9212 Fry Road | Suite 105 | #255

Cypress, TX, 77433

(858) 255-1230

branding + design for creative professionals

A GRAPHIC + WEB DESIGN STUDIO IN HOUSTON, TX

a beach-sunset-inspired color palette

April 18, 2014 Nikki Mihalik

a beach-sunset-inspired color palette // gray, blue, peach, sand [pinit]

Cheers to summer on the horizon! Happy Friday, all!

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GRAY #646164 / BLUE #758A94 / LIGHT BLUE #ADBCBE

SAND #E7D5BB / PEACH #F0CAAE / ROSY PEACH #F1B39D

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TYPOGRAPHY

2018 has been a wild ride. I took almost 5 months off for maternity leave in the second half of 2017, so this year has been about finding my new normal and trying to make ends meet business-wise (i.e., make the same amount of money with half the time and the added expense of daycare). It’s been pretty exhausting but every new relationship and project has been worth it. Somehow, by the grace of God, I’ve been able to do the work I love AND spend a lot of time with my family. I don’t make a 6-figure salary, but I’m beginning to realize that’s never actually been my goal. Sure, it would be awesome (and maybe I’ll aspire to that later), but to be honest I don’t want that pressure. I’m happy staying small for now. :)
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Here’s a peek at an illustration I made for a special client. The colors have been changed but the character is the same. Aren’t VW Buses just the cuuutest?!!
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If you want to see how I’m planning for next year, see my stories!
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#graphicdesign #illustration #vwbus #wanderlust #girlboss #bossbabe #momboss #womeninbusiness #vw #camperlife #risingtidesociety #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstoncreatives #houstongraphicdesigner #brandstylist #branding #brandingforcreatives #myblueprintyear #akulakreative

If you’ve ever wondered how to use a signature pattern in your branding, here’s a great example! You’re Invited had several patterns, so we used the bows on an envelope liner, stripes on the paper confetti, dots on the back of the half-sheet letterhead, and starbursts on the back of the letterpress business card. Shown here is a fun little moving announcement we designed for them a while back.
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Check the blog for this week’s color palette featuring some of my favorite handmade goods by @theumbrellacollective!
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Photo by @kimberlychau
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#stationery #stationeryaddict #stationerylove #dailydoseofpaper #paperlove #graphicdesign #branding #brandingforcreatives #pattern #patterndesign #branddesign #brandstylist #stationeryshop #shopsmall #houstoncreatives #tuesdaystogetherhtx #akulakreative

Did you know that Van Gogh remained poor and unrecognized as an artist for his entire life? He had so little money that he often starved in order to buy paint...aaand the reason he painted so many self portraits was that he couldn’t afford models. In fact, if it weren’t for his sister-in-law—who, in the wake of his younger brother’s death, devoted her life to sharing Van Gogh’s work—we may not know his name today.
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I know I’m an art history nerd, but this still astounds me. We’ve been reading one of my all-time favorite books to Em, and I was reminded of Van Gogh’s tragic life. It’s called “Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)” by Kathleen Krull and I HIGHLY recommend it! It’s funny, witty, and gives you great insight into the people behind the paintings.
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In other news, I posted a new color palette today featuring the lovely watercolor work of @amberartistry! Support an artist and give her a follow!
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#color #colortheory #colorpalette #colorinspiration #art #supportart #supportartists #houstoncreatives #imagination #creativehappylife #artnerd #arthistory #creativehappylife #paintcolors

Raise your hand if you ate Halloween candy for breakfast. Here’s a little tone-on-tone pattern in progress!
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#pattern #patterndesign #tile #patterninspiration #graphicdesign #branding #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #creativeprocess #houstoncreatives #tuesdaystogetherhtx #creative #spanishtiles #houstongraphicdesigner #branddesign #brandpattern #toneontone #akulakreative

I haven’t had a chance to decorate our pumpkins because I was too busy building a space shuttle this month. (For reals. See my stories.) Sooo here’s my pumpkin pic from 2 years ago. 🙈 Happy Halloween!!! I hope yours is less rainy than ours!
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#happyhalloween #🎃 #pumpkin #pumpkinpainting #pumpkindecorating #boo #handlettering #creativehappylife #cactuspumpkin #pumpkinsofinstagram #graphicdesigner #studiolife #mompreneur #craftsposure #risingtidesociety #tuesdaystogetherhtx #happyfall #akulakreative

Look what came in the mail yesterday!!! A beeeeeautiful little letterpress piece lettered AND printed by @joyandconfetti on handmade blush paper. (The paper is so thick that I tried to [gently] pry it apart thinking it was two sheets stuck together. It must have been so fun to print on this!!) Donna, thank you so much for my happy mail - it’s definitely getting framed and hung on the wall! I’ll send your paper goodies today. 💌
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The timing couldn’t be more perfect because today’s color palette was inspired by the work of another lovely calligrapher I know :: @hanwriting! And guess what... it’s letterpress on handmade paper. 😉 See my stories for a peek!
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#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #handlettering #letterpress #letterpresslove #printdesign #graphicdesign #craftsposure #makersgonnamake #joyandconfetti #love #lovequotes #girlboss #bossbabe #momboss #womensupportingwomen #womeninbusiness #houstoncreatives #tuesdaystogetherhtx #risingtidesociety #presentoverperfect #dailydoseofpaper #dstexture #dslettering #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives