Gopherwood Posters 2017-2018 Season

I've been volunteering my poster designs to a local non-profit for about 3 years now. Gopherwood Concerts is a local to Cadillac organization that for 35 years now, has brought awesome musical acts to our quiet town. 

I recently learned where the name Gopherwood came from and its a pretty relatable story for most folks up here in Michigan. The name came from the commonality that all the members had to "go-for-wood" in the winter months for heat. Pretty funny Northern humor if you ask me. 

This year I made more of a templated design than I have in the past. I used the same top title with the year, and the same footer bar with all the info at the bottom. I'd say adding that into the design definitely allows the people who view the posters around town to see that it's part of a series. Another thing that I did with the house concert posters (they had 3 this year) was created a different living room poster for each artist. Generally, the design comes from knowing the artist personally, having listened to them for a long time or I listen to them for the first time and from that knowledge, create a design that jives creatively with the music or person.

Here are all the posters from this years line up. Enjoy! 

How to get the Word Out

So, you started a business - YOUR PASSION - and you have a spankin new logo to slap on everything from stickers to hats to can coozies. That's how you market, right? Sort of... When I meet with small business owners, we start by having a conversation about their business, logo, website, photography and marketing. The latter, in my mind, are the elements of your Getting the Word Out Kit. Each has its own complexities and processes, and all work together to paint a complete picture for your audience and customers. 

Where to Use the New Logo

Your designer worked hard to put together a logo that will both tell people about you but also stand the test of time. You should have a slew of different files - original vector files, JPEG, PNG, PDF.... All the files you will need to populate all of your marketing pieces. 

• Website - Most websites today have a long version of the company's logo in the upper left hand corner or the site (middle if you're looking on a mobile device). Use the longest version you have to free up space on your web layout. This will make it so your customers have to scroll through less introductory info.

• Business cards - Business cards can be a lot of fun, so don't be shy and use ALL of the real estate on your cards. I usually design cards with one side as the logo only, and all names, titles, contact info on the "back." Allows people that moment to really connect with your logo and get a proper introduction to your brand.

• Social media profile images - Another reason you need multiple versions of your logo - social media profile images. They tend to be square, and depending what platform you are using can be sized from 180 pixels all the way up to 600 pixels. A stacked version of your logo is recommended here. If you have a circle or square icon version of your logo, even better! Make sure you properly size your images! It makes a difference.

• Signage - If you haven't looked into it yet, signs can be very pricey. You'll want to use the full color, vector, full version of your logo for this endeavor. As a tip, make sure you get to see proofs and that everything is spelled correctly.

What to Put on Your Website

This part will definitely depend on what your business is. You may be a small business with a brick and mortar store, so information on how to get there and up to date info about what you'll find in the store is pertinent. 

Maybe you are an illustrator and your body of work is the most important thing to showcase on the homepage, followed by your about, contact page, and an active blog about what you are up to. 

• About - Your about page is really important to your sales. People love to buy from other people they relate to, so make sure you include a short bio and maybe a picture of yourself.

  • Testimonials - These are gold if you can extract some info from your customers on their experience with you.

  • Bio - Tell the people something about you that makes them trust you, relate to you, and ultimately makes them want to hire you.

• Blog - A blog is an essential way to maintain an updated website.

  • Balance your sales posts with your education and other posts.

  • Pick a consistency that works for you and stick to it. The more consistent you are with your blog, the better it will be for you and your site.

• Good photography - As overdone as good photography might seem (or as accessible as it might seem) - never take this for granted. Your website is sometimes the ONLY way people learn about your business. Getting good photos taken of your business and services will go a long way.

  • Do a shoot every year and add it to your marketing expenses. You will never regret it.

  • A professional photographer will take photos of interesting things and in ways you might not have thought to photograph something. Leave it to the professionals and allow them to work their magic.

• Contact Information - This doesn't really need an explanation, but I would include ALL the places people can get in touch with you! Don't put your email address on the site, but DO provide a contact form for people on your site. Do add your phone number and physical address if you have one. Don't add your home phone if you don't want people calling you at it.

Where to promote your website

• Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin - share your blog posts, photos and articles about what you are up to.  

• promote by having a business page where you post consistent and relevant information to your business.

• Ads - Facebook and Google both have reasonable ad programs that allow you to set your own budgets.

How to Promote Yourself

Social media will truly only get you so far. Its really up to your blog and relationships to take it to the next level. If you are an artist, maybe you are teaching classes or workshops at other businesses. If you are a clothing store, maybe having events at your store with other artists will build relationships and help both of you. Opportunities are all around us, you just have to be creative and open to them. 

• Networking events - showing your face around town can't hurt! Get in front of other businesses at networking functions.

• Email lists - people who visit your website willingly are already invested in you, so give them what they want - updates right in their inbox.

• Direct Mail - Snail mail isn't dead yet - the USPS has some great direct mail programs that allow you to target specific zip codes for maximum ROI.

• Events - Having an event at your business or in collaboration with other businesses is always a fun way to get customers to engage. Host an artist pop-up shop at your store and offer fun snacks, or if you are a craft brewery invite someone to do a tap takeover at your restaurant. There are lots of creative ways to interact with your community.

