Flosites

For today’s brand board, I just could not help but collect and show off  samples of my favorite styles of illustration. Everything from vintage Mary Blair (the genius behind classic walt disney’s look) to edgy pen and ink- Illustration is seriously one of the most fabulous ways to execute expression. Ah, Expression. Seems to go hand in hand with communication, doesn’t it? Oh it does, folks. You know it does.

When I talk about using illustration to express something, I mean having a concept/idea/point of view in which to be expressed. Yeah, it may sound nit picky, but you’d be surprised! Illustration isn’t just about the look of the piece, the style or the medium, but also how the medium and style are used to further push the idea being expressed. It’s a one-two punch combo. Look at the sweet images of the deer, turtle + birds. While it’s very clear that these are more representational images of animals, rather than artistic expressions of them, what DOES stand out for me is how Mary Blair uses line to express the long, free-form elegance completely inherent in the deer. Or how she uses fun plays on color and pattern in the turtle shell. The illustration goes expressive on the elements in which the artist wants to “show off”, to make more sense of these artist’s methods.

Whenever a client comes to me with an idea for illustration, an icon, whatever the case may be, I always look to the idea and concept first– way before the style of the illustration is even talked about! Knowing what you want to say before you even start to make that message beautiful, is always going to give the starting point(AND the end point) so much more strength. Illustration without a message or a concept is honestly, just pure decoration; and if that’s the case, it would be so much better for the illustration to be replaced with a pattern, a texture, something more for look+ feel/mood purposes over expressive ones.

Lately I’ve been noticing a trend in the clients we’ve been branding. More and more clients are wanting to see how pattern could work within their brand. It seems like I create more and more patterns by the day, so I figured today a brand board was in order, and how even the tiniest bit of pattern can spiffy up even the most tired of brands.

Patterns range in style from the gorgeous Arabesque tiled patterns to the tiny repeating subtlety of Japanese prints, and some of my favorite patterns were created in the Arts+ Crafts period (No, not the period in time where everyone made bird houses out of popsicle sticks).  I’m talking about the beautiful visual art movement from the early 1900′s that brought back artistry and craft to the focal point of the conversation (Do me a favor and just google William Morris, will you?)

And if you thought the types of patterns came in a ton of categories, the uses for pattern are pretty much just as varied. Of course the obvious choice for a pattern would be as a full on background to any sort of blog, page, what have you- but I’m a huge fan of the unexpected surprise of pattern. The hey- what’s -inside -this -envelope-and -AHA! -pattern, the oh-wow -look- at -how-well-those-two-patterns-work-together-pattern, and I love love love the use of pattern as the main visual  element, like in the Mast Bros Chocolate. It’s not for everyone, no. But it’s striking, strong, elegant, all of the keywords so many people love so much.

When it comes to finding patterns that will “work” within an established brand, or even finding out which ones could work within a look that you’re trying to create, I say (of course I say this) stick to what you love. I’ve been trying to think on some absolute no-no’s when it comes to pattern + style combination, and I think any pattern can really work in any situation- what plays into it however is more along the lines of scale and color, vs. imagery within the pattern.

Let me explain: 

A client wanting a clean, and modern brand with a touch of feminine pop (sound like anyone out there?) can absolutely benefit from a pattern, and nobody’s hemmed in to just stripes and dots either.

A clean lined, geometric pattern (like a quatrefoil, or a simple trellis type pattern), can deliver the dual natured feeling of structured/ clean + feminine, while keeping the entire thing feeling super high end. It’s truly all in how it’s used in placement, the color palette, and the scale of the overall pattern that’s going to fine tune each of these connotative emotions. A larger set pattern will probably feel more funky/eclectic, while a small repeat pattern could feel very subtle + light. Some patterns are so small that when looked at 100% it creates an overall tone, as opposed to a repeating print.

So where does that leave us now?

Much like everything else that branding seems to be, the best thing to do is start with what you already like. Look to your clothes, accessories, home furnishings. What do you already surround yourself with? If there is no pattern at all (which I doubt, honestly) then pattern is 100% not for you, and I apologize for making you read all about the versatility and wonderment that is pattern. BUT! if you find any recurring visual themes, take note. Even if Flosites doesn’t provide you with a lovely custom made pattern, you can still be open to the possibility of incorporating something new to freshen up what you’ve already got going on, which pattern does beautifully!

