I have always been drawn to patterns (no pun intended!). As a kid I loved geometry coloring sheets and my first job in design was the creation of anti counterfeit patterns for currency. More about that another day!
Here are a couple of simple vector patterns for you to enjoy.
2009 © St Louis Web Designer
As a graphic and website designer sometimes my design tool of choice is simply a piece of paper and a pencil. This is especially so when a web site calls for custom cartoon illustrations, these work really well on websites targeted towards kids. The result is a very original feel to the graphics of the final site.
Here are some examples of custom illustrations I created for children’s author Cynthia Reeg. I let my pencil flow freely, scanned the drawings and imported them into Adobe Photoshop. Then they were brought to life with the magic of color.
The graphics for Cynthia’s site are incorporated into the template of the page, used as navigational elements and add interest to sections of the site. Although all different they have a very branded feel due to the hand drawn and colorization techniques used.
Are you looking for custom illustrations for your new or existing web site? We can help
© 2009 St Louis Web Designer
This was a fun project. We were commissioned to design a set of “trendy” banners for a St Louis metro retail center. At 18 by 10 ft each they will be hung and illuminated in vacant stores.
Here is one of the latest projects we have been working on; Big River Associates.
Here is the logo and stationery set. A web site is in the works.
I met with a potential client earlier this week, looking to create a logo and web site look and feel. A start up company, they have a great idea and a hefty business plan – a sure sign to mean that they really mean business.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of start up companies I meet who have no business plan just a vague idea. They want to start developing a brand image with no idea of who they are targeting, their competition, price structure and any of those other elements a good business plan will detail.
The start up company I met this week had found us via Google and had spent a considerable time going through our extensive portfolio. We had impressed them enough that they called and scheduled an appointment. A great example of our web and graphic design portfolio working as a lead generator!
A few weeks ago these beautiful irises were in full bloom in my St Louis garden. Notice anything about the colors in this photograph? They are essentially the palette of colors we use in our brand.
I love using nature as an inspiration during web and graphic design projects and as this image shows a simple photograph is sometimes all you need to build a great color palette from which to work.
St Louis web designer tip of the day
We recently completed this brochure design for St Louis financial advisor, LegaGroup.
The visual elements of your brand are typically classified as
Here are the visual elements of the Indigo Image brand and examples of how we use them to create a consistent image.
Ideally your brand elements should be present on all forms of communication, your web site, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, email signature even on your social network profiles like LinkedIn and Twitter.
Don’t miss an opportunity to make your brand work for you.
Back in February I mentioned our web site was undergoing a freshen up. Client work always comes first so it has taken until the middle of April to roll out the changes. But today is the day!
While the overall design has not dramatically changed we have focused on usability issues. Our home page now features our RSS feed and a dynamic portfolio navigator. The entire portfolio section has been reworked and all logo and graphic design pieces are presented as a slide show format for easy viewing.
The portfolio has been split into the following sections
We have also taken the opportunity to update our blog template and create a custom background for the STLwebdesign Twitter page
Opening March 21st is the much anticipated St Louis Jazz Café
I worked with Cafe owner Arnold Charleston in April last year in design of their logo. I love the way they have incorporated it into their web site.
Check it out at http://www.stlouisjazzcafe.com/
