FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN :: BEAUTY PRODUCTS PACKAGING

Last week I shared a freelance graphic design project I did for Watoto. Today I'm sharing a packaging design project I worked on for them. It was for Living Hope, an arm of Watoto that rescues women from widowed, in poverty, robbed of dignity, and gives them hope, empowerment & meaningful employment.

The women in Uganda have started farming Shea nuts and are making their own Shea butter - 100% pure mind you! But they needed to get it out of Gulu and into the world. So they are in the process of creating their own beauty line. First product off the rank was the pure Shea body butter. I was asked to design the labels for the tins of shea.

They have a strict Living Hope branding and also there are many restrictions on labelling within the beauty industry, so it was something different design style for me but a good challenge. Also because it is going to be sold globally with the Watoto children's Choir, it had to be translated into a number of different languages, with country specific information, liaising with each countries printers etc. A mammoth task and real team effort!
I am available to freelance for you too! If you need graphic design work from logo's, packaging to brochures, flyers & annual reports, please don't hesitate to send me an email! 

BRISBANE FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN :: WATOTO ANNUAL REPORT

This year I feel a new love for freelance graphic design work. It's my 'trade', so to speak, and it feels really comfortable to be doing more of it these days. It also provides a great opportunity to work on bigger projects (than stationery) and partner with some great organisations & businesses.

We finished up this Annual report for Watoto later last year and I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's something i've done for the past few years for them, but last year I had a bit more creative freedom and we mixed it up just a little. We made it a square size, and added pages to take advantage of some stunning full bleed images (how can you not smile looking at those gorgeous faces?!).
I love the African animal collage on the front to make the year, and the full spread map is another favourite page. We just did a short run of a printed version for key sponsors and donors and then created a full online 'magazine' version for all those interested in Watoto. An annual report is always a big job, but it will be a great tool throughout the year for anyone wanting to get an overview of what they do and the impact they are having. Looking good Watoto!

And don't forget, I am available to freelance for you too! If you need graphic design work from logo's, packaging to brochures, flyers & annual reports, please don't hesitate to send me an email!

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND TAKING ON NEW GRAPHIC DESIGN JOBS

Well, it's a little late, but consider this my official hello for 2015!

I kind of fell off the blogging wagon by the end of last year. I was still around on social media and consuming blogs, but just didn't have the same joy and sparkle I did from earlier last year. I really needed to just bunker down, grieve, spend time with family, and just do my freelance work in my own time and without any expectation that it had to be blogged about. Just take the pressure off. That's hard in this industry, when you feel like you're being left behind, but for the first time ever, I didn't even care. A sure sign I needed a break! : )

I was still working, just for some regular clients and not taking on much new...B U T...I'm now back!
I feel refreshed, I feel more like myself again, I feel inspired and energised to get back in my creative zone and design again and in new ways. I have the mojo back folks, and it feels good!

I will share over the coming weeks, some of the projects I worked on last year, that you haven't seen yet. As well as a couple of family birthdays that I'd love to share. I can't wait to get this year off the ground as I gear up for all the new projects. If you would like a quote on graphic design work, stationery, printing, or web design, in Australia or around the world, please shoot me an email and we can get you in the game for 2015!

Image from Honey & Gold

BOUTIQUE BAKING LOGO & BUSINESS CARD

I love it when a job comes along that you really love, that suits your own aesthetic and just gels with you. Boutique Baking's logo and stationery was one of those jobs. Kate had a specific font in mind, so we worked with that to create her logo and then went on from there to design stationery, stickers and Facebook images.
The business cards were my favourite. Printed on a really nice card stock, they look and feel lush (said the paper geek!). You can follow on her baking adventures here.

If you own a business that needs a logo, or need business stationery & promo material designed, feel free to shoot me an email for an estimate.

CREATE BOX FOR DUNNE WITH STYLE

Crafting is one of my fave things and I've had a go at tonnes of different things ever since I was a young girl. From Cross-stitch, to calligraphy, quilting & quilling...you name it, I've probably tried it. I love that we've been riding the craft-is-trendy wave again for the past few years and that it's still going strong.

Being a true blue craft lover, these Create Boxes from Dunne with Style are right on. I've seen a couple of subscription craft projects in the US, but this is the first I've seen here in Australia, and I love that.

I worked with Sam on the design and print of the 'Create' cover cards (printed on Kraft card stock), and also the white on black artists cards. I would definitely be happy getting this box of goodness in the mail, wouldn't you?

There are a limited number of 50 for each box, so you'll have to be quick to get your crafty box of inspiration!

You can purchase the Create boxes via Dunne with Style:
Box One by Laura Blythman here
Box Two by Gemma Patford here

If you need design work done for your small to medium business shoot me an email, I'd love to work with you!

LOGO DESIGN & MINI BRANDING :: VERUS VITA COMMUNICATIONS

I designed this logo for a client/friend of mine in Canada. She is a freelance journalist and PR consultant. She had a strong sense of what she wanted, more of a word mark than an image. After a couple of concepts she settled on this vibrant and friendly red version. I really like how it turned out.

Even though we live in a digital age, with all my logo clients I include a business card design. So I added some hand illustrated elements to get the conversation going! : )
I think it's nice to get the logo off the screen and have something tangible at the end of the day. Don't you?

I would love to help you create a professional look & brand for your business. Shoot me an email and we can talk about what you have in mind. I look forward to hearing from you!

BAKED GOODS CHRISTMAS SWING TAG

This swing tag design is probably my favourite from my new Christmas collection. They make me want to bake up a storm and add these cards for a dual Christmas greeting / gift tag. Don't you think they'd be cute?

These and the rest of the holiday collection are on sale in my shop at the moment. Enter MERRY20 at the checkout to receive 20% off your entire order. Offer valid till the end of the month

Take a look at the entire holiday collection here.

