The Pepperspective

BTS: M&M Type Photo Shoot from redpepper on Vimeo.

We’ve been working with Averitt Express for many years, creating a strong identity system that communicates their reputable performance as the logistics service provider of choice, In and Out of the South. As we’ve developed our relationship, redpepper has successfully enhanced Averitt’s image as the single-source solution for all transportation and logistics challenges. Although we stick diligently to the style guide throughout the year, the Christmas season brings a unique challenge that allows some extra room for new creative ideas. redpepper is granted the opportunity to design the Holiday e-card to send to all associates and clients.

A few weeks ago, I was feeling pretty disconnected from my creative self. I was feeling uninspired and unmotivated. 

Naturally the snowball effect started to happen. I planned to do things but didn’t follow through. I beat myself up for not following through. I wasn’t making things but I would beat myself before even making it because dear god, what if it wasn’t good enough? I made excuses. Then I made excuses for my excuses. And then I got stung by a poisonous Portuguese man of war and just had a giant pity party.

A few months ago, the subject of email marketing and design was still in the uncharted waters of my career. I had the very fortunate opportunity to be a lead creative for Kirkland’s email campaigns and learned some things that were quite eye opening. For a consistent, long term email campaign to remain interesting for the customer base, it requires a strong team of forward thinking managers and creatives who can focus on the big picture. The goal is to retain brand recognition while introducing fresh ideas and products to your customers that truly engage and excite them. The challenge comes from doing this several times a week and consistently driving them to further interact with your brand. Testing numerous elements throughout the campaign gave us powerful insights, enabling our team to craft emails that would engage the Kirkland’s customer base in the most effective way.

As a relatively recent college graduate, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my learning at school versus the learning I’ve experienced in the “real world.” Many a day have I thought, Man, I really wish they would have taught me that in school in some type of “this is really how the business works” class. Of course, there are many things that you cannot learn in a classroom and that you simply must experience for yourself, but what if colleges really did provide a better opportunity for students to truly learn by doing?

I am always inspired by Martha Stewart. All aspects of her brand blows my mind. I found Erin Jang’s blog today and was incredibly inspired by her Art Direction for Martha Stewart Living magazine along with her personal illustration and design work. It’s lovely to see how designers bring their own fresh ideas to a powerful brand to offer fresh ideas that truly compliment the overall aesthetic.

Editorial design isn’t something we get to do often, and I loved seeing the behind the scenes projects for their featured spreads and the clever stop motion videos she created for the iPad version of the magazine. Seeing her projects got me excited about my own, and that is always a great day to end the work day.

Hands-On Creativity from redpepper on Vimeo.

What is it about handmade elements that are so alluring? How do they seem to communicate on a deeper level than digital design alone?
 
It may be the combination of influence and originality in handmade design that allows for an array of unique content to create a deeper connection with the audience. But in a world of fast-food, on-demand and automated, what makes handmade still relevant in today’s “We want it yesterday!” society?  
 
We believe everyone is uniquely creative. And in this Redbit video, redpepper designer Lindsey Armstrong discusses her unique passion and abilities, and how using the power of handmade can truly enhance what we do as marketers.

I recently stumbled upon the work of Anna Garforth, who works with a diverse range of materials and skills to create unique and experimental work. One of my favorites was this series in which she hand cut elaborate illustrations with paper and leaves. See more of her work here and see more of this series by clicking below.

Client: Magnolia Pediatrics

Project: “Let’s Grow” Printed Brochure*

Objective: Design an informative printed piece for new and expectant mothers that sets Magnolia apart.

Result: Using Magnolia’s tag line “Personal care from bud to blossom” as inspiration, the natural direction for the project was a playful brochure in the form of an illustrated growth chart to provide new mothers with something that would be informative and functional.

*Silver ADDY Award Winner

Chocolate Bunny is a short film by Dutch designers/filmmakers Lernert & Sander. It’s three shorts rolled into one that showcase different ways to melt a chocolate bunny. Sounds weird, I know, but seriously, the way that Lernert & Sander combine monochromatic scenes, beautiful music and the incredibly fascinating scene of a chocolate rabbit melting is really astounding. There is something hauntingly lovely about the changing texture and state of the bunny as it melts.

I’m always super inspired by daily projects and the 30 Covers, 30 Days initiative from The Office of Letters and Light is certainly a mind-blower (is that a word? I don’t know because my mind has been blown.). Their designers are creating full blown book covers in 24 hours or less for the books that are being written in conjunction for their program National Novel Writing Month or NANOWRIMO.

There’s a great variety of styles and inspiration to be found here and it’s super fun to read the book’s background and think about how the cover relates and compliments it. Take a look!

The gifting season is among us with the holidays just around the corner. This can often be a time of excitement and wonder mixed with a sprinkle of anxiety (think long lines, time with your crazy family, etc.) We are often reminded that the season is about giving and that no matter what you give it really is the thought that counts. But over time, has this phrase lost its meaning?