Owl In A Tree

06/03/2016

I love meaningful information, I love graphic design, I love people. Put these together and whaddya get?

02/14/2014

Lifted this from the always-inspirational Brainpickings.org - and wow, did I really need this right now!

02/12/2014

(sorry for the yearlong pause!) I'm finally getting around to updating my website. I just posted some examples of Annual Reports I designed for East Meets West. I hope you'll take a look!

http://owlinatree.com/emwannualreports

04/13/2013

If you, your workplace, your school or community- or heck, even a host of alien creatures you may be in contact with- need any graphic design or communications type work, I hope you will consider Owl In A Tree. You can view some of my online portfolio at the link below.

Happy Spring weekend!

http://issuu.com/owlinatree/docs/

04/08/2013

Invitation Design - a six-year old wanted a fierce powerful birthday invite.

04/08/2013

It's BIRTHDAY DAY at Owl In A Tree! I woke up to so many amazing and loving messages - what a treat! In the spirit of the day, I'm posting two of my favorite birthday-related design pieces. The first two photos are the mock-ups of a bike jersey I designed for my former boss as a surprise for his 50th birthday - being both an avid cyclist and the leader of an international development organization, we thought a bike jersey representing his life's passion would be an awesome gift for him and I do think it turned out quite snazzy. The other photo shows him wearing the actual piece -(and yes, I said 50th birthday not 30th - the man is a fit machine of energy and talent!). The other photo is a birthday e-card I designed for my six-year old. What I especially like about it is the way the huge ferocious dinosaur captured exactly what he was into at the age of six. He specifically did not want happy, laughing, dancing unicorns or balloons or bubble letters or hearts- the little dude demanded something fierce and powerful and I think Mama delivered. I think good design sets the right tone and tells the true story of the people you are designing for and I hope these two pieces captured a piece of both of these people who are dear to my heart. Happy day and year to you all!

04/01/2013

Design of invitation package for gala celebrating Board Chairman's twenty years of service.

04/01/2013

Happy Spring! All the vibrant colors popping up everywhere made me think of an invitation I designed that has some truly yummy greens and warm peachy pinks - the occasion was a gala at an art gallery in Venice, CA celebrating a Board Chairman's Twenty Years of service. I'm attaching a few photos of the invitation or visit the link below to see the whole package including signage and program. Hope you all have a great week!
http://issuu.com/owlinatree/docs/galaeventinvitepackage?mode=window

Event invitation and collateral design and art direction - invitation package for gala event for Board Chairman's Twenty Year celebration

03/29/2013

Presenting...my first INFOGRAPHIC! And it's about...potties! And hand-washing! (Actually super important topics in so many parts of world where sanitation is sorely needed.)

I've been enjoying so many of the infographics that are popping up everywhere lately - call me a nerd, but I love seeing complex data expressed in a compelling and interesting visual way. I've found that this format lends itself so well to great typography, interesting icons and a really good use of spatial symmetry. I'd been wanting to try my own hand at designing an infographic so I was happy when I got the chance to create one for a great cause. (Pro bono piece for the best international nonprofit on earth, East Meets West - and after 10 years of working with these folks, I'm COMPLETELY biased!).

Have a great weekend - and maybe give your toilet, soap and sink a little extra love this weekend!

http://issuu.com/owlinatree/docs/emw_sanitation_infographic_aug_2012?mode=window

Infographic detailing new project on improving sanitation and hygiene in Cambodia and Vietnam

03/27/2013

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Hope you have a creative, productive, happy day - whatever that means to you! Today I'm thinking about creative spaces - the spaces where you just feel good, that make you want produce something, that make you feel like adding something to the world. And I'm NOT just talking about "creative professionals" (yuk, let's remove that label - some of the most creative, aesthetically refined people I know work in finance!)- I'm talking about your happy place, where thoughts just flow, where petty annoyances dissipate, where you feel the most YOU. Maybe it's when you're out riding your bike, or on your knees digging in the garden, or cooking up a storm in your kitchen - or, just sitting at your desk doing your taxes so you can feel cleared for take-off to other destinations! Wherever it is, I hope today you are able to create a physical space that acts as a beautiful frame around your day.

(And, with that in mind, I'm including a snapshot of the new space I put together last night for my two-year old to create his own masterpieces - he is SO excited to have his own little corner of the house!)

03/25/2013

Good morning, everyone! I wanted to introduce to you the beautiful world of the artist Diana Sudyka. Diana painted my gorgeous logo and I am still pinching myself that she agreed to work with me. I have long admired her work and when I wanted something hand-drawn to represent my business, she's the woman I turned to. I hope you enjoy her gorgeous work this fine Monday morning.

http://dianasudyka.bigcartel.com/

Welcome to Diana Sudyka

03/24/2013

It's Annual Report season! Here's one of my personal favorites that I designed a few years ago for my work alma mater East Meets West, the fantastic international development organization serving millions in Asia. (Photography by the uber-talented Kevin German)

http://issuu.com/owlinatree/docs/emwannualreport2009_web/1

Annual Report design: concept, editing, art direction, graphic design, print management and production