So I helped my little sister with a project last night. They needed a magazine ad for the product that they’re doing market research for. We’re still not sure if they were allowed to outsource the design work or if they, the business majors, were supposed to work their own voodoo. Anyway, they gave me a product name, description, and its 3 competitive strengths and said “we need an ad.” Product photo? Nope. Heck, I even had to write my own copy :)

So I spent a few hours last night and came up with 3 solid layouts. I used some free stock photos, courtesy of sxc.hu, and did what I could to photograph my other needs. For the record, it is not easy to balance an egg with one hand and take a photo with the other, especially at an arm’s length away.

Anyway, I had an absolutely grand time working on this stuff and humility aside, I think I did a damn fine job considering what I had available—pretty much nothing. And so, I wanted to share my little creations.

It’s sort of funny, because I started off as a college freshman with every intention of being a graphic designer and doing magazine layout. I don’t necessarily want to go back to that, but I think I’ve realized a nice cross-section of my skillset with this undertaking. It backs up why the highlight of my month is coming up with a tagline for each month’s birthstone for a jeweler we are doing work for.

If you’re curious, her group loved the 3rd comp, so they’re going with that, which makes me feel good because I had the most time invested in getting that damn photo. If the resources had been available, my initial goal for that layout was an open white layout with a real lasso in motion coming down over an egg placed in the middle of the ad. It could have been grand, but I got resourceful with twisty-ties & yarn instead.

I think helping my sis just brings out the best in me, because the last thing I helped her with turned out pretty nicely too. I designed a logo for her group’s company, seen here. Wow, I honestly forget I had a print portfolio :)

And fortunately my oven just made a “click” sound which reminded me that it had been pre-heating for oh…the last 30 minutes or so while my frozen food sat on top of it. And that’s why each day I survive is a miracle :) Truly.