Plop! from Small Pond Graphics

Being a designer by trade and by obsession, I’m always inspired by products that let me customize or add my own creative touch. I found several great products recently that let you do just that. I posted them a few weeks ago at the Small Pond Facebook Page, but I thought I’d share them here as well. Be inspired to create your own designer stuff!

DESIGN YOUR OWN… Dinnerware at LAPLATES.COM
You can choose your pattern, color and monogramming style for these great melamine plates. A great hooray for the waning days of summer outdoor party fun!

DESIGN YOUR OWN… Pillows and Bedding at INMOD.COM
Wow is all I can say about the great patterns and options available with this great product. There is truly something for every style. For pillows you can choose your own pattern, fabric option, size and colors to fully customize your look.

DESIGN YOUR OWN… Boardshorts at SHORTOMATIC.COM
I love this product! These shorts make me want to head to Venice Beach in a convertible and sing Beach Boys songs. You can choose your style and colors right down to the custom text printed on the inside waistband. You make them your own by uploading your own artwork file and positioning it on the shorts. What do you think? Princely shorts?

DESIGN YOUR OWN… Notecards & eInvites at AGADABOUT.COM
This designer has some great illustration options that are available for monogramming or printing with your full name. One thing I really love is the iPhone app that lets you customize and send designer e-invitations straight from your phone. Very cool.

Today is my Baby Girl’s 2nd birthday! What a little sweetie she is and in honor of all the joy she’s brought to the small pond world, I decided to introduce you to one of the illustrators I follow who specializes in artwork for or depicting children.

Sarah Jane Studios is simply a wonderland of all things sweet and inspiring for little ones. I really enjoy Sarah’s blog where she shares the little bundles of joy in her own home . And I also enjoy the glimpse it shows into the creative routines and inspiration of this wonderful illustrator. Her Etsy Shop is a delightful source of prints, invitations, printable paper dolls, mailing stickers, embroidery patterns, calendars and more. If you are celebrating a little one, as I am today, you’ll enjoy a look into Sarah’s incredible world.

Wow! I’ve been seriously neglecting Plop! with all my busy-ness of late. But, good news! There are indeed signs of life in this little blog. I have some great articles in the hopper and a whole list of inspired pond posts to share.

But, first, I decided it was time to let you in on one of my closet intrigues. Since I was a college student at Mississippi State University studying art and architecture, I have had a growing fascination with signs, particularly hand-made ones. My penchant for graphic design, found art objects and architecture’s sense of place all rolled into one ball of interest in my freshman year when I was assigned a project to find examples of local art for Dr. Paul Grootkerk’s art appreciation class. When you recognize the wonderful small town environments prevalent in our neck of the woods, you’ll understand the particular challenge Dr. Grootkerk was issuing. To complete the project, I decided to focus my attention on graffiti as a form of art and communication. Even in the small town deep South we have graffiti.

For centuries, men have been putting their creativity to work to communicate ideas in visual form — from cave paintings to feudal crests to favicons. It’s the essence of graphic design. That project of some 20 years ago (yikes!) began my journey of noticing the creativity people employ to convey their messages. There is something very inspiring about a person’s desire to create a sign, putting it on display, to communicate what matters to him. Closet intrigue was born. I have since enjoyed collecting various images from the small (and big) ponds I visit that document some of that creative sign making. The $10 word I use for it is “vernacular typography” — type expressed in an untrained manner, and often without the benefit of mechanical processes. The less nerdy term is hand-painted signs. I like them. I like to imagine the person who made them. I like to notice the ingenuity required to execute them. I like to acknowledge the inherent creativity and pride of place found in the desire to make them. I thought I would share some of these inspiring, funny and quirky examples as I find them. And, in the process, you can visit a few of the small ponds that produced them.

Recently I was able to take a drive through central Mississippi to visit with a restaurant client. I left earlier than needed, and I brought my camera. I’m posting an essay about the unexpected benefits of that winding roadtrip over at EyeJunkie later, but suffice it to say: the road was indeed winding, and I made quite a few turns and back turns to satisfy my need to capture some signs of life. [Read girl in heels traipsing down the side of a two lane highway with camera in hand.]

This odd little one-word message in Good Hope, MS (along Hwy 31 S) caught my attention. When I saw the word “trash,” I thought “how thorough.” Someone wanted to make sure everyone knew the freezer was destined for the landfill. But, as I drove through a little more of Good Hope, I realized that beside each mailbox was a boxy trash bin as well. It must be some requirement of waste management, a county ordinance or some attempt at protecting the beautification program from raccoons (because I don’t think we have bears here). The word “trash” took on a whole new meaning. Rather than a simple declaration, it was an instruction: “pick up our trash here.” Now that’s repurposing! And, I suppose it’s a lesson in how much advertising copy is too little copy.

