I’m not a banker but I have to say…I was overly excited when I logged into my online Huntington account and saw their new site design (pictured above)! As a designer, it wasn’t fun signing into their old site everyday. I thought I would include a screenshot of what their site USED to look like (pictured below) just so you can see the difference. Exciting, right? Just agree with me.

I had a wonderful time with family and friends this weekend at our friends’ wedding. Below are a handful of links to start off your work week!

- I’m planning on making this for dinner soon.

- Love this design. Peace Corps at 50 identity.

- These wedding invites are great. I’ve drawn an illustration the bride and groom before and it’s nerve racking!

- My upcoming freelance work will be influenced by this site and this site. Two very different projects!

I thought I’d post some recent work that is nearing the final stage. I post a lot of rough drafts and comps on my Facebook page but sometimes forget to post it here. I try to keep a balance between my blog and my Facebook page. I like to post similar content in case I have a different audience but also keep it different for variety.

Above: Graduation announcement.

Above: Church Youth Group Branding

Below: Web Design site for a freelance web developer

Below: Better Networks logo and business cards

This week I’m excited to introduce you to Chris Walker of Walker Photography. Chris is a twenty-two year old photographer located in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Chris has been incredibly busy this year working with clients in and around Columbus and I’m so glad he was able to be a part of this feature. Enjoy hearing a bit about his life as a photographer and feel free to connect with him through Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

1. When did you start working with photography? What type of camera were you first using? 2006/2007 Canon point and latter I shot with Nikon D80.

2. How has your style changed since you first started? It changes a lot due to whom I’m photographing and what it’s for. When working with designers, I’m trying to create images that fit both into the design itself and also portray the clients brand at the same time. But I would say I tend to have a contrasty bold style.

3. When a company or an individual approaches you for shoot or a project, what does that process look like?

• Find out what it is the client needs/wants so we are all on the same page.
• Find the location, someplace that fits with the client’s personal or professional brand, both if possible.
• Do the shoot.
• Process the images.
• Deliver the images to the client.

4. Who have you worked with in the Columbus community? How have you worked toward working locally and become professionally recognized? My current project is allowing me to work with some really cool people, Just last month I was able to photograph Jeni from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams [pictured below] and Artie Issac [picture above]. Two really cool people to meet and work with. I really love working with commercial based clients due to the stories they have. I’m all about hearing stories!

5. Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to your style? I have no one person, I like a broad range of photographers from Joe McNally to Dave Hill.

6. What types of cameras do you work with now? I’m currently working with Canon cameras but would like to play with med format someday. It’s just way out of the budget right now.

7. What advice would you give to someone thinking about a career in photography or studying photography in college? Find out the best way for you to learn your craft and just network with the people you want to work with. It’s really the only way to get a business like this going.

I recently helped the talented Ashely give her a blog a little facelift! I customized the theme Handgloves by adding a custom header, a contact form, a stylized background pattern, an Etsy tab, and changed the font colors. The theme, which screams Helvetica, is a great place for Ashely to post her beautiful work, sell paintings, and connect with her audience. Take a look!

Hey pals! Hope you had a great weekend. I watched snow fall and melt here in Columbus, Ohio and I can’t wait for the temperatures to reach the low 70′s this week! I have probably some of THE best links to share with you and even better posts coming your way this week. Also- I’d like to give a happy, happy birthday shout out to my mom! I wish I could be in Illinois to celebrate with her and give some hugs.

- Apartment Therapy shared a great article last week about how to work file cabinets into your decor. I hope to utilize this in our new place this summer.

- I love this project. Who says snail mail and family correspondence needs to be boring?

- An exclusive interview with Kate MccGwire. Her work is captivating.

- One of my favorite outfits yet.

- A great collection of logotypes along with some older branding.

- Getting [or just got] married?? Here’s a checklist that I used when I attempted to change my name. I was successful in all areas, but I still haven’t updated my passport!

- Two years ago when I started freelancing, this was a question that I often had. What should I include in my design contract?

- 33 letterpress business cards. Very beautiful.

IMAGE FOUND HERE.

I recently helped Jewel create her custom blog over at eatdrinkshoplove.com. This blog is a space where she can share all her favorite recipes, restaurants, stores, and bits of inspiration!

I’m excited to featured Aldan Shinault, a twenty-three year old designer originally from Illinois. Aldan and I went to high school together and we were able to reconnect this year. It’s so awesome to see how Aldan has grown as an artist. Enjoy looking at his work and reading some of his thoughts about life and art.

