Designed By Row » Design Time

Now Offering Vinyl Lettering!

rowforbes — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:15:43 +0000

I am so excited to announce that Designed by Row is now offering vinyl graphics and lettering for vehicles, signs, windows, and much more. If you need original artwork or have a logo or artwork that needs to be converted for cutting, we can do that too. There are endless uses for vinyl graphics. Let your imagination run and then give Designed by Row a call at 207-227-3236 or email rowmforbes@gmail.com for a free consultation and price quote. Watch for more information on vinyl, application and inspiration.

Creating a self-portrait vector

rowforbes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:23:29 +0000

Creating a vector portrait from a photo is a rather easy process. I began with a photo recently taken at my brother’s wedding. I opened it in Adobe PhotoShop, cropped it, then added smart blur and poster edge filters. The filters simplified the details and decreased the number of colors.

I saved this file as a JPEG and placed it on a new document in Adobe Illustrator. Once in Illustrator it was just a matter of creating general shapes along the color lines created by the posterization. I made some minor adjustments, such as the color of my top, added the floral detailing and company name, Designed by Row, to finish it up.

the Birth of a Logo

Personalized Art

rowforbes — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:38:56 +0000

It’s funny how things fall together sometimes. It wasn’t long after I wrote the post Van Gogh blue & red that I stumbled across an article about a unique company called DNA11. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Adrian Salamunovic and Nazim Ahmed started DNA11 in 2005 out of Ahmed’s apartment. Using a simple cheek swab and specialized equipment, DNA11 merges art and science in a one-of-a-kind canvas based on the DNA of each client. The Museum of Modern Art now features DNA 11 art in its stores in New York and Tokyo.

It got me thinking again about the unique images Jen had sent to me. Perhaps there is more inspiration in the microscopic than even I originally thought. If she and I can see the beauty in these images, perhaps there are others who would find them equally appealing. The image above is one of my favorites.

You can find more about DNA 11 at their site www.DNA11.com.

Van Gogh in blue and red

Busy weekend ahead

rowforbes — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:22:45 +0000

My new Epson wide format printer has safely arrived. My big plans for the weekend include hooking it up, loading the driver and testing it out. I’m very excited about putting this machine to work. I have worked with Epsons in the past and have been very impressed with the output quality. I’ve got some photos that would look fantastic blown up and hanging on my wall. I think those will be my first test prints.

This weekend will also include the update and revamping of my website. I have tried out a couple of formats and haven’t been really happy with either. This layout will be a combination of the other themes. I am in hopes that, with a little time and some direction from my web guy at RLI Solutions, I can make this one work exactly as I envision. Keep checking back for updates and my new look.

Coming Soon: Wide Format Prints

rowforbes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:07:11 +0000

I am so excited! I have just placed an order for an Epson wide format printer. It should be here this week. I will then have the ability, at my fingertips, to create quality photo and fine art prints, posters, displays and so much more, up to 13″ wide. Its six dye-based Claria Hi-Definition inks are rated to last as long as 98 years behind glass and even longer in dark storage. I have worked with Epsons in the past and have always been very pleased with their output. I can’t wait to try it and then put it to work.

Busy weekend ahead

Round 3: RLI Solutions

rowforbes — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:47:41 +0000

If you have been following this project at all, first off, thank you; secondly it has not fallen through the cracks. I made the requested changes to the RLI Solutions logo and passed them back to Eric. He and I are in a unique position where time is not a terribly big issue. He has taken the semi-finalized logo and tossed it around a little bit. He has allowed himself the time to step back from the process and let the logo breath, so to speak. Sometimes giving a project a little space helps to give a new perspective.

I contacted Eric yesterday to find out if he had come to a determination as to which version of the RLI Solutions logo he wanted to use for his company. He responded with his decision. Here is the new RLI Solutions logo:

Round 2: RLI Solutions

rowforbes — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:55:41 +0000

I put together some adjusted versions of what Eric and I had discussed. I spent a little extra time with the version he said he kept going back to. I wanted him to be able to see it in all its various aspects. I explained that a good logo needed to be able to move between mediums, meaning print, web, t-shirts, bubble gum, etc. He responded well to this set of variation, but still wanted to see a different leaf, perhaps something a bit more stylized, uniquely RLI Solutions.

For real free-feel designing, I like to go back to the old fashioned pencil and paper. I doodle; however this doodling has a purpose. At this point I have sketched out a few different leaf forms and will present the best of them to Eric this evening.

Round 1: RLI Solutions

rowforbes — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:17:18 +0000

As I stated before, communication between myself and my client is of paramount importance. It is not a one way road either. I want a customer to feel comfortable enough with me to be completely honest about their thoughts or feelings regarding a design. After all, it is going to represent them and their business. When we part at the end of a project, I don’t want them rethinking their choices.

Okay, so back to RLI Solution’s logo. I put together a smattering of ideas, working off what Eric and I had spoken about, what I saw on his website and what I understood of Eric and his business. He didn’t want to appear stodgy, but definitely wanted to come across professional and dependable.

In brief, the first set was made up of a heavy, non-serif font and a red maple leaf. The idea came from RLI’s name (Red Leif International) and their website. The second set was based from the two sample logos and colors which Eric had indicated he liked. They also have a bit of a more relaxed feel with the lower-case lettering. The third set has a serif font and a more traditional feel, and a fiery combination of red leaves.

I sent out these samples for Eric’s initial thoughts and response.

… but I keep going back to the bottom sample on #2. *shrug* Not sure what that means… You’re the designer…

… And as the designer, this is what I like to get back. Mind you, Eric got a lot more specific in his comments as far as fonts he wanted to try and types/styles of leaves. But this comment pointed me in the direction that would lead us to a successful logo for RLI Solutions.

the Birth of a Logo

rowforbes — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:41:41 +0000

I recently had a small company owner contact me about creating a logo. RLI Solutions, owned and operated by Eric Burdo, is a web-based marketing firm. He specializes in creating a web presence for businesses, which includes domain names and hosting. He also offers website reviews and user interface reviews. So, basically he sets you up with a place to put a website and then can tell you if your website is being productive for your business. With so many businesses and customers turning to the Internet for their buying and service options, what Eric and RLI Solutions does is very valuable. For that same reason RLI Solutions needed to be able to put their best foot forward by creating a logo that represents who they are and how they want to be seen by their customers. So, Eric contacted me.

“I’m open for ideas.
Something nice looking, not too starchy, not too edgy.”

I have always felt that the best way to get a client what they want is by listening. There are a few things I need to know before I can begin on any project. I need to know how they want to be perceived, whether hip, young and able to go with the flow or more sophisticated and structured; both of which are completely legitimate ways to go. I also need to know what their business is about and who they are targeting. In other words, I don’t want to give a soft feel to a construction company.

Eric gave me a brief rundown of RLI Solutions’ direction and the history of the business name. He also gave a couple of links to other sites with colors and logos he liked. He didn’t feel that he had given me much to go on, but after a thorough look at his website and our previous conversation, I felt confident I could flesh out some concepts he might like.