I am always excited to work on packaging projects, including this one for Wean Green, a company that manufacturers reusable tempered glass food containers. Started by an entrepreneurial mom with two young girls, her mission was to create eco-friendly, unbreakable and microwavable safe food containers. After the initial launch, the product line grew by adding additional shapes of the containers to suit the needs of busy moms. Since the branding identity for Wean Green was already established, my design skills were engaged to leverage the brand to create the artwork for five new skus in the product line.
I loved working with the playful colour palette, inspired by healthy fruits and vegetables: carrots are orange, raspberries are pink, blueberries are blue and peas are green. In keeping with the eco-friendly nature of the product, the containers were packaged in 100% recyclable material and Wean Green donates 1% of their profits to environmental organizations (1% for the Planet).
As the glass food containers were being manufactured in Korea, the factory was also responsible for the printing of the packaging. For efficiency and accuracy, I was provided illustrator templates for each new product sku from the printer. I proposed a new die line to be in a shape of a leaf, to visually connect back to the Wean Green logo.
The most challenging aspect of the project was managing the time difference between Korea and Canada. Working as a freelance graphic designer, I was able to accommodate my working schedule to be available ‘first thing in the morning’ — checking emails at midnight to follow up and make sure all aspects of the project was moving forward smoothly.
I designed this brand identity concept for Keaton & Co., a Toronto-based boutique featuring high quality, monogrammed goods for the modern home. Operated by small business owner Jennifer Martinez, each monogram is lovingly designed and stitched in her home studio on a decades-old embroidery machine inherited from her mother. Offering a vast selection of fabrics, thread colours and monogram styles, almost anything can be embroidered — including napkins, throws and pillows. After a few years in business, Jennifer desired a refresh of her current brand identity; something unique that communicates who and what she does.
To kick-off the creative process, I suggested Jennifer start a Pinterest board — capturing anything and everything that visually caught her eye. From the broad range of images, I was able to see a common thread emerge — pale and muted tones, simple, clean lines — suggesting an understated modern design with a hint to tradition. I pulled these images together to create a beautiful and unified inspiration board.
Taking inspiration and visual clues from the nature of her handmade business, I worked with the shapes and lines suggested by sewing needles used in the process of embroidery.
The first popper design is a thank-you favour with a special gift inside for the wedding guests. I repurposed paper from a table runner (Weddingstar product) in a gold marble design to make the popper.
Name Card Poppers
The second popper idea does double duty as a favour and name card for a truly personal touch for guests at the reception. I repurposed paper placements in a marble design (Weddingstar product) to create the popper.
Dessert Table Poppers
The third popper concept is intended for displaying candy (inside) on a sweets table. I repurposed paper from a table runner in a gold polka dot design (Weddingstar product) to create the poppers. Adding pink ribbon and label was the perfect final touch.
Au Lit Fine Linens offers beautiful and quality bed linens, with the promise they will ‘change the way you sleep’. Twice a year, the company holds their annual month-long Pillow & Duvet sale, traditionally advertised through print ads in the Globe & Mail, newsletter campaigns, in-store signage and online marketing. Appealing to a broader demographic, a pillow giveaway was offered to a lucky follower on Instagram. To promote this sale on Instagram, I created a campaign to connect a customers ‘warm and fuzzy’ feelings of bedtime moments to Au Lit Fine Linen’s products. Styling and art directing scenes of reading and enjoying cups of tea in bed, I photographed the social media coordinator, lounging in Au Lit’s luxurious pyjamas, pillows and duvets. The visual identity created — featuring simple vignettes and natural light — set the tone for the look and feel that is still being used.
Laurie Blaha just earned her real estate license and desired to have a brand identity that would set herself apart from other Royal LePage agents — professional, classy and elegant, sophisticated and knowledgeable. I created the icon of interlocking ‘B’s which emphasized the initial of her last name for the bold and architectural element she was looking for. The client absolutely adores her new brand identity on all of her marketing materials which others have said is ‘…..so Laurie’.
Pulling from Laurie’s inspirations on Pinterest, I created a focused mood board which captured the visual direction of her new identity — elegant and sophisticated — to portray a knowledgeable and professional presence.
I explored options of interlocking ‘B’s — which emphasized the initial of the clients’ last name — for the bold and architectural element she was looking for.
The client absolutely adores her new brand identity on all of her marketing materials — including business cards, signage, postcards and more.
Taking inspiration and visual clues from the nature of her handmade business, I worked with the shapes and lines suggested by sewing needles used in the process of embroidery.
The client absolutely adores her new brand identity on all of her marketing materials — including business cards, signage, postcards and more.
