I started these notes two years ago as a way to practice writing, creating and sharing in new ways. So far, so good! Thank you for signing up along the way!
Today I’m going to challenge myself a bit more and give you a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the projects that are in progress over here.
It can be uncomfortable to share work that’s messy and incomplete, but we grow when we share. On the flip side, looking in on someone else’s creative process can be fun and inspiring.
I hope you enjoy!
Today’s post is going to be more “show” than “tell” in honor of the current end-of-year busy season. With client work, personal creative projects (and their end-of-year motivations) and holiday travels/gatherings, things around the MatternCo headquarters are a little hectic these days. But they’re also fun and inspiring. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m working at the kitchen table this week. There’s a little more sunlight out here, which is nice when skies are grey. Plus, my office desk is currently occupied, as you will see.
The above shows illustrations and an executive summary layout that I did recently in coordination with the wonderful Yolanda Fintschenko at Common SciSense. Her client is an educational software startup with some very cool ideas.
The above website design/devel project was managed by the amazing Rosie Brown at Sterling Communications for Educational Data Systems. Educational Data Systems coordinates and evaluates educational testing, and they also have an incredibly efficient team. We launched Phase 1 right before Thanksgiving, that’s under two months from design to launch– pretty good for a site like this! Next up is more content, the blog, an SSL certificate and some other extras.
This photo shows an array of logo sketches from a recent logo design process for Oak Fitness Club in L.A. The lovely owners, Aaron and Nikki, selected the final logo last week.
Here are early home page mockup options for Oak Fitness featuring the final logo artwork. We’re hoping to launch the site in early 2016. (This is presented by Porter the cat. Unfortunately, black cats aren’t very photogenic.)
This is a fun design project I’ve been working on today: drawings for author Ayelet Baron’s campaign for her upcoming book Business Common Sense. I’m going to wrap these up tonight.
Here’s a landing page I set up this week for Tierra Plan’s mobile geography education+tour application (the project is for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs). Tierra Plan and the University wanted to showcase the application and describe it for prospective users. The web page, which will be integrated into the University’s website this month, includes an overview of features and a screenshot tour of how the application works.
This is the state of my office desk right now. Messy watercolor portraits! Who are these people?
I’m not going to say too much about this one. Just: 59,102 words. About 24,377 of which are almost readable. But who’s counting?
There’s a lot of chaos in the back bedroom right now. I’m getting ready to send out end-of-year client thank you bundles. Stay tuned for yours!
This little guy is my biggest project. No one took him to the park today. Poor baby!
Thanks for taking a look at what’s going on here.
Sending you warm wishes for a safe, fun and creative winter season over there.
9 Responses
1. I think black cats make wonderful models!
2. Yes, who are those people? I think they look intriguing, I would like to find out more…
3. 24,377? Hmm, how many pages would that be?
4. Hope Iām on your Christmas list!
5. That poor, patient puppy needs a little love, right now!
Thanks so much for sharing your exciting and creative world. I would love to visit it, if you ever find time for a coffee break with all that work you are doing! (How many hours are in your day, anyhow. I could never get all that done!) Happy holidays!
Thank you for taking a look! Come over and play with me and Ringo please– anytime! And, as my first client, you are on my client gift list forever. xo
Thanks for the shout-out! You are too sweet. And wow, those watercolors are amazing! What is that project for? And what are you writing, a novel? AND YOUR DOG IS SO CUTE! Why hasn’t he come by Sterling yet? š So many questions!
Thanks Rosie! The watercolors and writing are for fun–a creative side project of sorts. And Ringo’s the cutest creature, but a little high strung for your offices. When is Sterling getting a dog play yard?! Anyway, thanks for taking a peek & leaving a comment!
That’s wonderful; I’d love to see the finished products of your side projects, if that’s something you’re comfortable with. Sterling may not have a dog play yard, but we’re next door to Vasona Park ā plus, I live 10 minutes away with a little yard, near a few other dog parks! Ringo is always welcome here. š
Thank you, Sarah, for including our project!!!! What a great idea. Love the way that sharing your on-going projects can create dialogue with people. Inspiring post!
Thank you Yoli! Our project was super fun, had to show it off!
Hi Sarah, your water colors are beautiful. Thank you for the wonderful gift, especially chocolate. Hi to Ringo. I’m gonna come your way one of these days (lunch). Chris
Yay! Would be so fun to catch up!