Wedding Design | Oversized Envelope Stamps!

Well you guys, if this is my last decent creative idea, I think I'll die a happy camper .* I give you Oversized Envelope Stamps! We've got a couple more designs coming, but my impatience has gotten the best of me, so here's the first look!

They're custom made return address stamps, and would be the perfect way to dress up a wedding suite, a baby shower invite, or, like, a check to the gas company. Really. Use your imagination!

One of the things I love about them is they can go on any color envelope and it changes the tone completely. This stamp on a punchy yellow envelope? So fun and bold. On a blush pink envelope? Incredibly sweet. On an olive green envelope? Perfect for those nature-inspired nuptials. Don't even get me started on adding a colored ink to the mix! Gah!

They're available now riiiight over here! If you'd prefer a completely custom stamp, or are interested in a full wedding suite, email me at rachel@imaginarybeast.com, and we'll hook you up.

Get stampin' buddies!

#fancyflaps

Hope you like it!

*Just kidding, chief creative god, or whoever is in charge of this stuff. Just a joke. Please keep 'em coming!

Lions, Tigers, and Bear Prints! (oh my!)

I know it's been a little quiet around these parts, but let me assure you, it's not because we've been lazing around, drinking sweet tea and watching reruns of "Friday Night Lights" (although, if I'm being real, that last part has been happening quite a bit lately).

Today I'm coming out of my blogging slumber to announce some prints that I'm super jazzed about sharing! To let you in on a little secret, we're working on some big things around here. It's taking awhile (as all good things do), but I wanted to make sure these handsome animals were released into the wild before the holiday season! 

I'd like to introduce you to my newest pals, Lucy the Bear, Leo the Lion, and Charlie the Tiger! 

I worked with the amazing folks at Mama's Sauce to screen print them, and let me tell you, they did a GREAT job. They're simple and bold at 18x24" and (not too toot my own horn) look even better in person. They're making their debut as the first products by Imaginary Beast! 

If you know any cool little kids who would love this in their room, new babies fixin' up their nursery, or a fun adult who needs just as much color in their life as I do, head over here to check them out and purchase in time for the holidays! 

Seriously though... I am way too excited about these. Hope you like 'em! 

Katie & Jeff | Wedding Suite

When an old friend contacted us to do her and her almost-husband's invitation suite, we jumped at the chance! They wanted a rustic and personal feel, so with that in mind, we highlighted the beautiful lake they'll be having the events at. 

If you're looking for some killer custom wedding invitations like these, drop us a line at rachel@imaginarybeast.com!

The Hunt | Branding

We recently finished up a fun project for The Hunt, a company who creates custom scavenger hunts / truth and dare team based competitions. 

They came to us wanting a logo based on the old Germanic god, Woden (counterpart to the Norse god, Odin). He's a tough, wild soul who wears a scar over one eye, two crows on each shoulder, and two wolves at his feet. A real badass, to be honest. 

We worked with The Hunt to create branding, copy, packaging, and more for their fledgling company. View the project on our website, if you're so inclined! 

To stay updated on their launch, follow The Hunt on facebook. 

Dwelling Studio | Branding Concept

Wendy of Dwelling Studio reached out to us for an identity system for her house flipping business, based in Dayton, Ohio. We consume a heck-of-a-lotta HGTV over here, so we were pretty jazzed to be able to work with her new businesses! We worked with her to develop three design directions, this one included, and ultimately chose one (not shown) to move forward with! 

This concept was coined the "Vintage Revival" direction, using old wood grain, some fun textures, and a custom modified script. 

We'll be posting the other concept, along with her chosen direction in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned! 

Igloo Letterpress | Business Cards

We were super stoked to get some business card samples back from Igloo Letterpress today! This winter we worked with them to design some new employee business cards, as well as these oversized store cards. We used their signature Igloo logo and an overprinting technique to design the cards to have a great looking (great feeling) kaleidoscope effect.

Stop in to their Snow House Gift Shop to pick one up in person and shop some letterpress and other local handmade goodies!

Imaginary Beast | Business Cards for the Branding Studio!

We had the opportunity last week to add some business cards to one of our print jobs press sheet (this means there was extra room on the paper which would become waste if not used). So that's just what we did! After more than a year of being a full-time branding and design studio, we finally took an hour to make something for our OWN brand!

We'll still be designing some new *official* business cards for ourselves in the future, but for now, we're pretty darn happy to have these guys. Thanks to Shawn Hileman at Masthead Print Studio in Philadelphia for doing such an awesome job on the prints AND for having great customer service. Work with nice people, folks! It makes life much more pleasant!

Also, guess what?! We got an instagram account! We'll be sharing current projects and bit and pieces from our days on there. Check it out and follow if you like: @theimaginarybeast

Sassafras Bakery | Savor the Sweet Life!

We've already shared two t-shirt designs we did with Sassafras Bakery and now we're here to share more! Sassafras is and has been an amazing client to work with (I mean, combine great people with some delectable desserts, and you've got a winning combination). We worked with owner and master baker, AJ Perry, to design business cards, label design for her granola bars, gift certificates, and more! 

Hop on over to Sassafras Bakery and get yourself a treat!

 Letterpress business cards & Thank You cards printed by Igloo Letterpress.

