Archive for the ‘graphic design’ Category

Take Me To TEXAS

September 26, 2011

I’ve worked with Walter (aka TW) Lawrence on many projects and was thrilled he asked me to design his book cover for Take Me To TEXAS. It is an anthology of short stories… all with a Texas theme. Although, one story takes place in my current town of Roswell, GA.

Walter has a great marketing mind and is promoting his book in interesting ways. He launched the book over Labor Day weekend at the Decatur Book Festival in Atlanta, the largest independent book festival in the United States.

He posted this comment on his Facebook page after the festival: “Vanessa Lowry is the graphics designer for the book cover, front and back. She interpreted my vision for the artwork in a way that made it better and in the process made it FABULOUS. An independent bookseller told us it was ‘the best cover he’d seen in the entire festival.’ WOW.”

At the Decatur Book Festival, Walt was interviewed by Tim Morrison as part of the Write Here, Write Now radio remote. You can see how Walter took the audio and combined it with photos to make a YouTube video. Very smart!

Walter had posters printed of the front cover art as another item he can sell along with his book. He also had shirts embroidered with the headline type of Take Me to TEXAS to wear when he is out promoting the book. He has developed a 20 minute business presentation on the topic of the importance of creativity in business to share with business professionals at groups such as Rotary. He is an alumni of Emory University and they are listing his book in their newsletter with other published alumni. Walt’s joining groups in Atlanta that have Texas roots to network with others who love all things Texan.

The front of the card is just the book cover. This is the back of Walt's business card.

Walt was my first client to use a QR code on his business card. He tells me many stories of how that creates a conversation with the people he meets while networking.

He and two other fellow authors will have a booth at the Texas Book Festival in October 2011 representing the Atlanta Writers Club while each promoting their own newly published book.

Walter is using this book to build an audience for his upcoming novel, Texas Cool Million.

I guest host the radio show Write Here, Write Now once a month. Walt was my guest on August 9th when we talked about using the power of your network when writing, publishing and promoting a book. Walter’s interview starts at about 20 minutes into the show.

It is fun for me to work with creative clients like Walter. We learn new things together.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Mama Always Says…

September 5, 2011

This books of quotes published by Myra McElhaney are straight out of MY childhood. And that is really the point. These quotes are familiar because MY Mama, YOUR Mama and MYRA’s Mama said them… or something very similar.

I love working with Myra. She always makes collaborating fun and we laugh often. Myra has also started calling me her Gifted Graphic Design Goddess. I’m taking it a step further and adding the letters GGDG after my name. Vanessa Lowry, GGDG!

In the past year, I’ve helped Myra publish Mama Always Says as well as her newest book, Musings on Major and Minor Matters that May or May Not Matter.

This is what Myra says about working with me: “I love working with Vanessa! She’s a gifted graphic designer who delivers inspired designs with professionalism. She’s also marketing savvy and shares many ideas on how to build my brand and expand the impact of my projects. Plus she’s fun to work with! That’s why I call her the Graphic Design Goddess Extraordinaire! Vanessa not only designs my business cards, marketing materials and books; she helps me take my ideas to a higher level.”

You can purchase your own copy of Mama Always Says from Amazon.

Myra and I also created a t-shirt commemorating McElhaney’s Pub. Myra’s husband, Phil McElhaney, died a few years ago as a result of a brain tumor. Proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts go to brain cancer research. You can contact Myra through her website and find out more about purchasing the t-shirts.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Setting God Free

September 5, 2011

Sherri Lane and I connected initially through my book, 30 Days of Gratitude. She became a fan of our Days of Gratitude Facebook page and began to regularly comment on our posts. We became friends on FB through our personal pages as well.

While she was still writing her manuscript, Sherri called me to discuss her book cover. She believes in the power of visualization and wanted to have a compelling cover to encourage her as she was writing… to help her envision the book as completed. She even had the illustration she wanted to use, so it was a quick collaboration to create the cover. Writing can be a very solitary practice and it was an honor to assist her in bringing her book to the world.

Sherri is an author who seeks to bring out the best in others by recognizing the good in the world. Through her own powerful spiritual experiences, she has felt led to share healing and glimpses of enlightenment to others, helping them walk in faith to a brighter place.

Here is what Sherri said about working with me:

“Vanessa produced the cover for my book Setting God Free: Awakening to Miracles.  It was important to me that I have that done by someone with the right energy and feel – and I sensed that immediately in her.   She grasped the vision that I had and ran with it, producing something that had just the right feel for the message of the book.  Every step of dealing with Vanessa was not only professional, but also pleasant and easy.  She brings a wonderful presence to a project and I would highly recommend her!

Find out more about Sherri’s book at www.SherriLane.com. If you are in the Asheville, NC area, you may see Setting God Free in many of the area shops. You can also listen to an interview on Awakening Zone where Sherri talks about her book. Sherri also hosts her own radio show every Tuesday. You can listen here.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Improv Co-Author Rob Duncan

March 16, 2011

It was so exciting to meet Rob (via my LinkedIn network) and have him become a co-author of this collaborative book. While we were putting the book together, he was defending his dissertation for his doctorate— all about how businesses are using social media for business. He actually gathered all his data for his dissertation from his connections on LinkedIn.

