So one of my very favoritest sources of income is revising previously created ads in different sizes for different publications. It takes time, but you just have to adjust things without re-creating the wheel, so to speak. It probably takes more time than my client would think it does but it’s relatively painless and a good source of income — I want to say residual income but that’s not entirely correct because I’m still eating up the clock and sitting at the computer. They’re worth it even though I generally charge quite a bit less for them. These ads were for GTR Newspapers, an independent free papers association for Tulsa, Oklahoma Magazine, and Tulsa’s Currentland publication.
Tag Archives: lizabeth rolfson
Riverside Park & Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, Kansas
I’m writing an article about the Riverside Park, Ralph Mitchell Zoo & Riverside Aquatic Center for the upcoming Visitor’s Guide & Travel Edition of Bartlesville Magazine. It is one of our family’s favorite places, so we took a quick trip up on Saturday to get some great photographs and finish up the article. I’m including a few fave photos here, but the entire set can be viewed in our Zoo & Park Set on Flickr.
What I Designed Today (err, a few months back…): Style Guide for RaceAdvizor
This guide was commissioned for a company that is still in the works. I’m not posting the whole thing here but just my favorite parts for those who might need some ideas in creating their own branding guidelines. There are some lovely guidelines out there but it does take some good google-sleuthing to find them!
What I Designed Today: Table Card for Bartlesville’s OK Mozart
What I Designed Today: OK Mozart Ads
One is a grayscale ad for newsprint and the second is a recreation of their ad in Conde Nast, originally done by PDG Creative, with the proper fonts of this year’s campaign and a little bit of a changeup in placement if items and photos (at OK Mozart’s request). It was a good work day, busy but not TOO stressful!
What I Designed Today: Armor of God Water Bottle Labels
One of my most popular posts is a Jesus is the Living Water Bottle Labels here. I’m not sure I quite understand the craze of custom water bottle labels but they are kind of fun! Here’s an Armor of God water bottle label quoting parts of Ephesians 6:11-17. Just print, trim, wrap on the bottle and tape. Enjoy!
What I Designed Today: Tri-Fold Brochure
Tri-fold brochures are the bread and butter of marketing, aside from business cards. They give you a chance to show and tell what your business is about. Designs that flow well are few and far between but I like how this one turned out. The only thing I would add or change now are calla lily leaves following the curved divider or at the top right hand corner of the circles. Can’t wait to see this one in print!
What I Designed Today: March Madness Poster, Invitation & RSVP Card for OK Mozart
It’s 5:25 a.m. I’ve been up since 4 a.m. exporting files I finished yesterday, noting to myself in astonishment that in my 20s, I would stay up until 3 or 4 a.m. working on projects and now that I’ve reached my 40s, I GET UP at 4 a.m. to finish projects. There is something wrong with that!
Anyway, this includes the final touches of the poster written about earlier, including one pricing change. The entire set of marketing collateral for this event for OK Mozart includes a poster, a two-sided invitation, and an RSVP card. It’s a great set! I’m not a HUGE fan of the basketball with leprechaun hat but he’s kinda cute and growing on me. I customized him out of other stock pieces and parts. One would think there would be more basketball leprechauns given March Madness’ basketball theme, no? Well, one would be wrong {insert heavy pompous sarcasm here}.
What I Designed Today: Kid’s Wolfie Mozart Design
What I designed today is still in the works but here’s the first draft. I had a client make an unusual request: they wanted a mascot of sorts for their children’s publications. It’s not their logo, but it’s a friendly “wolfie” which was, apparently, Mozart’s nickname as a youth. He’s to be splashed all over their publications involving youth during the coming year. I’ve created two wolfies (each with slight variations): one for a younger audience, heavily based off this royalty-free art from comodo777 at BigStock and a second one entirely created by me for a slightly older audience. Which would you choose? Let me just say, drawing that wig was so satisfying! And, also, there is zero vector artwork readily available for Mozart wigs. Just sayin’. Well, now there’s one…
What I Designed Today…er, in 2011: Transportation Graphics for Kara’s Party Ideas
Haha, seriously, from 2011. I am really, really behind on documenting old work. I found some of these graphic files on my hard drive. A version of these was used for a boy’s birthday party “set” over on Kara’s Party Ideas.
What I Designed Today…er, in late May: Article of Faith #4 for Ben’s Baptism Program
Ben’s baptism was a rushed one. We had a small crowd for our last baptism but it was beautiful. He is such a one-of-a-kind kid. He chose the 4th Article of Faith for his favorite “scripture” and so I quickly typed it up a little bit prettier than average for the program. I am offering it here as a FREE download for your personal and church use, should anyone be so inclined.
What I Designed Today…er, Last Month: 2015 Ward Mission Plan
I have projects to design pretty much every day. Unless something family, church or kid-related has taken over. But usually one or two projects is hanging over my head just waiting to be done. Right now, I’m procrastinating a cute little custom drawing for a local festival that works with kids. I have time to get to that yet today (that’s what I’m telling myself, anyway!) but I wanted to share this 2015 Ward Mission Plan that I drew up for our local church congregation. It was so easy — mostly because they provided me with perfect text. I mean absolutely-perfectly-clean-never-happened-before-especially-in-church-wonderful text. Hallelujah! Seriously, people, knowing exactly what you want to say before you send it to a designer is a gift. One design rule to follow: the more concise the text, the better. If only I could follow that for a blog post, right?! I know, I know, but this blog is my therapy therefore I can ramble and nobody has to read it. It’s a win-win.
Anyway, 2015 is the year where I will catch up on some online posts of what I’ve designed but, realistically, it will probably NOT be something I did just that day but in weeks, months and years past.
Knitted Running Beanie Hat / Cap — for Me!
One of my resolutions for 2015: spend more time knitting. In several years (years!) of knitting, I have never knitted myself anything but washcloths. Well, that ended Christmas Day 2014. I was able to quickly knit up this gorgeous slate-putty-charcoal-colored squishy 100% baby alpaca yarn (Baby Alpaca Grande from Plymouth Yarn, color 2878) into a super soft and stretchy beanie for me to wear on runs, walks or around the house. I’m cold. I’ve absolutely been wearing this around the house!
I’m so excited about this beanie and having finally knitted something for myself that I am even posting pictures without makeup and after a run. Yep. Au naturel. It’s SUCH a cute hat. And super-soft. I highly recommend this yarn and can’t wait to work up my other 5 skeins into a scarf, mittens, earband, headband, and perhaps even a hat to give away.
If you’re interested in knitting, too, head on over to Ravelry and we can connect! I’m addicted and you should be, too.
What I Designed Today: Christmas Cards for OK Mozart
I loved doing this last year (see below for last year’s version). This year, another local design company has generously volunteered their time (okay, their interns’ time) to redesign the logo for next year so I changed the Christmas card design to match the lovely greens and sent them two options below. I would have wrapped their logo on the ornament but these were initial proofs and they chose the dark green so I didn’t bother. Which do you prefer?
OK Mozart Christmas Card 2013
OK Mozart Christmas Card – two options for 2014
What I Designed Today: Digital Ads
I think I need to coin the hashtag #goknitting. I’m SUCH a huge knitting fan. I have never met this client but her website America’s Knitting is a great resource for yarn shops all over the U.S.A. This particular shop has cute sheep and a cute dog!