It's a Skating Tooth!

A CHARMING ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION

One of our newest creative projects is an advertising campaign for a longtime dental practice client — the artwork above is now on view at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center in Pasadena, CA. Clients are Drs. Hillary Kim and Ray Kwok, DMDs, who own one of the best contemporary dental practices in the area. 

Original Art: Joanna

When a photo is just too ordinary, why not consider illustration? 

This fanciful tooth (we call her "Joanna," after the doctors' young daughter) leaps off the page to land her jump perfectly. The artwork captures the structure of a "tooth" in a fun, kid-friendly way. Joanna even sports a jaunty ponytail — just like the real girl!

Our talented artist colleague/friend Sandy McDaniel created the original illustration. Sandy can draw or paint just about anything which appeal to the most discerning clients. Little wonder, with a background working with Walt Disney Imagineering, Mattel and The Getty Center. Emilie handled art direction and typography for the project.

We're looking forward to incorporating the new "skating tooth" character into other promotional products for the practice. T-shirts, stickers and a prime spot on the practice's new website are on tap for Joanna.

Please contact Emilie to talk about YOUR next design and illustration project: studio@emiliepallosdesign.com.

Websites / Marketing Communications / Illustration & Photography / Corporate Identity

Good design is good business.

Pencil sketch of skating tooth — she's cute in black and white!

The Spectacular Cavalia

A  V I S U A L   F E A S T
For any art director / designer, Cavalia, the French Canadian equestrian/acrobatic show (based in Montreal), is a visual feast. Cavalia was created by Normand Latourelle of "Cirque de Soleil" fame and features some of the best trained and pampered horses (stallions and geldings) anywhere. Add to this trick riders and acrobats who do amazing feats on a multi-acre dirt "stage," with bigger-than-IMAX high-definition background projections – from Easter Island to waterfalls, Iceland, the steppes of central Asia, to the African desert in all four seasons - including a rain and thunderstorm sequence. Audiences are swept away in a worldwide tour: an Odyssey. The tent alone is an amazing feat – reportedly the largest in the world at 10 stories high – with seating for 2,000 people.

"O D Y S S E O"
I saw Cavalia for the first time here in Feb. 2011, and it was spectacular. The show returned to nearby Burbank in April, even better than 2011 with all-new sets, imagery and theme – "Odysseo." And new this year, a ridiculously talented troupe of acrobats from New Guinea enthralls the audience with spectacular athleticism and skill. Music, performed live by a small ensemble, is a blend of native sounds from around the world, with lyrics in French. Everyone, and especially those who work in creative fields, will appreciate the artwork and the fantastic performers. Aerialists, musicians, equestrians. Exotic costumes and makeup. Scenic design like no other. And those gorgeous horses….

G R A N D E   L I B E R T E
My favorite part of the show was the opening sequence – six Arabian horses wander onto the stage, guided by a single trainer. The "Grande Liberté" is performed unbridled, and is simply beautiful. These four-legged charmers are the gorgeous stars of the show. The other sequences are breathtaking – from jumping to trick-riding. The finale began simply, with a single dressage rider and horse, and then grew to include the entire company – cavorting in a lake that filled the stage with 80,000 gallons of water. Inspired!

Following a six-week run in Burbank, the show is returning home to Montreal and scheduled to open in mid-May. You can experience some of this amazing show on http://www.cavalia.net. I can't wait until it returns!

Click on the link below for a dramatic preview:
http://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo/videos

http://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo/videos

A suburban L.A. policy blog makeover

"Timeless" new identity

Client Elise Kalfayan hired us to design a new logo for her Glendale, California-based policy blog "Sunroom Desk" which originally launched several years ago. She wanted the 2013 identity to "be appropriate for a publishing company." Elise and I met at one of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce's Business Expos. (This fall event is always a nice opportunity to exhibit my work personally and talk with clients.)

The logo (above) is featured on the newly-redesigned blog www.sunroomdesk.com. We also assisted client on creative direction for site, with updated layout, colors and customized WordPress theme. Our firm oversaw professional local programming and launch.

RESULTS
Client is now able to write and post new content as needed, quickly and efficiently. And the blog is easily read on all modern devices, both desktop and mobile.

TYPOGRAPHY & COLOR
Classic Roman type (Baskerville Small Caps) works seamlessly with clean, bright colors (blue and yellow). We also added a stripe of reddish brown color underneath the letters to signify client's "Sunroom Desk." Color fields add dimension and interest to the typography.

We always start by considering how best to communicate a client's service or business in a "visual" manner.

