QR Readers | Advertising Uncensored

In case you haven't heard about this new technology(which has actually been out since the early 90's?), I'll just show you. If you have iPhone or any other mobile device worthy of the thousands of apps out there, you should definitely download the QR Reader if you want to keep up with the Jones's. QR stands for "Quick Response," which ultimately is what we all want. We want to push a button and be able to know exactly what we need/want to know as fast as possible. You may have noticed these ugly black and white squares all over everything lately. In magazines, on products, on bus benches, and even on billboards. Did you download QR reader yet? If not, do it, then hover your phone over this ugly box.



Took you straight to my site, right? So now you know what it does. Recently, Calvin Klein released an ad campaign using only their QR code that leads to a somewhat racy commercial that they probably couldn't have otherwise aired. They censored themselves before someone else beat 'em to the punch. Genius. Nice way to advertise exactly how they want without offending anyone. If you hold your QR reader up to their ad, you're asking for it. You're choosing to see what they want you to see. They're making it your idea! You're voluntarily taking time out of your day to look at an ad, when in the past, sometimes you don't even realize you've seen it. But now, it's open on a window in your phone. You are exclusive! You want to show your friends. They want to show theirs. After you scan the code and open the commercial, you can share the video on Twitter or Facebook. That's serious advertising. Here's the ad in case you want to check it out.



So what does this mean for the design industry? If you're a designer and have ever designed any sort of packaging, you know how annoying it is to have to add that ugly bar code. It's just sitting there in the corner. Being distracting from the design you've been slaving over for weeks. Looking all black and white and ugly. Now, not only is there the bar code to deal with on the back, but these hideous codes that will more than likely dominate the design. I'm not saying I don't like the idea of a QR code, I just don't like the idea of the print design being ignored so quickly because people will see the code and just get the information they need from the site it directs them to. It's nice for companies who use these though. How often do you look at your phone and realize you have about 5 windows open? The QR code enables companies to make you keep them in your pocket. This is yet another technology that's killing print. But it is pretty cool.

What are your thoughts?

Stella & Dot Packaging

Recently, I was in Jackson, Mississippi visiting my family. My sister had been invited to a Stella & Dot jewelry party and informed me I was coming along with her. I usually don't like these kinds of things for a few reasons: #1. I feel obligated to buy something whether I want to or not. (which is the point of this type of sales, I'm sure) #2. The stuff people sell at house parties is usually really ugly. BUT this Stella and Dot stuff is actually really cute! Not the most inexpensive, but reasonable for the most part. I'd been on the lookout for a wrap bracelet anyway, and I found one that luckily came in gold, so I wrote up my order, had a glass of wine, and I was on my way! THEN, the most exciting part...the packaging! I just got my bracelet in the mail today, and I felt like I was getting a special present! So pretty, and so exciting to open. Check it out:




I love this! "You Have a Great Eye" Why thank you, Box!


The bracelet is great quality too. I think it may turn in to an every day staple!


I just love the attention to detail from the lining of the main box, to the sweet little note on the jewelry box. The pattern comes from a shape that that use in some of their jewelry, which is also a nice touch. Nice work, Stella & Dot designer!

Altered Book, Turkey Day Style

The other day when my sister and I were in Anthropologie, we were looking at this adorable little angel ornament.


Ever since, I've decided I wanted to make one myself! So tonight, I headed to Goodwill and bought a few snazzy romance novels, and started my project. During this time, my ADD kicked in. The next thing I knew, I was making a ring and then I started a digital illustration. That's when I realized I'd have to wait a few more weeks until I could actually put my little angel out (I'm doing a bigger one to set out), so I decided to make a turkey instead! He's pretty cute. So here's what I did:

I got a trashy vintage romance novel with discolored pages for a little added character. Then I tore the cover, spine, and back off.



Next, I removed about 15-20 loose pages then folded every page in the book like this.


After I got all the pages folded, I glued the first and last one together then clipped a bunch of the pages together so the gap wouldn't be as big. You may have to do more bending, folding, and clipping to get it exactly how you want it.


For the feathers, I started by folding one of the loose pages in 1/2 vertically, then folded one more time at an angle to make the "feathers" smaller at the bottom and wider at the top.



For the head, I started the same way I folded the feathers then did two more folds like this and glued the loose pieces down so it would be flat:.



On all the folds, it's better to glue the flaps together because it will look much better if the pages aren't all janky. After the feathers are folded and turkey head is ready, glue them accordingly to the turkey body. Gobble, Gobble!

Getting Closer!

We're getting closer to the completion of my new sparkly office! We got paint up on the walls, and it is exactly what I had in mind! My drop dead gorgeous wall paper came in, and I found a perfect match for paint at my local Sherwin Williams who also has a lot of great online tools to use if you're painting a room or Airstream or something:) While I was there, I noticed their faux finish section and got all giddy inside when I saw the smooth metallic finish. That's what I had pictured in my mind but wasn't sure I could get it exactly how I wanted it. I'm pretty sure there's only certain colors you're supposed to be able to use with the metallic finishes, but the nice guys that worked there worked with me and tinted the glaze to perfection to match my walls. Thanks, Sherwin Williams guys! Click here to see my color.


Here's my wall color sans sparkle.

Here's a view of what each bed looks like on either side. We're going to do metal panels on those walls. Each bed lifts up so we have plenty of storage!

And here's my cute husband making my office
all shiny and clean! Thanks, Jonny boy!

Now all we have left to do is finish the trim around the sofa and walls, frame up the fridge and microwave, install the shelves in the bathroom, and build a little wall to cover the pipes. That's all we have to do construction wise. Then we put the wallpaper up, choose final fabrics for pillows and sofa cushion, then have them made. My father in law is working on my desk now. He's amazing. I sent him a sketch of what I had in mind, and I'm pretty sure he's building two separate tables for me to choose from. I can't wait to see what he comes up with! I know one will be stainless steel legs with a cedar top. I'm sure it will be wonderful like everything else he builds us. He built us a really nice cedar farm table with benches a while back, and we couldn't love it more. Let me know if you'd like to see photos. He can build you one too!

So, short but sweet post. I get anxious and can't wait for things to be more complete before I post! I'm going to hold off until it's completely finished for the next Airstream update though! Stay tuned!