creative for hire

Sample Poster Designs

2010-01-24T13:45:00.004-06:00

A sampler of event posters for various historical sites. The final printed versions of each of these is 11"x17". Click on image to enlarge.

At the 2008 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference in Jackson, Albert's poster for Historic Mansker's Station's 2007 Colonial Fair won a "Commendation for Superlative Achievement." The poster was, in their words, "instrumental in the overall look, theme, and feel of Colonial Fair."

EDCT SUMMER NEWSLETTER

2009-08-31T09:56:00.003-05:00

Page 1

The BUZZ page got lots of compliments because of the photo cropping...

EDCT, now with 100% MORE Liz!

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

2009-06-08T11:45:00.006-05:00

EDCT Newsletter Winter 2008 issue.

Click HERE to view the entire issue as a pdf.

TNIDA Newsletter Spring 2009 issue.

Click HERE to view the entire issue as a pdf.

EDCT Newsletter Spring 2009 issue.

Click HERE to view the entire issue as a pdf.

TNIDA RISE Conference 2009

2009-06-08T11:06:00.001-05:00

TNIDA "Save the Date" email graphic

TNIDA Tri-fold Brochure, exterior

TNIDA Tri-fold Brochure, interior

More Currey Ingram goodness!

2009-06-08T10:43:00.007-05:00

Mockup of what the patch will look like when applied to CIA Jackets

The newly redesigned CIA Crest Patch

The newly created CIA Alumni logo

TREATY OF HOLSTON

2009-03-23T10:01:00.008-05:00

When Historic Rock Castle, an 18th century home in Hendersonville TN, needed a treaty in a hurry, they turned to Creative for Hire for their design solution. Rock Castle hosts an event called 'Daniel Smith Days' every fall, and in 2008 they tried something new, a reenactment of the 1790 signing of the 'Treaty of Holston', between the Cherokee and the early United States.

A finished view of the treaty with the red wax seals added.

Albert (in black) assists the Cherokee in the signing of the treaty. The event (and the treaty) was such a success that the fine folks at Rock Castle have not only decided to do the reenactment next year, they've mass produced the treaty to sell in their gift shop.

TAKE NOTICE.

2009-02-02T22:33:00.003-06:00

...And in the 18th Century, you TOTALLY would have.

I love the fact that advertising posters like this one (called 'broadsides' at the time) were so completely to the point. It doesn't beat around the bush about the point it's trying to get across.

This poster (and the affiliated handbill and black and white print ad) was created for a historical site in Ohio called Schoenbrunn Village. If history's your bag, you might check them out when you get a chance... VERY interesting history behind it.

The poster is meant to evoke the look and feel of the old printing-press broadsides of the time, and YES, they could even muster up two colors! I tried to show a sampling of the types of folks and things that the public could expect to see if they made it out to the event.

Liz and I will be there, I even slipped us into the poster... have you found us yet? :)

SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE

DANIEL BOONE WAS A MAN...

2009-01-12T12:50:00.010-06:00

...And as tall as a mountain was he!

THE CLIENT: Steve Caudill @ Danielbooneofkentucky.com

THE PROJECT: A printed, single-fold piece to promote Steven's store and his interpretation of Daniel Boone, the 18th-century hero.

THE C4H SOLUTION: Albert, who is totally into all things 18th-century, created this booklet-style promo for Steve to pass out to potential clients.

FREAK-SHOW BARBIE

2008-12-09T18:40:00.008-06:00

Barbie. She's more than a doll, more than an icon and certainly more than a childhood toy. Barbie has become the 11-and-a-half inch, plastic version of the ideal woman. If she were a real person, however, she'd seem more like a freak show than a beauty queen, or so say her critics' calculations.

The ever-progressive folks at the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT) believe it's time for life-sized Barbie to get a bit more exposure. Picture it being seen by a few thousand Tennessee teens -- as a six-foot-tall poster in their school hallways -- and you'll get a sense of its impact.