FACT-FINDING
We'll ask the following questions for every project:

What is the marketing strategy? Core audience?
How will final art be used: Online, print, signage?
Do we need original illustration? Photography?
How about a specific color scheme?

Addressing these details prior to Phase One is important for a successful project. Collaboration between designer and client is key. Many of our clients still use identities we designed more than 10 years ago because our work is "timeless" (to quote a client) and effective.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At Emilie Pallos Graphic Design, we help businesses in all industries reach diverse markets — online and in print. Creative, custom websites, printed marketing materials, signage, corporate identities, and more… Since 1996.

Call Emilie today to discuss your project: 818 242-9055 or send a message to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.

Two-sided business card

An inspired tribute to America

"...the unexpected song bird on your clothes line..."

Today's entry is not specifically about art or design, but it's certainly creative, and an inspired tribute to America by poet Richard Blanco.

In our design firm, we appreciate  G R E A T   W O R D S  just as much as great artwork.

And we have the talented creative staff to create both. Please give us a call for your next project.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

January 21, 2013: Inaugural Poem "One Today"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkSRy8SGTEE

Roses are red...and gold, pink and orange!

Ingredients for the Glendale float  - seeds and crushed flowers in a range of vibrant colors.

R O S E S ,  S E E D S ,  B A R K . . .
Last month we viewed eight Rose floats during the last few days of floral decoration. Hundreds of varieties of flowers, grasses, seeds, bark, and other plants are used on each float, and the end result is exquisite! 

These floats are true works of art — congratulations to our fellow artists and designers and the thousands of dedicated volunteers for another terrific parade. Thank you to our friends at Phoenix Decorating and Glendale Adventist Medical Center for a sneak peak.

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At Emilie Pallos Graphic Design, we haven't designed a Rose Float yet (someday!), but we DO help clients in all professions with marketing and creative design projects for business.

H O W   A B O U T . . .
• A new company  L O G O —a unique, modern, yet classic look, which tells your story.
• An updated  W E B S I T E — new design, photos and text creates a successful online presence for 2013 and beyond.

And....
• A new  B R O C H U R E  about your company (never underestimate the power of a great printed piece — it drives sales, enhances credibility and looks great on your reception desk).

A dynamic, interesting brochure will set you ABOVE your competition. Our firm specializes in high-end print design work — it's how we began in this great profession 20 years ago.

And let's not forget...
Some new, eye-catching  B U S I N E S S   C A R D S.  Still the best (and most cost-effective) "little brochure" about your company or service!

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Let's talk! Please contact Emilie at 818 242-9055 for a free consultation. Or send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com. 

View our designs here: http://www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.


P H O T O    G A L L E R Y
Photos by Emilie Pallos and Vic Pallos

Carefully prepared flats of trimmed roses, gerberas and other stunning flowers.

Bunny on Nurses' Float: A Healing Place (Craftsman Award),
is completely covered in tufts of real cotton. 

Soft and huggable was the theme on the Nurses' Float, which featured a menagerie of cute animals.

Peep's favorite! (Nurses' Float)

Ready to fly! We watched the decorator apply "feathers" one by one (Pampas grass).

City of Los Angeles float "before" the flowers were added to the front.

And "after." Flowers always add vibrancy and dimension!

Lions' Club float featured well-known architecture — from Big Ben to the Sydney Opera House.

The Alamo looked small on this float...just like the REAL thing!  ;)

Christmas with Mom

Mom (business partner) Barbara was a funny lady. She was quick to add a touch of subtle, droll humor to any situation. Mom truly had a "sparkle." And she could always poke fun at herself, too. Smiles and laughter were ever-present!

As some of you know, Barb passed away in late 2010 after a valiant struggle with brain cancer. The holidays are "family time," and although she is no longer with us on earth, she will always be in our hearts.

In 2010, my dad and I established the Barbara Pallos Brain Tumor Research Fund at USC, and our friends and clients will be pleased to learn that Barb's research team at the Keck School of Medicine, led by neurosurgeon/oncologist Dr. Tom Chen, made some important discoveries during 2012.

These findings could lead to less-invasive treatments for brain cancer or even a vaccine in the future. What a blessing for patients and families. This is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, and many patients survive less a year after diagnosis.

* * * * *

We are so grateful for your monetary support of this vital research. You may continue to access Barb's fund through this link: https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/SCA/onlinegiving/showGivingForm.jsp?form_id=129377.

Your gifts will be used solely for brain cancer/stem cell research by Dr. Chen's team. Thank you. :)

A Promise of Heaven

As we celebrate the holidays this year, we are blessed to have such wonderful memories of Mom and the love we shared for 40 years.

