Tag Archives: vintage

Chromatic & Co. Paper Goods | Branding by Delphine

by Erika Firm Posted on January 31, 2013

Stationery company Chromatic & Co. branding by DelphineOf all the branding projects I’ve worked on over the last few years, this one is most near and dear to my heart. As any designer can tell you, designing for yourself is nearly impossible. After many starts and stops, crumpled sketches, head banging, hand wringing, and second guessing I’m beyond thrilled to present our new brand, Chromatic & Co.

It’s our newest paper adventure, and the focus is all about color. Inspired by the golden age of advertising, and the trappings of a graphic design studio circa 1959, the brand has a decidedly retro vibe. You can check out the inspiration board we’ve been using at the studio to help guide our new brand on our Project Chromatic board on Pinterest.

Check back soon for snapshots of our new business cards, press kits, and other collateral. Meanwhile, please pay Chromatic & Co. a visit online, and by all means, follow ChromaticCo on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook, too! (Instagram & Vine coming soon).

Chromatic and Co. logo and branding by DelphineUPDATE: 5/17/2013: just got word that this logo won a graphic design award from HOW Magazine. Yippee!

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Prop Closet Treasure: Vintage Office Supplies

by Erika Firm Posted on November 28, 2012

Vintage stapler and Parker Quink Ink from DelphineI’m a sucker for vintage office supplies. I can’t get enough of the vintage packaging — the simplicity is charming. I like to pick stuff like this up at flea markets and Goodwill (and friends and family’s junk drawers) with the excuse of “oh, I can use this for a photo shoot.”

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Trend | Art Deco

by Erika Firm Posted on November 13, 2012

art deco trend via delphine

 

The Great Gatsby metallic book coverThe Art Deco trend is big on our radar here at the Delphine studio. We’re all just dying to see the new Gatsby movie.

Word is the release was pushed to Spring 2013 —boooo— so we’ll have to make due with re-reading (again) the book until then, and watching the 1974 film (again).

Top collage photos// Jenny Packham gown | roaring 20s wedding | 20s inspired wedding | vintage gramophone | shoulder necklace | 1920s headband | art deco inspired place setting | champagne | The Great Gatsby book

art deco trend via delphineTo get in the 1920s party mood, I rounded up a few key pieces to throw your own Art Deco inspired soirée:

1. Party Like It’s 1919 Earrings  2. Rosy-Cheeked Champagne Coupes  3. Moét & Chandon Champagne  4. The Dorothea Ring  5. Dustin Tumbler  6. Draped Swag Necklace  7. Alena Heels by Chrissie Morris  8. Embellished Pipali Dress  9. St. Germain Liqueur  10. Chanel Rouge Allure Lip Colour in Passion  11. Antique Engagement Ring  12. Gold Iron Mirror Tray

 

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Duke | Font Geek

by Erika Firm Posted on November 12, 2012

font love duke via delphineI’m working on some fun new projects, including a bunch of informal invitations, and DUKE has really been put to work on the new stuff. The chiseled typeface by James T. Edmondson has a vintage vibe, kind of like my favorite dive bar. Another amazing font published by the geniuses at Lost Type. All designers get 100 percent of the donations their font receives. Yay for designers making mon-ay!!!! If you download the font (and you should) don’t forget to pay for it ; )

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Copasetic | Font Geek

by Erika Firm Posted on October 22, 2012

Copasetic Free Font via DelphineThe entire Delphine studio is crazy excited for the new Great Gatsby film. It’s Brelyn’s favorite book, and one of mine, too. I just re read it, and now I see optometrist signs everywhere.

Needless to say, in anticipation of the movie we’re getting serious 1920s fever and are designing up a whole slew of 20s themed wedding invitations. One of the fonts we’re using a bunch is Copasetic. The Art Deco style works great for our 20s style invitations. The font is free, by the way. You’re welcome ; )

 

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Oh! Boy Syrup | Nice Package

by Erika Firm Posted on October 16, 2012

nice package oh boy syrup via delphine

Oh! Boy syrup is keeping it simple and classic with its fun vintage style and primary color palette. It’s hard not to smile at that cute freckle-faced illustration!

//photo by Erika Firm for Delphine

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Giovanni’s Lobster Pâté | Nice Package

by Erika Firm Posted on September 26, 2012

lobster pate can packaging via delphineI’ve never had lobster pâté, but Giovanni’s packaging sure makes it tempting to try. This packaging caught my eye with its vintage style script and serif typeface pairing … and certainly its retro color palette with that beautiful powder blue and lobster red.

//photo by Erika Firm for Delphine

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Pirates in the Boys’ Room

by Erika Firm Posted on September 19, 2012

Pirate Fabric Vinyl Wall Decals by Love Mae via DelphineAhoy, mateys! How stinkin’ cute are these pirate ship fabric wall decals by Love Mae? Just think of the stories you could make up at bedtime about these guys. That octopus looks mighty sneaky. I wonder if he knows it’s International Talk Like A Pirate Daytoday??

vintage car and vintage robot vinyl fabric wall decals by Love Mae via DelphineWe’re not up for painting our son’s room this year, but his new room could certainly use some color and fun. I think these retro – cool decals are the perfect way to add some charm to his room without breaking a sweat with a paint brush. The stickers are made of adhesive fabric, so they are removable and reusable — I think he’ll have fun rearranging them. Love Mae also has some super adorable girls’ room decals (think ponies and woodland creatures and other charming scenes). They even have a circus scene. Ridiculously adorable!

