Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas!



Peep!

Our illustration of Peep, 'designer bird,' graces our holiday card. This little finch charmed her way into our hearts (and studio!), in 2011.

2015 in Review

Websites

This year we launched several new websites for clients, most recently Ask a Performer (www.askaperformer.com), musician Jen Marotta's website and forum targeted to performing artists. This site personifies our clean, contemporary approach to design.

We also designed websites for RZ Tennis, The Racket Doctor, Inc. (L.A.'s largest tennis retail store), Tom Hooten, principal trumpet in the L.A. Philharmonic, and Bugle Memorial Honors. All can be viewed through links on our website (Projects section): www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Print Projects

WIth more than 20 years' experience in corporate communications, we continue to design projects for print. Print is especially impactful for a high-end demographic. Early in 2015, we created the Annual Report for Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The photo-rich piece targeted to donors and medical professionals showcases achievements in various hospital departments. 

New branding for the 90th birthday celebration for Glendale's historic Alex Theatre features our illustration of the iconic neon spire. Don't miss the Alex90 street banners now flying on Brand Blvd. (photo below). For more on this project, please read the Case Study on our home page: www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

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For professional design tailored to your business or organization, call Emilie at (818) 242-9055 or send a note to studio@emliiepallosdesign.com

• Marketing materials (brochures, stationery systems, reports) • Identities (logos) • Websites • Signage • Advertising campaigns

Good design is good business. Since 1997.



Banner design for Alex Theatre's 90th anniversary celebration

Friday, December 4, 2015

A Great Resource for Performing Artists


Classical musicians appreciate our classic sense of design.

It's always fun to collaborate with fellow artists. We enjoy listening to a lot of music — baroque and chamber music, opera, liturgical, new music, and big symphonic pieces. We understand the twists and turns of life as a performing artist, and enjoy working with creative people.

Jennifer Marotta

Jen is a talented professional musician and trumpet teacher in the L.A. area. She admired our website and print design work for L.A. Philharmonic principal trumpet Tom Hooten (tomhooten.com). In fact, she is married to Tom! We are privileged to work with this dynamic duo, L.A.'s classical music power couple.

Jen is a very giving person who enjoys helping others. She had an idea for a new Forum website which she would moderate, and asked us to help with the creation and launch of this new site. Ask a Performer (www.askaperformer.com) debuted in late November, 2015, and is geared toward those in the performing arts — instrumentalists, singers, dancers and actors. The site features true stories by artists who have "defied the odds." 

The Forum section is for posting questions and comments on popular topics common to performers. This section will grow as readers contribute helpful information. Jen is a savvy user of social media and has many contacts in the music world, and she is busy spreading the word about the new site to her friends and colleagues. We expect steady growth during the first year of this site.

Visual elements include stylish, modern artwork, complementary color scheme, clear, concise navigation, and easy-to-read pages. Photographer Vic Pallos shot the stunning new portraits of Jennifer at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The evolving city skyline adds a dramatic touch.

WordPress framework and Forum sections are in place; client Jennifer can add stories as needed and moderate the Forum easily. Our complete instructions make it straightforward for clients to edit WordPress sites once a design is established. This is a win-win for everyone.

Art direction and design: Emilie Pallos
Location photography: Vic Pallos
Site development: Tom Ferguson

Emilie and Jennifer at Walt Disney Concert Hall







"Awesome! All looks really great, you all are the best, I appreciate you helping as the project morphed a bit!" — Jennifer Marotta


This site incorporate the best of both worlds — custom website design, in a modern, editable format.

Our firm designs and develops custom websites, both fixed-width and responsive, and also creates template-based sites. The kind of site depends on client's budget, timeframe and needs.

As a full-service firm, we provide art direction, design, production, copywriting, photography and website development for clients. We also design other creative projects — high-quality print design/collateral materials, signage and corporate identity/logos.