One of Barb's favorite hymns was "Once in Royal David's City," which always opens the Christmas Eve service at King's College, Cambridge. She loved this choir and this church service, which we enjoyed together on the radio for more than 20 years. Here are the last two verses of this beautiful hymn, which tells the story of Christ and a promise of Heaven:

"...And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heav’n above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around."

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848; Music: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1849
From the English Hymnal

* * * * *

A Joyous Holiday Season to All!

Dogs Beware: Cats are King at Cartier

Yesterday we took a late afternoon stroll through Beverly Hills to see the environmental graphics —signage, window displays and retail storefronts. It's always fun to walk the busy streets, camera in hand, checking out the latest shops and restaurants, and seeing a few friends along the way, too!

Beverly Hills signage doesn't "shout." Subtlety reigns (for the most part!). Classic Roman lettering, nice sans serifs, cool color schemes and perfectly-kerned script faces are popular. Luxe facades, interesting lighting effects and the relationship between exterior and interior design is all-important for success.

Here are some favorites featuring great design and typography (intersection of Rodeo Drive and Brighton Way):

Marble-clad Chanel commands center stage. Rodeo Drive's median is decorated in sparkling white lights.

Cartier features a feline motif in its store windows and on the building's roof.
Sweater-clad dogs are everywhere in town, but at Cartier, the Cat is King. 

Snell Roundhand is Cartier's signature typeface. Its perfectly spaced gold script letters
exude wealth and refinement. A classic choice for a classic store.

Bulgari store windows offer a mid-century modern architectural motif
offset with pops of orange color and signature Roman letters. 

Jeweler David Yurman has the most elegantly lighted exterior 

lettering we've seen in a long time. The effect is stunning.

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At our Glendale studio, we design for clients in various industries — from the arts to medical practices. Drop Emilie a line to talk about your projects — websites, corporate identity and signage, and high-quality marketing materials.

Happy Holidays to All!

Good design is good business.
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Blueprints and Business Strategies

Strategybiz Consulting Corporate Identity

Managing Principal Rhonda Frith-Lyons asked us to create the identity for her new company which helps businesses with growth strategies, strategic planning and turnaround.

Besides holding two Master's degrees, Rhonda was a successful architect on the East Coast during the 1980s and '90s. Her professional background gave us the idea to incorporate architectural imagery into the Strategybiz identity. We also helped streamline the company tagline: "Architect of Business Success." 

A steel blue, charcoal grey and black color scheme communicates an artistic, yet solidly corporate look. Typefaces are classic: Rotis (sans serif) and Adobe Garamond (serif). One of our strengths is the ability to use typography well, a skill we've practiced for 20 years.

I D E N T I T Y   H A S   A N   A R R A Y   O F   U S E S

The Strategybiz Consulting identity will be used on business cards, note cards and other corporate collateral, plus a new website and other online marketing materials.

Emilie is always excited to help a new business with an original brand. A professionally-designed identity is important for any company's launch, and is a smart investment.

Contact us today for an updated identity for your company — it's what we do!

Good design is good business.

Army of Pink: REAL Men Wear Pink!

Captain Carl Povilaitus and Emilie

To help raise awareness for breast cancer, Glendale Adventist Medical Center is hosting the Army of Pink campaign during October.

Please vote for our friend Captain Carl Povilaitus of the Glendale Police Dept. We think his message about "locking up cancer and throwing away the key" is the best of the six candidates.

Go to http://www.glendaleadventist.com/armyofpinkcarl to watch Carl's video and to vote. 

We have a personal interest in this campaign: Emilie's mom Barbara was a two-time breast cancer survivor, first diagnosed at age 43. Our family was grateful for excellent medical care and treatment which enabled Barbara to recover.

Yes, this post is design-related. Pink is Emilie's favorite color!

Q&A: So where's the pink on Carl's uniform? On his badge!

. . . . . . . . .

http://www.glendaleadventist.com/2012-army-of-pink-video

Thanks for supporting Army of Pink!

BREAKING NEWS — Nov. 1, 2012
We are happy to report that Capt. Povilaitus was voted the winner in the 2012 Army of Pink campaign, and earned a spot riding on Glendale's 2013 Rose Parade float. 

Congratulations, Carl!

The Business of Design: Meet & Greet

Our colorful displays attracted many Expo visitors. Emilie is happy to talk
about design and its role in the success of any business or organization (2012).

