Christmas Stroll, Livingston Montana, Dec 4th, 4-8pm

POSTCARD DESIGN: Sleigh Ride Dinner Special

LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH
Sleigh and Stay One Night Special from December 11–18, 2009. Only $149/person [includes: sleigh ride dinner, lodging and breakfast.]

Billboard :: Lone Mountain Ranch

We've just finished up the design for the HWY-191 Lone Mountain Ranch Billboard. We enjoy all types of creative... but it sure is fun to do something LARGE in scale. {even if it does mean editing, condensing, re-editing & condensing your messaging...the true art of feng shui.}

It is always a pleasure to work with fabulous folks on the production side of a project as well. Thanks to Susan at Shepco Outdoor Advertising for the absolute ease of transition from our hands to theirs for implementation. Can't wait to see this as I'm driving up to my favorite place in the world to XCountry Ski >>> ahem,... Lone Mountain Ranch of course. If you've never been there, I highly recommend their fabulous Cross Country Skiing, incredible Sleigh Ride Dinner (make your reservations early! ...like now), and the welcoming Montana feel that just oozes from that place.

Celebrating our Client's 4th Anniversary

What can be better than FREE cake and coffee?

The Brand Identity Process

Creating a brand identity [logo, color palette, font set, etc] for a project, service, business, council, organization, you-name-it! is what we live for as graphic designers. It is somewhat of the "holy grail" in the world of advertising agencies and design studios as it gives us the chance to turn our clients visions into tangible realities. Some clients come to us without any vision at all, others with a very clear idea of what they desire to epitomize their image. Either way, the process is just that > a process. There is never a clear-cut, "push the easy button", straight line from point A to point Z. It is this challenge that makes the work so rewarding when a final product is chosen and the client has a piece of graphic art to call their own.

I have interested parties asking me all the time, "how much will a logo run me?" I wish it were as easy as "the Blue Light Special on Aisle 3". It is this reason that I was inspired to share with you the creative "behind the scenes" of the Park County Search & Rescue logo process. Enjoy!

1. First, we met with the client and looked at logo ideas they had pulled together, and listened to what they envisioned for a Brand Identity that would represent who they are and what they do...
2. We started with a very quick sketch session to get some ideas flowing...
3. From there, we dove in and began logo development from sketches; choosing on this particular project to keep color out of it for the most part unless necessary...
4. It was decided to develop a few designs along the way as they liked all the directions and really felt they couldn't make a proper decision for their organization without seeing each logo "rough" more defined, especially with regard to font selection. With a little feedback, we went back to the drawing board to flush out their vision for font & design.

We had all kinds of feedback along the way, every bit a crucial component for the end result.

Drumroll please...... We have a winner!!!

The end result was something that we were all very happy with! This process was such a wonderful experience. Every player was a key component to the end design. Now on to business cards, letterhead, signs, t-shirts, vehicle decals & more!

Here are a few notes on the project from others involved.

Hi Mary,

I dropped off that lettering sample to a printer to get a bid for having it printed, he is out of town until Monday, but I should hear from him after that.
Also, I had the ad slick of your logo sitting on my desk here. My husband saw it, and said, "Who did this? It looks great! I really like it!"
This is a man who asks when I wear a new outfit, "What is that, a dress?" He once described a woman's hair color as "plaid". He wouldn't even notice if there was a new chair, curtains or a gorilla in our living room. Soooo, I would say that is a pretty high compliment.

Lynn

Delta Signs

Hi Mary,
Finally! We have the OK to rock-n-roll with the Search & Rescue logos. At some point in the near future I’d like to chat about t-shirts, biz cards, letterhead, envelopes, etc.
Thank you SOOOOO much for all your help and determination…and to your colleagues as well!!!!!! I’m very proud of the new design and new direction of our program and you were a huge part of that.

Deputy Gregg Todd
Park County Search & Rescue
Park County Sheriff’s Office

welcome.!

we are excited to join the conversation on the web,... to share a little of our world with you. so much is happening at our creative studios based at 124 1/2 north main, livingston MONT., here's a snippet or two:

• a new website is under construction, launching today for it's preview run! (please check back to see our progress) www.makedesignscreative.com
• we have recently wrapped up an exciting BRAND IDENTITY for a local client, Park County Search and Rescue, which will be featured on our website > portfolio. It's the perfect opportunity to show the magnitude of creative & insight that goes into a logo design of this nature. (eye candy art essay to follow).
• lastly, we are feeling very settled in our new office space in downtown Livingston. stop by if you're ever in the neighborhood and say hello!