Clark & Co.

The studio site placeholder's finally up, people. Hallelujah. Who remembers when I had a full portfolio site? Yeah, me either. That day will come. For now, I'm still working through the adrenaline rush of getting my new logo finalized. I'll be moving everything over to clark-and-co.com and theexceptionalcreative.com, but will be sure to announce it all here, too, so you can follow along if you'd like. Until then, let's not let summer run away from us. Go!

The Exceptional Creative

Hello! It's been a long while since I've hung out here on the studiom blog, but it's for good reason. I've been pushing through a few new rhino-sized projects as referenced earlier. I'm thrilled to announce that one of them has launched. It's a website for entrepreneurial graphic designers looking to take their business to the next level. You can read all about it below.

It's official. We've launched.

The Exceptional Creative is built on the principle that success comes from being the exception to the rule. As creatives (designers, copywriters, art directors, photographers, etc), we are the subject of some less-than-savory stereotypes. Let’s face it. We have a reputation for being pretentious, flighty, fragile, stubborn, bitter, bohemian and totally self-absorbed. Insulted yet?

On the other side of those stereotypes lies limitless success. Exceptional Creatives make the most money, get the most interesting jobs, have a never ending stream of referrals and experience the most satisfaction in their work.

A revolution is underway, led by a new generation of creatives who are exceptions to the rule. If you’re serious about getting, doing and keeping exceptional work, please join us. Get on our website, check out the toolkit, and start thinking about what it means to rise above the status quo.

While you're there, be sure to grab our free download and start keeping your clients happy and organized today. If you decide you'd like to purchase the kit, move fast: the first 50 purchasers will get $20 off (use the code HELLOWORLD).

We're happy to have you!

Join us on facebook too: www.facebook.com/theexceptionalcreative

Oh, and Twitter of course: @ExceptionalC

"The Exceptional Creative’s debut project is a downloadable kit, packed with business templates created specifically for graphic designers. With years of experience in exceeding her clients’ expectations when it comes to communication and professionalism, Clark’s toolkit provides designers with the same strong, effective communication and organizational tools she uses every day. Whether you’re a longtime freelancer or newly self-employed, you’ll find all the documents you need to implement a step-by-step professional workflow in A Toolkit for Designers, including contracts, questionnaires, invoices and and even a Client Contract, drafted by a business attorney. The all-in-one kit also includes a PDF guide with instructions, tips and tricks."

If you have any questions, suggestions or just plain 'ol thoughts about the new endeavor, please holler. I'd love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Megan

The Free Agent Formula | Website Launched

The Free Agent Formula Website has been in the works for a while. As of 5:07pm this evening, it's been released into the wild that is the world wide web. Click here to visit The Free Agent Formula.  

Dance your heart out. It's good for the soul.

Sneak Peek Alert! Project: www.wheretoballroomdance.com

"To us, dancing is everything. We're always looking for a chance to dance and are better for it. We know there are others out there who feel the same way — others who find nothing more satisfying than the perfect waltz to a slow ballad or an invigorating quickstep powered by a jazz number. Whether you're an avid dancer or simply a beginner, we want to help find a place for you to dance. This online resource is made from an extensive database and showcases a variety of studios and dance events, all searchable by location.

So, what are you waiting for? Finding a place to dance your heart out near you is now at your fingertips."

Okay, so it's not at your fingertips yet, but it will be soon. Partnering with Matt Johnson (programmer and database guru) of Twisted Industries, I'm designing a site that will be a huge resource to dancers all over the United States. It's a user-driven site, offering registration to studio managers and owners who want to post their events as well. I'll be sure to let you know when it launches. Until then, here are three proposed design directions. Which one makes you want to tap your toes and dance along?

Reach Group | Website Preview

Reach Group, the creators of The Free Agent Formula and Modern Entrepreneur, contracted StudioM to revamp their website (www.reachgroupconsulting.com). It's been a honor and we're really happy with the direction it's headed.

This first design was from the first round of comps.

The second was from the first round as well.

This third design is a modified version of a comp from Round 1, and it's the one we've chosen to run with. 

Once you enter the site, this is how it will be organized. 

I'm so excited to see it live with it's happy popsicle colors and abundance of white space. Hey JoJo Studios will be programming it shortly.

Click here to visit The Free Agent Formula.

UpTown Ballroom | Website launched!

It's launched! Check it out at www.uptownballroom.net. Good work, team: Matt Johnson of Twisted Industries and Michele Johnson of UpTown. (See our previous post while you're at it.)

UpTown Ballroom | Website in the works

This week has been a week 'o websites. I can't show all of them since I've signed contracts with agencies and studios that said I won't, but this is one that I can because they're a client of mine: UpTown Ballroom. They're a Portland, Oregon ballroom dance studio that has the skill to train advanced dancers, but the warmth and desire to work with beginners, too. Therefore, the design aesthetic is simple, with a little infused glamour.