I’m thinking small today! You know I spend a lot of time thinking about small ponds around here, but today, it’s more small people. If you’ve been by my personal blog at EyeJunkie.com, you know that my oldest son (Little Drummer Boy, in junkie-land) started public school kindergarten this week. He’s been VERY excited about it, and that makes me excited too. It’s a big change for all of us, and we are embracing it with a smile!

In honor of our hop into the 5-K world, I’ve been looking at design for children this week–those small folks who light up our lives so much. There are so many wonderful brands, products and creative designers catering to kids these days, and one great place I enjoy seeing them showcased is an online publication called small magazine. It’s a wonderfully well-designed combination of great photos, great ideas, great products and great charm.

The world of digital publications is blossoming, and I’ve seen quite a few online magazines like small magazine that are taking the traditional periodical format into the internet environment. With the introduction of the iPad earlier this year and more and more enhancements for iPhones, etc, I think we’ll see even more traditional print publications going digital or at least offering a companion digital format. I’ve already seen quite a few magazines offering special subscription rates to iPad users for digital versions that cater to thisnew cyber reading space. Pretty exciting!

small magazine is a free and strictly digital publication that offers a new and inspiring issue quarterly. The photography is always outstanding. The products featured never fail to make me smile. The articles about designers and illustrations are inspiring. And, the ideas for activities or meals make me feel like a kid at heart. Here are a few spreads from the Summer issue to whet your appetite for small weekend reading. And don’t miss their companion smaller blog!

A few weeks ago I shared some thoughts on responsible Facebook marketing for businesses in part 1 of this article. My comments centered on the important impression it makes for businesses to market within the Facebook Terms of Service when using this ever-growing social networking website. Since the Facebook Terms of Service disallow users from conducting more than one “profile”, I recommend that users set up their business Facebook presence in the “page” format. While I appealed to our need for responsible (and TOS-abiding) marketing as a way of setting examples of how to conduct business in this new digital age, I also promised some more concrete reasons in a future post.

Hello, part 2. Business ethics aside, using the Page format rather the Facebook Profile option just makes good marketing sense. And, here are 5 reasons why…

1. Pages look like businesses. There are quite a few business or organization options that are available when setting up a Page format in Facebook. Creators can choose ptions like restaurant, retail, professional organization, and many other specific business types. Facebook allows Pages to be designated as a local business; a brand, product or organization; or an artist, band or public figure. Each option has built-in display items for information that is relevant to the specific type of entity. Options like hours of operation, service listings, mission statements and products are just a few of the items you can include in the information displayed on your page. On the other hand, Profiles look like people. So, your business information looks amateurish at best. Businesses don’t have birthdays, favorite quotes and movies, or many of the other items displayed in the standard Profile. In trying to apply normal business information to this more personal format, your message becomes clunky, or even confusing.

2. Pages offer business-friendly application options. These applications can enhance your Facebook marketing efforts, but many aren’t available for use on Profiles. You can add custom tabs to your Page with specific company information, integrate FB with your other social media outlets and channels, import blog feeds,  post slide or powerpoint presentations, and much more by adding applications to your Page.

3. Pages give fans instant gratification. In the Profile format, users request a “friendship”, but must wait for confirmation. Even if it’s only a few minutes or hours, you’ve lost that potential customer or contact’s interest in your business. When a user “likes” a Facebook Page, they immediately gain access to all the Page has to offer, and your posts begin showing up in their stream. Yes, they can immediately begin interacting with your page with wall posts or comments based on your page settings, which can be risky. But, that opportunity fosters an open relationship of engagement with a potential client — the hallmark of doing business in a social environment.

4. Pages include a helpful set of analytics about page use. Unlike Profiles, Facebook provides data on who is interacting with your Page and how. Brief statistics are part of your account notifications and more detailed information is available to any Page administrator. These stats can help you gain a better understanding of which Facebook marketing approaches are gaining the best response from fans.

5. Pages allow for multiple administrators. While the Terms of Service disallow passing around your password information for FB Profiles, the Page format allows the creator to designate multiple administrators who can edit settings, make posts and add features to the Page. This feature is particularly helpful for organizations who may need multiple staff to be able to promote their projects on Facebook. It also helps ease the burden of maintaining a consistent message in this social outlet.

To make this a well-rounded post, there are also a couple of drawbacks I see in the current Facebook Page format. I’ve noticed quite a few requests in the FB discussion boards for development changes surrounding these two issues, and it’s possible solutions will be developed and implemented into the Page structure.