Love Letters | Tear-Apart Valentines with Igloo Letterpress

Hey guuuys, how's it hangin'? THIS is a thing I'm pretty excited about sharing. One of the reasons I decided to start freelancing and open my own business is because I wanted take part in more fun, creative projects. Igloo Letterpress is really a dream client. This project is a collaboration for their new Vintage Modern letterpress line that we're currently developing.

THEY'RE TEAR APART VALENTINES, folks! They're a stylish version of the Snoopy valentines you used to stick in your classmate's shoeboxes way back when. Send your sweetie one (or heck, ALL) of these this Valentine's Day and you're guaranteed some Grade A Smoochin'!

Head over here to their etsy shop to purchase!

*Bonus: They're flat cards, and they look pretty darn cute framed-- especially that "Grade A Gem" one. We'll be putting one up in the office. Gotta take pride in your work, amiright?!

Sassafras Bakery | T-shirts

Our good friends at Sassafras Bakery recently opened their brick and mortar in Columbus, Ohio and we had the honor of helping them create some fun design elements! There's much more to come from our collaboration with Sassafras Bakery, but in the meantime, go visit and treat yourself to something delicious. AJ Perry is constantly cooking up delightful new treats (and we're continuously loving them). The brownies! The pies! The coffee. I cannot say enough good things. 

Visit Sassafras Bakery on facebook and in person at 657 High Street in Worthington, Ohio. 

Beast Friends Forever No. 1 | Tyler Mele

One of the greatest things about going to an art school and working in the design field is that you meet a TON of incredibly talented, creative folks. Today begins a weekly project of pen-pal interviews with some of those people.

Click to view larger!

Tyler Mele has been on the friendship roster for the past couple of years. He's got a sort of bromance going on with my manfriend, so although I've tried many times to get rid of him, the friendship has stuck. Him and his lady love Emily Rickard were in the same year as Dave and me at the Columbus College of Art & Design.

About a year and a half ago, Tyler and Emily decided that California was the place they ought to be, so they left us in Ohio in pursuit of their dreams! In a bizarre twist of events, we've only grown closer to them since they've gone. A fine couple of folks.

Tyler is the King of Animation. He's got a delightful knack for capturing motion and creating fun characters (see his reel below).

Also important to note, after mailing his interview back to me, I got a frantic facebook message asking to amend his answer to the "what your sitcom theme song would be". Tyler has prepared a (currently) 71 song salute to this question in the form of a Spotify playlist. This is, Tyler Mele's Life Soundtrack. The man takes his interview questions seriously, what can we say?


Tyler Mele: Animation Reel from Tyler Mele on Vimeo.

Anne Julian

While we're highlighting some projects from the website, I'd love to share this one with you! A good friend, Anne Julian, crochets beautiful pieces to wear. The zipper scarves are some of my absolute favorites if you're in the market (it's late June, I realize... but you really must bookmark this page for future you to remember!). They're thick and luxurious and pretty much wonderful. Email her for pricing.

Emily & Josh – Wedding Invites!

When my friend Emily and her now-husband Josh got engaged, I was happy to be able to help out by designing them some awesome Save the Dates and invitations! They've since gotten hitched and are getting ready for a big move to China (where they first met). So good to see these two wonderful people in love! 

Imaginary Beast – New Website!!

 Guess who just got a flashy new digs?

Answer: WE DID.

The Imaginary Beast website is launched in all it's fun/colorful glory! BEHOLD.

This is the beginning of something good, that's for sure. We're accepting all sorts of creative work right now, from brand overhauls to simple logo solutions. Check out some of the things we do here and get in touch by heading to our contact page or emailing me at rachel@imaginarybeast.com.

And hey, while you're at it, Like Us on Facebook. In return, air high-fives and invisible cupcakes (100% less calories than visible cupcakes).

Flora Invitation Suite – Progress

It's a rainy morning-- perfect for listening to Neutral Milk Hotel and doodling some carrots for an upcoming invitation suite!

Igloo Letterpress

The new Igloo Letterpress site has launched! For the past couple weeks we've been photographing, designing, and developing the new site. We've still got a bit of housekeeping to do, but be sure to stop by and check it out.

We're so proud to have worked on it with them. Allison Chapman and her crew are some of the kindest / most fun folks we've had the pleasure of knowing. If you have a letterpress project in mind or just need some sweet cards and goodies, be sure to give them a shout!

Next up, designing packaging and finishing up some promotional materials for the National Stationery Show!

A Whole Lotta Igloos

We're gearing up to launch the new Igloo Letterpress website this week, and these little buggers are a few of the icons we'll be using!

We dig you, we really do.

We got this beauty in the mail this morning. We want to stamp everything. EVERYTHING, we say!

Followin' Dreams

Today we've been finishing up some graphics for a website that will be launching in the next week. Exciting stuff, folks, exciting stuff! Can't wait to show you everything, but for now this little doo-dad will have to suffice.

Flappers & Dappers – A Great Gatsby Inspired Party!

One of my favorite friends, Krysti Kalkman had a Great Gatsby themed birthday party Saturday night! She is, hands down, the best hostess I've ever met. Martha Stewart ain't got nothin' on this gal, I'm telling you.

My Mr. Dave Armstrong & the super talented Jake Murray drew the awesome moon mural. It looked beeeeautiful.

If you're curious about the rest of the party, everyone posted their instagram photos with the hashtag #thegreatbday.