ELLIE'S WALL ART

A few weeks ago some friends of ours had a Christening service for their little girl. I know for Catholics, this is a significant day, so I designed this (pink) monogram & floral personalised wall print for her.
I had two frames so, while I was in the groove, I did one up for Ellie too! I've been wanting to add some colour to the walls in kids' room, so this is just the beginning. I don't know if she was sure at first...but I think she likes it! : )
Next up, a boy print...

Wall print available in my shop in a number of different colour ways

Images: copyright Polkadot prints

NAUTICAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

I recently designed this nautical birth announcement for some friends who had a little boy. They nearly didn't get birth announcments done because they didn't want them to be too feminine. I considered it a success when this little guys dad was won over!
You might not be able to see in the photos, but I printed these on a really lush matte card stock. And I have now added printing as an add-on option for any of my designs. It's been so inspiring to get back to my graphic design & printing roots!

I have add this nautical design as well as a shield design in my shop. I hope to add some more birth announcement designs as time allows. 

A huge thanks to Danielle for allowing me to share her little man with you all xo

NOTES FOR THE TEACHER

It was Levi's last day of preschool yesterday. A weird but rewarding feeling!
For a teacher gift, I was looking at some personalised business cards on Minted which in turn lead me to the idea of creating a personalised note set for each of his teachers.
While I'm very aware teachers are always given 'teachery' things, I didn't know their own style, so I bent to the stereotype and did a teacher theme...but in my own style.  A bit of graph paper & retro stationery supplies. hmmm I love stationery...
I had them printed, then bundled them up with envelopes in a cardboard box. Added a belly band and a signed note from Levi, and we called it a day!
I'm so happy with how they turned out! I hope they liked them too, and do actually use them!

I wonder if you give teacher gifts? A friend of mine gave a baking pack including a Donna Hay magazine and cookie cutter for her daughters teacher one year. I guess it does help if you know what their hobbies are (aside from dealing with our darling children of course! : )

COPING THROUGH LOGO & BRANDING

A few weeks back I had a logo & branding sale. It's been a lot of fun getting to help people build a brand and logo for their business. I will share a few of those logos that I can over the coming weeks. This one today, is close to my heart. All about supporting those going through a loss of a baby. We worked on a few concepts, but Michelle settled on this direction which appealed to both male & female.  The main logo can be reversed out and also supported with a 'rain shower' pattern. I look forward to seeing it worked out on their website, social media & stationery. I'll let you know when the site goes live!

If your business needs a logo face lift or you're just getting things off the ground, email me for a questionnaire to get the ball rolling! A new look is just an email away!

NEW PARTY STATIONERY FOR MINTED

 I've just submitted these designs to Minted's latest competition for kids' party invitations & party decor.

I'm sure I'm beginning to sounds like a broken record asking you to vote all the time, but it's all run by competition and the only way to get things up for sale! Minted really are the leaders in personalised stationery and I'd love to have more of my product in the mix.
I'd really be so grateful if you would log in and vote for them:

Fossil Dig Invitation
Fossil Dig Party Decor
Little Red Invitation
Little Red Party Decor
Pit Lane Invitation
Pit Lane Party Decor
Sunshine & Rainbows Invitation
Sunshine & Rainbows Party Decor

And did you know you can be a party ambassador of Minted and get your party stationery for free?Now that's worth a vote right?? : )

LOGO & BRANDING SALE

Good News! I have a few spots open for logo & branding in March & April.

If you're a sole trader, or small to medium sized business, and are looking for a fresh look or starting a new endeavour or project that needs an identity, this is the bundle for you! It includes a logo design (with 2-3 concepts to work from), an Etsy or Blog banner, Facebook cover image, & Business card design. A great package to get your business and brand off the ground!

Email me - jordan{at}polkadotprints.com.au for a questionaire to get things started!

PLEASE SHOW SOME MINTED VOTING LOVE!

So, you remember when I asked you vote for some of my designs on Minted last month? Thank you all so much for voting! But, sad news, I didn't win anything. I was kind of disappointed, but after a day or so of feeling discouraged, I've jumped back on the horse and have entered another competition!

This round it's for their Minibooks. These cute Minibooks are multi-paged cards perfect for wedding invites, birth announcements, memorial booklets etc. Great for popping in more information & photos than a regular flat card.

There are some great entries, so I would love your vote again if you have the time. My first design is a wedding themed Minibook Love Triangle, you can vote for here. And then there is Hello Handsome, a birth announcement which you can vote for here. There's lots of prizes in the pool, so I'd love to be in amongst the 'big guns' this time round!

I think you do have to sign in to vote, but it will only take a sec. Would you show me some love? Or maybe even share it with your friendly facebook & twitter friends? I'd be so, so grateful! Thank YOU!xo

WATOTO CHARITY GALA INVITATIONS

I recently had the privilege of designing this stationery collection for Watoto. Watoto in Australia hosted a charity gala this week, for their corporate supporters. The Watoto Children's Choir sang and they raised awareness and funds to support the work happening on the ground in Uganda.

They're a not for profit, helping orphaned children, that my hubs & I worked for back in 2007 in Africa. So this is an organisation that will always hold a place in my heart. It was nice to design something for them again. You can find out more about the work of Watoto and the choir's touring schedule here. 

Images & Design // Copyright Polkadot Prints

ELEVATION CD ARTWORK :: 96FIVE FAMILY RADIO

Talking with a friend yesterday, I was reminded of this Elevation CD artwork I designed for 96five radio station in Brisbane at the end of last year. I thought I should post it before it gets superseded by this years version!
It was my last job before finishing up my freelance work in Australia. I liked the neon colours + high school sketches. It was such a fun project and for a good cause too. Win!

Images :: Polkadot Prints