Each fall, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce hosts the Business Expo Showcase. We book space early, since this is a great way to meet new clients personally and display our design work.

Success Story

Commemorative sticker:
Marlene Oliphant Designs

Marlene Oliphant visited Emilie's booth at last year's Expo. Marlene is a talented interior designer with clients in Southern California and across the U.S. She asked us to update her firm's corporate identity/stationery system, and to design display advertising which ran in nearby country club directories. We also created a cool sticker celebrating her firm's 10th anniversary (shown here).

Brava, Marlene, and good luck in your next 10 years! We look forward to our next collaboration.

Long story short — Emilie ALWAYS meets interesting new clients at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo!

.............................................

Thanks to all who visited our booth this week at the 2012 Expo. It was exciting to meet so many people interested in art and design. As usual, Emilie connected with many interested visitors, some of whom talked about specific projects.

Websites and corporate identity are still at the top of most business owners' "must-do" lists, but a number of people inquired about print design, too. Emilie was happy to show samples and talk about how quality printed materials supplement a good website and other marketing efforts. A recognizable, consistent brand image is all-important.

We'll help your business in 2012 and beyond. Please contact Emilie at studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call her at 818 242-9055 to talk about a new logo, website, or anything else that's "creative." 

In addition to full-service art direction and design, we offer copywriting, photography, illustration and professional web programming. Never "cookie-cutter" and always original. Since 1996. 

Good design is good business.

Emilie welcomes Glendale Unified School District Board Member Greg Krikorian to her booth (2012). 

Great British Design, Part Two: London 2012

Big Ben is breathtaking in person (Emilie Pallos)

Downing Street in Winter (Emilie Pallos)

From Hunter Wellies to the classic red and white livery of a Virgin Atlantic 747-400, we love all things British. When the International Olympic Committee announced London would be hosting the 2012 Summer Games, one word came to mind. Brilliant!

London is a beautiful city, rich in history, and surprisingly modern, too. Friends always speak longingly of Paris and Rome. We love London.

And in this world capital, classic design is everywhere. From pubs to department stores, street signs to Parliament, good design is prominent in British life. Except maybe Piccadilly Circus, where the glittery "Vegas Effect" is in full force. Take a twilight stroll down Regent Street right before Christmas. Magical.

Some of our favorites: motorcars (Austin Healey, MG, Lotus and black taxis), architecture (Westminster Abbey and Cloisters, the British Museum, the Royal Parks), Sainsbury's supermarket (where food packaging is gorgeous) and even candy wrappers (Polo mints). All are great British design.

The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden is a must-visit for everyone, especially designers. Best (and affordable) store in town for souvenirs: the Buckingham Palace Shop near the Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews.

At Emilie Pallos Graphic Design, our sense of design is classic, too. From websites to brochures and corporate identity, we help clients reach their perfect audience with the right words and imagery. Timeless, yet modern. For 2012 and beyond.

Contact Emilie today for a free consultation about your creative project at studio@emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.

A few items from our collection: English literature by E.M. Forster, a model plane, Hunter boots and flags

Wimbledon: Great British Design

1933 poster designed by Frederick Charles Herrick

1931 poster designed by Herry Perry

Even though we live on the West Coast of America, we always enjoy a healthy dose of English tradition every summer in our design office.

The elegantly clad players and umpires, the grass courts, the Royal Box: Wimbledon.

One can almost taste the strawberries and cream, scones, English tea, fish and chips, Pimm's, and Scottish smoked salmon.

First, a bit of history about the club and its famous tournament…

Wimbledon (the club) is located just south of London in the town of the same name. It began in 1869 as the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. In 1877, the first lawn tennis championship was held here, as was the lawn tennis event of the 1908 Olympic Games. The present site, on Church Road, was established in 1922. The 2012 Olympic Games will also be held at Wimbledon this summer.

Mowing the grass courts to perfection

WIMBLEDON FUN FACTS

• Horticulture
Yes, the grass is real (100% rye). Championships playing height is 8mm.

• Food
Strawberries and cream — nothing says "Wimbledon" better. The berries are Grade I from Kent and "of the highest quality." 8,615 punnets (baskets) containing a minimum of 10 berries are consumed daily by spectators. Cost is £2.50 each. Served with fresh cream, naturally.

• Design
White tennis balls were replaced with yellow ones beginning in 1986. 54,250 balls are used during the Championships each year.

