Archive for Art & Design

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The Art // This painting titled Galena by Erik Jones stopped me dead in my internet browsing tracks. She looks like she’s wearing some futuristic head-dress. The splashes of lines and colors create an exotic mane, but her features and expression is so calm and elegant.

The Inspired // This ceramic vessel by Elke Sada is a piece of art on it’s own. It looks as if a painting has been cut up and molded into a bowl.

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As y’all know, I have been designing desktop wallpaper freebies over the past few months so I was super excited when Alicia from Whimseybox asked if I would design a few for their blog readers! I love creating these because I get total design freedom, it’s a nice change of pace from client work. And while I can’t go and rearrange my office each month, I love switching up my desktop and iPhone wallpapers to keep things fresh! For the next few months my designs will be available for you to download over on Whimseybox’s blog, so go grab this one for April as a great reminder to always look on the bright side! Click here to tweet this quote.

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The Art // Natalie Nicklin’s colorful, geometric mixed media art has me thinking Space Race/Cold War with a updated hipster flare. I love the soft pastels and the harsh blacks. Her Society Six shop has lots of affordable print options that it makes it hard to choose just one!

The Inspired // This Alyson Fox Triangle Pillow Cover from West Elm echoes the soft colors and geometric shapes of Natalie Nicklin’s art. This would look really good on my sofa…

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About two years ago I was contacted to design a new logo for Race and Religious, an absolutely beautiful event venue in New Orleans. After the logo was completed we moved forward with the web site and have been creating new items to build their brand ever since! I have designed information folders, maps, their website and blog, site and floor plans and ads. I really enjoy working on projects where I get to create an overall look and then apply my concept to multiple designs. I started the process by sending a Q&A to help determine the exact look they were going for.

As the owner of Race & Religious we couldn’t have been more satisfied with all that Ciera has accomplished for us. Because of her designs for our logo and website we feel that we have become internationally recognized as one of the most eclectic, beautiful, funky places to have an event in New Orleans. She was able to incorporate the ambiance thru our website and logo that is signature to our location, and renovation of our 1835 historical houses situated at Race and Religious Streets in the warehouse district of New Orleans. We are so proud to hand out our cards eluding to the website that is unique and embodies the mystery of what is yet to be seen at Race & Religious. We feel that it is because of Ciera’s design ability that we have been named by Travel and Leisure as one of the coolest rental houses and also by Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine as one of the most spectacular wedding venues available. All this in less than three years of operating! -Billie and Gran Semmes | Owner, Race and Religious

Race and Religious live site and check out some photos from my visit to the venue! And don’t forget that I’m offering a discount on my branding packages until April 2!

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Okay y’all know I love good design right… and paper… and getting stuff in the mail. So when I recently discovered Olive Box, a subscription for curated paper products, it was like a dream come true!

As a member of Olive Box you will receive a delightful box of paper and lifestyle products delivered to your door each month. From cards to artwork to inspiring books and gifting ideas, you never know what exciting products you will unwrap each month. Each box has a surprise theme and will include goodies that have been transformed by the beauty of paper.

Great news for y’all! Founder, Grace Kang, of Pink Olive, was nice enough to offer a 10% discount for Ciera Design readers! Just enter the code “cieradesign10″ at checkout to receive the discount! It’s valid through 03/31/13 (and only one per person). Enjoy, friends! Images from Olive Box.

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A few weeks ago I shared the Top 100 Design Blogs To Follow In 2013 as compiled by Joe Cole. I decided I wanted to make a list of MY favorite design blogs so I’m sharing my top 10 over on Blog Catalog, go check em out and let me know what your favorite design blogs are!

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The Art // I came across Francesca Capellini’s Ilove’u project on Pinterest (bless you, Pinterest) today and I had to share. I’ve always been a fan of mixed media art, and this is just so sweet. I love the black and white photos mixed with the graphic patterns and playful illustrations.

The Inspired // This painted bowl from Nicole Porter is also a mix—paint and hardwood. I love the color combination and the graphic stripes.

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Hello, happy Monday! I shared my favorite business cards from others at Alt Summit, now I’m going to share my cards, and some of the drama that went into making them…

When I found out that I was getting to attend Alt Summit THIS year, it was only a few weeks before the event. After I ran around my house screaming with excitement, I totally freaked out. I heard that business cards were a HUGE deal at Alt and I was not sure I would have the time to design and get something produced in time. After hours of brainstorming, I knew that my “Let’s Be Friends” concept was the way to go. After all, I was going to this gathering to make connections and new friends! Once the idea was set, I started designing and ordering supplies like crazy! I went back and forth with myself and finally broke down and splurged on letterpress cards. The night before I left for Alt, I had received all the parts to make my little packages… except for the actual business card, ahh! There was a huge communication breakdown inside the print shop I ordered them from, so sadly I never got them (but did get a full refund). The morning of my flight I was left printing and trimming business cards on whatever cardstock I had laying around and stuffing and sealing the envelopes! Luckily my parents are awesome and they helped! It all turned out fine, but boy was that stressful! My idea was received well and hopefully inspired those I met to keep in touch! SO here we go, my Alt Summit business cards… and lucky for you guys, I have some extras! All you have to do is sign up for my e-news list (don’t forget to include your mailing address), then leave a comment here letting me know you signed up – and I’ll send out as many as I have left!

If we met at Alt and you have a picture of you wearing one of the friendship bracelets, I’d love to see it!

Among many things at Alt, I was VERY inspired by the Tiger in a Jar design camp so I decided to make a video showing the process of me putting my cards together!

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