Oh! And the menu is something I'm pretty excited about. It will be a Flash element - when you roll over 'Menu' it will slide down to reveal all of the menu items, as show in the second screen shot. Again, simple and glam at the same time! The motivation for the redesign has to do with a very exciting offer coming up....I'll be sure to tell you more once it's official.

Alchemy Dancewear Website | Launched

Thanks to the team at Alchemy Dancewear and Matt Johnson of Twisted Industries, we've successfully produced and put another retail site online. I think the flourishing wordmark, the dark background and the sultry images make for a stellar combination. One of my favorite things about it is the fancy rollover zoom feature on the product page. This is what you can do with fabulous photos. (Photos by Doug Hoeschler Photography.) Another favorite thing of mine: free shipping! Alchemy offers free shipping with the purchase of two or more items. Zoom, shop and ship away!

Launch site >

Salute | Web Comps

Earlier this year we did a logo revamp for Salute, a high-quality steel target manufacturer based in Oregon. In the end they chose to forego implementing a new brand identity, as you'll notice in the below work. Regardless, we've jumped into a new website design for them and it's coming along beautifully....or should we say strongly and on point with the target market (no pun intended)?

The Free Agent Formula. The story continues.

In December I wrote about The Free Agent Formula (FAF) and how it had "forever changed the way I [thought] about working for myself". That statement still stands to be true. Better yet, the story continues. Lisa, founder of ReachGroup and co-author of FAF approached me recently and asked if StudioM would be interested in doing so work for her. Before she could even finish her thought I'm sure I blurted out,  "Yes! Please!" Although working with Lisa promised to be fairly intimidating having had a peek into her repertoire of savvy marketing and thoughtful business solutions on top of her high-caliber contact list, she is the most kind, encouraging and inspiring friend and mentor. Thanks to her openness to design direction, we've come up with some really great layouts for the FAF website redesign. Here they are:

We're now delving into the design execution of the entire site, based on the first option show above. I'm pretty excited about it. What's even more exciting is that Lisa and I have even more up our sleeves...stay tuned.

Click here to visit The Free Agent Formula.

Suzanne Peters | Design Work

Remember Suzanne? The classy, energetic up-and-coming realtor? Well, now she has not only a logo, but a business card and website, too! The website is still in the works, but you'll be able to see at at www.suzannepeters.com before long.

Suzanne feels strongly that "owning a home is one of life's most fulfilling achievements". Consequently, she takes a lot of pride in her little house with the orange door. Her orange door has come to represent her stance on home ownership, so we've embraced it as the cornerstone of her branding. She is more than ready to get out there and use some of these branded tools to help others find their orange door...

Cheers to you, Suzanne!
Oh, and to see where she had her portraits done, visit the Soul Mates Photo Blog.

StudioM Website | Photoshoot

The StudioM website is in desperate need of an update, and has been for oh...six months! Instead of getting discouraged and being disappointed with myself for not treating myself like I treat my clients (in a timely manner!), I'm trying to see it as a sign of good fortune. I've been too busy with work to take time out for my own materials. For that I'm thankful. I'm also thankful for some progress, too - finally! I was able to squeeze in a photo shoot with Mark Coffin a couple weeks ago. (We shot the Green Goose pieces the same day.) I can't wait to get these fresh photos online! I'll let you know when I do.

The above pieces, from top to bottom: Your Vital Life | Chapter 2, for Marquis Companies (you can view Chapter 1 here), Rosey Awards promotional postcards (you can view the posters here), Bakery D'Amour gift card, Bakery D'Amour catering menu (view more bakery work here).

Sneak Peek | Shanty Retail Website

Shanty, the "home. closet. cafe." boutique in Newport, WA is ready to spread its wings and soar into retail cyberspace. I couldn't be more excited...for Maggie, my dear friend and client, and for myself. Really. Because now I can shop Shanty long-distance! And you can, too! Soon and very soon...

When I sent Maggie this first round of design direction over the holidays, I got this text in response: "I am freakin' blown away!! Chills and almost teary!!! You are fantastic!! We'll talk Monday. Loves." Favorite response to my work of all time.

Option A | Hompage

Option B | Hompage

Option C | Hompage

Which one do you think will make it into online retail reality? You'll have to wait and see! If you've been to Shanty, I'd love to hear which option seems to portray the unique Shanty experience best. We're in the middle of executing all of the other pages and then to the programmer they'll go.

The online boutique will be perched at the same url (www.shantyboutique.com) once it launches. I. Can't. Wait.

