Earth Day Promo
This past year, I decided that since 13thirtyone Design LLP is an eco-friendly business, it made sense that I celebrate Earth Day. I decided not to send out holiday cards in 2009 and waited for the chance to create an Earth Day promotion for 2010.
I didn’t want to design anything too extravagant; I wanted low postage rates, low printing costs but an effective design. Overall, I wanted an effective self-promotional piece for the price of sending holiday cards. Sure this was a difficult task, but after a lot o’ brainstorming I decided to send my clients seeds.
The theme of the seeds was that with the right care they grow into something beautiful. The same is true with any business’ brand. With the right care, attention and time, an strong brand can be formed. Hence, the following campaign was created:
I found small business-card-sized envelopes online made of 30% PCW (post-consumer waste). I filled them with wildflower seeds and sealed the envelopes with a custom-designed label. It discusses the steps towards growing your flowers while discussing growing a strong brand with 13thirtyone. The seed packets were mailed out with my business card in a logo-stamped, hand-addressed envelope.
I just sent the seed packets out on Monday of this week and already a few clients have let me know they received theirs. Of the few responses I’ve gotten in the last three days since the campaign was sent, I’ve heard really good feedback. Hopefully clients enjoy the promotion as much as I did creating it.
Presenting Carlen Enterprises
Another website has been launched by 13thirtyone Design!
A few weeks ago, Erin, the president of Carlen Enterprises, came to me with a need for a website. She wanted her site to not only serve as a resource for clients and prospects, but to also help her gain some visibility on the web. She voiced that she was looking for something clean and simple; she had just redesigned her own logo and was going for a sophisticated but creative approach. Right away, I got to work on her website design and development. Here’s the finished product:
For those of you unfamiliar with Carlen Enterprises, Erin Rabideaux of Hudson runs the family-owned and operated business. Here’s a blip from her new website:
Committed to working one-on-one with your organization to help gain dedication and recognition from clients, prospects and employees, Carlen Enterprises provides high quality attention one product at a time. We creatively promote your brand through personalized products, apparel and incentive programs. From traditional to eco-friendly and unique, our products customize and promote in an admirable way.”
I can personally vouch for Erin’s high level of service and her commitment to helping her clients create quality products. A few years ago, I was an exhibitor at the local PWN Spring Conference. For my give-away, I had designed a decal for a re-usable shopping bag. This would help individuals at the trade show carry around the materials while giving them an eco-friendly souvenir from my booth. With Erin’s help, she helped me to create this:
Click on the tote image to find out more about this product.
With all that said, be sure to check out the new Carlen Enterprises website AND keep her services in mind if you’re in need of any promotional products!
Happy Earth Month! Here’s 10 Quick Ideas to Green Your Workspace.
In case you didn’t know, 13thirtyone Design is an eco-friendly company. As such, April has special meaning: it’s earth month. To commemorate Mother Earth, here are 10 quick ways to green your office and give the earth a little love:
1. Set computers to “energy saving” mode.
2. Get your ink refilled instead of buying new cartridges.
3. Shut down computer peripherals like printers when not needed.
4. Use less paper: try e-mail invoices, don’t print e-mails unless necessary, or use both sides of the paper when you do need it.
5. Buy recycled paper and envelopes.
6. Green your commute: carpool, bike, walk or take public transit to work if possible.
7. Bring your lunch. You’ll reduce packaging waste from takeout.
8. Organize your office to benefit from natural lighting.
9. Use LED light bulbs in your desk lamp.
10. Buy used office furniture: search thrift stores and Craig’s List for great (and gorgeous) deals!
BONUS TIP: Work with an eco-friendly graphic design company. They’ll make sure your printing, ink, and paper choices keep the planet in mind.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but if we each try to implement at least one suggestion, the cumulative effort will make a difference. For more information about creating eco-friendly marketing materials and strategies, contact 13thirtyone.
Breaking News! 13thirtyone Wins American Design Award!
Woo hoo!
13thirtyone just won an American Design Award for the design/development of the Inkwell Marketing website! Click the homepage image below to link to the website.
“Evolution of Type Taste…”
I was browsing through another designer’s portfolio the other day and came across this brilliant commentary on type and a designer’s evolution of “favorite fonts.” Funnily enough, I currently heart Gotham and Archer myself. Have a look and be sure to visit the amazingly talented graphic designer, Jessica Hische’s website/blog as well.