01. At what point in your life did you know you’d be an artist? I’ve loved drawing and have been more of a visually stimulated kinda guy since I was a little kid.  It runs through my veins, and thus my being an artist was never really a decision.

02.  Do you have other talents, passions, or hobbies? I have a passion for interior decorating and Ferrari automobiles.  As a hobby, I buy clothes.  Lots of clothes.  It’s becoming a problem.

03. Who has been the most encouraging person in your life? My mother has always been the most encouraging person in my life.  Since day one she has gently guided me, but has always given me enough room to make necessary mistakes.

04. What inspires you? Artistically, I’m inspired by:

• the complexity of God and Heaven
• geometry
• The Godfather part 2
• Louis XIV style furniture
• 1980s fashion
• alignment and symmetry
• palm trees
• the subjectivity of beauty

05. What medium still intimidates you? As far as intimidating mediums, I’ll have to stick with traditional film movie production.  I mean, I got my degree in that sh*t… but it kicked my ass through-and-through.  I don’t wanna be anywhere near a film camera ever again.

06. What artistic trend do you dislike? Pop art — simplistic approaches to appropriating images.  Just… unoriginal in every sense.  Andy Warhol is f*cking evil.

07. What has been you favorite piece of someone else’s art up until this point in your life? The photography of my buddy Kristina Bereolos.

08. Do you design full-time? If so- where and what has that experience been like? I used to design full-time when I lived in Chicago.  At present, I work at a private greenhouse / flower garden.  There I maintain orchids & roses, feed chameleons, and read.

09. Do you think you have a specific style? What is that style and do you see yourself evolving out of that anytime soon? I’d say my style is sexy, subtle, in-your-face, and smooth… all jumbled into one well sewn, highly detailed package.  I ain’t never gonna change!

This week’s MEET features J.M. Scott, a 30-year old graphic designer from Indianapolis who designs full-time for the Public Relations Department for the State of Indiana. This artist’s simple answers and wonderful illustration work speaks for itself! Enjoy!

Q1. At what point in your life did you know you’d be an artist? While in high school I was interning as a microbiologist (through my chemistry class) and I got to create my poster on a Mac using Corel Draw. There was something about illustrating petri dishes on the computer that inspired me.

Q2. Do you have another talents, passions, or hobbies? I really love screen printing. I work mostly on different paper. I’m not really into the fabrics.

Q3. Who has been the most encouraging person in your life? My mother.

Q4. What inspires you? Quotes. I love to take quotes and create illustrations. Photojournalism, like the photos found on Boston.com’s “The Big Picture.”

Q5. What medium still intimidates you? Watercolors. I’ve tried it but I still don’t have the hang of it.

Q6. What artistic trend do you dislike? I have trouble getting into a lot of abstract art but I love Jackson Pollock.

Q7. What has been you favorite piece of someone else’s art up until this point in your life? Ralph Steadman’s Animal Farm illustrations.

Q8. Do you think you have a specific style? What is that style and do you see yourself evolving out of that anytime soon? I’m not sure of my style right now or where I want it to go.

Why yes that is a 280 page booklet that I’m formatting for Franklin University. Very thankful for this big project! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I got to see one of my best friends get married and it truly was a celebration. Now it’s Monday and I thought I’d share some links:

Siscottstudio.com is absolutely breathtaking. I’m a new fan.

Kellyn sent me this link last week. A great article about on-site SEO.

Again…drooling over fonts here.

LOVE this veneer dresser project over at younghouselove.

In the market for some gorgeous art? Take a look at Kayla and Ashely‘s work.

Sorry the link list was a bit short! Check back tomorrow for a new MEET interview.

My husband started 614forHaiti after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. An excerpt from the website (designed by Scott Baker):

614forHAITI is a group of renegades across Columbus, Ohio who are ready and willing to instigate love for Haiti. This grassroots effort is fueled by individuals working to stir up funds, awareness and compassion in relief efforts following earthquakes of January 2010.

We sponsor a boy named Osley in Haiti and Compassion called us last week to inform us that he and his family have survived the earthquakes. Their home experienced some damage. Overall it’s been great finding ways to support the efforts around Columbus. We attended and participated in a silent auction at Surly Girl Saloon, initiated a tent drive last week, and helped spread the word about other local fundraisers. I think we’ve learned how difficult it is to keep momentum and awareness about specific issues when there are so many others to become involved in. I’m so thankful that we all have our own interests, passions, and talents.

To donate, visit aHomeinHaiti.org. They are raising money and collecting tents for those in Haiti. The rainy season is now and they need shelter.