Steve Hartman Invites you to The Creativille Tenth Anniversary Party and Exhibit: Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland

Steve Hartman invites you to celebrate The Creativille Tenth Anniversary.

Creativille is celebrating its tenth birthday by curating a letterpress exhibit and raising money for the Edwardsville Arts Center

Saturday, September 5, 2009 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Creativille, Inc. will mark a decade of design by organizing a benefit for the Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC). By curating “Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland,” at the EAC, Creativille plans on gallery and gift shop purchases, party admission of $10 and general donations to reach a $10,000 goal.

Purchase a $10 ticket, or make a donation to the EAC.

Visit the website: The Creativille Tenth Anniversary

About Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland.

Other than great bar-be-que in their backyard, what do these artists have in common? The letterpress. What was once the standard in printing books and publications, has now become an artform based in letterforms, design and communication. These 5 letterpress artists will share a range of the printed art from the fine-art book to expressive folk art. During the 6 week exhibit, guests of the EAC will view posters, books, broadsides, greeting cards; purchase what they see in the gallery and in the gift shop; experience hands-on letterpress demos, lectures and a documentary film.

Exhibit Runs: August 26 – October 3, 2009

Exhibit Celebration/Anniversary Party: September 5, 2009 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

The Artists.

Amos Kennedy, Jr., Alabama
Ken Botnick, St. Louis
Eric Woods, Firecracker Press, St. Louis
Jim Sherraden, Hatch Show Print, Nashville
Brady Vest, Hammerpress, Kansas City

For more information

Steve Hartman

Creativille, Inc.

(618) 659-2861

Visit the website: The Creativille Tenth Anniversary

About Creativille.

Creativille, Inc. opened its doors in September of 1999 by renting a one-room office from friend Karen Handleman at 501creative in Clayton, MO. Later, moved to the historic St. Louis Hill neighborhood, and shared space with Gregg Goldman and Scott Smith photographers. Today, Creativille resides in a pre-civil war brick colonial on Edwardsville’s Main Street in Illinois.

Filed under: 02 Be Passionate. (Inspirations), Amos Kennedy, Brady Vest, Creativille, Edwardsville, Edwardsville Arts Center, Eric Woods, Firecracker Press, Hammerpress, hatch show print, Impressed by Design, jim sherraden, Ken Botnick, Letterpress, Steve Hartman

The Creativille Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Creativille, Inc. will mark a decade of design by raising $10,000 for the Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC). By curating “Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland,” at the EAC, Creativille plans on gallery and gift shop purchases, party admission of $10 and general donations to reach the goal.

Visit the website: The Creativille Tenth Anniversary

About Creativille, Inc.

Creativille, Inc. opened its doors in September of 1999 by renting a one-room office from friend Karen Handleman at 501creative in Clayton, MO. Later, moved to the historic St. Louis Hill neighborhood, and shared space with Gregg Goldman and Scott Smith photographers. Today, Creativille resides in a pre-civil war brick colonial on Edwardsville’s Main Street in Illinois.

About Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland.

Other than great bar-be-que in their backyard, what do these artists have in common? The letterpress. What was once the standard in printing books and publications, has now become an artform based in letterforms, design and communication. These 5 letterpress artists will share a range of the printed art from the fine-art book to expressive folk art. During the 6 week exhibit, guests of the EAC will view posters, books, broadsides, greeting cards; purchase what they see in the gallery and in the gift shop; experience hands-on letterpress demos, lectures and a documentary film.

Exhibit Runs: August 26 – October 3, 2009

Exhibit Celebration/Anniversary Party: September 5, 2009 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

The Artists.

Amos Kennedy, Jr., Alabama
Ken Botnick, St. Louis
Eric Woods, Firecracker Press, St. Louis
Jim Sherraden, Hatch Show Print, Nashville
Brady Vest, Hammerpress, Kansas City

Buy tickets or make a donation to the EAC: The Creativille Tenth Anniversary

Filed under: Recent Projects, Amos Kennedy, Brady Vest, Creativille, EAC, Edwardsville Arts Center, Eric Woods, Firecracker Press, Hammerpress, Ken Botnick, Steve Hartman, tenth anniversary

The Original Social Network

Folks are burying their faces into the online social network, but are neglecting the original community common thread–the local barber shop.