Contact Emilie today to talk about reaching the right target with stylish new visuals, in print and online. Phone us at (818) 242-9055 or send an e-mail to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com

Take a look at our new website here: www.emiliepallosdesign.com. We have many examples of work for clients on view, and even more we can show you in person. Initial consultations are free.

Good design is good business!


Walt Disney Concert Hall — 1st St. and Grand Ave. in downtown Los Angeles
The Broad Art Museum recently opened across the street.


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Design for Business

Custom design, in print and online

Ours was the only creative firm with a booth devoted exclusively to graphic and web design at this year's 2015 Business Expo presented by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. The Expo is the city's biggest networking event of the year, and an engaging way to meet fellow business professionals.

This year, our displays featured one design many attendees recognized right away — our 90th anniversary logo for local landmark the Alex Theatre (see photo below). We also showed recent websites and branding for L.A. Philharmonic principal trumpet Tom Hooten, Bugle Memorial Honors, The Racket Doctor, Inc. (L.A.'s largest tennis store), and Movement Links, an elite physical therapy practice based in Arcadia, California.

Our printed work samples included 2014 and 2015 annual and semi-annual reports for Glendale Adventist Medical Center and Ascencia. We also showed our studio's new responsive website: www.emiliepallosdesign.com

It was nice to see some of our clients — Natalie Profant Komuro and Sarah Joung of Ascencia (the homeless services organization and shelter serving this area), Elissa Glickman and Nina Crowe of Glendale Arts / the Alex Theatre, and Elise Kalfayan of Sunroom Desk. Many friends and colleagues stopped by to say "hi" and the room was buzzing with activity!

Colleagues from the printing industry included Mike Sevigny of Chromatic, Inc., (a local company we've worked with for years), and Rod Salazar of Printing Control. We saw impressive printed samples from the HP Indigo press and terrific new papers and finishes.

Good news
As web design and marketing matures, clients are realizing print design still plays an important role in the marketing mix. Our firm continues to offer high-end print and web design/development to clients. An updated website plus quality print materials are key for business brand strategy and success.

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Unparalleled personal service
For a free consultation about advertising and creative services, contact Emilie at (818) 242-9055 or send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com.

Visit our new website: www.emiliepallosdesign.com

Good design is good business. 

Photos by Vic Pallos

Emilie chats with a consultant in the marketing field
Our Alex logo graces street banners along Brand Blvd. in downtown Glendale


Friday, July 31, 2015

Hockney at the Beach

Emilie Pallos meets David Hockney





What do you say to one of the most talented and inspirational artists of the 20th and 21st centuries? Thank you! 


Chatting with David Hockney at LA Louver's opening reception on July 14, 2015, was an amazing privilege. Hockney has been my favorite contemporary artist ever since his mid-career retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1988. Has it really been 27 years?

David's new paintings and photo collages challenge perspective. They combine photography and painting, but without the "seams" usually evident in collage. As a viewer, you are never quite sure what is "real." Photoshop?...

The opening party guest list included many of the people/models depicted in the new works — David's friends. Life imitates art. The artist is well-known for photo-print/Polaroid collages created in the 1980s, and the most famous work from that era is "Pearblossom Highway," now in the Getty Museum's permanent collection. That work even makes an appearance in one of his new collages (see below). David certainly has a droll English wit.

When we take a break from design work for clients (brand strategy and advertising, in print and online), we visit museums and galleries for inspiration. The LA Louver in Venice, CA, is a favorite destination. Most of Hockney's important L.A. shows have been shown either at the Louver (his West Coast representation), or at LACMA.

Take a peek at this show online and then be sure to visit in person. Photos don't do these works justice! The exhibition runs through mid-September, 2015. www.lalouver.com

A fantastic new interview with David is HERE.

_______

For targeted, classic design and advertising campaigns for your company, business or organization, contact Emilie at (818) 242-9055, send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com, or visit us online at www.emiliepallosdesign.com. Good design is good business.

