Five Dot Design • Blog

Last week I put a call out for old, unwanted books for a project I’m beginning and, surprisingly, I wasn’t met with too much resistance to “repurposing” old books (i.e. “destroying” them.) BUT, for those of you that might have gotten a little squirrelly at the thought, I pulled two from the stack that I didn’t feel I COULD “repurpose.”

See? I have a heart.

HOW left me with not only a lot to think about as it pertains to my business, but a lot to get me re-energized about designing. We all hit slumps and it shouldn’t be anything we hide- those are the best times to reach out to other designers and just get excited about designing again. You’re surrounded by all these intelligent, creative brains and it can get overwhelming- especially when you find yourself being introduced to them on a social level instead of a professional level. Nonetheless, it was what I needed. I’ve begun thinking about ways to improve my client experience (which will all start with a new office space and a website face lift coming in the next week or so) and ways to infuse more of me into my work instead of falling back on what’s safe.

So, without further adieu… more info from the sessions

Don’t wait for inspiration–
Are you inspired or tired?  One great quote from Sam Harrison from his Revelations for Inspiration talk was, “Throw out your first 3 ideas–everyone else had those ideas.” Ultimately we’re responsible for what we put out into the design world, so if we’re constantly going back to what we know “works,” eventually it won’t work anymore. Stephen Doyle made a great suggestion in his talk Where Ideas Come From and Where to Go, “Ask yourself what everyone else will do and do the opposite.” Sure, it sounds easier than it really is, but at the same time, even the smallest change from the norm can lead a design into a completely different direction.

Fail early to succeed early–
We must be expandable or become expendable… meaning we need to stretch our minds to new ideas. A lot of those ideas are going to be really bad… and that’s okay. But bad ideas get you to good ideas faster. Start with exploring… Stop. Look. Listen. then Focus. Let an idea go on its own and then let it go one step further. You can always take a step back if it doesn’t work out. But if it does work, let it keep going until all paths have been explored.

Talk to people–
Conversation begins creativity, but the conversations mean nothing if you don’t act upon them. Use your network of creatives to bring your ideas to life and work together to realize each others ideas. Brainstorming often becomes my idea, your idea, my idea, his idea… working together to build upon each others ideas is what really pushes the creative envelope.

You bring in what you put out–
Make a connection with your clients and show them that you really enjoy what you do. Find ways to give clients an experience that’s new and different to make yourself memorable. Be innovative and be spontaneous. Stand out.

All in all, a good portion of the conference was motivational speakers that just so happen to understand the design world and the challenges designers have come across- especially in the last 5+ years. I would imagine it was more than just me that needed those words, too.

As some may have read on my Facebook status last week, after 7 years of waiting, wishing and hoping, I was able to heed the advice of one of my Graphic Design professors (Kathy Kargl) and attend the HOW Design Conference (lovingly packaged in the HOW Design Live week, along with InHOWse Managers Conference, Creative Freelance Conference and The Dieline). Over the next few blog posts, I’ll be recapping what I was able to take away from the sessions I attended, along with my own thoughts on their presentations and how I can apply their thinking to my business.

Sounds kinda nerdy, huh? It is a bit. We kept saying it was amazing how one set of revolving doors and a lanyard could determine your cool status in a matter of seconds. Inside the doors, a lanyard with your HOW Design Live badge made you out to be pretty effing cool- you were an attendee at one of the top design conferences… and then the minute you went thru that revolving door and out into the world, you were just a loser wearing a lanyard. I have to admit I was a loser in a lanyard more times than I preferred.

After all the sessions were said and done, I found 3 main messages that seemed to be a constant amongst the speakers, whether spoken or implied.

1.  Keep conversations going. Design is an extension of a conversation that then leads to more conversations. Find a trusted circle of creative minds that can keep the conversation going and add new information to the mix.

2. In the words of Mig Reyes, “Make shit.” Spend 15 minutes a day just making something- anything. In letting our minds think creatively in whatever way we choose, we find solutions to past, present and future design problems. Passion projects are a chance for us to create something we WANT to create and we tend to show our true colors (and often our best work) in these projects.

