Illustration

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New clothing company features Sara's illustrations

I am so excited! I have been working hard on a side project, my new clothing company called Laughing Sun Clothing, and now it is launched! I have been taking some of my designs and turning them into wearbale art. My husband, Rob, and I created this brainchild after numerous people came up to me saying they couldn't afford my art but wanted some. Then, we thought that a good way to give back to the global community is to donate $1 or more from each shirt designs to non-profits. This way when people buy one of my designs from Laughing Sun Clothing, they get dressed, get art, and give back all in one fall swoop. Check it out and sign up for the newsletter in July for a chance to win a shirt.

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New Marketing and Design Testimonial

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

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What's your business vision?

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.

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New illustrative designs for tees

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."

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Colors inspired by the Bishop Buttermilks

Wow, wow, and more wow! The Buttermilks climbing area on the East Side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range near Bishop, CA is so incredibly beautiful. Nestled right below snowline are the most picturesque boulders littering the sage and sparsely-pined hillsides. The boulders themselves are pure gems for climbing and considered some of the best in the world. The view, however, can be appreciated by those beyond the climbing folk. Here's a quick shot I grabbed facing the west (opposite of the stellar boulders) after sunrise. Though the colors are muted, there is still a lot to be seen. Here is a palette I created based on inspiration from this tremendous place.

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Collectible Earth Day t shirts available

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.

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Illustrations make you get noticed

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.

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Inspired by the lichen of Joshua Tree boulders

I recently returned from a climbing vacation in Joshua Tree National Park. If you haven't been there, it's a definite must. The Joshua Trees themselves have so much personality as they lean and twist in the desert sky. I'm personally attracted to the rock formations for more reasons than just that they provide 5 star climbs: they also provide creative inspiration. On a rest day, my family and I ventured out past Echo Tee to find some shade and take a rest. We came upon this beautiful boulder. The shape of the boulder was magnificent, however the multicolored lichen added some brilliant, colorful flare. The bright colors of this boulder in the desert heat really inspired me. Here's a color palette that I created based on just the lichen of this boulder (above). This is a great way to find colors that work together when planning your next design project. If you don't know which direction to give your graphic or web designer, think of an area that really speaks to you, or better yet, dig through some old photos. You will be bound to find some colors that can proudly represent the feel of what you are trying to do. (Nature really inspires me in general. Check back for more nature-inspired posts in the future).

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Client testimonial - Tahoe Trucke Earth Day 2010

I had the best time working with Lisa Cashel and Emily Williams from Tahoe Truckee Earth Day 2010. It was fun to play with raw designs and be encouraged to be weird and whimsical. Here's a client testimonial from Lisa:

"Sara was the obvious choice for Tahoe Truckee Earth Day design work. Her spirit and her talent combine to produce original art that fits our values of community, stewardship, conservation and education. Sara was able to design a new website, marketing and advertising materials, as well as our T-shirts. Sara has been a good friend to our small non-profit and has been open to our ideas, which she then combined with her own vision to generate fantastic materials. We hope that as a result of this project, we can help spread the word about this great local artist." ~ Lisa Cashel, Tahoe Truckee Earth Day 2010

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Client testimonial from Summer Wood Skin Care

Summer Wood of Summer Wood Skin Care recently hired me for a full logo, identity and website package. Summer is an ideal client who clearly explains her expectations, finds examples of work she admires, and trusts me to add design flair when necessary. Summer recently gave me a wonderful testimonial:

"Sara recently completed a logo, website and cards for my new business location (summerwoodskincare.com). She is a breath of fresh air to work with! She is creative, timely, thoughtful and professional and a gem of a woman. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of a fresh image for their business!‎"

Thanks, Summer! You rock and I am happy to recommend you for your fantastic skin and hair removal treatments.