Recently completed a logo refresh + custom site design for the talented Lee Hersh of Fit Foodie Finds and can’t wait to show it all off. In the meantime here is a peek at the first step in the process … the mood board to get things going.

I’ve been exploring my process over the course of this year. I can’t believe it’s already April already. I’ve been doing a bit more thinking about how I approach the client on-boarding process as well as the early design stages and setting the overall tone for the project. Back in the early days I never in a million years would let the client make the mood board.

Not only was this not how I was taught (at the advertising agency I started out at) but it’s also not really their job to know what is best for their brand (visually, that is). However, over the years I’ve been convinced and even been taught a different approach where you let the client chose and then base your decisions based off of that. This process yield much faster results but I have found, as a designer … there is always something a bit “off” or “forced” about it when I get to the actual design (whether it’s the logo or the typography or even sometimes the color palette). Sometimes it doesn’t make sense conceptually and/or what they like doesn’t mean it’s good for their brand. As I slowly dive deeper into figuring out what works best for me and my clients I’ve been doing somewhat of a hybrid study.

I’ll have them show me some inspiration and then I’ll take over and curate a board (or two). Although this client board didn’t work for them, I have to say it is one of my most favorite mood boards I’ve ever created and would be so excited to create a brand around this. Who knows, maybe I’ll save it for a new business venture in the future. ;)

Not sure if being from New York makes you totally batshit crazy or really awesome. Either way I’ve always attributed it to my insane work ethic and ability to juggle a million things at once. I almost work better that way, which is ludicrous. This mood board has been so fun to pull from these past few days because working with local clients rocks. Same time zone, same vibe, way easier to relate in general. After wrapping up a whirlwind work week where I had to make some self sacrifices, I’m super happy that I got so much accomplished. As Frank Sinatra so famously said, “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps and find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap.”

Lisa Mars came to me looking for a place she could grow her business full time. As a certified yoga instructor in the local community she wanted something that felt organic and relatable yet showcased her extensive knowledge about her practice. We created a conceptual mark for her new business venture that can grow with her whether it’s on the front door of her own studio or yoga mats in the future. We can’t wait for the full launch of mars.yoga … until then here is a sneak peek at the homepage.

Mood board peek at client’s new #site #redesign  … super editorial and chic. So this weekend was spent doing lots of work and all unintentional. I just sat down at my desk to do one thing and ended up pretty inspired. I finally got around to verifying my business on Google and creating a Facebook Page for my business. I’m still in the air if I should separate my personal account with my business but the way I look at it is: if the people I care about don’t care about my business than do they really care about me? 

Katie Quinn kills it in her career as a fashion stylist in New York City and beyond (she travels too)! We revamped her site a few months ago and I wanted to share the board we pulled our colors from. Very chic and sophisticated if you ask me.