1. Pages do not currently provide notification of fan wall posts or comments. If an administrator has “liked” or commented on a post already, he will receive notification of any subsequent interaction with the post. However, there is not a vehicle for alerting administrators of new posts or comments.

2. Pages are not specifically tied to the Facebook advertising opportunities. Only profiles are enabled with administrative privileges for the FB pay-per-click ad options. Any ads related to a Page must be administered by a specific profile user. The option to place ads or change them isn’t possible for multiple Page administrators. In addition, a user can only have one credit card listing on file for advertising. So, multiple pages administered by the same user can not have separate credit card payment options designated.

I know I’ve mentioned the interesting phenomenon of a creative type’s space, and how important it becomes at times to the creative endeavors that emanate there. Really, I think our spaces are important to all of us, whether we work or contribute to the arts or not. Spaces provide our days and, by extension, our lives context. They offer us tangible dimensions in which we find comfort, nourish ourselves, build our connections with others, rest our bodies, or while away our free time. The elements that make those spaces true places of significance are different for each of us. I’ve often been asked by friends to offer advice on how they decorate their homes or arrange their accessories or choose their wall colors. My best piece of advice has always been: Do what YOU like. Do what makes YOUR space your own. We are so often alternatively intimidated or enamored by the so-called tenets of good design, the appropriate use of space or the fashionable color trends. And, of course, I believe those ideas are important. I know they can draw upon our common tendencies as people to create spaces or visual elements that are more pleasing and accessible to us. However, I also firmly believe that a well-designed space is one that has become the true place of the one who dwells in it.

The website I have to share today really showcases that concept. The site displays the magnificent work of Todd Selby, a portrait, interiors and fashion photographer. His website, The Selby, offers a unique and intriguing view into the personal spaces of various artists and designers with whom he’s worked. Some of the images were produced for commercial purposes and some just for the love of photographing space and its inhabitants. The broader shots are wonderful, but some of my favorites are the details he shows — the lovingly placed precious objects, the whimsical gathering of seemingly random pieces. Those are the photos that seem to offer a glimpse into the designer’s creative spirit. Some of the collections also have hand-written and drawn Q&As with the artists as well. Fair warning: You could spend your whole day on this site. Enjoy a few of the shots inspiring me today… (click the photo to view the full collection for each designer)

When I came across these unique and colorful chairs, I couldn’t resist posting them to the Inspired Pond files. The Stretch collection by Carnevale Studios launched earlier this year and offers a whimsical take on “pull up a chair.”

Jennifer Carnevale is an industrial designer who was educated at the Rhode Island School of Design and has produced furniture and products for a who’s who list of great retail and design companies. Taking inspiration from all areas of design, Ms. Carnevale’s products showcase materials combined in interesting ways. That’s obvious from this collection of chairs. Taking cues from the fashion world, they combine latex, bungee cord and ropes into this vibrant weave. I can’t help but think “summer party dress” when I see that green version.

Be inspired!

As delis go, Sweet Peppers Deli is a rock star. If you live in the Southeast, you may have had the opportunity to experience one of their restaurant franchises. The Sweet Peppers family includes 17 franchise- and company-owned stores now open in five states. Beyond their fresh approach to the deli concept and their sinful cookies, I have an affinity for the restaurant for two other reasons. Sweet Peppers Deli is the brain-child of two great restaurant companies launched right here where I live in north Mississippi. You can read all about their story here. I applaud any business offering excellent products from the rural deep South. Also, through my position at Dux D’Lux Advertising, I had the privilege of working with the folks at Sweet Peppers Deli in crafting their original brand image and extending it through many of it’s applications on-site and in advertising outlets. I’m honored that they chose to become one of my first clients after launching Small Pond Graphics as well.

I recently completed a painting project for the restaurant group, and it’s a great example of how this client is applying their brand in unexpected places. The Chattanooga, TN franchise is in the process of launching a breakfast line of high-quality coffee and other goodies, complete with a special in-store “coffee station.” The corporate office asked me to create some artwork to display behind the station as a focal point to highlight the coffee offerings and reinforce the brand in a sort of point-of-purchase application. Through a series of iterations, we settled on coffee cups and coffee beans paired with vibrant colors and a strategically placed Sweet Peppers Deli wordmark.