Liz penned the copy, and Kieffer McBride designed the poster. Kieffer is one of Albert's former students, a knockout designer and an all-around rock star of a guy.* This is his first job with Creative for Hire.

*Albert teaches commercial arts and graphics design at Beech High School.

C4H HELPS CIA CELEBRATE 40 YEARS

2008-11-17T16:45:00.004-06:00

THE CLIENT: Currey Ingram Academy

THE PROJECT: A logo for the school's 40th anniversary

THE C4H SOLUTION: Albert designed the above logo in August 2008. Since then, it's shown up in a variety of places, from T-shirts and paper cups to brochures and the school's roadside banner.

REVVING UP THE REDESIGN

2008-11-14T13:39:00.003-06:00

THE CLIENT: Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT)

THE PROJECT: Fall newsletter 2008

THE C4H SOLUTION: When the EDCT staff wanted to redesign their newsletter, they called Albert. He subtly wove in a few of the elements from his previous work, so the pieces would fit together but not match.

CREATIVE FOR CREATIVES

2008-10-07T15:21:00.006-05:00

THE CLIENT: Filipiak Creative

THE PROJECT: Web copy

THE C4H SOLUTION: Liz worked with Bill and Misti Filipiak to craft concise descriptions for all of their Web pages.

LOVING THE DAY JOB

2008-09-15T09:45:00.000-05:00

Before landing her current gig, Liz was an elementary school teacher. She loves kids (particularly the quirky ones) and frequently writes about education. Here's an excerpt from one of her articles this year.

THE BACK STORY:
Liz interviewed staff members and students to gather info for her article. In the process, she found her angle: Webster, the puppet, and his experienced handler, School Counselor Robb Killen. Liz highlighted the school's mission by talking about strengths and talents, character education and multisensory activities. The article was published in the Spring 2008 issue of The Window, a biannual publication of Currey Ingram Academy.

Meet Webster and the POD Squad
How a Puppet and a Video Camera are Transforming Character Education

It’s Halloween at Currey Ingram, and a pair of bullies has just stolen candy bags from trick-or-treaters. The bewildered victims watch helplessly as the bandits speed away on foot. “There are two kids being irresponsible,” remarks a camouflaged special agent through a crackling walkie-talkie. “I’m going after them,” he says and sprints down the hall.

“CUT!” yells Upper Elementary Counselor Robb Killen from behind a Muppet-like puppet in a Tennessee Titans’ jersey. “Great job, guys! Now let’s set up for our next scene.”

Killen and a group of sixth-grade boys are filming “Trick-or-Treat Bullies,” the second in a series of 10 sets of movies that reinforce each month’s character trait. This one focuses on responsibility. Every student in the Upper Elementary – 73 fifth- and sixth-graders in all – participates in one of these filmed skits each month, directed by Killen. Students take turns filming, but all are involved in brainstorming the plot, writing the script, collecting props and acting. “The process teaches them how to work together to turn out a product,” says Killen.

Webster, the yellow-haired puppet that joined this skit as a trick-or-treating football player, is written into each one of the student-crafted scripts. Killen says that is the one of the reasons he uses the puppet – to help teach social skills in a kid-friendly, unique way.

STICK A FORK IN IT

2008-09-15T09:26:00.009-05:00

There are few things more rewarding than finishing a job. In no particular order, they are:

1) Driving on fumes until you find the cheapest gas.
2) Rocking the barbecued pork recipe you scorched last time. (Like running-out-of-the-house-with-flaming-meat-in-your-oven-mitts scorched.)
3) Realizing that current fashion trends encourage you to wear the leg warmers you wore in eighth grade. (Wait. That's actually depressing.)

The poster above completes our latest assignment from the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee. Schools across the state will receive several of them when they sign up with the EDCT for Eating Disorders Awareness Week. That compels us to add another item to the list of rewarding things: Knowing your work makes a difference.

P.S. Here's what EDCT staff members said about Albert's design. Jennifer: "We love!!!!!!!" Shelli: "LOVE it!!!" We're so happy they're happy.

