Five Dot Design • Blog

My love for Pinterest really isn’t a secret. I’m able to use it to build inspiration boards for clients (see Katie’s, Courteney’s and Sara’s boards), invite them to pin on the board and keep all of our ideas in one place for easy conversation. So what if I told you the Ladies of 915 Monmouth will take your best board and turn it into a photoshoot… and you get to be on-location with us to watch it come to life. Pretty nice, huh? Well, we’ll also let you use our studio to throw an awesome party to celebrate.

Head over to the 915 website to find out all the details (It’s easy- don’t worry). Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

This is Brittany. I heart Brittany.

And Brittany hearts Pete.

From what I understand, this Save the Date has become a fast Fan Favorite amongst Brittany and Pete’s friends. I have to admit, in knowing Brittany well, I created this as a joke but secretly hoping she might want to print one or two for keepsake. Instead, she sent the postcards out into the world for others to enjoy just as much as I do.

But, don’t worry. She also sent out these Save the Dates as well.

Save the Dates are the perfect opportunity to use your engagement photos, just make sure you have reprint rights from your photographer.

Here are a few more shots from their engagement shoot, thanks to 1326 Photography.

Looking forward to your wedding in August!

Want to see what Five Dot Design can create for you?
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Working with Tamara and Alycia of Events by WE always guarantees a good time and a fun client. This one didn’t disappoint.

Jakai’s 7th birthday was held at the Savannah Center in West Chester and adopted Phineas and Ferb as its theme. The client requested an invitation that looked like an admission ticket, so I perforated the edges and punched out the corners to appear to be an oversized ticket. In pairing that with a fun font that matched the fonts used in the cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, the invitation was the perfect introduction to Jakai’s birthday party!

As usual, I can always count on Jacalyn of JMM Photography to get some great shots- thanks, Jac! Check out a few more photos from the party!

Want to see what Five Dot Design can create for you?
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I’m a number 5 girl, if you couldn’t guess. But the way things fell this year, good things are coming by way of the number 3.  The more I start planning the year out in my head, it’s hard for me to fully accept the concept of this number 3… but I’m beginning to warm up to it. It’s playing very nicely with my bestie, the number 5, so as long as it continues it’s rule (remember the rule of 3?) for good and not evil, I’ll embrace the number 3 as a new friend of mine.

This year is a milestone year for us in a few different ways. You see, my little one turns 3 this year. And I turn 30. And T turns 35. Two out of three are divisible by 5. We appear as a family of 3, but throw in 2 dogs and we’re a family of 5. See where I’m going? These two numbers are playing nicely this year. It’s also our 5 year anniversary this year, which will fall on 11.11.11 and if you REALLY start to break it down, all those 1′s add up to 6- divide that by the 2 of us and you get 3. How’s that for a little mind twister?

Aaaaand, you’re welcome for a mere glimpse into my thought process of gestating numbers just so I can make sense of it all.

I’m sure I’ve lost some of you to either confusion or boredom, but I’m done trying to explain my numbers obsession- anything from here on out is pure coincidence. When I think of where I want to be in the new year, I can’t help but focus on the 4 main events that will be happening in my little world (no pun intended) and get wrapped up in the excitement of them all.

—

Last year I began setting goals for myself (3 focuses with 3 strategies and 3 methods of execution)- both personally and professionally. Last year I wanted to focus on building a bridal collection, collaborating with other designers/photographers/artists and I wanted to dabble in alternative materials for my work. I’m pretty excited to say I was able to fulfill all of those goals for myself (2 of those goals came as a package deal) and I plan to showcase those accomplishments in 2011. (I also created personal goals for myself and I’m happy to say that, though vague, we kept right on track.)

I revisted that same method of goal-setting at the beginning of the month, but my head just wasn’t in the game yet. I had not fully digested 2010 and I had a lot of questions lurking as to what I wanted to do and what I needed to do to make sure all of these grand personal milestones ahead of us weren’t subdued with sub-par events throughout the rest of the year.