Note: Be sure to click the image to enlarge enough to read her captions in red. Very funny.
Another Site Launched: Bartholomew Law Office
I wanted to share the new website of Hudson’s very own Bartholomew Law Office. I just finished designing and developing this myself – it’s so new, in fact, that I’m still waiting on some of the content. Why did we launch? The client is always oh-so-busy and figured getting this info out there now for use was better than using an “under construction page” until they could get around to finishing the text. Plus they’re excited to see a little traffic start coming in.
This website was a little tricky, in that the design needed to speak to a younger demographic. The looks is geared towards web surfers in their mid 30′s on up who wouldn’t use a phonebook for finding law services. This site is meant to attract locals looking for services these folks can offer, hence, it’s a marketing tool more than a client resource center.
But that wasn’t the tricky part. While the design needed to speak to a younger demographic, the functionality still needed to be appropriate for Internet users of an older age group. Keeping text clean and simple, utilizing a large resolution size, and having large and easy to find links, along with well organized information was a must. So while this site may look a little new and refreshing, it’s copy and large buttons certainly speak to a different audience.
The other challenge of this website is that the client doesn’t want to portray themselves as “just another law firm.” In fact, they specifically requested for me to not use any book, gavel, nor balance and typical attorney-style images. I was all about creating a look for the site that was somewhat small town, neighborhood-friendly in feeling. The owner brings his dog to work, encourages walk-ins, and used to be our city’s Chamber of Commerce President so he’s all about building relationships.
Without further ado, here’s the neighborhood-friendly website of Batholomew Law Office:
Font Crush: Archer
I’ve been eyeing this font for the last few months and I think I may have to take the plunge and purchase it. It’s a bit pricey, but for a font that looks this good, it’d be worth it, right?
Archer is available from Hoefler & Frere-Jones and comes in several different bundle options, thus, different price points. Check out how cool these type combinations are as suggested by the website:
Do you have any font crushes that are a must see?
Client Work: Announcing the Artful Decor Website Launch
Just recently the B2B website I designed and programmed for Artful Decor was launched. This is very exciting as Artful Decor has a brand new identity and branding system created by 13thirtyone.
Artful Decor is a locally owned business “committed to creating artful solutions for commercial or personal projects.”
Whether your project is new construction, a small remodel or you need a dramatic statement for a lobby, we have your solution. With an extensive library of original paintings, giclees, prints and sculpture from established and emerging artists, we have art for any project that is tailored to your specific needs. Our custom framing solutions also work to enhance your art.”
- excerpt from the Artful Decor website as written by Stephanie Weber, owner
Artful Decor has been operating as a business to consumer operation for about 10 years. As of late, the owners decided to open a new location in Minneapolis’ International Market Square. As such, they came to 13thirtyone Design LLP with the request for a new logo (with the option to have it integrated with an anniversary element) and a new B2B website.
The look of both the logo and the website are very modern, clean and simple to not only speak to a wide demoagraphic but to also let the focus be on the artwork. To clutter up the layouts for Artful Decor with over-designed graphics would take away from the product they’re selling.
A matching B2C website should be designed and created later in the year.
Design Crush: The Hotel Minneapolis
As of late, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the graphics that were created for The Hotel Minneapolis. The typography, design, illustration and website graphics are simply amazing. Let’s have a look at the awesome hand-lettering by J. Zachary Keenan. Tell me J. Zachary, will this be a font for sale anytime soon?
image courtesy of www.designworklife.com
And how about the incredible graphic design work by Crystal Barlow? I can’t get enough of that color scheme nor those amazing juxtapositions of photos and illustrations.
images courtesy of Crystal Barrow’s Website
SO beautiful. Be sure to pop by these talented designers websites (links provided by clicking their names above) for a look at more stunning portfolio pieces. Do you have any current design crushes?
13thirtyone has finally joined Facebook®!
I know I’m a little late in joining the game for promoting my business on Facebook®. Truth be told, I’ve been on there for a while with a personal account, but never for my business. As a sucker for new social media marketing opportunities, I decided I’d finally take the plunge and see what this was all about.
Without futher ado, here’s the 13thirtyone page on Facebook®:
Feel free to stop by, say hi and maybe become a fan. Please connect with me as well – I’ve already got three friends! However, I’m still my only fan.
Here’s a few other places 13thirtyone is floating around:
Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook®, Inc.
