The Creative Process

Ever see a design and wonder how it was created from start to finish? The following is a glimpse of what goes on during the creative process of my many projects - step by step:

The Inspiration

I was perusing the web and came across this dynamic shot of basketball players. I really liked the perspective of the shot coming from behind the basket and it gave me the idea to base the design of the men's basketball team for KSU.

The Photoshoot & Production

Once I sketched out (very roughly) the basic placement of the players I worked with our marketing specialist/client manager and photographer to figure out if what I was envisioning would work out. We discussed back and forth about the way the players should be posed and what action they should be shot doing. Once a photography shoot was set up our photographer shot the players individually from behind the goal.

I took each player and isolated them from their individual backgrounds and placed them in the poster. The "comp" was then approved by the athletics marketing staff and coaches - I then moved on to the really fun part - effects!

After enhancing the photos and adding effects, sponsor logos and schedule, along with some minor edits back and forth, below is the final product:

Happy Clients = Happy Designer!

Below are additional pieces that I designed for the basketball teams...

November, you come and go so quickly!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love FALL?

Over the years I have developed a crazy fondness for the season of autumn. I love the colors, the seasonal veggies/fruits, soups and pies, sweaters, scarves, the crisp smell in the air... and it is "oh so nice" that my birthday happens be in November.

This month started with a great birthday weekend. My boss and co-workers (friends) and I went on a  retreat from the office and we all took a hike up Kennesaw mountain. The weather was wonderful and it was a great experience to reach the top and take in the views of the surrounding cities.

Creative services conquered Kennesaw Mountain
David (photographer), Ray (Director of Creative Services), Anthony (Photographer), Lucy (Designer), Me
Justin (Designer) and Sekayi (Designer).

Touching the very top of the Mountain

The days follwing my birthday were filled with family time and of course great food is always enjoyed with these get togethers. Louie made me a delicous chocolate cake with caramel buttercream. He also made some sweet potato ravioli (from scratch - pasta dough and all) with drizzled with brown butter and sage. I LOVED IT!

Middle of the month I had the opportunity to catch up with my dear friend and fellow mom, Lindsey. We got together and crafted while sharing stories of motherhood, our families and also reflected on the past when we worked together in college. We followed this tutorial to make our wreaths... they came out pretty! 

I also attended Lindsey's husband, Eric's, 80's themed 30th birthday party and had a blast. I enjoyed visiting and catching up with some old college friends. Stepping back in time was fun, as tacky as the fashions and music of the 80's were... I love it.

Turkey Day

Louie and I hosted Thanksgiving this year with his family. I love that the whole day is revolved around the efforts it takes to prepare and clean up with feast... and the food is enjoyed within thirty minutes to an hour! LOL We had a great spread of food when 4:00 rolled around. 

Louie even received a huge 20lb turkey from work that we did not expect... we will have turkey for days and days!

As always, November is wrapped up with the excitement and anticipation of Christmas and New Years Day. Let the shopping, decorating and baking BEGIN!

Thing 1 & Thing 2

Trick-or-Treat!

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how.
― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Bella and her cousins dressed up as characters from the book, The Cat in the Hat, for Halloween this year. They had fun pretending to be the crazy little red characters from the book running around and causing a rukus... wait, they do that all the time anyway! HA HA

Thing 1 and Thing 2, respectively

The Cat in the Hat joins the bunch

Princess Maryangela "Merida"