It's worth the wait...

Well, I think so anyways. The gift industry is so much different than anywhere else...the turn around between concept and completion is so quick in comparison to other products. I have to say I love it! There is nothing cooler than seeing something you worked on available for the public to purchase. Plus, there are so many different themes that every day is something different. 

For instance, there are new Personalized typed products like this one:

The Brush/Mirror Combo. Very cute, and very useful! I LOVE favors like this one! Plus, there are well over 225 designs to choose from for the stickers that add a touch of whimsy. 

On to a line of favors for the more eco-conscious consumer:

These are two of the four Natural Selections items I worked on. I thought the boxes came out great to showcase the beauty of the bamboo.

There really are SO many more to see, I'll of course try my hardest to produce another journal entry sooner than later-- but in case you get antsy, check out my Flickr for more product.

Hope all is well.

<3,

Laura

Favors and Tees...Favors and Tees!

Hey there!

I know I've been lagging in the update department, so I felt like it was time to let you in to what was recently... major toy projects aside, I've been working on some awesome packaging/product with Fashioncraft... most of which has been sent to the photographer to be put up on their website. 

Here's one of the lines I worked on (with the help of Debbie, the graphic artist which started Fashioncraft's art department.) The pieces I worked on exclusively are soon to come. 

These are Luggage Tags...perfect for a destination wedding :)

Click here for New Party Favors from Fashioncraft!

Another really cool opportunity which I feel very grateful to be apart of--

The Always New Depths Forum's Official Merch!

Here's some backstory:

As I've mentioned in a couple of previous entries, I'm a huge fan of Bloc Party's music. I "discovered" their work a few years back while searching for information on the band Pretty Girls Make Graves (one of PGMG's members remixed Bloc's song "Positive Tension") and I've been hooked ever since. Growing up in the shadow of one of the biggest cities of the world, and having the opportunity to work and study in Manhattan, I could relate to their need to make sense of a modern world. They also put on one hell of a live show.

Anyways, being of the digital generation, the boys of Bloc understand the need for a fan-base to connect with each other, and through their "Marshalls" site (similar to a Myspace for Bloc fans) and the "Always New Depths" forums I've met some of the coolest people. At one of their many concerts I attended, I realized that other forum members were there...but I wasn't about to ask around "Hey... are you so and so?"

That's when I got the idea... we should have official AND merchandise! Tee shirts that other members can spot. It makes conversations a lot less awkward. 

After a few months of planning, we got the go ahead from someone in Bloc Party's camp to use their band name and lyrics on shirts! As a product designer I completely understand the legality involved with use of someone else's intellectual property. One of their inside people, who goes by the name "littletrouble" on the forum was cool enough to clear everything with the licensing people. Originally, before littletrouble got back to us, we did a contest with just the letters A-N-D and we started the web store. Check it out here. 

To keep the other members involved, we're having a contest... having people submit a tee shirt design each and we're going to have a vote. I'll keep you updated on the winners. 

In the meantime, here's the original design I posted to the site all those months back. We can't print on the sleeve, but I still love the concept. 

Check out BlocParty.net if you want to try your hand at the merch contest too! :D

Well, enjoy the sunshine (for now!)

See you on the flipside,

Laura

Wedding Stuff! Wedding Stuff!

Things are brewin' here at SortaStarlette!

There are some really awesome products coming out Fashioncraft that I've been working on. I can't wait to show you...

In the Meantime, check out some of the graphic designs I worked on in the Personalization department. 

Check this out! Click on:

Fashioncraft's Personalized Products

Click on Colors & Designs

Scroll down past the American Flag-- and I've worked on those designs!

More to come really soon, promise.

....Ending Radio Silence.

Sorta Fashionable...

Hey! So I've uploaded a new flickr set--HERE-- It's some tee shirts and other fashions I've created. Enjoy! If you find yourself bored this thursday night, check out my friend AmyK's art show in Williamsburg Brooklyn! She's awesome...and so is her artwork!

And if you look to your right...

Hello All!

So I was trying to figure out just how I wanted to set this up. As many of you know I've worked on a lot of different types of children's products (and other stuff as well) so I really didn't want to overwhelm you with too much. To start, I figured I would post a set of my products which have already made it to the market place and see where this goes. 

If you look to the links on your right, "Products In The Market" has all publicly released product. All the links under "Pieces of SortaStarlette" contain work which was created by me (whether it be with a company or freelance.) I'm going to try and update them frequently with new work so keep on the lookout!

While employed by Continental Accessory I was lead designer on a line called "Poppers" which were EVA foam covered product that had holes in the pieces for charms to be inserted. As part of the sales and marketing process, I was asked to create a short video explaining what Poppers was all about. Here it is:

(Note: The first few examples of product made by Continental are not my work. There were just put in there to stress that Continental was a fashion forward trendy company) 

A Special Little Treat..

It was late one night in Manhattan as I walked my friend to the subway station. She and I started talking about the best way to promote one's self at Toy Fair. Originally I was thinking of making those cute little 1.25" buttons with my logo on them and bringing a pocket-copy of my portfolio. That way there was less to carry amongst the swarms of people. Crafty on the computer, I was also considering making DVDs or something like that. As wind picked up we brainstormed, and Amy made a very good point. The DVD could be used AS business cards. Put your information on the cover and voila! So I ditched the button idea (for now. Eventually I'm going to wind up ordering them, they're so darn cute!) and went with the DVD. In case I didn't get a chance to say hello to while I was wandering the aisles of the Javits on Wednesday, here's the video:

And in case you can't see in the credits, that's Bloc Party's "Signs" and Mstrkraft's remix of Bloc's "Two More Years" in the background. Music is one of the most wonderful things to draw inspiration from, and Bloc Party has been such a large influence in my life the past few years. Enjoy. 

Just Getting Started!

So Here's the Deal-- I've been told by some close guru friends of mine that I really gotta step up my web presence. I'm completely up for the challenge. Look to the Links for samples of my work-- I'll  be changing them up often. In the next few days there will be a real change 'round here. See you around the Blog!

PS-- Oh, and just wanted to thank the people from this year's Toy Fair who I got a chance to meet..You guys made it worth while! Special hello and thank you to the Women from the WIT booth. It was a pleasure spending time with you! I'll probably be posting more about TF later. 

If you're interested in Joining the members of the professional networking organization, Women In Toys find more at: 

http://www.Womenintoys.com 

Okay, I gotta get crackin' at this site!