RESISTING A PUN-ISHING HEADLINE

2008-09-12T14:05:00.004-05:00

THE CLIENT: Currey Ingram Academy

THE PROJECT: While Albert designed the cookbook cover, Liz wrote the introduction. Bev, the hippest Dean of Students you'll ever meet, says it's "perfect." Thanks, Bev. COOLERY ALERT: Proceeds from the sale of these books fund class trip scholarships for Upper School students. We're proud to contribute to such a great cause.

THE C4H SOLUTION:
Friends and Families of Currey Ingram Academy,

As we enter our 40th year, I’m pleased to launch the celebration with an inaugural publication – Currey Ingram’s first-ever cookbook, created by the Upper School.

We already celebrate so many “sides” of ourselves here at Currey Ingram – academic, artistic and athletic among them – it’s only natural that we add a new one this year: the culinary side.

On these pages you’ll find 400 delicious recipes from people you know, whether it be through your involvement with CIPO, theatre, Inspiration Expo or just by watching your children grow up together. The Upper School faculty and staff and I have also contributed our favorites.

Savory soups, hearty entrees, sinful desserts and other fun recipes await your enjoyment.

So shake out the apron and rock the kitchen!

CURREY INGRAM ROCKS THE KITCHEN

2008-09-12T12:38:00.007-05:00

THE CLIENT: Currey Ingram Academy

THE PROJECT: When we heard Currey Ingram Academy had a cookbook in the works, we did two things: a) thought about other cookbook covers we'd seen and b) lunged for the phone. Once we got Bev on the line, she told us her thoughts and we made her this pledge: It'll be cool. It'll be hip. The impossible-to-please teenage audience will dig it. And we won't even think of using gingham.

THE C4H SOLUTION: "What high school kid doesn't like a good, rebellious tattoo?" Albert thought. In a flurry of pen and ink, he'd sketched the preliminary ideas for the design above. His inspiration? Sailor Jerry and the White Stripes. (Btw: Have we mentioned how stoked we are for the Raconteurs on Sept. 30? Ok, well, we're so stoked.)

C4H UP FOR TECHSOUP "SHOW YOUR IMPACT" AWARDS

2008-06-24T16:41:00.006-05:00

Jennifer with the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT) has nominated Albert's YES! Team Web banner for the "Show Your Impact" awards from TechSoup. (C4H issues a bona fide COOLERY ALERT for TechSoup Stock, where qualified organizations can apply for donated technology at very low prices.) Thanks for the nom, Jennifer! You rock. We hope we'll win $1,000 for the EDCT.

WEB BANNERS, MASTHEADS AND POSTERS (OH MY!)

2008-06-24T12:33:00.004-05:00

THE CLIENT: Remember when Albert created that snazzy Web banner for the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT)? Yes? No? Maybe if you saw it again? Well, anyway. Shelli and Jennifer liked it so much that they asked Albert to design three more pieces. We're tickled. Here are the details.

THE PROJECT: Create a poster, Web banner and e-mail masthead to advertise the EDCT's Youth Education and Support (YES!) Team.

THE C4H SOLUTION: Albert's always thinking of the big picture (unless he's thinking about the Raconteurs at the Ryman this September, then it's all tree bark and no forest), so it's no surprise that he pondered some serious EDCT branding opportunities with this gig. He took many of the same elements from his prior EDCT project (here it is!) and oila! You have what you see here. The poster is not needed for a bit yet; we'll add that when it's ready.

C4H GETS AIR TIME ON WKRN

2008-06-20T20:51:00.002-05:00

OK, so we're a little proud. Our flier made the local news -- and so did Albert. WOOT!

SAVE MANKSER'S STATION

2008-06-20T17:50:00.011-05:00

We at Creative for Hire are passionate about a number of things -- correct grammar, stellar designs and Sonic milkshakes, for starters -- but nothing lights our spark more than standing up for a cause we believe in. This time, it's saving the historical sites of Mansker's Station and the Bowen Plantation House in Goodlettsville, Tenn.

