Tote Bags

The American Booksellers Association is a non-profit trade association that promotes independent bookstores in the United States.

The challenge was to create a tote bag that was colorful, rugged and fun that bookstore customers would be excited to use year round for books and all sorts of other stuff.  The totes are waterproof and big enough to accommodate school books, groceries, gym gear, etc. The utility of the bags has resulted in unique advertising penetration into locations which are traditionally free of advertising.

Product Design

Buy Local Bags produces a variety of paper and plastic bags aimed at promoting local and independently owned businesses.

This initiative involved expanding an existing line with two products and a limited customer base into one with a large enough variety of products to allow the line to appeal to virtually any independent retailer around the country.  With the introduction of the new bags and fresh designs sales doubled within two years.

Significant emphasis was placed on the eco-friendly attributes of the bags, particularly the biodegradable plastic bags, with the inclusion of information blocks describing recycled content, recyclability and biodegradability.  

Swatch Book

Graeham Owens are importers of handmade Nepali paper and products.  The paper is made by hand, a sheet at a time, in mountainous villages of Nepal without the use of electricity or petroleum just as it was over a thousand years ago.

The client was looking for an innovative and interesting way of introducing this beautiful line of papers and products to a new audience.

The swatch book was designed with a number of considerations in mind.  It needed to feature the full range of colors and styles available in a package that also demonstrated the high quality of the handmade craftsmanship.  The delivered price was important as well as the book needed to be produced inexpensively enough that it could be provided at no change to potential customers.

Web Design

Buy Local Bags produces a variety of paper and plastic bags aimed at promoting local and independently owned businesses.

In conjunction with the expansion of the product line the client requested a new website.  Important considerations included ease of use and a simple handcrafted look. 

Bookmarks

Inspired by his visits to picture book museums in Japan in the early 1980s, beloved author Eric Carle and his wife Bobbie opened the world famous Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in 2002.

This was a fun project.  The aim was simple.  Start with the delightful art of Carle and design a fun and informative bookmark to be handed out to museum visitors.

Email Marketing

This Constant Contact email marketing campaign was launched in conjunction with the annual gathering of booksellers, publishers and authors at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute.

It was designed to drive sales of targeted products and to encourage booksellers to visit company representatives during the show.  The primarily black and white theme was designed to contrast with the typically colorful emails sent at other times during the year.

The open rate for this email was 29% versus the industry average of 15%.

Product Design

This unique set of journals, bookmarks and gift card folders were the result of a collaboration between Graeham Owens and their Nepali partners, Makalu, with input from IndieBound booksellers.

The task was to create a new and unique set of journals featuring quotations from selected authors.  The silk screened graphics were essential to the success of the line as was the rustic feel of the handmade Nepali lokta paper.

While the journals were offered to retailers generally, they proved to be such a smash for booksellers in particular that the line was later supplemented with matching gift card folders and bookmarks.

Logo

Quintessential Entertainment is a startup media company in the fundraising stage.

The spare black and white design of the logo is intended to convey a sense of timelessness.

Email Marketing

This Constant Contact email marketing campaign was launched in conjunction with the semi-annual gathering of jewelers and vendors at the Independent Jewelers Organization Conference.

It was designed to drive sales of targeted products and to encourage jewelers to visit company representatives during the show.

In addition to featuring new products and show specials, the email contained bonus content including links to maps and local attractions.  

The open rate for this email was 25% versus the industry average of 15%

Web Design

Oliver Ellerkamp is the North American master distributor for Stewo gift wrap which is renowned for its quality, design and color.

When client was looking to introduce this line of gift wrap with a new website, one message was heard loud and clear: "Let the paper speak for itself."

The website's primary function is as a tool to assist sales representatives when they meet with customers.  The homepage is designed to allow for an easy overview of the entire line.  Simple filters and easy navigation allow quick access to relevant content.