professional design & web portfolio of Cara McKinley

 

Work Web, Identity, & Print Design

Viewing posts in: Print Design

Seasonal/Promotional Posters

The Composing Room approached Big Wheel with a request for a promotional mail piece to send to their priority clients – something that would grab their attention, but also be a collectible that wouldn’t automatically be tossed into the recycling bin. We decided on a poster series, 1 poster to represent each of the four seasons in St. Louis and the variety of attractions and festivals available year-round. The local subject matter is not only a way to stress the fact that The Composing Room has been a local and family-owned business for over 20 years, but also is a way for the receiver to learn about all of the interesting things happening in their favorite city. The four separate posters can be combined to form one large illustration.

Download the large version (2000 px square)

Combined seasonal posters

Custom Type Illustrations for Studio Mathewes

Studio Mathewes not only captures beautiful images for their clients, they also do a great job of following up with clients after the work is done.

In keeping with the flourishing-type motif established by the Studio Mathewes logo, I created these two hand-drawn type illustrations for use on greeting cards or in email correspondence.’Ever After’ belongs to a note celebrating the anniversary of a wedding, and ‘Many Thanks’…is fairly self-explanitory.

'Ever After' anniversary greeting

'Many Thanks' thank-you card

Closeup of the beautiful letterpress work

Studio Mathewes Leave-Behind Cards

Studio Mathewes recently tasked me with creating a print piece to leave behind with potential clients that would be both a sample of work and provide pricing information. However, it was also important to Studio Mathewes that the materials be presented in a way that would be emotionally engaging, so that people would not be making hiring decisions based on prices alone. The talent, attitude, and style of Studio Mathewes should be the selling point.

After a few rounds of brainstorming, I decided to design a packet of 6 postcards, tied with a ribbon. A gorgeous photo is on the front of every card, with the exception of the pricing card. An evocative word/short phrase is on the back of each card, to accompany a related testimonial. Each word/phrase is embellished in a similar manner to the company logo, a motif which has been carried throughout other promotional materials.

Sealed packets

Photos can be viewed as individual pieces or as a whole group.

Custom type illustrations

Pricing card

College of Business Holiday Cards

The College of Business at U of I needed holiday cards for Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and wanted something that would help bring the college to a more modern-business reputation. Solid bright colors and matte metallics were used with helvetica and minimalist illustrations to create a clean and sophisticated design that can say ‘Happy Holidays’ without stuffiness.

Holiday Cards

New Year's Card

Thanksgiving well-wishes