• Volunteering your time - Time is so precious to all of us, but one of the BEST ways I have found to network myself was to volunteer for local non-profits. I volunteer for our local Craft Beer Fest, I sat on the board of our local historical society, I make concert posters for a local group that brings music to our town, and have volunteered my time at other events and for other causes as well. I can already see you rolling your eyes, who has time for that? Well it doesn't take as much of my time as you would think, and the connections I have made with all types of businesses in my community has been PRICELESS. I also like helping my community look good, so its really win win for everyone.

This isn't a comprehensive guide to how to market your business, but it does contain some tips and tricks that I have learned along the way. If you have any tips please share them in the comments! 

Video Post: Take a Walk Through My Sketchbook

I recently went on vacation to the Southwest and Mexico, and it was much needed inspiration! I live in Northern Michigan currently, and its cold and snowy here. I grew up here, so its no surprise or anything when its cold, it just isn't super inspirational to me anymore. So when I can get away and visit friends in warmer climates, I jump at the chance. 

My friends, boyfriend Josh and I stowed away to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico for a long weekend. We drove there which was super cool - we crossed the Sonoran Desert to end up at the Sea of Cortez. Quite a stark contrast! Love experiencing travel by car. 

I had decided that I would try to sketch and fill a whole Field Notes pocket book on the trip, and it turned out to be the best idea! I sketched our experiences every day as they happened and got a lot of good practice and fun designs to use. 

I recorded this video tour of the sketchbook to explain some of the funny things and oddities of our vacation. I already miss Arizona and Mexico, and especially my homies Chris and Lindsey. 

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't DIY Your Logo

With all the technology, access to great design ideas and computers at our fingertips - it's easy to cave to the urge of going it alone. I applaud all the DIY you can get away with. When it comes to your business logo and branding, do you have the design knowledge it takes to come up with something original that stands the test of time? 

I've come up with 5 reasons why I have the skills to get it done, son. 

Reason 1 - Passion

I spent a lot of time in school in my 20's learning how to use my ADHD to my advantage creatively. All jokes aside, I have invested both time and money becoming an expert at graphic design. I have a deep passion for making things really awesome. I cringe at horrible fonts while driving, comment on every new sign on our small town main street, and basically live my life observing design all around us. 

I spend my "down time" pursuing other creative hobbies like letterpress printing, screen printing, book making and collaging. I live a life dedicated to making things beautiful around me. When a person hires me to do their logo design, I apply this same passion to find the right solution. 

Reason 2 - Education

I thought about not putting this one in there, because sometimes it seems elitist or braggy. In all honesty it's an expense I will live with the rest of my life. Art school. I went to one of the best. This reason isn't enough on its own, because plenty of people went to school for something and totally suck at it. 

I went to school for graphic design, and spent about 8 years studying things like Cultural Semiotics and History of Graphic Design to get the foundation I have. At art school, you aren't always just drawing naked people and sipping latte's. I mean maybe some art schools. I spent time learning skills off the computer that help me come up with better, more creative solutions than other people. I spent 60% of my time researching concepts and ideas, which is the true basis of all design. Information. It's just a bonus that growing up I spent all my time organizing boxes of crayons and doing all the art I could get my hands on.... 

So when you hire me you get a total package - artist, researcher, designer and (sometimes) business counselor. The education from the last ten years working for others and being in business for myself has provided an additional education. Meeting business owners and learning about their unique businesses has provided me with insight to so many different industries. I have worked with people in automotive, entertainment & events, food service, art & cultural institutions, small businesses of all kinds, government agencies, schools, colleges & universities and more. 

Reason 3 - Research

The word research is an umbrella term for a few different things. I research your competition, design trends of the industry, the meaning behind your name, the website design that is best for you... Research gets me to solutions. I research what most people don't want to spend time looking into. The work I do upfront has almost nothing to do with art, and yet it provides the connections I need to make the work I do sing. 

Reason 4 - Practice

I've had the pleasure of practicing art for my whole life. I've focused on designing things for the last 12. I've made a thousand logos probably, sketched a million doodles, had a trillion ideas. I practice this every. single. day. What takes you 6 hours (designing a flyer, for instance) probably takes me 1. I have tools, expensive tools, and I know how to use them. My tools are on and off the computer. 

It takes practice to think creatively. My brain is trained to go there on command. Haha. Okay not on command because let's be real, creativity can be like a fickle cat sometimes. Practicing every day makes me primed for production. 

Things I practice every day: the internet, drawing, composition, creative thinking, software mastery, research, seeking inspiration to feed the creative beast, coffee drinking, blogging, social media marketing, business stuff like invoices, fine art things like block printing... It varies day to day but you get the idea. 

Reason 5 - Tools

The obvious tools like computer, software, pens, pencils, tracing paper - whatever you imagine a graphic designers tools to be, I use those. I also use things that aren't as obvious. I've used coffee grounds to stain a paper background. I have hand water colored bouquets of flowers. I've carved my design into a linoleum block to get a textured design instead of buying one on adobe stock. 

I spent the last month making books, printing prints, carving blocks, letterpressing book covers, drawing every place I've ever visited... This feeds the creative beast and opens me up to tools that someone who lives on a computer is never exposed to. I use things in a new way to create the feelings that attract people. I use all the tools available to me to achieve something totally lovable and original. 

The idea here, is that I live, eat and breathe design. It's always a good idea to hire people that are invested in what they do, that is why I hire a plumber to fix my toilet, a lawyer to fix my legal life, an accountant to fix my accounting... I don't have time or desire to learn the ins and outs of any of those things! I'll leave it to them, the same way people should leave designing to designers. 

You need a logo, I need something to work on - let's get in touch!