The Royal Box seats 74, and is furnished with dark green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs. Ladies are asked to be "hat-free" so others may enjoy a clear view of the action. Lloyd Loom has an elegant website: http://www.lloydloom.com/

• Purple and Green Colour Scheme
This harmonious pairing of hues, which all designers recognize as a classic secondary colour combination, is a long-standing tradition at Wimbledon. Nobody knows for certain, but the regal purple is probably a nod to the British Monarchy and its support of the Championships, and the green signifies the grass courts. Of course!

• Fashion
"Tennis whites" for players are still the dress code at Wimbledon, although bits of color can be seen on clothes these days (piping, for example). White shoes, socks and hats are a must!

• Souvenirs
When stylish tennis-themed souvenirs are a must, this is the only shop you'll need. Reproductions of posters from the 1930s are especially stylish (see photos above). The Wimbledon Collection at the London Transport Museum:
http://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/exclusive-and-vintage/wimbledon.html

• Architecture & Engineering
In 2009, the retractable roof debuted on Centre Court. The tensile, durable fabric has a 40% translucency, allowing light to reach the grass below, and is 100% recyclable.

• Broadcast
Global television audience estimated at 379 million people in 182 countries.

• Rufus the Hawk
A trained bird named Rufus visits the club most weeks during the year to deter local pigeons from roosting. Rufus flies for an hour beginning at 9 a.m. during the Championships, before the gates open.

We wouldn't want the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, in attendance today, to be subjected to pigeon droppings in the Royal Box. Especially since the ladies don't wear hats!

Good show, Rufus!

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Always remember Emilie when you need help with marketing materials and graphic design, in print or online. She'll help reach your best demographic.

Visit our NEW site: http://www.emiliepallosdesign.com

Good design is good business.

Grandparents' 1940s Christmas Card

Great Aunt Elza sent along this vintage 1940s Christmas card recently. It is a superb example of vintage typography and bold design in a Russian Constructivist-inspired color scheme.

What a fun addition to Emilie's 1920s - 1950s graphic design collection!

Best of all, the card is from the archives of Emilie's grandparents, Elizabeth and Charles Pallos. Elizabeth was an accomplished pianist, organist and master gardener, and Charles was a noted musician/arranger, both on the East coast and in Hollywood.

Design during the 1940s was influenced by the Streamline Moderne style. In this holiday card, the piano is varnished to a glossy black (just like a concert grand), and the rest of the card is printed in solid matte silkscreen inks. You really have to see the card in person for the full impact! Ask Emilie.

Calligraphic-inspired typography ("Christmas Greetings") was really popular during this time. Here, hand-lettering jazzes up the minimalist design.

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Strong, modern design. Classic typography. A clear written message. Great photography.

At Emilie Pallos Graphic Design, these are our strengths. We collaborate with clients in many professions (from healthcare to the arts) and help them reach the perfect audience. Online and in print.

Visit our NEW website at http://www.emiliepallosdesign.com to read more about our firm and see our newest creative projects.

Good design is good business.

Dinner by Design

Art director/designers are creative in many ways. In Emilie's house on special occasions, guests will find a menu card at every place setting. Great typography is our specialty. Even at dinner!

Our favorite soup recipe is perfect all year, but it's especially nice on a chilly evening. Serve with a warm baguette and a green salad for a satisfying meal. And be sure to save room for dessert!



Butternut Squash Soup

Serves 4 - 6
Total prep time: About 50 minutes


Ingredients

1 medium-large peeled butternut squash
4 tablespoons margarine
1 medium white onion, finely sliced
3 cups vegetable stock
2 cups milk (Our favorite is Silk Original Soymilk in the red packaging)
Pinch of grated nutmeg
1 1/2 ounces spaghetti broken into small pieces
Salt and ground pepper

1. Chop the squash into 1 inch cubes
This is the most challenging part of the recipe. Squash is not exactly a soft vegetable, and that's why this soup is pricey in restaurants. Use your best chef's knife and be careful!

2. Heat the margarine in a large covered saucepan (5 qt. pot). Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until it softens, usually 6 - 8 minutes. Stir in the squash cubes and cook for 2 - 3 minutes more.

3. Add vegetable stock and cook until squash is soft, about 15 min. Remove from heat.

4. Process the soup in a blender or food processor. Return it to the pot. Stir in the milk and nutmeg. It's important to keep stirring so your soup stays smooth. No cheating! Put on some music, pull up a chair, and stir.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the soup back to a boil.

5. Stir in the broken spaghetti pieces into soup. Just use a handful here. Cook until the pasta is done.

6. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve at once. Delicious.

7. Bask in compliments!


Just another creative idea from your boutique design firm. We hope you enjoy this recipe!
Good design is good business.