It occurs to me as I discuss Facebook while in line at Eakers Barber Shop in Edwardsville, Illinois. The proprietor refuses to befriend online social media, which prompts me to claim, “Kari, you are the original Facebook!”

As seen on TV, in the theaters and in real life, town folk sit and chat and gossip on anything from politics to sports to deals at the local butcher. What’s so different and enjoyable about a local barber shop over online social media? Maybe its real and tangible–the experience of it all. Not that sitting around in your underwear updating your status isn’t an experience, it is. It’s just not socially acceptable.

I encourage you to visit your local barber shop this week (with pants on) and spend a little time, face to face, not face-in-the-book.

To visit Eakers Barber Shop in Ed wardsville, IL you need to do it in person at 227 N. Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025-1603   p: 618 656 1128

Inside Eakers Barber Shop.

Filed under: 01 Be Simple. (Observations), barber shop, Creativille, Eakers Barber Shop, guerilla marketing, Main Street America, Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, social networking, Steve Hartman, viral marketing

Nothing beats the smell of a new print job.

You’re sitting there quietly, patiently, waiting, oogling, awwing, then its handed to you. DAMN this shrink wrap! Why didn’t the mill rep remove this first. Rip it off and the woft hits your nose, your eyes close and you take it in. Mmmmm. The smell of a recently printed paper sample. Mmmmmm. Sure, texture and brightness is good, ink coverage is smooth and flawless, even the design is spot on. Who cares at that moment, who cares who’s watching. Lift it to your upper lip, even touch the cool texture to your lip, and take it in. Nothing beats the smell of a new print job.

Filed under: 02 Be Passionate. (Inspirations), Creativille, mohawk paper mill, offset printing, paper mill, paper rep, Paper sample, soy ink, Steve Hartman

Q. 002. What are you doing to find a job?

Creative layoffs are happening all around us, and the agencies are dropping creative staff. What are you doing for employment? Are you leaving the industry, even just temporarily?

Filed under: 03 Be Creative. (Questions), agency layoffs, Creative jobs, Creativille, layoffs, looking for a jog, Steve Hartman

Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy

Here are a few spreads from the catalog for an exhibit of the same name.

There’s Something About Mary [Todd Lincoln].

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation and Museum called upon Creativille, to design the the companion book to their current exhibit, “Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy.” Written by Tom Schwartz, resident Lincoln historian, and packed full of artifacts and ephemera from Mary’s life, this catalogue introduces the controversial First Lady to Lincoln fans and historians as no other book has before.

Creativille takes care in representing the content and context of any piece in the final design. In Mary’s case, this book conveys the sophistication of a first lady with a touch of opulence with a foil-stamped monogram (based on Mary’s personal wax stamp) and a debossed texture of Mary’s handwriting.

“I’m very proud of this book,” Steve Hartman says, “its a beautiful catalogue, it’s very respectful to one of America’s most interesting First Ladies, and a great artifact of both American and Illinois history. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a first class institution and a great client. I think this book really captures their excellence.”

Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy is published by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, 96 page book, double cover.

This one-of-a-kind book is still available for purchase at the Museum book store, online.

Filed under: Book Design, Creativille, First Lady, Illinois History, Mary Todd Lincoln, Steve Hartman, Tom Schwartz

Self-Generated Viral Marketing

This is an example of a fan-generated response in the form of graffiti that defines self-generated viral marketing. It is the result of a groundswell of public support for a quality product. Other examples would be a Harley-Davidson tatoo, Nine Inch Nails graffiti, or a hand-made political sign. What are other examples that you can think of?

Filed under: 01 Be Simple. (Observations), Creativille, graffiti, guerilla marketing, Harley Davidson, Nine Inch Nails, Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, Steve Hartman, twilight, viral marketing

Q. 001. Where does creativity end?

Why limit a graphic designer to just the creation of a logo? Why not let them take you to areas you may not have realized yourself?

