paulsutton.us » Mill Avenue

Mill Avenue Directory Brochures

Paul Sutton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:42:57 +0000

Two months, a 100mb Adobe Illustrator file, a computer upgrade, 50,000 revisions, and a slight delay from the print press… and the Mill Avenue directory brochures are complete!
It was a battle at just about every turn; the map alone (the 100+mb Illustrator file) pushed my 32bit XP machine to its limits, resulting in an upgrade to the 64bit machine. The fact that it will be used as a tool to aid in the navigation to downtown tourists meant that it had to be passed around many sets of eyeballs to ensure accuracy and readability, hence the 50,000 updates (slight exaggeration). Not to mention that since it was a custom cut size, double gate fold meant that the guaranteed in-hands date did not apply to this order, resulting in a delay in delivery… Nonetheless, it is complete and I could not be happier.

Mill Avenue District Map Directory

Paul Sutton — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:00:12 +0000

Volunteering your services to a community has certainly opened up some new opportunities and the chance to explore some creative aspects of myself that have never been challenged. I have never doubted my imagination, but like a lot of “graphic designers”, I am not naturally gifted when it comes to fine art, however… the constant use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for the past 8 years has essentially turned my hands into tools that with a little direction can create some pretty nice things.

The following is a very rough draft of the first proof that I will be submitting for the redesign of the map directory for the Mill Avenue District. It is only about 80% complete and will most likely transform extensively before being submitted. Updates and progress reports will be made here in this post, so check back soon.

April 15, 2009. Initial concept, layout and perspective. Concept approved.

UPDATE: April 22, 2009. Mill Avenue Directory Map nearly complete.

UPDATE: May 15, 2009. Mill Avenue Directory Map pre-press.

UPDATE: June 15, 2009. Directories Post Press

Mill Avenue Directory Brochures

Music on Mill Branding Campaign

Paul Sutton — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:08:17 +0000

So, following the great feedback received from the MADCAP Branding Campaign, the client was anxious to get moving on their next effort to revitalize the Mill Avenue Districts culture scene. The next item on the block was a little project called “Music on Mill” and like all branding campaigns, the logo design was first up.

Concepts/Ideation – proofs sent

As most designers will tell you, some concepts definitely fly better than others; after the first round of proofs were sent and the reviewed, it was obvious that further communication was needed with the client. I think the phrase that was used for this set was “too Sound-of-Music-like”… ouch, I never even seen that movie!
New mind-mapping words given: urban, edgy, modern, vintage rock, concert posters and graffiti art…

UPDATE: New Concepts sent

UPDATE: Concept and Colors Approved

UPDATE: We have been commissioned to redo the directory maps (and all relating printed collateral) in the Mill Avenue District (pending proposal approval), this means many hours in Adobe Illustrator, and that’s a good thing!

Madcap Branding Campaign

Paul Sutton — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:18:51 +0000

Every once in awhile a project comes up that gets my blood flowing. A new branding campaign recently came to me and if I play my cards right it could be a pretty big release. It is still hush hush so I cannot talk about the details but stay tuned and I will post the results.

Step 1 – Concepts/Ideation – proofs sent

UPDATE: – Concept Approved – color proofs sent

UPDATE: – Colors Approved – graphical standards sent

Sales Sheets

The best part of a project that gets your blood flowing is how easy the process is; when you have passion for something it aids in the ease of each step and usually the outcome is great. And though it may be a little self-serving, the idea of something I created spanning the street on a banner or gracing a storefront in neon lights tends to help the process as well.

UPDATE: - The branding campaign was so well-received we were also commissioned to brand a break-off company of this one. I will start a new post for that when I have details.

See Music on Mill