Until next time!

xo,
jne

I love making these brand boards, I’ve gotten tons of compliments on how beautiful they look (why, thank you!) but mostly on how much it helps people understand branding from a different perspective. This week I wanted to showcase how different a brand can become by it’s surrounding elements. The logo, a DELICIOUS clean and vintage feeling typographic mark, was sent over from a client for their inspiration. And while I will never blow the lid off of some freshly collected client inspiration, I thought to recombine it with other elements to create something totally unexpected, and very different from what the client is wanting. Logos and brands like the this one are so strong that they really can be combined with almost any other visual direction and still work. I’m sure if I really wanted to, I could pair this with some hand drawn doodles + other soft pretty things, but I chose to focus on the strength in the typography and work in some lush patterns featured both in the woman’s headscarf and graphic overlays, that are simply repeated in a different way in the quatrefoil pattern.  Texture, color, pattern and mood are all working together to push a specific tone that isn’t necessarily present in the logo per se- but when combined with these other elements  become a cohesive and beautiful brand.

First, a little preface from Ross the Awesome himself–

Jenny and Myself made it a mission to help aid photographers in the branding process, to not simply compare themselves to their piers, but ask themselves who they are, but in doing so, understand your market. This isn’t just knowing that your a wedding photographer, and that you want a high end educated, professional, hip, modern bride (sound familiar?), but honestly searching deeper than that. The success of the piers you admire generally have already got a certain type of bride or client that allows them to so successfully achieve their artwork to a “tee”. As Jenny has already mentioned, we may have missed some styles and the cliche generalizations, although we hope that this mini guide will help you understand and if your a client of ours, guide us to the current type of bride you have, and dare we say it, the brides you would love to have and not like to have. In doing so, this will allow us to visually filter the brand for you not only in your style, but also in how your new brand visuals may attract a completely wrong type of bride. So here goes:

Working with wedding photographers and event planners for a couple of years have really given me insight into the fantastical world of weddings, and this time it’s trends that I’ve gotten myself into. Understanding and capitalizing on trends is a great way to gain the attention of potential clients, revive relationships with already loved clients, and maybe even elbow your way into a totally new market.

In reading and pouring through the internet for info on this stuff, it really looks like when it comes to brides there is a wide spectrum of personality and tastes, and while they may overlap (for instance, I could not imagine a vintage wedding without a little DIY, and would be hard pressed to think of a bohemian wedding that would not take place outdoors, but I digress) but the moods and intentions behind each “type” are pretty straight forward.

So without further fluff, the bridal categories!

1. The Classics

You have to start with the classics! I mean it’s where this all began. These, to me are the women who have been dreaming of their wedding like it was straight out of a fairy tale. The quiet drama, the reserved luxuriousness. For me, Classic brides are all about refined details. Never to be confused with “Traditional” (no no, Jenny), those interested in the classic look will really be head first in elegance-– be it with ornate 16th century gilded frames, lush patterns (I always think of florals and stripes together). Simplicity in the ceremony aspect, if you will.

2. Modern

Modern brides seem to enjoy turning the classic take and turning it on its head– maybe not as much as the free spirited bohemians, but there’s definitely room for play when a modern aesthetic comes in. Pops of surprises abound- be it with different tones in a bridal party (which I have to say, I am a fan), a gorgeous white dress with splashes of blue paisley painted on it (it truly was incredible!), or a metallic structure with golden chandeliers. The elegance and reverence for the ceremony is there of course, but it’s definitely taken a back seat to the freshness that personality can breathe into a traditional setting.

3. Luxe

Oh luxury, how the wedding industry was made for you. These ladies treat the wedding like it’s prom and sweet 16 and their own personal oscar red carpet walk all in one. If you’re going to do it, do it large, and this is the motto of the luxe bride. The ‘L’ synonyms take the cake here- luxurious, lavishness, lush materials- I always think gold and rich tones of color — think scarlets and eggplants, but there is a lot to be said about texture as well. Rich woods, like mahoganys, rosewood and cherry, and feathers– ooh la LA feathers. Especially the ostrich and peacock variety– take on their own kind of lifestyle when they’re brought in for the visual details. The vintage girls may love their partridge fascinators, but the Luxe girls know that bigger is better, and therefore only fawning ostrich feathers will suffice. Isn’t that right, ladies?