Rob’s chapter in our book talks extensively about using the principles of improv to expand your social network. His involvement in Improv to Improve Your Business made our book an international project. How cool is that!

This is what Rob had to say about working with me on the book:

“I was one of the contributing authors of the book ‘Improv to Improve your Business’ which was developed by Vanessa. I was completely impressed by her ability to conceive of the project, find a great group of collaborating authors, and deliver a fantastic product with lightning speed. As an author, the process was completely painless for me, as Vanessa took the lead on all the necessary tasks to be completed, allowing me to focus my time on my strengths. I recommend Vanessa most highly, and would enjoy doing another project with her in the future.”

Rob is in demand as as trainer and keynote speaker. Check out his website to learn more about his programs and his other books. He has made it easy … just click on www.RobDuncan.com.

Other co-authors of this collaborative book include: Brent Brooks, Rick Crain, Leah Henderson, Jim Hogan, Deborah Thomas, Scott Williford, Mark Wyssbrod, Rob and myself.

Have an idea for a collaborative book? I can help you bring it from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Improv Co-Author Brent Brooks

February 12, 2011

Brent Brooks is a man of many talents including film director/producer and improv instructor. The Art of Suicide, winner of Best Underground film at INDIEfest in 2007, was produced by Blank Stage Productions and directed by Brent.

Join Brent and other improv players every Monday night from 7pm – 9pm at Blank Stage in Marietta, GA for Improv Dojo … learn, laugh and have fun! Beginners are welcome.

Here is a comment from Brent Brooks about working with me on our book, Improv to Improve Your Business.

“Vanessa is a joy to work with and a great improviser! She was able to work with me and several of my students in the successful creation and now distribution of the book, Improv to Improve Your Business. Doing the book really allowed me to appreciate all that Vanessa did and what the work is now doing for my career.  Vanessa worked with me in pulling out the best ideas rumbling in my head about my past experiences and current philosophies of improv. She has since then looked for more opportunities for all of us to leverage the success of the book in various and positive ways.”

Other co-authors of this collaborative book include: Rick Crain, Rob Duncan, Leah Henderson, Jim Hogan, Deborah Thomas, Scott Williford, Mark Wyssbrod, Brent and myself.

Have an idea for a collaborative book? I can help you bring it from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Improv to Improve Your Business

February 12, 2011

I’m fascinated by what helps entrepreneurs become successful. How they generate and implement innovative ideas, how they communicate with their teams AND customers, as well as what keeps them going in the good and bad times.

When I heard a presentation about using the principles of improvisation in business, I was immediately intrigued. After taking an improv class with other business owners, I knew the principles I learned would help me develop better relationships, generate more ideas and have more fun along the way. Rockin’ cool!

Toward the end of 2010, I approached entrepreneurs and business professionals about sharing stories of how they use the principles of improv in their business. The resulting book, Improv to Improve Your Business: Using the principles of improvisation to foster communication, creativity & innovation, was launched in January 2011.

Who would have thought a film producer, CPA, game developer, marketing consultant, sales professional, actor, business coach and serial entrepreneur would have so much in common? Listen to our 2/2/11 radio interview on Atlanta Business Radio with five of our co-authors. (Scroll down to the Feb 2, 2011 interview in the archives.)

Check out what co-authors Rob Duncan, Deborah Thomas, and Brent Brooks had to say about working with me on this book.

Read a complimentary chapter of the book to find out how I use improv in my work as a marketing consultant and graphic designer.

Vanessa speaking ABWA

at ABWA

I’m often asked to make presentations to business groups on the topic of using improv to improve your business. Here is an Improv Handout that I distribute at these presentations. Organizations that have invited me as a featured speaker on this topic include: ProWin, North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), WOMTEC, Compelling Creations (for their annual conference), and more.

at ProWin

at ProWin

Have an idea for a book? I can help you bring it from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Gracefully Written

January 9, 2011

 

Gracefully Written is a collection of heartfelt short stories, inspirational poems, and biblical narratives written to give you hope and lift your spirits.

Author Melva Walden has led an interesting life. Every time we meet for coffee, she tells me about cool friends she has made over the years. People like NBA players Clark Kellogg and Dikembe Mutombo, Olympian Teresa Edwards and Reverend Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador and former Mayor of Atlanta. She was recently invited to speak at two conferences honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I love working with fascinating people like Melva!

Here is what Melva had to say about working with me on her book.

“I had the pleasure to meet Vanessa at a business seminar where she spoke to the audience about her business.  Shortly, after meeting her I knew that I wanted to hire her to do the design, layout and graphics for my book titled, Gracefully Written.

Vanessa was always available whenever I needed to ask her a question. She would calmly listen and then give her opinion. Vanessa is an excellent motivator and facilitator. She is reliable, very professional and she cares about the work her customers entrust her to do.