3. Keep trying and when you finally think you have it, try one more thing. Push your mind to think past what you feel is the “right” solution to a design problem. Ask one more question when talking with a client- a question that reveals more about who the client is and not what the project is about.

So hopefully over the next handful of blog posts, not only will you have an idea why this conference was so important for me to attend, but I hope that you’ll learn something as well. The best way I can describe what I felt leaving Chicago this morning is that… I don’t feel like I’ve come back to take over the world, but instead I’ve come back equipped with the right information, the right resources and a plan being thoughtfully put in place to take over the world.

Next up… Email Marketing + Design

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Gold has taken the fast-track to be one of the hot colors in fashion and event design… I’m pretty partial to the cooler-toned metals, like silver and pewter and even I find myself flirting with the gilded hues of the color wheel . During the awards ceremonies this year,  gold was mostly found paired up with emeralds on the red carpet, but it can be dressed up or down depending on the colors and accessories complimenting it. One of the most suitable pairings for gold is ivory, with its unobtrusive nature and warm, neutral tone, making it a natural selection when wanting to find a balancing point for your wedding.

Click the image above to open it full size. Feel free to print this image off as a reference for your own wedding.

Gold and ivory carry a soft elegance when paired with one another- a simple beauty, no matter the style of the event. This color combo lends itself well to ornate patterns and old charm that are not loud, dated or too showy. Take for instance the BHLDN dress pictured above, (yes, I know it’s pricey, but absolutely stunning! Perfect for the rehearsal dinner or even a reception dress). By layering golds, ivories and creams, the pattern on the dress isn’t screaming for the attention, but instead makes a statement with the style and shape of the dress. Paired with a colored stilleto or even gold rhinestone/glitter peep-toe pump, there would be no question this dress would set the bar at any event.

Dressing up the groom can be a little trickier. Pairing the vintage pocket watch with a great chain is a simple touch to an otherwise ordinary tux- it instantly adds character and charm. Incorporate a little more gold into the boutonniere and your groom is well balanced and definitely well dressed. Throw in a gold tie and he’s the perfect compliment to you.

I’m totally in love with the gold chalkboards in the color board. Those would be great for way-finding at an event (especially events that take place in one place or unique venues that people are unfamiliar with where to find certain things)  or would be absolutely perfect hung over a candy, dessert or popcorn buffet or buffet dinner to inform guests of their options. Pair them up with the beautifully designed cake above to call out the flavors of the tiers and you would certainly wow your guests.

Incorporating gold into your stationery can be done very elegantly. Simply backing your invitation in a metallic gold paper, as shown here, or using gold ink, as shown in the color board above, is a great way to incorporate the elegance of gold without going overboard. Gold metallic ink is achieved with more conventional printing methods, where a more cost effective flat gold can be achieved digitally. If you use gold ink on the invitations and flow that look thru into the reception by using gold paper or ribbon, it’s a great way to tie your entire look together- especially if your linens and table settings use hints of gold, as well.

Want to create an inspiration board? Try Polyvore.com

Photo Credits for local vendors
JMM Photography
Yellow Canary Florals

Want to see what Five Dot Design can create for you?
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I like to believe there’s a little bit of a Glam in all of us. Whether you only bring her out on the weekends or on special occasions, there’s something about adding that extra touch of eyeliner, red lipstick and to-die-for eyelashes that makes us all feel a little rock n roll glamorous. Personally, I’ve always been a big fan of this look, but it isn’t just for girls with tattoos or girls with boys with tattoos. It’s an attitude, it’s a color palette and most of all… it’s the accessories.

Click the image above to open it full size. Feel free to print this image off as a reference for your own wedding.

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As with all things glamorous, the bigger the better-very rarely will something be considered too over the top. Broach/Ring bouquets are starting to pop up much more than usual and it’s a fantastic way to incorporate costume jewelry from a family member, or introduce an edgy alternative to flowers. Pair that with a complimenting head piece or broach attached to your dress, and you’re able to amplify your glam factor ten fold.