Alchemy Dancewear Website | Sneak Peek

Alchemy Dancewear is being started by a local ballroom dance company owner who is having dancewear and gowns designed and produced right here in Portland. They came to me through a good friend and illustrator I met in college, Aaron Alexander, who took ballroom dance lessons from them with his wife for the first dance at their wedding. We started a few month ago with a web critique, looking at several high-end and high-fashion brands and how they handle their branding - specifically online. Next we established an elegant and graceful wordmark to represent the company. Now we're working on the website design. Here are a couple screen shots from the first round of design work....

If you're a fan of ABC's Dancing With The Stars, you might recognize this model. She's Charlotte Jørgensen, a world renown professional ballroom dancer who starred on Season One, dancing with actor John O'Hurley. They were the runners up, but won the 'rematch' sponsored by ABC. She now spends her time training and coaching. The Alchemy team frequently dashes down to take lessons from her in Los Angeles. Isn't she a fabulous model!?

The site is scheduled to launch early next year.
Stay tuned for more then.

Photos by Doug Hoeschler Photography.

Reina Style Consulting | Official Launch!

As Brianna says, "Whether we like it or not, the way we dress sends a message." So true. Thank goodness she's here to help. She's officially launched Reina Style Consulting. I got the official letter in the mail today and didn't hesitate for a moment before ripping open the envelope (obviously). So snazzy! She wrote a very nice, sincere letter to her friends and family announcing her new endeavor and inviting all of us to visit the brand new website (courtesy of Creative Pants, run by her husband and designer extraordinaire, Michael Showell).

More from Brianna:

"If you are wondering what a 'style consultant' does, you're not the only one. I begin with someone's personal style and teach them what looks good on their body type. We put together outfits from pieces they already have, add some key items and build a wardrobe that is appropriate for their lifestyle and preferences. Ta-da! Style slump averted."

To advert your own daily style slumps, be sure to follow Brianna on her blog or get a hold of her using the contact below.

To read more about the process leading up to the launch, read this previous post.

You can also follow both Brianna (@barstar12) and Michael(@showtimeisback) on Twitter.

And if you're not already, you can also follow me (@megjoyclark)!

Windlab Website Design Revamp

Windlab, the global wind energy development company, has undergone a digital facelift. With the help of Agileware out of Australia, the site's been lightened up and brought into alignment with the official Windlab style. And I think it's turned out quite lovely. The previous site design can be seen below.

Kudos to Skype for enabling all of us to communicate across countries, oceans and time zones. Without you, all this international business would be a lot harder to do.

Just Because Website | Launched!

Thanks to Jill and Lonnie at Just Because and Matt Johnson of Imagination Graphics, the Just Because website has been successfully launched! If you'd like to know what Just Because is like and how I came to work with them, read up on this previous post.

The Just Because ladies now have a website as hip as they are. They're even tweeting! If you visit the site, be sure to take note of the upcoming events and specials. I'm planning on trekking out to Newport, WA for the Who Let The Girls Out event next month. Anybody want to carpool? I can't wait! Last time was a blast.

Shopping. Just Because.

"This boutique takes a bow before you even walk in the door! The girls at Just Because believe in inspiring women to dress with confidence and style through clothes that compliment who they are; looking good and feeling great in clothes that will take them anywhere. They will add all the details that pull it all together. Imagine the possibilities with brands such as Brighton, Tribal and French Dressing just to name a few..." From the Shop Newport Map + Guide.

I had heard of the Just Because ladies from Maggie Christie of Shanty, a neighboring boutique, and finally got to meet them when I attended the Who Let The Girls Out!? event in May. Jill and Lonnie of Just Because are great. Super energetic, super nice and super business-savvy. (Jill Linton is the Owner and Lonnie Walkup is the Operations Manager.) I've been doing design work for Shanty since 2007. Jill and Lonnie noticed and thought I might be able to help them with a website redesign.

Just Because is a two-location shop (Downtown Newport, Washington and Hayden, Idaho), but they realize that what's just as important as keeping your shops relevant and in order is having a powerful online presence. They describe their shops as energetic, progressive, fun and fresh. Their current site just wasn't cutting it for them (shown below). We're getting a 'under construction' placeholder up on the site shortly, with the full redesign to follow.

All this boutique talk makes me want to shop. So I think I will. And if my husband asks, "Why?"(which he surely will) I have the perfect response prepared: "Just because." Wish me luck!

Vital Life Foundation Website | LAUNCHED!

It's a good day. The Vital Life Foundation website is officially live!

The Vital Life Foundation was established by Marquis and Consonus, sister companies in the rehab, pharmacy, staffing, consulting and long-term care industries. They formed it to streamline all of the generous donations of money and time they were receiving from employees, residents and the community. The Foundation is ultimately about doing good. They funnel their resources to sponsor all sorts of other charitable organizations and positive programs that benefit many deserving people. Needless to say, I'm so honored to have been able to be a part of building the online component to promote some seriously selfless work. You can jump online to find out more about their charitable partners and how to get involved. (And admire all the pretty new graphics.)