tangerine tango in marketing campaigns

I have been seeing more and more Tangerine Tango being used in fashion, home furnishings and products since Pantone announced it to be the color of the year. And I'm especially excited to see companies embracing the color in their marketing campaigns. A good example of this is the new jcpenney catalog that was mailed out the first week in March. Not only did it show off their new logo and campaign but almost every page has some shade of this lovely hue! Here are a few of my favorite spreads from their catalog.

 

I love how the boxes are brought into the catalog, repeated on the pages and used to guide your eye throughout each spread.

I have to admit that I don't love their new logo but I do think it's a vast improvement from their previous ones. What I do like about it though is the whole concept behind the square design—reminding customers to "frame the things they love". It also represents American heritage and commitment to treat customers "fair and square". I might even start shopping at jcp now!  

What other companies are using tangerine tango in their campaigns or collateral pieces. Please share!

in the pink and gorgeous!

I had the pleasure of working on a branding project for a local day spa that was moving to a new location. They wanted a new look for everything—from the logo to all the collateral pieces and even the interior space. The new location is in the heart of Chagrin Falls, a quaint little town filled with unique shops and restaurants. The client wanted the spa to be portrayed more like a boutique that specialized in skin care and makeup among many other things.

 

I had less than two months to complete everything! I started with the logo. The goal was to make it feminine, glamorous, yet fun... and what color is more perfect to portray all that than pink! Pink is such a happy color. It stimulates energy and encourages confidence, making it a perfect choice for a boutique that specializes in skin care and wellness! Pink also happened to be the client's favorite color and she wanted to carry pink throughout the decor of the new place.

It was important to carry the tone of logo—the feminine playfulness—into the boutique. The new space is filled with a combination of vintage and new furniture and accessories. Makeup products are displayed within old china hutches, buffets and tables that have been lovingly repainted and restored.

Pink stripes are used on the collateral pieces and also on one wall in the seating area. A vintage chandelier and photo add to the overall tone of the space. There is even an inspirational wall, filled with gorgeous divas from the past. 

How can you not feel gorgeous in a place like this? If you're ever in Chagrin Falls, stop by and visit La Look. They are located at 100 N. Main Street, Suite 350. You will love it!

You can check out their website, lalookboutique.com, for more information but I have to warn you the site isn't completed yet. That's next on my to-do list!

a weekend painting project

January was a very crazy month for me. I had several large projects in the studio which kept me quite busy, even on the weekends! This past weekend, I finally had some free time and I was in the mood to paint—not walls but an old chair that I picked up at a flea market.

The chair had seen better days. It was pretty beat up and the chair cushion was a very dirty green vinyl. But for just $5, I knew it was a special jewel just waiting for a makeover. 

I wanted to use the chair in my studio so I made a trip to Home Depot and purchased an orange paint to match marigold's logo. The color is called Fresh Tangerines by Glidden.  

I couldn't decide on the fabric so I ended up buying both of these. Either one would have worked but in the end, I chose the geometric pattern.

The chair—before and after. It's amazing what a little paint can do! Total cost of the project was under $20 plus $5 for the cost of the chair!

starting the new year with a blank palette

There's something refreshing about starting the New Year with an empty sketchbook or journal. That's why I decided to give my clients a "blank palette" or a special marigold journal as their holiday gift this year. It's a perfect size to fit in a briefcase or purse—to jot down ideas or to-do lists. I don't know about you but I can't survive my week without having a to-do list sitting beside my computer!

As you all know, I tend to obsess over my holiday gift every year. It has to be extra special because my clients are extra special! Last year's gift was a calendar based on a color wheel. It was very unique but not very practical. But it looked great hanging on a wall and it won a Silver ADDY locally and in district. I don't know if I can top that but that's OK because I think this year's gift is just as special and a bit more practical!

The journal is simple and elegant with only the embossed marigold's mark on the front—nothing else. It is enclosed within a belly wrap and mailed in an orange (marigold's signature color) square envelope and sealed with a marigold sticker.

The main message is on a separate tag and tied with an orange ribbon to the coil binding on the inside. The tag could be used as a book marker. It contains various icons on the back—simply drawn to represent inspirational things such as planning a trip, writing, drawing, etc.

I hope my clients enjoy their special journal and I'm already thinking about next year's holiday gift. But in the meantime, here's to new beginnings in 2012!

Happy 2012!

May you find simple pleasures throughout the new year!

Wishing you a very happy 2012!

Merry Christmas!

 

home for the holidays...

My daughter will be home in one week and I can't wait! Last year at this time, I was in Florida helping her get settled into her new apartment. It was not easy returning home and celebrating Christmas without her. So you can imagine how excited I am this year to have her home for the holidays.

Work has been crazy busy for the past few months. So I have been decorating the house whenever I can spare a few moments during the day or evening. Here's a peek of our country home, all decked out and waiting...