4. Bohemian

Now is when we turn the page entirely, and move on to the totally individual section of “bohemian”. The next few categories get a little too ‘grey area’ for me to definitely declare one trend as something specific, but suffice it to say that Bohemian brides are more interested in individual tastes and opinions than a classic take on a wedding. Here, I’ve seen everything from strips of fabric hung around the bride + groom to a wedding chuppa being held up like a circus tent- it’s all there; and the point entirely is to create a completely unique experience based on the tastes and history of the couple themselves. To attract this type of bride, I would suggest letting the freak flag fly proudly with bold colors, fun patterns, and totally random unique pairings that make sense to you, even if not to everyone else. Why not? The bohemian’s would certainly understand.

5. Vintage

Oh vintage, how I love you so. More recently expressed to mean recent decades aesthetics and stylings, like the 30′s, 40′s, 50′s, 60′s and now 70′s! (yes that’s right. the SEVENTIES are back, folks), but I take vintage to mean everything in the past that isn’t happening tomorrow, or focused on predicting 30 years down the line. Vintage encapsulates the very powerful emotion-tapper called nostalgia, and because of this, the hold on the uber romantics are as close to super glue as you can get. One of the great things about the vintage aesthetic is that you can actually apply it to every single other category, it just depends on HOW it’s applied. For instance, a bride that would normally be considered a classic might bring in her grandmother’s linens/jewelry/china, and this could be a way to bridge the two together. While it may never be overtly kitschy, like wandering down a beloved aisle in your favorite vintage shop, the use and intentions still carries with it emotions from a time passed, and this is what vintage is all about.

6. Outdoor

This category, to me, is more of a state of mind than it is a trend. Weddings that take place outdoors have a more casual than formal feel– but I’m sure there are brides out there that have definitely mastered the Nature as Formal approach! Beaches, lush tree covered scenes and beautiful rock formations stand out as a very dramatic back drop to your special day, but above all, those who yearn for the outdoors attempt to connect their union with the act of communing with nature. A very peaceful and beautiful notion indeed.

7. DIY

I saved this gem of a category for last because it too has the ability to cross over any and all categories of bride. DIY’ers, either because of budget constraints, artistic talents, or incessant need to control every morsel of a detail in their special day, can range in style almost as much as individuals themselves. I’ve seen people create their own favors, invitations, and the like- but I’ve also seen brides go all incredibly all out (to say the absolute LEAST)– crafting felted flowers, sewing their own dress meticulously with beadwork, creating boardgames out of wooden boxes, to cooking all of the food at the reception–it truly is amazingly wide open. The thing I love most about bringing DIY into the wedding is the amazing personal touch you add to an already very special day. Regardless of the theme, colors, venues or what have you, the ability to bring in elements that you and your family & friends have created for the purpose of celebrating a new step in your life feels almost like a newly created tradition in itself.

So folks, that’s my latest and greatest in regards to the wedding trends of 2011, but I open the conversation to you: How do you react to trends, and perhaps even better than that— what are some things you see starting to really pick up steam?
No one’s better to ask than those who are in the know!

Until next time!
xo,
jne

*A VERY special thanks to the girls over at beinspiredpr.com for helping us out with these categories!

I’m starting the week off right by showing a lovely gem of a brand board, possibly one straight out of a daydream of mine. Soft ruffles, dandelion fluff, and bold vintage typography create this week’s little pretty.

The color palette strives to create a visual balance between delicate shades and bold metallics, and when paired with the strong vintage typography, creates an effortlessly chic look that’s equally sweet and strong; a powerful, and quite lovely combination!

Until next time!
jne

For one of today’s brand boards, I used some of Lauren Kelly’s (Yes! Of love, milk & honey fame!) daily image gifts to pull together into a brand board. Creating this for her was almost too easy, but these brand boards are just so much fun, I could hardly resist! PLUS! she’s got great taste so I had TONS of material to work with..

Hello! Win, Win!

Romantic, fun, sweet and super genuine, this brand board may not scream her personality, but it hugs you with all of its might. From the hearts and minds of two dear friends, the Lauren Kelly brand board!