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Seafood Alley | Hand Lettered Vintage Signage in Charleston

by Erika Firm Posted on September 17, 2012

Hand Lettered Seafood Alley Vintage Signage in Charleston South CarolinaThis amazing store front is around the corner from our downtown Charleston, SC studio. I haven’t had a chance (yet) to stop into Seafood Alley, but it claims to be “Fresh & Above Da’ Rest” … so I think a field trip is in order.

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Vintage Green Porch Chairs | Color Palette

by Erika Firm Posted on August 14, 2012

Vintage Green and Teal Color Palette Porch ChairsAquamarines, blues and greens are my very favorite colors, especially when paired with cool gray and whites. Perfect summer color palette! Palette inspired by vintage porch chairs outside Butcher and Bee restaurant in Charleston.

//photo: Erika Firm | Delphine

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Hand Lettered Vintage Signage around Charleston

by Erika Firm Posted on July 30, 2012

hand lettered vintage pawn shop sign in charleston south carolina scI’m (re)settling into Charleston. The other day a lady told me she was happy to hear that I design stationery because she is hosting a Geechee Supper for her Ya Yas and wants to gift correspondence to one of them who is having a birthday. I totally understood what she was saying without a translator! Also, a few weeks ago I had my first honk – n – wave from a friend driving by, I’ve become a regular at a coffee shop, and last night I sat next to someone I know at the movie theater completely by accident.

One of the things I really adore about this beautiful city is all the wonderful hand lettered signage. I’m not sure how much longer this beauty, from a now closed pawn shop on Upper King Street, is going to be around.

//photo: Erika Firm | Delphine

 

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J. R. Watkins Natural Apothecary | Nice Package

by Erika Firm Posted on March 26, 2012

J.R. Watkins Package DesignYou all (or, now that I’m back home in SC, “y’all”) know I’m a sucker for package design. I love the J. R. Watkins packaging so much that I now skip the tedious step of transferring dish soap and hand soap to another container. I just leave them out on my sink! I first spotted them at Target, but there are lots more products for sale directly from J. R. Watkins and next time I run low I’m going to order directly from the source.

I do some package design for a Scandinavian apothecary, and my goal is always to design something that the user will display on their counter, not hide in a cabinet. From a designer’s perspective, this brand is getting it right: the branding and design is consistent, but not boring. The color palette references the scent of the product, and I like how they have left the actual product clear/free of dyes. I looked around the web and can’t find credit for who is responsible for the design, so I think they are doing it in house. Love it!

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Authentic, Modern Hand Lettered Sign

by Erika Firm Posted on March 22, 2012

Battle of Charleston hand lettered sign 2012Hand lettered Battle of Charleston 2012 Sign I’m not exactly sure what The Battle of Charleston is all about. I’m envisioning a bunch of crazies dressed up in Confederate uniforms, spitting tobacco and drinking whisky. But I’m totally intrigued and have to go check this out.

This sign is beyond amazing. It’s new but looks like it has been around for ages. It’s hand-lettered, not made to look hand lettered. Every line is a different font. LOVE! It’s nailed to the side of a shack. I saw it and literally pulled the car off the side of the road so I could inspect it more closely.

 

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week in review: january 24 2011

by Erika Firm Posted on January 28, 2011

I can’t believe it’s Friday already. The week was a bit of a blur, as I’m recovering from a double whammie of a painful kidney infection AND a cold (and allergies to my beloved mimosas, which are in bloom on our property now … so I guess technically it’s a triple whammie). But work in the studio went on …

In case you missed it, here’s what happened on the blog this week:

• I shared the final post about our son’s Root Beer Kegger 7th Birthday party (promise I’m done chatting about that now). 

• Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and I laid out the perfect Valentine’s Day date outfit (now if only I could convince  my husband to take me on a date!)

• I shared images of one of my very favorite graphic design projects of all time: seed packet packaging designs for Isabella Smith. This project was a joy to work on!

• Christian Dior inspired me with some truly fantabulous gowns. So dreamy!

• Kathy and I started working on plans for North County Graphic Design (NCGD) for 2011. I’m super excited about what we have in store for the year! If you’re interested in helping out, joining, or just have suggestions please comment or contact me directly : )

This weekend there will be mad work done on the Delphine website, so if something is buggy please let us know. We’re adding new designs all the time — to spot them first check out the Save the Date section of the site. I’m most excited about making Valentine’s Day cards with my first grader. He’s not fired up about it, even though I promised glitter, glue, scissors, pretty papers and doilies. I have a feeling I will be doing all the crafting. Any ideas on how to get a 7 year old boy excited about Valentine’s Day? He’s supposed to make 20 cards for his classmates, and I have a feeling I may need to resort to bribery (candy).

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