This set of three designs for the coffee station is actually an extension of a collection of paintings completed several years ago for the Sweet Peppers Deli franchise system as they were just getting off the ground. Faced with stores opening with very colorful, but blank walls, the team opted out of choosing the standard restaurant artwork warehouse fare. To their great branding credit, they saw these blank walls as an opportunity to provide the interiors with not only a unique look that was unmistakably “peppers”, but also a prime venue for highlighting the brand’s core value of  fresh ingredients and dynamic offerings. Through Dux D’Lux I produced a series of digitally printed canvases that were then overpainted with scattered brush strokes for a custom look. The paintings applied bright colors and whimsical brush strokes to various fruits and vegetables. They started as small cocktail napkin-sized acrylic paintings on fabric which were scanned at a large scale to emphasize their texture. The result was a series of wall art pieces that really make the table surroundings pop.

In addition to images of produce, I also developed painted versions of the brand’s two logo icons to be hung in-store as well. It was a great opportunity to see this well-developed brand translated into brush strokes — an unexpected and brand-reinforcing solution to the necessary picture-hanging. Kudos to Sweet Peppers Deli for knowing and understanding the importance of branding in unexpected places!

I’ve been thinking alot about Facebook recently. Not only have I been launching the Small Pond Graphics Facebook page, but I’ve had several clients seeking my input on how to create or maximize their own pages. With over 400 million active Facebook users worldwide, and the statistics growing for the impact engaging with companies online makes in how consumers respond to products and services, Facebook is indeed becoming a more and more valuable marketing commodity. Just the other day, I saw Google’s statistics on the most visited websites on the internet during the month of May, 2010. Facebook topped the list with over 540 million unique visitors during the month and a mind-boggling 630 billion page views.

One of the pieces of information I shared on the Pond FB page this week was a link to a new application for Facebook profiles that has been released. It was produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and offers a “panic button” of sorts for 13- to 18-year-old Facebook users. The application adds a profile tab that allows the teen to quickly report suspicious users. In the press release about the application, James Gamble of the Centre commented that online predators are often dissuaded by visible deterrents. The hope is that this application might serve to protect young Facebook users from falling victim to the inevitable unscrupulous and sometimes dangerous online realities.

With the news of this new application that attempts to protect young online users from the internet’s worst tendencies, I’ve also been starting work on an online media contract for a local private school. It has me thinking. We have been trained in recent years to consider corporate responsibility and the ways businesses can or should involve themselves in social issues. How does that concern for ethical and responsible business practices extend to online marketing? Given the fact that we have no control over who reads our contributions to the online buzz — their age, their nationality, their proximity, their gender — how do we orchestrate a responsible online presence?

There are undoubtedly many answers and viewpoints to those questions. A full discourse would certainly produce a much longer word count for this post than I would ever recommend for a blogging client. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, but for now, I’ll limit MY answer to just one recommendation regarding Facebook.

Follow the rules.

Facebook is a free service. It isn’t a democracy. It isn’t an “economy.” It doesn’t have juris prudence. It’s an idea that has come to remarkable fruition. And, marketing a business or organization on Facebook is a gift. My number one recommendation to businesses seeking to reach out to customers on Facebook is “don’t look a gift-horse in the mouth.” Say thank you, and follow the rules. By doing so, companies promote an ethical and responsible approach to doing business online. They demonstrate that “Terms of Service” agreements aren’t just a checkbox after a password is set. They are guidelines that are important to follow as we take advantage of our internet privileges. I appreciate organizations that set an example in the way they approach online media for the scores of young users we know are watching.

And, I notice when they don’t.

One of the primary ways I’m disappointed by businesses marketing on Facebook is when I see them presenting themselves in the “PROFILE” format. The site offers businesses a free way to promote themselves using the network through their “PAGE” format. The Facebook Terms of Service prohibit an individual from holding two different Facebook accounts. So, if you have a personal profile AND a business profile, you are in violation of those terms. In my opinion, businesses and organizations who violate this policy send a subtle, but immediate message that they don’t mind stepping outside the rules when conducting their business. In this age when the global focus is more and more on corporate responsibility for both large and small companies, that’s just not a good marketing strategy.

Not convinced by my “set a good example” theory? Stay tuned for Part 2 and a few solid marketing reasons why giving your business a Facebook “PAGE” presence is a better option.

If this collection of images doesn’t bring a smile to your face, then you seriously need a Blow-Pop. Through the Twitter post of a friend, I stumbled across the wonderful collection of retro everything from Christian Montone captured in photos. It made me smile, and we all need a smile on a Tuesday. Click on the images to visit Christians’ FLICKR SET for a closer look at these colorful flashes from the past.

When I was browsing his photographs, I noticed links to three delightful blogs where Christian shares his love of packaging, retro images and found objects — not to mention his own work. I’m inspired this afternoon by his sense of whimsy, his love of color and his unconventional style. It’s creativity happening! See for yourself…

AJAX ALL PURPOSE BLOG
SKETCHBOOK VAULT
CHRISTIAN MONTONE