#LALouver
#DavidHockney







Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Wimbledon 2015: Game, Set and Match

Centre Court




The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club 
"The Tennis Garden"
Wimbledon SW19

A Great Day at the Home of Tennis
A visit to Wimbledon is a perfect way to spend an entire day, especially if you're a player or fan of this great sport. The club was a "must-see" on my recent UK trip, so I booked the Wimbledon Museum and Tour tickets in advance. The town of Wimbledon is about 25 minutes via taxi from central London, and even in late winter, the All England Club looks amazing.

Our two-hour guided walking tour was led by Keith, an affable Englishman, whose encyclopedic knowledge of the Club and its famous tournament was impressive. He peppered his commentary with dry humor and fun facts, all while keeping a swift pace. The weather was in the 40s, a bit chilly for Californians!

The first stop was Court 1, a pristine stadium with comfortable green seats. Rolex clocks are the only "ads" on the club's grounds, refreshingly different from American stadiums. A light standard over the court ensured perfect, even growth of the famous ryegrass.

The Hill, AKA 'Murray Mound' or 'Henman Hill'
We walked to the top of the Hill via gently curving, paved pathways. During the Championships, jumbo screens are set up here and thousands of patrons with grounds passes enjoy strawberries and cream and Pimm's in picnics on the Hill. On this early March day, a lone mallard was the only visitor to the reflecting pool. Wait until June!

Many of the outer courts can be seen from the club's terraces. Our group took a seat in the stands of Court 18, where the longest game in tennis history took place (John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut, 2010).

We walked the club's perimeter, and then across the only "grass" we were allowed to touch, artificial turf. Yes, Wimbledon has installed this surface for tea parties on the terrace. Then we headed down into the BBC Broadcast Centre, where international journalists cover the Championships.

Finally, we headed to Centre Court. A hush came over our group as we entered the empty stadium. Seats were protected for the winter, the roof was open, and like Court 1, a light standard was installed above the grass to encourage even blade growth. We sat down and enjoyed the view. Beautiful. The final tallies on two scoreboards (gentlemen's and ladies' singles matches) remained on display from the 2014 tournament, a Wimbledon tradition.

Apparently, the grass isn't always greener… Hard courts occupy a section of the grounds. A small croquet pitch is here, too, a nod to the original club which offered both croquet and tennis. After the tour, lunch at Wingfield Café, then a visit to the museum and shop.

Wimbledon Museum
The Wimbledon Museum is really impressive. An audio tour brings the vintage tennis displays to life and the 3D film about the 2014 Championships is incredibly realistic. You feel as if you are sitting on Centre Court. Brilliant!

After a lengthy museum visit, we stopped into the gift shop, where merchandise was arranged artfully and windows beautifully designed. Everything at the All England Club is just right. Classic, yet modern.

The Club's membership roster is a closely guarded secret. We did learn that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a recent member. She's often seen in the Royal Box during the Championships.

Until we reach royal status, we'll enjoy watching the tournament on TV!
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Wimbledon — Elegant. Classic. Timeless. Visit the official website here: www.wimbledon.com

Contact Emilie for elegant websites, stylish corporate identity, and effective marketing materials. E-mail studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055. Visit our website: www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.

Keith, our smartly-dressed, witty tour guide





Terraces on the extensive grounds


Court 18, where John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in tennis history (11 hrs. 5 min.)


BBC Broadcast Centre Press Room
The carriage entrance

Museum: Early tennis balls and packaging


There's a poodle in the shop window!


Topiary atop the BBC Broadcast Centre. Dad Vic takes my picture!

Museum: vintage poster
Best dressed — Rene Lacoste's elegant blazer and driving cap

Always elegant — Roger Federer's stylish outfit (2012)

The origins of tennis scoring
Fred Perry statue adjacent to Centre Court

Monday, June 1, 2015

Tennis Is Our Racket

Home page: www.rz-tennis.com.
Responsive site features a slide show of images.
Clean, contemporary visuals.

