giveaway » 2010 dayplanner

Last night, the time had finally come to pick up my Defteling Design client gifts at the printer and boy, am I pleased with the final result!

The black binding really emphasizes the black lineart illustrations and the colors just pop off the page. Tomorrow is my time to play Santa (no, I'm not dressing up!) and deliver/mail out my gift to my various clients.

Since posting sneak previews, I've had several requests to purchase a dayplanner, which unfortunately, I'm not able to sell. However, don't fret: I've decided to raffle off a dayplanner for two lucky winners right here on my blog!

All you need to do is leave a comment below and you'll be entered to win! If you repost this on your own blog, leave a second comment with the link to your blog and double your chances to win!

The winner will be picked and announced next week Thursday (enter by midnight PST on Wednesday 12/16). Good luck, everyone!

day planner goes to press

Last month I shared a few sneak peeks at some illustrations I've been doing for my 2009 client gift for Defteling Design. Well, today the project actually went on press – and I'm thrilled with the results!

After checking (and re-checking) the mocked-up proof, the full-color images are printed on a huge 6-color press at Brown Printing, one of the collaborators on this fun project.

The cover was up first. I incorporated one of my favorite illustrations (July) for the cover, which will then be printed with a solid blue on the back and folded in half, so that the yearly calendar to the right becomes the inside left front cover.

When it was time to press check the monthly divider pages, I was ecstatic: so much goodness, so much richness and texture! I know, I designed it so why am I all freaked out, but it was just so shocking (in a good way!) to see them all lined up like this. I brought back an extra press sheet so I can hang it in my office.

Next are the two-color weekly planner pages and then it's off to the bindery for black wire-o binding. I can't wait to hold the finished planner in my hands! And yes, I haven't forgotten about the giveaway. Stay tuned, I'll post the giveaway as soon as the planner is all done!

the big book of green design is here!

Yesterday I received my Big Book of Green Design and I couldn't wait to thumb through it.

Naturally, first stop was to see my own work that was included (last year's client gift, a set of three notebooks printed on FSC-certified paper by Brown Printing, an FSC-certified printer):

After going through the book cover to cover, I was truly inspired to see so much great – and green! – design out there. Here are a few of the projects that caught my eye:

What an unusual shape for a calendar – love it! Plus it's a great self-promotion piece, and eco-friendly to boot (by D4 Creative Group out of Philadelphia, PA)

Always a sucker for good packaging, these tea towels and wooden trays totally caught my eye. Clean design, clever packaging, and screen-printing on kraft paper is always gorgeous! (by Aloof Design, East Sussex, UK for Twentytwentyone)

We all know sex sells, and I thought this was a clever play on words. (by University of Illinois and Renourish, Champaign, IL for AIGA)

Paper art at its best! This 3D paper cutout illustration style is amazing! (by Sally Vitsky, Richmond, VA for the American Forest & Paper Association)

Talk about upcycling! This amazing chandelier is made out of 50,000 paper clips! (by JAM, London, UK for Sothebys).

2010 calendar sneak peek

Every year, I create a special holiday gift for my Defteling Design clients. It's my way of thanking them for their business and giving something back that hopefully will make them smile in appreciation.

You may remember last year's gift (it's actually been selected to appear in the upcoming release of The Big Book of Green Design, yippie!):


I usually start thinking up ideas in June and this year has been no exception. For months now I've been noodling ideas and I'm so excited with how it's taking shape! Here's a sneak peek of some illustrations I've been working on:

For all you calendar fans, check back in the next few weeks – I haven't decided yet, but I might create a limited-edition CD calendar using these illustrations. If so, you'll be able to purchase them via my Cecily Ink Etsy shop.

summery stationery

It never ceases to amaze me how excited I get to see the final printed product of something I designed. It doesn't matter whether it's a personal or a Defteling Design project – I can hardly wait to tear open the box and see how it turned out.

Today I was utterly delighted to reveal the finished stationery for Distinctive Beach Lodgings. The logo colors and design elements are so summery, just looking at the stationery makes me long to be on the coast...

We went a little unconventional for the letterhead: a narrow third-size sheet that neatly tucks into a standard business envelope. The front has the logo and contact info while the back repeats the website and the main logo element, a silver dollar, which also creates the wallpaper background.

The double-sided business cards take advantage of the extra real estate by boldly displaying the logo and website, using a black background to really pop the colors and the design.

The front of the card ties in with the back of the letterhead by using the sand dollar subtly in the background while the blue bars and cream background nicely reference the logo.

And in case this summery palette tempts you to book a weekend getaway, do check out the website for a listing of all their wonderful properties. I've been to several cottages and absolutely love them!

holiday collaboration

Over the years, I've often collaborated with others in my field to create a memorable holiday gift that leaves a lasting impression with my Defteling Design clients.


I was thrilled to once again be working with Randy at Brown Printing to put together a promo that generated lots of oohs and aahs. Along with contributions from West Coast Paper and Rose City Bindery, the project turned out wonderful, if I do say so myself!


