It’s been a long time since I have written my thoughts down in this space, honestly for two years there was not much to write about staring out the window and being confined. However, in this moment, May 2022, it feels hopeful for normalcy to return, so I try to get back to normal things, like contributing to this blog!
Product Design Is Hard …
Over these 8 years along with my hand lettered commissions, writing a book, creating an art exhibit and soon launching an online course, through it all I have always had an online shop and designed things to fill that shop. Let me tell you by far, the time and dedication of product design is the hardest job of them all.
From conception, to prototypes, to packaging, photographing, marketing, and listing, blasting it on all channels of social media and sometimes dumping a big chunk of investment into the product that I have no idea if it will even sell. In an artists mind like mine, everything seems awesome and a good idea. But let me tell you, I have had flops for sure, and stock that doesn’t move and it’s depressing to throw it out, and depressing to keep it. And yet, year after year I continue to semi-torture myself by designing new stationery and tools and you really have to wonder why….?
The Reason Why I Design…
Like everything else in my life, it’s a calling. My world of lettering began with paper, passing notes in class, these secret treasures between friends that became real letter writing as I grew older, decorating the outside of the envelopes to bring delight to the recipient. Now days I design for two reasons:
1. I feel like there is a void in the market, I design things I want and need.
2. I think I am witty and my head/ego needs to show off how crazy it is with it’s designs and lettering, essentially it needs to release it’s creativity.
Above are examples of things I wanted but could not find. Line Template , a quick and easy way to draw lines without measuring! I was lettering a lot of place cards and envelopes that year and figure it was easier to just plop it down and draw guidelines immediately that could be erased after. I also created the template in this plaque shape so I could use it to create a pretty decorative box too without hassle! Wearable Words were designed because I wanted to add a bit of shine to accessorize my bag, coat and pencil case. There were tons of cute enamel pins, but I wanted to create something that described the individual wearing it and words always do that perfectly. The Type Reference Rulers were designed to fill a void of two things, 1. a handy tool that has unique fonts/typefaces on them for reference and the obvious ruler functions; 2. a pretty item to add to stationery flat lay photos! I love pairing this design on a wood ruler, because wood feels vintage, and I love that feel of mixing modern and vintage. Lastly Posecards the one and only photo prop greetings / stylized photo props that have their own website! When my sister got married I really didn’t want her to have those clown wigs and glasses and dollar store items so I took matters into my own hands and designed a whole set of stylized props just for them. That purpose has led to a whole other company that focuses solely on the big and small moments we all take photos.
These items above are the latter… designed purely for joy and love of lettering and stationery. As a hand letterer and calligrapher, the surface of what we letter on is important. Sure a white tented card does the trick, but it really has no personality or tells no story. You can use the word “classic” but for me the place card is a moment to tell a story, a tiny detail that adds magic to your event. That is why I designed this Museum Collection of love notes that can be doubled as place cards or gift tags as well. Even a simply wrapped gift can be elevated with a beautiful card and meticulous lettering. My greeting cards and mailers just bring the child out of me again. Although I work in a super fancy industry, I cannot ignore my core child artist who simply loved writing cards and letters. All these parts are a part of me as an artist, so I continue to put myself out into the world, even if it’s such hard work and torturous at times. This is part of what being an artist is. Hard work and being true to your calling. Until next time friends! Hopefully not too long!