“Not an Option” Print »

New Print in the Shop Now!

This print was requested by my high school friend, Lydia. She was in need of a motivating poster that said ‘Not an Option.’ Here is what Lydia said:

When I was in school and I had a hard time getting up early or doing my
home work, periodically I would write on my hand or wrist “not an option“. That would remind me throughout the day that going to school or doing my homework is not optional. I have
to do it. For some reason in my brain certain things are optional and
other things aren’t. I spend a lot of time convincing myself to make
important things set in stone. Not optional.

The Design

Lydia is a very inspired person. She loves photography and composition. I knew that the poster could have a deeper meaning for her. I took Van Gogh’s Iris painting:

Took it into Photoshop and used the Mosaic Filter to pull out the colors of the painting:

Then used the eyedropper tool to pull out some greens. When I think of Lydia, I think of green - because she has great crazy red hair, beautiful freckles, and she looks really great in green. Here is the finished print:

Perhaps this print could motivate you? I’ll be posting these in my shop this week.

Recent Logos: Update in the Graphic Design side of things »

Recently I had the opportunity to design logos for two real estate services comapnies. Here’s how they turned out:

I always seem to be drawn to real estate. I’ve worked on home decorating shows, at a boutique real estate firm, at a marketing firm specializing in new home builders, and I even wanted to get my real estate license about a year ago. As much as I’m interested in it, it also seems to be drawn to me!

These were fun projects, and I hope they help these companies find success!

You can see more of my graphic design work at www.brookehalldesign.com.

Web Design for Tattoo Shop »

Ink Dragon is a tattoo shop in Safford, Arizona,  my husband’s hometown. They are staffed with amazing artists including the owner, Ryan and his brother Jesse.  I am helping them gain a web presence to showcase the unique work that comes out of his shop.

So far I’ve put together two different layouts for them to choose from and then we work from there. They have already chosen their preferred layout, which would you choose?

Design Direction 1

Design Direction 2

Blog Design Giveaway WINNER »

The winner for the blog design giveaway, chosen by a random integer generator, is Belinda at Renovate + Decorate. She will receive a custom and unique header design and background image. Congratulations to Belinda!

If you would still like to have me design your blog, I am available for hire. I will be posting my price sheet later this week, but I am charging $60 for a custom header and background. Be sure to email me: ohbrooke{at}gmail.com, if you are interested. PLUS A $5 DOLLAR DISCOUNT if you display my ad on your blog.

I’ll be sure to post Belinda’s new designs when they are complete!

Design for your blog GIVEAWAY »

I originally started the Idea Attic as home design tips, tricks, and idea sharing, but I’ve generated some interest in the graphic design/web work that I do. Recently, I’ve been getting many inquiries about blog designs, so I’m doing a Blog Design Giveaway where I’ll create a design for your blog!

HOW TO ENTER:

Click the comments link in the top right of this post to enter (or via comment box below depending on how you got to this post). PS - this must be a personal blog, not a business blog.

For a double entry - blog about the contest on your blog and put the link to the post in your comment.

OR

For a double entry - Twitter about the contest and link your twitter home page in your comment.

THE PROCESS:

If you win, this is how we start:

1. You tell me blogs or websites that you like the look of so I know what kind of style you like.

2. I create a design (background pattern and header image) and send you a jpg so you can see what direction I’m heading

3. You give me your feedback

4. I implement the design on your blog

Contest will close on Monday, January 12.

Simple is Better »

I couldn’t take it any longer. My website was grating on me. I decided I wanted it to be easier to update, otherwise my portfolio section would continue to be stale because it took too much effort (I work on websites all day and all night, and I have little motivation to work on my own).

I illiminated the fine art section, because I don’t draw for anybody but myself, and I hardly even do that. I also thought it would be fun to have everything all on one page, so it is easy to navigate, and straight to the point. This isn’t a great solution for SEO, but I’m not concerned with that. 100% of my clients come from networking and referrals.

So here it is. A little less information, but hopefully more powerful. I used my new favorite program, Viewbook, to host my portfolio images. This is such a great resource for putting images on the web, and easily organizing and publishing photos. You can create your own website on Viewbook, or create an image gallery to embed on your existing website. This is a new resource that I’m using for my clients who want to be able to upload their own images on their website without having to call me. Viewbook has free and monthly-billed options. Some websites that I have used Viewbook on include: Shannon Kaye and Delford West Flowers.

Shannon Kaye Website »

Last week I finished the website/portfolio for Shannon Kaye. Shannon is a designer, decorative painter, and conveniently, my very talented sister. You can see her website and projects that she has worked on at www.shannonkaye.com. I will be launching her blog on the website shortly as well.

You can also see Shannon at DIY Network and Shur-Line Paint.

New Blogspot Template »

In an effort to share more of the graphic design side of projects I have been working on, I am going to be showing more of my freelance and marketing work.

Last night I updated my friend Shannon’s blog. The objectives: hip, fun, chic, greens, blacks, and trendy. Shannon loves fashion, interior design, and it would definitely be hard to capture her in one word. I do my best, however, to capture her in a template!