Our first ever IC Invitation Design Contest was held back in 2009. We were unsure of what types of entries we were going to get, but boy were we excited for what was to come! Along came entrant Danielle Ness, who not only was our first prize winner, but continued to design for IC as a guest designer. We could go on and on about how creative Danielle is (and believe us, she is), but we'd rather you get to know her a little better through a fun little interview (because we love asking people questions). So let's dive in:
What inspires your invitation and stationery designs? I dig anything vintage so that definitely has an influence on my designs. Most of the time, I strive for simple designs but I never rule out flourishes, hand-drawn type, texture and patterns. Nature also influences my designs."
What is it about being a Guest Designer for IC that you like? Is there anything specifically different about designing invitations as opposed to designing other types of media? By far, the best thing about being a guest designer is the creative freedom. While in my "real" job I might not always have the ability to run wild with design, creating invitations allows me a chance to create work that is less structured and certainly less business-centric. And designing invitations requires me to aim for simplicity. Unlike other projects, I'm trying to create an invitation that will work for a variety of people, rather than one specific client.
How do you come up with ideas for your designs/what are the main things that inspire you while designing invites? There are rarely epiphanies when it comes to design. But they do occur – those "ah-ha" moments when you finally know how an invitation should look. It almost always requires stepping away from the computer as few ideas seem to materialize when you're staring at a blank screen.
Do you have any tips or advice for people who want to become a Guest Designer with IC? My advice for those looking to become guest designers is to look at a lot of design. The internet offers us access to an infinite number of creative works by incredibly talented designers. In time, you begin to see what styles of design pull you in. And you see what doesn't work (especially if you're a beginning designer) which helps you avoid making the same mistakes, like using Comic Sans on a wedding invitation.
--
A huge thank you to Danielle for being interviewed. Be sure to check out & shop Danielle Ness' designs on the IC website. To get to know all of our contributors or if you're interested in becoming part of our creative community, be sure to read all about our Guest Designer Program.
Planning a colorful, modern or unique event? Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!
lol at the comic sans comment :)
Posted by: kaity | Friday, June 17, 2011 at 05:53 AM