The City of Goodlettsville on June 18 announced the two sites would close indefinitely on June 30 due to budget cuts. While we give props to all our elected officials (concocting a city budget is not for the faint of heart), the closure concerns us on a number of levels: a) Albert has volunteered at Mansker's for nearly a decade, b) more than 8,000 school children in the past two years have visited and c) as advocates of historic preservation in general, we believe these sites need to be staffed and maintained, not just turned into static displays.

To that end, we responded the best way we know how -- with words and images (Kazam! See flier). Feel free to keep up with our campaign at Albert's blog. He's also been burning up Channel 4, Channel 2 and the Tennessean. Rock on, Albert.

INSPIRATION EXPO PROJECT

2008-05-01T08:23:00.005-05:00

THE CLIENT: Currey Ingram Academy (CIA)

THE PROJECT: Create print-ready mechanicals for the 2008 CIA Inspiration Expo.

THE C4H SOLUTION: Albert created an eight-piece package for CIA: invitation, return envelope, four registration cards, front-and-back T-shirt designs and bookplate.

WATCH OUT HOLLYWOOD!

2008-04-30T20:14:00.009-05:00

THE CLIENT: Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT)

COOLERY ALERT: Shelli, Jennifer, Brittany and all the volunteers at the EDCT. They are cool people who do cool things, like raise awareness of eating disorders throughout Tennessee. If you live in or happen to find yourself in Nashville (specifically at 2120 Crestmoor Drive in Green Hills), drop by the office. You might even see Liz there. She's been a volunteer since 2004. BTW, Albert designed the snazzy Web banner you see above. Shelli calls it "the most fresh and moving graphic the EDCT has ever seen." Thanks, Shelli. We're honored you think so.

THE ASSIGNMENT: Guest columnist for "Weigh-in Wednesday," the EDCT's weekly e-mail campaign (April 30, 2008, issue). Write a short, personal, uplifting article that engages the reader.

THE C4H SOLUTION: On my drive home from work last night, listening to a deejay rattle off his list of “this day in history” events, my mind rotated through images like a disc in a Viewmaster toy. As a farm kid growing up in the eighties without cable TV, nothing passed time better than the royal blue, handheld gizmo that almost looked like a camera and actually flipped through pictures like it was taking them, too. It always made me feel like a filmmaker.

Back then, I “filmed” abridged versions of Snow White and Cinderella as they clicked across the Viewmaster. I had a director’s chair, some rockin’ plastic sunglasses and a megaphone, too, if only in my head. Watch out, Hollywood – a blue-eyed tomboy with a pretend camera just picked up and moved your silver screens to the Midwest.

And sometimes, it can be that simple.

(Well, not literally. Hollywood is in SoCal to stay, and you can’t get far with pretend cameras. But indie filmmakers are popping up all over the world, and you could be one of them.)

So what if you made a film? Pick a subject that means something to you. It could be a bittersweet piece about your daughter graduating high school, a compelling stand on an environmental issue, or maybe it’s a raucous review of your girls’ weekend in Vegas last year. Carpe diem, baby. Get a camcorder and go.

Whatever your angle, tell us about it. We love hearing from you.

You can sign up to receive Weigh-In Wednesday e-mails at contactus@edct.net. Liz weighs in from time to time, but no matter who writes, it's an empowering read.

FOOD, GAS, TUNES

2008-04-29T08:57:00.009-05:00

THE CLIENT: Just Me Music

THE PROJECT: Design/illustrate a merchandise display and CD-burning machine for Just Me Music to present to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Restaurant. Customers would use a built-in touch-screen computer to create a custom CD that dropped out of a side slot when finished. The front of the unit would also display store merchandise.

THE C4H SOLUTION: Albert designed a retro gas pump on a turntable with built-in racks on three sides to hold CDs. The big, bright light on top and automotive finish exterior would instantly draw attention to the unit and its product to help move the merchandise. The design maintained Cracker Barrel's "old country" brand while introducing a modern, easy-to-use product for customers.

C4H AWARD

2008-04-20T21:36:00.004-05:00