Sara Zimmerman Art, Illustration & Design » Tahoe

Website Makeovers: Before and After Video

Sara — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:24:41 +0000

There are many places where you can have an online presence. However, with the numerous sites that allow for rankings and viewable customer feedback, the main place that you can ensure 100% of what you want to say to your potential clients is your own website.

Knowing your website may be your first online impression to your potential clients, why would you sacrifice the look and feel of your site? Below is a video featuring some website makeovers that I have designed and programmed for numerous small businesses. The result of the redesign has been successful for all of these clients, giving them a website they can be proud to market.

New websites launched this week

Sara — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:20:42 +0000

Phew! What a week! I launched 3 of my latest web site creations in the last 6 days! I have had the pleasure of working with some great clients, each with some unique products and services. Here are some links to these latest and greatest web site. Let me know which you like the best and why:

Illustrated map of the Truckee River watershed

Sara — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:49:51 +0000

I have recently completed a watercolor and pencil illustrated map of the watershed of Truckee. This map will be used online as an informative diagram illustrating the boundaries of the Truckee River watershed. I am also working on the website for this large project as we speak. More updates to come!

"Fall to Winter" art show at Dragonfly Restaurant

Sara — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:47:47 +0000

My newest series of works will be on display in a show called "Fall to Winter" from December 2 through March 2011 at Dragonfly Restaurant in Truckee. An opening reception with appetizers will be on Thursday, December 16th from 4:30 to 6 pm. Artworks and prints will be available for sale during the exhibit. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This series of artworks depicts the seasonal change in the Sierras from a unique perspective. The colors in these newest works reflect a "tropical" take on the traditional Sierran landscape. I LOVE tropical colors and was always seeking a new way to express the beauty of the mountain landscape surrounding us. This series is the marriage of my affinity for this palette and the mountain environment. Furthermore, many of these works on created on recycled cabinet doors from local cabinet shops with recycled papers used for texture.

New Marketing and Design Testimonial

Sara — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:48:33 +0000

I love working with acupuncturist and healer, Michelle Turley. Michelle came to me, wanting to stand out and get a new look for her business that embodied all the things she is trying to do. Based on her likes and dislikes, we brainstormed about symbols and ideas. From there, I hand-painted her a logo and used hand-drawn science illustrations on herbs on her marketing materials, including business cards, flyers, Vertical Response newsletter, and website. We had a fun time working through the steps and I am very happy with how everything turned out. Michelle recently provided me with a wonderful testimonial. Thanks Michelle! You rock!

"I highly recommend working with Sara. She far exceeded my expectations and opened my mind to multiple opportunities. Every time I leave a meeting with Sara I feel so very grateful she is leading the way and so very excited and inspired about the future of my business. Sara always gets the job done in a professional, timely matter and with an artistic touch that WILL get you noticed!!!!" ~ Michelle Turley, L.Ac, michelleturleylac.com

What's your business vision?

Sara — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:24:40 +0000

One of the first things I ask my new design clients is what is their vision for their business? This often stifles folks. Most people think that getting a logo and some marketing materials is the first and main thing needed to promote a successful small business. But how do you know who to appeal to or where to put your efforts if you don't know where you want to go/grow? In my half hour free consultations, I often ask question after question, trying to find the correct design style and direction that will match my clients' needs. If you don't have a clear vision of what you want for your business, how can you effectively appropriate money and time into marketing and advertising? If you have a plan but fail to convey it to your designer, how will they create something that appeals to your target market as well as create something that can grow with you? If you don't know where to start, then start by asking for clarity. Second, talk to a marketing firm. Third, seek help from small business development centers or business life coaches. Or, if you haven't the time or money for those and need to hire a designer anyways, find a designer that has a marketing background so you can formulate a direction and plan that works for you.

New illustrative designs for tees

Sara — Mon, 03 May 2010 04:05:05 +0000

I'm working on some fun illustrations lately with the thought to expand my tee line. Getting out of winter and back into climbing shape has inspired many of my new designs as well as has resurrected some older ones. If you haven't seen any of these hand-drawn surface designs for tee shirts, you can view them in my illustrations' gallery slideshow and even purchase some through my shop. Here's one of my newest called "Crack Climber."

Collectible Earth Day t shirts available

Sara — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:10:37 +0000

I had such a wonderful time working with the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Foundation in creating their tee illustration, website, and all of their marketing materials. The event was a huge success with hundreds of attendees, fabulous weather and fun to be had by all. If you weren't able to make this epic celebration at the Village at Squaw and want your own collectible t-shirt, I am selling both men's and women's shirts through my store. 75% of the proceeds goes to the wonderful Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Foundation.

Women's and Men's 2010 Earth Day T-shirts are still available

Illustrations make you get noticed

Sara — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:25:52 +0000

Ever go to a job fair, chamber of commerce, bulletin board, or coffee shop flier stand? What do you see there? I typically see is an ocean of cookie-cutter marketing materials strewn about, hoping to catch the attention of a potential client. Unfortunately many of these businesses, events, or people hoping to catch a break are only contributing to the mess. They spend countless hours, and hundreds, (if not thousands of dollars), hiring a designer to create a look and a printer to deliver that message so they stand out from the crowd. Yet, when using the same ol' fonts, colors, and layouts, how unique can one be? That's where hand-drawn elements can make your dollars (and time) count. Illustrations, either hand-drawn or painted, can make your business, event or project really POP! They can add that personal flavor that visually represents the person behind the project. And surprisingly enough, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to do so. If you don't have the budget to recreate an entire website or full identity, you can often spice things up with just a few hand-drawn flourishes, icons, or hand-painted textures, etc. Illustrated design may not be for every business or everybody. For instance, if you are in financial consulting and appeal to a more conservative, middle-aged crowd, then a streamlined, corporate look will most likely be best. However, if you are hosting an event or creating a fundraiser t-shirt for a Gen X/Gen Y crowd who loves the outdoors, pets, music or art, then a hand-drawn theme may be the exact way to catch the attention of your market. In a world of over-stimulation and constant eye-candy, it seems impossible to make your materials stand out from others. However, offering the alternative from the standard will most likely gets heads turning, and eventually clients and customers coming your way.