I met Natalie Green over the phone over 2 years ago when she was writing a story about Heartfelt (previously the Australian Community of Child Photographers). We both ended up volunteering at the organisation at the same time and have been able to collaborate on a few projects over the past couple of years.

Nat is a writer at heart. The way she is able to string words together, or spot a gramatically incorrect sentance astonishes me anew each time we work together. In the last year or so, we’ve had a chance to collaborate more, with Nat doing writing and proof reading for both my corporate and small business clients. So when she asked me to produce her logo and identity I was thrilled at the prospect!

A business name like ‘Colourful Words’ should be the first clue that Natalie isn’t like other writers. She is funny and quirky and pedantic and not afraid to showing a bit of spirit. I loved working with Nat as she had a clear sense of her own strengths and what defines her business. That alone makes for a challenging yet highly conceptual design outcome – the very best kind! She also trusted me to do my job and to do it well for her and her business.

The final outcome is a play on the double meaning of ‘colourful words’ – in part as the literal interpretation as well as the implication that there may be  some unexpected language involved! I LOVE the final outcome and am really pleased with the overall look and feel. Nat is still working on finalising the blog interface, but I am sure that will happen in good time. You can check Natalie out on her blog – http://www.colourfulwords.com.au/

All the best for the coming year Nat – I am so excited to be a small part of your journey in 2011!

Posted by Netra on Jan 25th 2011 | branding - card - corporate - design - graphic design - logo - marketing - print design
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Nicole Lloyd was referred to me by Fiona Rogerson of Evoke Art whose branding I did not so long ago.

Nicole had an amazing birth experience where she felt the sound from her crystal bowl helped her focus and be calm through the challenges of labour and birth. She is passionate about all things birth-related and was very keen to share this experience with other women too. Taking advantage of her background in music, Nicole has started Sound Birth to do exactly that as well as encourage other forms of music and sound therapy for labour and relaxation.

If you have no idea what I am rambling on about (indeed, I had to google ‘crystal singing bowls’ myself before taking on the project) you can check out photos on the Sound Birth Facebook Page or on the Sound Birth website. Good luck with your new venture Nicole!

Posted by Netra on Jan 17th 2011 | branding - card - design - graphic design - logo - print design
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Rebecca Knight is a local stylist who was looking to get back into the industry after a few years off with her kids.  Rebecca lost her mum to cancer 8 years ago and while her mum was undergoing chemo, Rebecca styled her wigs. She believes that while the wigs do boost confidence of the patients, they can still sometimes look ‘like wigs’ and a little bit of creative styling can make all the difference. Rebecca offers this free service to those undergoing chemo who have lost their hair – bring in your wigs and she will style it free of charge.

When I initially met Rebecca, the phrase that jumped into my head was ‘rock-star stylist’. She is funky, daring, bold and sassy – just the kind of thing you want in a stylist. When I created her identity, I was heavily influenced by Versace’s identity. The iconic style of the icon, the brand positioning all felt like they tied in well to the market Rebecca was aiming towards in the longer term. We’ve totally made it her ‘own’ though and I thought it would look great for merchandising and products further on down the track should she choose to go that way.

What a wonderful idea Bec, I hope this is the start of something truly amazing for you.

Posted by Netra on Sep 16th 2010 | card - design - graphic design - marketing - photography
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James Boddington and I have been working on this project for some time now. He is a super-busy photographer, winging his way around (most recently to Vermont) photographing weddings. Though that is only part of the story, he is also an accomplished commercial and editorial photographer as well.

James wanted a new take on his old logo, just to freshen things up. We threw around words like quirky, unexpected, bold and unconventional and after a solid dialogue we arrived at this solution. James has such a clean look and feel to his site and work, the images do really speak for themselves, so the branding had to tie in with the photography discreetly.

Make sure to check out his blog, wedding site and commercial site. Yet ANOTHER amazingly talented photographer I have had the pleasure of working with – I truly do have the best job in the world!

Posted by Netra on Sep 3rd 2010 | card - corporate - design - graphic design - photography - print design
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Louise Williams and I have been creating a new identity for her business over the past 2 months. Louise already had a business name but her photography had outgrown her old logo. I think often when people start with a new brand, they can’t fathom where they may be 2 years into the future. Their style might evolve in another direction, or they may decide to specialise.

Louise had just made the courageous decision to give up her private practise as a psychologist and throw herself into photography full-time. Louise’s unique background allows her to connect with people and draw them out. She can identify with her clients and also identify when they are feeling a little tense and work her magic to make them relax.

Her brief intially was focussed on a moulin-rouge themed boudoir photography business. As we spoke it became apparent that her business was made up of many different facets and so the challenge here was to conceptualise a look and feel that was relevant across the board – babies, brides and boudoir – and that would fit in with each.

The O in the logo below represents a portal, an eye, a way of seeing – its a camera, a lens, a ring, a pair of ruby lips. It’s a hug, it’s being hugged, it’s a circle, a full 360 degrees.

