Thanks for following along as I continue a series of reflections on the 25-year history of Studio Haus. It’s bringing me so much gratitude to walk down these memory lanes and remembering those who’ve traveled these paths along with me. The collaborations along the way each have their own special place in this history and in my heart.
In its beginning days, Studio Haus focused primarily on developing print design, which requires much oversight. I still love sharing my print expertise with clients, with its crisp resolution, quality of production, and its flexibility with unique sizes and compositions (as long as it fits on the press, meets clients’ budgets, follows requirements for mailing, etc).
The evolution of projects over the years has grown to include so much more alongside a steady building of my own education and expertise to offer to my clients.
The call for more digital design management opened up broader ranges of possibilities. The requirements of digital imagery are rather different from print (i.e. resolution can be much lower but still needs to be a quality composition alongside its messaging—and it often needs a wider composition). Cover photos on social media are often constrained to short but wide dimensions. Web sites need to be designed for all the varying dimensions of laptop, desktop, handheld devices, etc.
Whether for print or digital, the specific needs of a logo’s design have evolved to always include a iteration that fits in the ever-present circle available for profile pics on social media channels. The full brand package may also include a vertical and horizontal version along with brand guidelines.
Illustration studies have always been included the mix of skills offered by Studio Haus too, increasingly with an eye toward products like greeting cards, textiles, home decor and more. These ideas are always evolving with the trends in this very competitive market but the “slow and steady” approach of exploration is perfectly fine with me.
These days, I also continue my apprenticeship studies of hand-printed textiles and relish the day I can offer the pillow, bandana, silk scarf, or some other product for sale (see just a few examples below).
I even have a relatively new client that I’m thrilled to work with who, for many years, has been running a high-end wholesale and retail business. Due to the effects of recent Covid shut-downs, she is wisely diversifying by moving some of her sales to an online shop.
Once again, I continue learning new tricks that I carry forward to add to future client offerings.
Any business owner will tell you it’s a constant educational process to keep a business running. Often this process is speared on by trend and software changes. Sometimes, it’s just curiosity. Sometimes it’s an exciting challenge from a new client. All of these things require a diligent curiosity to remain vibrant, energetic, and an expert in this creative field. For this I’m so grateful. I have 25 years of gratitude to express and I’m hopeful there will be more to come. I definitely love to take on new challenges so bring ’em on!
An experimental proof (top) and a bandana design (bottom), both block-printed.
A sheer curtain panel design from my block-printed collection.
A silk scarf with a block-printed design I created which may be sported by someone you know.