Goals have always been a funny thing to me. I’ve always felt like the responsibility of a goal’s completion should weigh heavier on the one setting the goal and less on outside participation. Sure, we’re all going to need help along the way, but it’s ultimately our responsibility to seek out the appropriate help, explain what we want to accomplish and get our outsiders excited to see us thru to the end, even if the end goal has little to no impact on that outsider’s life.

The best and most obtainable goals come when you only have a split second think about them. Like with most things, if you sit, think and question too long, it just means you’re trying to analyze everything in the very beginning, thus defeating the purpose of goal setting. If you know how to get where you want to go before you even start the journey, that’s merely a destination. Goals take time. Goals take trial and error.

This is also where I remove all traces of numbers. Marketing gurus will tell you to make sales goals, and monetary goals and client number goals. But when it really comes down to it, if you do all the work behind the numbers, the numbers even out in the end. Sure, those numerical goals are good to have, but it’s also important to have a solid base to support the numbers you want to put up on the board. Too many numbers, you’ll implode on yourself. Not enough numbers, you’re simply a stepping stone.

[Focus]
- collaborations
- materials
- details

[Strategy]
- expand
- delegate
- educate

[Method]
- communicate
- participate
- visualize

So, all in all, let the numbers motivate you- not make or break you. If the numbers are working out in your favor like they’re working out for me this year, use that to fuel your fire. If the numbers just aren’t adding up, regroup and try something new- a roadblock doesn’t mean the road ends, it just means you need to find a new path- a path with new sights, new opportunities- new scenery. You’ll find what works for you as long as you commit to it.

(and since when have I started writing like a self-help book. geeeeez.)

Robin and Ryan’s wedding was the first client wedding I’ve attended that was not a friend or family member. I have to say- they know how to throw a party (and chose some awesome vendors to help them show their guests a great time!) I tagged along with the ladies of the 3bc just to see how everything comes together the day-of. For a girl that normally wraps up her work with the bride and groom a week or so before, watching the entire day come together not only taught me how to provide better service to my brides, but it was really just fun to be there from the almost-beginning to the last guest leaving the reception. It was great to put vendor faces with vendor names (Hi Dan and Steve!) and get to see everyone in action, doing what they do best.

Robin and Ryan came to me looking for something elegant, but something unique and that looked like “them.” We started by picking a black backing paper that had a slight texture to it. That pebble-like texture was then paired with a smooth satin wine colored ribbon to add some depth to the entire piece.

After taking in the considerations the events of the weekend, we separated the invitation into 3 sections: Invitation, Itinerary and Information/RSVP. The RSVP was perforated to keep all of the pieces of the suite together and was then folded up into the Information card.

All of the pieces were then, literally, wrapped up and tied with a bow. Add a little bling to the monogram and you’ve got yourself a lovely little New Year’s Day wedding invitation.

The popcorn bar was a hit- great work Marti!

Photography: JMM Photography

Florist and Popcorn Bar: Marti’s Floral Design

Planning: Creative Afflairs

Make-Up: Cincy Make Up

Video: Poetic Cinema

DJ and Lighting: Steve Bender

Cake: Bonbonerie

Church: Covenant-First Presbyterian Church

Reception Venue: Millenium Hotel

This is the post that I usually write 2, 3, 4  times and then on the 5th time, I sit down kind of late at nite and write the whole thing start to finish in one setting. Excessive and a bit weird? You bet. Necessary to write? Absolutely. (A little mushy, too, so don’t say you weren’t warned.)

Though I can’t speak directly from experience, the only way I can think to describe this past year is swimming with dolphins. You see these people hanging on really tight to the dorsal fin, pulling themselves up with all their strength so they don’t get pulled under water, all while it’s splashing in their face, blinding them from what’s ahead. They end up watching with one eye shut, spitting water out every few seconds because they can’t help but smile thru the whole ride. They finally let go, tired and winded, and yell “Let’s do it again!”

