Layers Magazine Online

Here is a nice resource for everything Adobe CS. Lots of great tutorials. Best of all, they are free! Above is a tutorial I did over the weekend.

www.layersmagazine.com

Package Design - Humble Beginnings

I want to give the Taster's Choice package a fresh, updated look. My hope is to give it an air of sophistication. While instant coffee is certainly about on-the-go convenience, it shouldn't feel as if you are sacrificing on quality and flavor. The package should reflect that sentiment.

I have to admit, I am having a hard time getting away from that "red Folgers look." I need to separate myself from the preconceived idea of what a grocery store coffee brand is suppose to look like and start thinking more in terms of a quaint, little coffee shop that people stop at to meet up with a friend.

Box Layout for Taster's Choice Instant Coffee Packets

This layout involves two parts, an outer sleeve and an insert designed to hold the coffee packets. The idea is to emphasize the portability of the product: "Tuck this in your bag, and you're good to go."

The overall concept will be a marriage of two seemingly contradictory ideas:

The package itself will suggest quick, convenient, and portable.

The design on the package will suggest "stop, enjoy life, celebrate your day, etc."

A one part layout, again emphasizing convenience.

PANTONE Coffee Mugs

I think these are just great! What a great gift for the designer in your life! (hint, hint)

Here are some mugs with color swatches of different shades of brown printed on the inside top of the mugs, so you add just the right amount of cream to match your particular shade of brown.

Bad Packaging Examples

Wow... where do I start? Death by type. Wait! What about all that unused space around the "drop?" Surely they forgot to mention something!

Okay, that's pretty funny, but it does bring up a good point. You have to think about design from every possible angle, including unintended connotations.

Some Great Packaging Examples

I love the use of color and whimsey. The fun shapes suggest the soup itself while hinting at "organic" and "nature."

Beautiful design with simple concentric circles. Nice, soft color palette creates a relaxing mood.

The use of fruit imagery suspended in water indicated by air bubbles seems to say "fresh."

Chocolates often have great package designs lending a sense of luxury.

Another nice chocolates package. Based on the design, I am more inclined to believe that these are truly delectable chocolates, even if they really aren't.

Holiday Card with Georgia State University Colors

Apple Festival Poster 12x18 Final

My final design for the 2010 Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. My goal was to create an event poster that was consistent with the nature and feel of the festival itself (cloggers, country quilts, and Georgia apples of course) but with a fresh, contemporary, and perhaps more universal appeal.

Arts & Sciences 2009 Holiday Greeting Card

My submission to the Georgia State University College of Arts & Sciences

2009 Holiday Greeting Card Contest

Apple Festival Poster Sketches

My goal with designing a poster for the 2010 Georgia Apple Festival is to capture the excitement of good ol' southern family fun. The Apple Festival has a definite "country" feel, and I want to embrace that aspect, but in a fresh, updated look.

Nice Poster Design Examples

Nice imagery. Successful integration of the type with its surroundings.

Great overall layout and use of space. All the information is clear and organized without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Cool illustration. I love the color pallete.