Feel free to answer these questions openly online, or email us your anwers.

Filed under: 03 Be Creative. (Questions), Be Creative. Creative questions., creation of a logo, Creativille, Graphic Designer, Steve Hartman

Abraham Lincoln Cookbook Design. Plus Recipe.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Volunteers have created this top-selling fundraising cookbook using Lincoln Era Recipes paired with recipes from the volunteers’ and staff’s own cupboard.

Creativille Designed Cookbook Goes on Sale to Raise Money for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Volunteers.

Take a pinch of history, sprinkle it with historic artifacts, mix well with recipes from staff and volunteers, and prepare to enjoy a new cookbook from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM).

The A. Lincoln Cookbook:  A Cookbook of Epic Portions is available in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Gift Shop. The $39.99 cookbook features 623 recipes contributed by staff and volunteers, and includes a section of Lincoln era and Lincoln family recipes.

The dividers feature photographs of dining-related artifacts from the Library and Museum’s Lincoln collection.  Sections include appetizers and beverages; soups and salads; vegetables and side dishes; main dishes; breads and rolls; desserts; cookies and candy; and this & that.

Proceeds from the A. Lincoln Cookbook will help support programs for our volunteers, including continuing education, our volunteer resource library, and special tours.

There is a distinct stereotype of the fund-raising cookbook. If you are a collector of this genre, this is a must have. “We did not sacrifice the quality of work that we do for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, or any other client,” Steve Hartman states, “just because of what you think a fundraising cookbook should look like. The Volunteer’s Group didn’t want that. What we gave them was a museum-caliber design that eclipses the genre of non-profit volunteer cookbooks.”

The following recipe was adapted from “A. Lincoln Cookbook: A Cookbook of Epic Portions.” It was previously printed in The Ladies’ Home Journal of May 1923.

Mary Todd’s Pecan Cake

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, separated
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 pound pecan pieces
1 pound raisins, chopped
1 cup orange juice
1/2 nutmeg seed, grated

Cream butter lightly and cream in the sugar. Beat egg yolks until frothy and add to sugar mixture.

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Dredge nuts and raisins in 1/4 cup of flour mixture.

Alternately add orange juice and flour mixture to sugar mixture. Beat well.

Add pecans and raisins. Add nutmeg.

Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter. Pour into greased and floured pan (tube or fluted) or two smaller round cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees 50-60 minutes.

Makes 12 servings.

Buy the cookbook for $39.95 online at the Museum bookstore.

Filed under: Book Design, A. Lincoln Cookbook, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Cookbook Design, Creativille, Fundraising Cookbook, Steve Hartman, Volunteer Cookbook

Design for Retail Branding: The Market at Busch’s Grove.

The buzz card caps the artisan pastries at the grocery, and travels with the customer as a cute reminder of the yummy source.

Creativille Designs a New Gourmet Grocery Brand. And, it’s mighty tasty.

Each year we wonder what is going to top our last great client. Well, out of the blue, Sarah Vicker’s and Paul Poe called. “We are starting a new grocery store, and we’d like to talk to you about the brand.“

At first it was just billed as a logo job for The Market at Busch’s Grove, but soon grew into a relationship needing a complete brand identity. In a short amount of time we developed the integrated branding campaign including: a launch website with e-marketing support, advertising, interior and exterior signage, menus, stationary, wearables and packaging.

“For a most of our clients, this the accumulation of work over a couple of years. But, this is how we prefer to do it, all at once, all at the beginning,” says Steve Hartman. “A brand identity package isn’t just a logo or an ad, its a complete kit of touch points that inspire the customer, and” Hartman continues, “with The Market at Busch’s Grove, the brand is around every corner… even on top of a cupcake.”

Filed under: Branding, Creativille, Edwardsville Branding, Edwardsville Design Firm, Integrated Branding Campaign, Retail Branding, Steve Hartman, The Market at Busch's Grove