It can also be hard to really incorporate your personality into a dress bought from a bridal boutique, so by adding in a few pieces of colored tulle underneath your dress, it allows your dress an easy transition from ceremony to reception… and it adds a pop of color to make your photographer happy. Some dress styles lend themselves well to having “add-on” pieces; feathers, crystals, lace, ribbons- just to name a few obvious embellishments you can add to the dress itself. Add ruby red lipstick and thick black eyeliner and you’ve got yourself a complete look.

When considering Glam for your stationery pieces, think bold, ornate, and vibrant. A hot pink wrap around a black and white invitation mailed in a hot pink envelope not only keeps a refined and elegant look, but it grabs your guests’ attention and signals that this wedding will have an edge to it.

Want to create an inspiration board? Try Polyvore.com

Photo credits above
tmphotography.net
jmmphotography.us
madeulookphotography.com
jomelgregorio.com
cincimakeup.com
martisfloraldesigns.com

Want to see what Five Dot Design can create for you?
PORTFOLIO ::  CONTACT ::  FACEBOOK ::   WEBSITE

It’s a new year and time for a new color to move to the front of the line! Choosing colors for your wedding can sometimes get a little overwhelming, but by choosing one color and finding colors that compliment that color and your theme, things will really start to come together.

Every year, Pantone announces their “Color of the Year” and you see a shift in the fashion, home decor and even the wedding industry. This year they named “Honeysuckle,” a perky shade of pink, as the hot color for 2011.

Click the image above to open it full size. Feel free to print this image off as a reference for your own wedding.

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Using your primary color as the bridesmaids’ dresses or in your flowers are the most common way to incorporate one or more of you colors into your wedding. Visual elements such as the linens, chair covers or sashes and lighting are great ways to use your colors to create ambiance in your room, as well. Consider a few unexpected items like chinese lanterns, furniture, handmade touches and/or small knick-knacks on the tables to really bring your vision full circle. Sometimes the smallest touches and attention to detail can take an event from great to grandiose.

If you’re looking for a few unexpected ways to add color to yourself in addition to your flowers, try choosing shoes in one of your colors (and why not see if your groom will wear a colored pair of shoes that are either the same color or a complimentary color to your shoes, as well) or add a sash to your dress or wear a colored headpieces. To really keep your guests talking and completely wow them, consider a colored veil.

A great way to incorporate a pop of color into the stationery for your wedding can be as simple as a band to hold all of your components together or by including a vibrant floral into the actual invitation, as shown in the two pieces below.

A peek at our newest line of hand drawn invitations in conjunction with InHouse Studios in Michigan

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If you prefer a more subtle way of bringing color into your wedding invitations, try using a colored mailing envelope, even if it’s a few shades lighter than the color you intend to use throughout your wedding. It not only stands out in the mail, ensuring your guests don’t mistake it for junk mail, but it adds an unexpected pop to even the more formal and conservative invitation designs.

Want to create an inspiration board? Try Polyvore.com

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Photo credits above
studionphotography.com
jmmphotography.us
martisfloraldesign.com
bobbiandmike.com
stephcarsonphotography.com
desireehayesphotography.com
thesmallobject.com

The lovely Tamara of Events by WE called me up a few weeks ago and asked if I might be able to help them out in a pinch. They were scheduled to have a style shoot for Every Last Detail’s Wedding Style Dictonary and needed some paper goods to finish off the table.

Our word was “Glamorous” and we were following the color palette of Platinum, Canary Yellow and Ivory. I’m a huge fan of those 3 colors mingling (you might remember seeing them in my re-branding of essence) Below is the inspiration board that was sent over.

My original thought was to use the metallic platinum paper layered with ribbon and the ivory metallic paper, but that seemed a bit predictable. I decided to mix metallic and matte papers for a bit of texture and keep the eye from feeling overwhelmed with all the shine going on. The end result was a design that was light, fresh and refined.

Other vendors contributing to the style shoot
Styling:: Events by WE
Photography:: JMM Photography
Florals:: Marti’s Floral Designs
Venue:: Elements Event Centre