Vanessa is a joy to work with. She went far and beyond my expectations and treated my manuscripts with great care and passion. Her enthusiasm for helping up and coming writers and artist, like me, is evident. The compliments I have received regarding the cover, layout and designs for Gracefully Written are astounding and are fitting for every poem or story. All you have to do is visit my website at www.GracefullyWritten.com to see for yourself.

I wish Vanessa the best and I look forward to working with her for my next book.”

You can find out more about Melva and purchase your own copy of Gracefully Written at www.GracefullyWritten.com.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

The RiskADay Journal:28 Days to Being You Out Loud with Courage, Creativity and Confidence

December 18, 2010

The RiskADay JournalLaura Biering practices what she teaches her coaching clients! She is an example of how taking risks can make your life more interesting and your career more fruitful. I had the pleasure of working with Laura as the graphic designer of her book, The RiskADay Journal. Not only does she describe a variety of risks she has taken (or not), she also translates the experience in a way that will help her readers identify and take their own risks to make their lives more fulfilling and fun. The processes outlined in the book are ones Laura developed and uses while coaching her clients in groups or one-on-one. It is empowering to know that following her process for 28 Days can give you the confidence to Be You Out Loud!

Here is what Laura said about working with me on this project: “I have known Vanessa Lowry for many years now, all the while wanting to find a way to work with her. I was delighted when the opportunity arose and I was able to hire her to design my first book, The RiskADay Journal: 28 Days to Being You Out Loud with Courage, Creativity and Confidence. She did an amazing job. It is truly a beautiful product. And not only that, she was a kind, calm and invaluable advisor throughout the process. I cannot recommend Vanessa highly enough!”

You can purchase Laura’s book at www.TheRiskADayJournal.com or on Amazon. Learn more about Laura’s coaching services at www.TrueVoices.com.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Love Among Enemies

December 18, 2010

Anytime I can learn something while being entertained, it is truly a bonus. Brenda Ledford, writing under the pen name Lorraine Tate, has published two books of romantic historical fiction. These books are part of a trilogy, set in the time of the American Civil War.

Reading these novels brought to life the devastation, the hope and perseverance our ancestors lived through during that time in history. It also made me appreciate more clearly things like electricity, running water and having ample food readily available. I can’t wait to read the final novel to see how the love story of Faith and Jonathan evolves.

Love Among EnemiesWorking with Brenda on Love Among Enemies was creative collaboration at its best. One of the elements she wanted to use on the book cover was a Rose of Sharon quilt which is referenced in the novel. She also wanted to incorporate a rifle from that time in history.

I used lo-res stock images to create a design that Brenda approved, but we didn’t have access to high resolution images and the quilt design I found wasn’t ideal. Sometimes a custom photo is the best solution.

Brenda sewed a quilt section using the Rose of Sharon pattern she wanted. She borrowed an antique rifle that would have been typical of those used during the Civil War. I was shocked at the length and weight of that rifle. It made me appreciate the physical strength of the men and women during that time to not only carry that heavy rifle for miles of military marches, but also to be able lift and shoot it with accuracy.

Marti Griffin, a friend and extraordinary professional photographer, shot the photo while I had fun art directing. Luckily, Marti also knew how to make fake blood! We shot all of the elements separately and I combined them in Photoshop to create the book cover. Here is a photo of that cool rifle with the antique bone powder horn. Civil War era rifle

This is what Brenda said about working with me on Love Among Enemies which included designing her book cover and formatting the book interior: “It has been great working with Vanessa. She’s a wonder of information and talent when it comes to proof reading, book layouts, cover design, printing, promo ideas and more. I love working with her.  Best of all, she’s a delightful person, organized, fast and a lady of her word.

My hat’s off to you, Vanessa. Much Thanks.”

You can purchase Brenda’s books on Amazon. Going Home is the first of the series and Love Among Enemies is next. The final book of the series, Blood in the Coosa, is anticipated for release in 2011.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.

Writing Secrets: Essential Steps to Discover How to Start

October 27, 2010

I love helping people move their dreams forward. So, it is a bonus when I have the opportunity to work with a client who also has that same passion. Tim Morrison owns Write Choice Services and he coaches writers through the process of getting their book out of their head and onto paper.

It was fun collaborating with Tim to create a strong marketing hook for his book, Writing Secrets: Essential Steps to Discover How to Start. His book outlines a specific process for writers to determine their book topic. Here is what he had to say about working with me.

“I retained Vanessa to design the cover for my newest book and to do the layout of it. In our initial meeting, we discussed the book’s contents. Vanessa offered some suggestions to generate a connection between the cover and content. I listened. I pondered. I implemented her suggestion which included a rewrite of the introduction and addition of some material in a couple other chapters. Vanessa subsequently designed an amazing cover that connects many elements of the book’s contents and intentions. Vanessa met all deadlines. Her energy and determination were infectious as I worked more diligently to ensure that the book’s contents matched the quality of the cover. Vanessa listens well and offers wise suggestions. I will continue to turn to Vanessa for book covers and book layout.”

I was recently a guest on Coach Kimberly’s radio show where we talked about publishing a book to attract ideal clients. I discussed one of the chapters in Tim’s book where he outlines seven benefits to writing and publishing a book. You can listen to the interview here.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or watching my video profile.