently working on a Christmas card for my parents! Next step: adding faces.