Yeah, that’s how I describe 2010.

O.M.G

Everyone says it and everyone means it, but it’s definitely something that can’t be said enough…
My. Clients. Are. Amazing.
Seriously. If any of you girls are reading this, I can’t thank you enough for your willingness to do things a little differently and to think outside of the box. All of you allowed my creative mind to wander while creating something for which both of us could be proud and really, that’s all I ever really want at the end of the day.

I did a lot of talking, a lot of listening and a lot of observing this year… which lead to a lot of learning. Business is definitely not something you can and should do alone. Outside perspective, no matter who is giving it and what profession they are in, is valuable information. With that, however, my belief in standing on your own two feet, having your own identity, thinking for yourself and relying on your own hard work was reaffirmed to a whole new level. I truly believe by owning that notion to the fullest extent, I made my business and myself much stronger. Walking into a new arena is tough. It’s intimidating and it’s scary. But once you get in the ring and you start talking, you confirm what you already knew- that everyone in the ring had been in your shoes once before.

Whenever you enter a new circle, such as this, you expect to make friends, but you never really expect to come across people that are rooting for you and honestly and truly want to see you succeed in your business- especially for not being in the game very long. Many have sat and talked with me, be it over drinks or until 2am on the phone, answering my questions honestly, offering ideas and suggestions on ways to better myself and my business and helping me to work thru roadblocks and frustrations. Most of the time, all it has taken is someone listening to me talk out loud to find the solution on my own, but being there to validate and support the solution that came to the surface. You are invaluable to me and in sharing what you’ve learned and experienced, it’s a gesture I truly appreciate.

Every day is like shaking the 8 Ball, anxiously waiting which prediction comes to the surface. Some days it’s in your favor, some days it’s not, but my support system stays strong no matter what hand I’m dealt. I’ve made sacrifices that I know will ultimately pay off in the end and my family and friends remind me to stay focused and driven- they’ll be there when I finally reach my goals and that’s what keeps me moving forward. You’re always going to have people pop up and situations arise that make the road a little rougher, but I’ve found that by staying focused and following my instincts, the road eventually smooths out. As I gear up for my next trip around, I feel much more prepared, much more calm and overall ready to learn even more about the wedding industry, my business and more importantly, myself.

P.S. A huge thank you to the talents that allow me to post their images which showcase my work. Without you, I would rarely get a chance to sneak a peek at the end result in a day-of setting or just have photos that make me proud of what both you and I are capable of creating for our clients. Another huge thank you for those that helped me pull my table together for my first bridal show this year- I hope to be able to repay the favor sometime. And lastly, thank you to my vendor-friends that have hired me for my talents. It’s always an honor to do work for someone in the wedding circle, so I hope to have the opportunity to repay your kindness… and to work with you again!

It’s no lie that every designer loves a client that will allow her to go outside the norm and use a few tricks in her bag that don’t get used very often. I chomp at the bit when these clients come to me not only having a vision, but an appreciation for what I can do and the trust to just let me “do my thing.”

Marti approached me about helping out with her in-law’s 40th wedding anniversary invitations after finding out we share a mutual wedding client. She gave me her ideas, stressed that the guests needed to remember it was a surprise and then let me get to work.

After a few inquiries on different printing methods, we decided to go with a nice gold ink printed on a jewel toned metallic amethyst paper. I used a matching gold paper with amethyst ink for the “Surprise tag” attached to a sheer ribbon.

For the table settings, we used the gold as a backing to metallic cream paper with a jewel toned blue for the type. I then punched out small utensils at the bottom of the menu to give a little extra kick. Bottles of Maker’s Mark were given to guests with a gold tag suggesting “The Secret to 40 Years of Marriage.”

A huge thank you goes out to Jacalyn of JMM Photography for providing me with photos! You can find both Marti and Jacalyn (along with their partner in crime, Tiesha with Creative Afflairs) down in Newport!