VANTAGE AGORA

Marketing Campaign Illustrated Series | Conference Collateral

>Year of the Monkey playing card deck and belly band

>Year of the Monkey playing cards

>Playing card close-ups

>Illuminated trade show backdrop

>Operational Excellence book cover
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Art Direction | Illustration | Design | Project Management | Print Production
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The goal for this project was to develop an integrated and inspiring brand presence for an upcoming conference – which would then be reused all year for various conferences and events. To that end, Vantage Agora asked Karen Myers Design to assist in the creation and development of several key marketing pieces as they rolled out their new identity, building a more cohesive brand. The challenge was to cut through the noise, creating a fun and memorable presence at this event and beyond. The solution that we created presented their company as one that thinks differently than their competitors, while effectively communicating what their company offers to both existing and new clients.

Working with a key strategist within the company, I designed and illustrated several marketing elements that allowed us to present a cohesive brand presence for Vantage Agora. We rolled out this set of promotions at a major trade show event earlier this year, along with their new identity. Celebrating the Year of the Monkey with fun and funky illustrations – while integrating relevant messaging – proved to be a successful strategy. Messaging takeaway: this is a company that thinks differently (and more creatively) than its competitors.

HOLIDAY POSTCARD

>Holiday Postcard Illustration
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Project Management | Print and Digital Production
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Originally rendered as one of several concepts for a client's holiday card — they ultimately decided on one of my other design directions — I adapted the illustration for my company's holiday card (with their blessing)!

MIT PRESS + DESIGN ISSUES

>MIT Press International Journals Catalog Cover Art
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Print and Digital Production
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Publisher of over 30 titles in the arts and humanities, economics, international affairs, history, political science, science and technology, MIT Press Journals support a scholarly mission, disseminating their content worldwide. After originally creating this illustration for Design Issues, I was honored to have my artwork selected for their 2015 international cover.

>Design Issues Cover Art
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Print and Digital Production
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Produced quarterly by the MIT Press, and distributed internationally, Design Issues publishes submissions from scholars worldwide. Their articles enrich the understanding and practice of a wide range of design topics and disciplines.

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

>Alien Invasion Main Kiosk Signage close-up

>Alien Invasion Main Kiosk Signage

>Alternate Kiosk Panel | Area Closed Trail Signs | Multi-Purpose Poster

>Signage Illustration Details
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Project Management | Print Production
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Working with the Cleveland Metroparks marketing group, they commissioned me to create a number of communication elements for this comprehensive campaign. The message was to inform the park's recreational users of the ongoing eradication of three invasive plant species which threaten to choke out the indigenous flora within the Rocky River Reservation. Karen Myers Design developed all of the signage for this campaign, working on both the design and illustration for each.
Details of the illustrations reflect the inspiration taken from WPA National Parks posters from the 1930s.

SELF PROMOTION COVER PAGE

>E-Blast Intro Pages
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Project Management | Digital Production
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Occasionally, I email new work out to clients and prospective clients, as well as colleagues. The intro page always give me an opportunity to be creative!

NURENBERG PARIS

Make-A-Wish Holiday Mailers

>Marissa’s Wish Card Digital Illustration

>Isabella’s Wish Card Digital Illustration
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Illustration | Art Direction | Design | Project Management | Print and Digital Production + Coordination
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Having now designed four Make-A-Wish holiday cards, this has always been one of those special projects... one that means a little more because of the extraordinary kids that Nurenberg Paris helps in realizing their dreams as they contend with some pretty challenging health issues.
Every year, we focus on a different child and their special wish. And each one has a unique, inspiring story to tell. My goal is to create a whimsical mailer that conveys holiday wishes to the recipient through the storytelling of how each wish was fulfilled. What comes through is the joy that each child feels as a result of having their wish come true—as well as their positive, hopeful outlook on life and their future.