Clever Bird Designs

Renovation

Ellie — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:11:28 +0000

I have decided it’s time to renovate the loft. The plan is to ignore any sense of a budget, just lay out on paper what I want and then figure out economical ways of putting it together. Inspiration abounds (Elle Decor).

Compromise Poster

Ellie — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:41:10 +0000

Slightly more exciting maybe???

Heliotrope

Ellie — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:03:17 +0000

Apparently, no one has come up with a poster design for the upcoming Heliotrope Festival May 26-28 in Minneapolis. I took it upon myself to create one.

The Brick Wall of Logo Design

Ellie — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 04:08:29 +0000

Here are four very simple log0 designs I am using as a jumping-off point. It’s not as easy as it looks.

Keystone Logo

Ellie — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:20:47 +0000

I’m getting to work on a logo design for a friend who’s starting up a insurance firm in Chicago, called Keystone. Prototypes to appear soon.

Also finishing up with the SF/I Split this week for its release at the Red Stag Supper Club on Wednesday. I’ve designed the sleeves, liner notes and bandcamp pages. Still need to print tape labels, but then again, I still need the tapes. This project is almost in the books! Number Two for Time Spy (Three, if you count the hand painted, fabric-sleeved Yeti Mix Tape).

Aaaaaand….my keyboard needs some Spring Cleaning.

Split!

Ellie — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:27:59 +0000

I’m working on artwork for an Ishmael/Sergei Finch split on cassette. This is what I am working with:

Opinions are welcome. Only one of these (3) will be chosen for the cassette packaging (printed on fabric), but I am thinking about making a poster out of this image as a whole. Good chance.

And here it begins…

Ellie — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:21:21 +0000

I’m leaving my job. That means I will have a lot more time available to commit to projects associated with Clever Bird Design Co. Though the outlook is a bit scary considering where the job market is right now, especially with creative professions, I am optimistic. The next few projects on deck:

1. I’m working with my boyfriend, Evan to put together a proposal for a sound art project at the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis. Evan is active in the Minneapolis music scene as a member of Humanda and got the idea for this project during the endless hours he’s spent experimenting with melodies and sounds. The chosen project will be announced by March 21, and details of our proposal will be announced upon acceptance.

2. In the same vein, Evan and I are also working on a collaborative piece at home. The piece will be mixed media on canvas, and hopefully will lead to more artwork constructed by the two of us.

3. Selling some artwork. If I’m going to be unemployed for an indefinite amount of time, you can bet I am going to be as prolific as necessary to get some pieces out the door with cash in hand!!! If anyone is interested in this rare opportunity to purchase some of my artwork, please get in touch.

4. Web site design. In the past several months, I have been playing with the new look and layout of my own personal website, EllieMcDonald.com, but I have not set anything in stone. Over the next few weeks, look for a new and permanent change to come to the website.

That’s the plan. Now to work on that to-do list…

Logo Play

Ellie — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:17:45 +0000

I haven’t played with Photoshop in weeks! Here’s something new.

Humanda Tape Release

Ellie — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:34:34 +0000

Michael Warren (left) and Evan Ishmael (right) are Humanda

The cassette tapes are done and now for sale! Saturday’s record release at the Turf Club in St. Paul was a lot of fun, too! Read about it here on the Gimme Noise blog from City Pages.

Battle of the Sexes

Ellie — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:53:47 +0000

Men overwhelmingly prefer the design on the left, while women prefer the design on the right. This fact has proved to be a challenge between myself, a lady, and the band members, a pair of gentlemen. But I suppose the ultimate goal is to keep the client happy!