Custom Design
Responsive Website for RZ Tennis

Ron Zambrano is a terrific teaching pro in the L.A. area. A native of Equador, Ron is the former head tennis professional at Fremont Tennis Center. He continues to serve as head coach for Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and St. Francis High School, both in La Cañada Flintridge. 

Ron is now teaching adults and juniors of all skill levels at Scholl Canyon Golf & Tennis Club. Located at the top of Glenoaks Canyon with beautiful views of L.A., Scholl Canyon is home to Glendale's largest tennis facility. 10 lighted tennis courts and clubhouse/snack bar, 18-hole executive golf course, putting green and driving range are located here (club is open to the public). Bring your racquet and your golf clubs!

Summer Junior Tennis
Scholl's facilities are the perfect venue for RZ Tennis's new summer program for juniors. Classes run from June 4 – Aug. 7, 2015. All kids are welcome, from beginners to advanced players.

Please visit http://www.rz-tennis.com/instruction.php to download the flyer and sign up. Get some exercise and have fun while learning tennis!

Demo Day
RZ Tennis is planning a demo day for all ages in Sept. 2015. Enjoy refreshments and try out the latest racquets. More details soon!

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Clean, classic design
Our firm also designs the print campaigns (posters, flyers and cards) and social media advertising for RZ Tennis. Ron appreciates our modern style. And we play tennis, too!

Visit our site at www.emiliepallosdesign.com, then contact Emilie at studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055 for a free initial consultation. Creative design solutions for your company or organization, in print and online.

Good design is good business.

_______

C R E D I T S

RZ Tennis website: www.rz-tennis.com

Art direction & design: Emilie Pallos
Location photography: Vic Pallos
Site development: Tom Ferguson


RZ Tennis poster — Spring 2015

Location photos by Vic Pallos


Millie, the official mascot of RZ Tennis




Saturday, May 30, 2015

Lenten Pilgrimage, Part Two: St John's College, Cambridge


New Court (1831)

Cambridge, England

Although not quite as well known as "that other college with a choir" (King's), St John's boasts some of the most beautiful buildings in Cambridge. The choir and organ sound always magnificent in the jewel-like chapel interior reminiscent of Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. St John's has been educating students in liberal arts and theology since 1511, and now teaches a range of subjects. 

William Wordsworth was a notable Johnian. His rooms were not quite as expected...

  'The Evangelist St. John my patron was:
Three Gothic courts are his, and in the first
Was my abiding-place, a nook obscure;
Right underneath, the College kitchens made,
A humming sound, less tuneable than bees
But hardly less industrious; with shrill notes
Of sharp command and scolding intermixed.'


• • • • • • • • • •

Architecture
Key scenes for the film "The Theory of Everything" were shot at St John's, and Cambridge locales including King's College Chapel. Look for the green lawn and majestic Gothic revival architecture of St John's in the film's May Ball scenes. Filming locations and official trailer are HERE

Read about the college and its architecture HERE

Listen to the choir HERE

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Our firm has helped clients in a range of industries and professions with marketing, advertising and design projects since 1997. In print and online. Visit our website at www.emiliepallosdesign.com. Please send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call Emilie at (818) 242-9055.

Good design is good business.

The road to St John's: Trinity Street



The Great Gate at St John's, completed in 1516.


Chapel interior (1868)

Elegant calligraphy, brilliant words

Lady Margaret Beaufort, College founder and mother of King Henry VII (portrait by Roland Lockey).
Jabob Wood, an early Fellow, is buried here.

View of the Chapel from First Court, which dates from 1511-20.
The 'new' Chapel, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, was built in 1868.

Major benefactor — The Countess of Shrewsbury graces Chapel exterior.

Second Court, built after 1599

Cambridge's own Bridge of Sighs

New Court (1831)

The eagle, symbol of the Saint, is poised for flight atop New Court entrance.