I designed and illustrated a nature-inspired set of three little books that help keep you organized throughout 2009: a perpetual weekly planner (you fill in the dates), an address book (a great backup in case your Blackberry croaks), and a note book (blank pages just begging for doodles and jots). The set is kept together with a customized belly band that wraps around all three books.


I was able to take advantage of some great production techniques, including printing the brown line art of the flower illustration on an antique letterpress (creating a wonderfully tactile cover), using white opaque ink and waves of clear foil on the mushrooms (a very earthy yet modern visual effect), and printing silver inks on all the pieces (a little hard to see in the photos but it catches the light beautifully in real life!)


The entire project is printed on recycled paper, and Brown Printing is only weeks away from being a full-fledged FSC-certified printer so we can all feel good about this eco-friendly paper project.

invitation sample

Late last week I received my samples of a very fun invitation I recently designed for a CPA firm up in Seattle. Yes, "fun" and "CPA" really can be used in the same sentence!

Peterson Sullivan was using a wine theme for their upcoming open house so I suggested we create a passport that served both as an invitation and as a game piece: bring the passport to the event, taste the wine and pick up a sticker from each of the four regions to "stamp" your passport. Then use your passport as your entry form for a chance to win a fabulous prize!


I designed a cover that mimicked a U.S. passport but used a wine-inspired crest that used the firm's logo in the shield. The gold foil finish turned out beautiful, making it look so real!

studio visit

I'm always so inspired when I see where other people work. Ink & Peat's shop (see previous post) certainly was inspirational – Pam has created a fabulous work space for herself! So I thought I'd share with you my own work space, which I happen to love.


I'm one of those people who is influenced by her physical surroundings. When I was in college, I always found it really hard to study in a cluttered apartment. While those college years are decades past (yes, decades!), I still find it hard to concentrate in a messy office.

So when I moved my home office for my design studio Defteling Design from the attic to the basement, I decided I had to have a nice view. A little hard to do when you're six feet underground, but I nevertheless achieved success: I look out on a beautiful, calm collection of various objects and photos while the messes pile up behind me.

Above: view behind me (desk was a great find at the Portland Antique Expo a few years back)
Below: view in front of me (the display ledge above the bead board was my hubby's idea and it turned out great!)


The view to my right: I started collecting old type back when I was studying graphic design. That then expanded into old enamel signs (I picked up the vintage document clip from a Dutch grocery on my last trip to the Netherlands). And my wall of fame, if you will: a sampling of logos that have won design awards over the years.


The view to my left: these simple Ikea magazine boxes store printed samples of various client projects from the past five years. Love the great Pottery Barn clock, which was a Christmas present from my sister and her hubby. The built-ins cupboards at the bottom are where I hide all my various computer manuals and software boxes.


One of my favorite things, though, is my entry way. I had my logo recreated in cut vinyl that makes the window look like etched glass. Now my clients can park on the side of the house (we live on a corner) and know they're at the right place before they come knockin' on the door!


And yes, I work in this very same office when designing all my greeting cards and paper products for Cecily Ink! No need to reinvent the wheel, right?

Oregon Humane Society

I'm currently working on the summer issue of the quarterly magazine for the Oregon Humane Society (one of my Defteling Design clients). Last week, after acting as a judge for their annual photo contest, I decided to take a stroll through their facilities and try to share with you what an amazing place this truly is.


As you enter the main adoption building located on Columbia Boulevard in North Portland, you're greeted by two bronze statues adorned with collars and tags – as well as by the friendly volunteers at the front desk. To the left is the cattery, to the right the pet boutique, and through the center doors are the dog kennels.


What's really nice is that you're allowed to roam freely within those areas. That gives you a chance to make that special connection with your new potential pet.


I especially love the room full of kittens – they're sooooo cute!


There are several meeting rooms where you can spend some quality time with your cat or kitten of choice to see whether he or she would make the perfect addition to your family. I love the fun murals – really brings a sense of joy to the place, despite the knowledge that some of the animals there have had a less than happy past.


The dog area is quite a bit noisier than the cattery, of course, with lots of happy barks whenever visitors stop by.


There were a couple of dogs that really captured my heart on this last visit, like Snoopy the beagle and fluffy, scruffy Cody.


And how touching that someone left a special note with Blaze, explaining what a wonderful companion this dog is.


And last but not least, there are the "other" animals, like bunnies and birds, in a room right next to the kennel entry.


My husband and I have two dogs and three cats, all of them rescues one way or another (some strays, some from the humane society) and we've decided that five furry friends is enough – for now!

But if you are thinking of expanding your family to include an animal, please consider stopping by the Oregon Humane Society or your local shelter before buying from a pet shop. There are so many wonderful pets just waiting for a second chance!

You can visit in person or keep track of who's looking for a home on the Oregon Humane Society website. Or, if you have some free time on your hands, consider volunteering!

OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY
1067 NE Columbia Blvd • Portland • 503.285.7722
hours for viewing: Mon - Sat 10 - 9, Sun 10 - 7
hours for adoptions: Mon - Sat 10 - 8:30, Sun 10 - 6:30