Louise also wanted to add some ‘bling’ to her branding, ’cos she is just a ‘blingy kind of person’ or so she tells me. So gently steering her away from diamantes and a bedazzler, I devised a series of circles based on her logo that represent a sparkly string of bling and have used that in her material to support the brand.  

Louise wrote:

Netra is amazing!  She has listened to me, she has created branding that I am so proud of, she really ‘saw me’ and who I want to be as a photographer.

If you are looking for a designer for your business, I totally recommend Netra!  She has been amazing, so supportive, and gives 110% to your project!  I cannot wait to expand on my branding elements with her in the future!

Thanks Louise and big congratulations on your launch! You can check out Louise’s work on her blog (also designed by me!) at www.emotiveimages.com.au.

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Posted by Netra on Aug 16th 2010 | brochure - card - design - flyer - graphic design - marketing - photography
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Fiona Rogerson contacted me about a total revamp of her business. Fiona had been working with a business coach and was ready to take her business to the next level. Part of that was a sophisticated new look and identity.

Fiona’s photography is best expressed as large art prints for walls and she wanted an icon or symbol that she could use as a stamp across a large variety of material. After  the intial round of concepts, we were working through a few ideas and I had a flash of inspiration with regards to the business initials.

As Fiona specialises in maternity and newborn photography, I used the E from ‘Evoke’ to form the silhouette of the pregnant female form, while the ‘a’ becomes the baby, curled up inside. Fiona said:

“Netra… is the amazing talent behind my new brand. She took my incredibly vague ideas and transformed them into something unique and clever that speaks volumes about me and my photography.”

HUGE congrats to you Fiona, it is so exciting to see everything finally launched and I sure you will do amazing things with this business. Well done!!!

Make sure to check out Evoke art   to see the new logo and branding!

Posted by Netra on Jun 29th 2010 | brochure - card - design - flyer - graphic design - marketing
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Nicole Akhurst and I have been working away at her new brand HUSH for the past few months. She came to me with a clean slate, told me ALL her ideas and let me run with her brief, to interpret as I felt like. In short, she trusted me. For me, this is the very very best way to work as it definitely allows me to bring all my various skills in design, branding, marketing and coporate identity together in the very best way.

The more people see and hear about my design work, I suppose the more they are willing to let me develop their band. I use the word ‘develop’ here with emphasis. It’s not about just having a great idea, its about how it is implemented across all the marketing - it’s about how flexible the logo and branding are so that they can be carried from the screen, to a print brochure and back to the screen as a website. It’s about making the brand work from day one.

But enough of my soapbox! I wanted to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Nic for entrusting me with her ‘baby’ – it was a ton of fun and I am absolutely stoked with the end result.  In an unrelated request, I put the word out for some client feedback recently and Nicole wrote this passage which I shall post here as it speaks directly about this project.

Working with Netra has not only been an honour and privelidge but it has also been the turning point in my business. Netra has the professional and brilliant ability to take your vision and turn it into something that is beyond what your imagination could have dreamed. Netra is thorough with her knowledge in the industry but what makes her stand above the rest is that she puts her whole heart and soul into creating what is right for YOU. She is a true artist in her form, a beautiful person and someone I am looking forward to working with again in the near future.

Posted by Netra on Dec 9th 2009 | card - commercial - corporate - design - graphic design - marketing - photography
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I’m delighted to be blogging about a project I’ve been working on for the past couple of months with Narrelle Joy from NJoy the Moment. Narrelle appraoched me for a complete overhaul of her existing business look and feel.

We wanted to focus on something about Narrelle that was unique and memorable – that would stay with prospective clients even after they had left her website, or put the brochure down,

We chose to focus on Narrelle’s second name “Joy” as opposed to her surname and focus the logo and concept on the notions of ‘joy’ and what it means to be joyous. The concept we ended up with was what we termed the ‘bubble of joy’ concept. The O represents a rising bubble of joy and carries through all Narrelle’s collateral, linking all the web and printed material together rather effectively. Narrelle said,

“I am so in love with it. I love Netra’s insight to me and my business in guiding me along the process and coming out the other end with something that really reflects my style… so thank you Netra. So much. You’re an absolute champion.”

Posted by Netra on Nov 7th 2009 | card - commercial - corporate - design - graphic design - marketing - photography
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Some time ago I produced some corporate stationery and marketing designs for Anne Brumley from Pins & Thimbles. I also suggested during one of our brainstorming sessions that she stitch each business card to enhance her brand ideals of hand made, personalised gifts.

Anne loved the idea and neither of us really knew how much work that was going to be. Poor Anne!

Today I got a lovely suprise in the mail – Anne had sent me some of the finished cards as samples and popped in a couple of her woven labels as well. Here they are looking gorgeous. Anne says the cards are a big hit with people wanting to take 2 or 3 at a time to give to friends. The accompanying card says:

“Thank you so much for your patient help with this project! You’re a star and I wish you all the best with your business – should go great guns if these cards are any guide ”

and here they are…

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Posted by Netra on Aug 23rd 2009 | card - commercial - corporate - design - graphic design - marketing
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