Tutorial: Part 2 - Extracting a Half Drop Repeat from Photoshop

Due to many people asking me the same question, I have created a part 2 to my tutorial on creating a half drop repeat in Photoshop. This second tutorial shows how I extract my seamless pattern tile from my pattern design. Click here for the video.Part2_Cover

Let's Make Something

I am so lucky to have so many creative friends. One of the best of them is Lisa, who is a graphic designer AND photographer. She is equally talented at both and it's not fair, I know. Check out her awesome creations at www.wisteriadesignstudio.com. Last time we got together we said, "Let's make something!" So we went to Color Me Mine and hand painted some plates. Below are the before and after pics. Lisa's is the floral and mine is the goofy horse. It was fun but it also made me realize how talented traditional artists are. I am almost entirely digital these days and control Z (undo) has become my best friend. You can't control Z a hand painting. All you fine artists out there are amazing!ColorMeMine

Valentine's Day in August

As a stationery and surface designer, I am usually working 6-8 months ahead of a season. While your days (or day-dreams) are filled with images of summer, sunshine, bathing suits and BBQs; mine are filled with images of hearts, cupids and love notes. I am currently designing for Valentine's Day. My first project was to do a series of boxed laser cut valentine cards. I usually start the design process by brainstorming a list of words and then with those words in mind, I create an inspiration board.

Inspiration

Next I start fleshing out a few ideas by doing some simple hand drawn or digital sketches.

CardSketches

Once I have a few sketches that I'm happy with, I start bringing the designs to life by creating digital mocks.

WorldHeartLovePuppyLove ForeverMineGameOver_AB

The next project was to design a valentine themed kraft paper party collection, including boxes, gift bags, and tableware.

Valentine's Day reminds me of being in grade school and creating adorable little mail slots out of kleenex boxes and stuffing them with the cutest hand crafted envelopes and cards. I knew I wanted the party collection to have a postal theme, with envelopes, stamps, postmarks and of course lots of hearts. But I needed to push the cuteness factor to another level. What better way to do this than to incorporate dogs?!

DoggyMail

DoggyMail copy HeartPatterns

First to design were these adorable little gift boxes with kraft paper lids, baker's twine bows and coordinating tags.

ValBoxes

The rest of the party collection included, gift bags, paper plates, paper napkins and party bags.  Everything you need to throw the most adorable Valentine's Day party!

PuppyLoveCollection

I can't wait to see the real samples when they come in. I'll share them with you when they do. One of the most gratifying parts of being a designer is seeing your ideas go from concept to reality.

Lastly, here is a picture of my dog, Midji, displeased with me for not including her in the puppy love notes party collection.

VdayMidji