a glimpse inside...

I thought this would be the perfect time to give you a glimpse inside Marigold Design Studio, especially since I'm looking for a design assistant. This is where it all happens—good and bad ideas, sketches, marketing, designing, finalizing artwork, painting, tweeting, blogging, client meetings, etc., etc., etc.

The studio is based out of my home in Mantua, Ohio. It is a creative oasis, separate from the main part of the home where clients, vendors, family, friends and my cats love to visit. Filled with sunlight coming in from the skylights and surrounded by inspirational objects such as art, design books and color swatches, it is where creativity begins.

These past few months have been so busy with far too many late nights so I finally decided it was time to hire a part-time design assistant in here. I am looking for someone who shares my passion with design and color, who thinks "outside the box" and isn't afraid to take chances, is very detail-oriented, familiar with all the programs in Adobe CS and loves cats. Yes, cats, because this is a favorite hangout for Gracie and Max!

Max asleep in the studio!

Life at Marigold is never boring! You will be assisting me with projects such as redesigning websites, developing trade show graphics and signage, packaging designs, corporate identity, collateral materials, annual reports, catalogs, vehicle wraps, photo shoots [styling and art direction], social media, color marketing and Marigold's own marketing materials and website. If you would like to apply for the position, please email me your resume and a few samples of your work in a pdf format. Keep in mind that this is a part-time position, 20 hours a week with flexible hours. I will consider a senior-level college student with a stellar portfolio!

This is the first thing you see as you climb the stairs to the studio.

Abstract paintings in various orange hues greet you as you enter the studio.

It's all about color and design in here.

The studio is filled with fun accessories...

art and design books, resource materials and supplies...

my work desk and conference table...

design assistant's desk—waiting...

Thank you for visiting!

happy friday, happy autumn!

The first day of autumn! It's time to decorate with pumpkins, mums and gourds! I couldn't resist these gourds at the local grocery store—I love their hues! Autumn is definitely my favorite season. It's the perfect time to explore antique stores, art galleries and of course, apple orchards!  Happy Autumn!

color inspirations from San Antonio

I just returned home CMG's ColorBurst in San Antonio. The workshops were fantastic and I definitely returned home on a color high! San Antonio is a little jewel that reminded me of Mexico. I had so much fun exploring the Market Square on Monday after the workshop. There were color inspirations everywhere. Enjoy!

happy friday—it's going to be a colorful weekend!

I am looking forward to this weekend—four full days of color in San Antonio with the Color Marketing Group (CMG). I missed the last few conferences due to work so I can't wait to be immersed in color once again. I decided to leave my laptop behind because I honestly don't think I will have any spare time to work on anything and thanks to my iPhone, I can easily check email and tweet. I wonder if I will go through computer withdrawal!

Have a colorful weekend and enjoy!

remembering...

credit: Thomas E. Franklin, [Photo: 2001 The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) Thomas E. Franklin]

It has been 10 years since 9/11 but I'm sure each of us remembers what we were doing when the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers.

Marigold Design didn't exist in 2001. I was working for a small agency and happened to be home that morning working on concepts and sketches for a new project. I remember getting a call from one of the designers telling me to turn on the television because America was under attack. As I watched the second plane crash into the building, I remember thinking that all of our lives were about to change and that America would never be the same.

My daughter was in college at the time and I remember wishing I could scoop her up in my arms at that moment and bring her home because I wanted my family safe in their own home, protected from this evil that was happening around us. 

I remember thinking about the parents who had children, friends and spouses working in the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon or were on the plane that crashed in PA—I cannot even begin to imagine what they went through or what it was like for the people that died that day.

I remember thinking about my parents that day. If they were alive, they would have been devastated to see their country under attack. Like most immigrants, they were forever grateful for what America gave to them, especially their freedom.

And I remember thinking how proud I am to be an American, to live in the "land of the free" where people gain strength from one another and come together when tragedy hits.

God bless America and those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

We will always remember...

happy friday—time for some summer's gold!

I don't want summer to end! The best thing about summer besides the warm weather is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally. For city folks who have never tasted a tomato or ear of corn straight off the vine, you don't know what you are missing! Ohio's corn is being harvested now and it is the best. I'm looking forward to grilling some of this wonderful summer's gold over the weekend as we savor the last days of summer with family and friends. 

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Enjoy!