As part of 826 Valencia's year-long 10th anniversary celebration, I had the honor of working with 826 Creative Director, Maria Ines Montes, to produce a bang-up commemorative journal. After weeks (err, months) of brainstorming, we decided that reaching out to Bay Area creative locals would be the perfect way to combine community + amazing design, in the name of raising funds for 826 Valencia's literacy programs.

For the first edition of what will hopefully be a collectible series, Jessica Hische came aboard. She is truly a wizard! In just days after our initial meeting, she designed the gorgeous cover photographed here. We've named it "The Captain's Log". We spent a morning working with the fine fellows at Ace Embossing, oohing and aahing over foil swatches, ogling their bikini-lady posters from 1983, and making press adjustments to achieve that perfect hit.

Jessica will be signing the limited edition journals tonight at The Pirate Supply Store. Join us for an intimate reception followed by a Q&A session at 6:00!

From 826 Valencia's site:

The Captain’s Log is just the place to put all those star charts and navigational notes you’ve heretofore been stashing in crumpled bunches in pockets and drawers and other misguided places. Keep your voyage plans—and your almost too accurate caricatures of the entire crew—safe in this fine leather-like notebook designed by the renowned letterer Jessica Hische.

Please note: this item is currently a pre-order. Journals signed by artist Jessica Hische will ship out on Monday, April 15th. Advance (unsigned) copies are also currently available in store.

Black pleather Piccadilly notebook with gold foil
8.25″x 5″
Design by Jessica Hische
Interior pages available in plain, lined, or graph

The first in a series of limited edition journals featuring original designs by guest artists. 100% of the proceeds will benefit 826 Valencia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and excitement for learning among San Francisco and Bay Area youth.

At the beginning of the year, I made a pact with myself to use Dribbble more. My incredible-designer friend, Danny Zevallos, sent me an invite a while back and after a few semi-confused, halfhearted "shots" (what was with the basketball metaphors, anyway?!), I put Dribbble on the backburner and didn't play for months.

But I have picked up the ball again! I've found that it's an amazing resource for inspiration, finding graphic designers/type designers/illustrators, and a good networking tool. I have discovered some ridiculously talented creative forces from all over the world via Dribbble – to name a few: Bijdevleet from the Netherlands, Marco Goran Romano from Italy, Lydia Nichols from Philly, JC Desevre from France, and Jeremy Pruitt from Colorado. And, as one who-just-doesn't-blog-as-much-as-one-probably-should, posting a quick Dribbble shot is an easy way to publish recent work and to get feedback on works-in-progress.

Below are some recent Dribbble shots (and "rebounds") of logo explorations I created for a client, Hereafter Events. If you're a fellow Dribbbler, find me here!

My holiday party decor suite, Silver and Gold, came in 14th place out of 898 submissions in Minted's recent design challenge! You can purchase the whole suite or a la carte items here (it's never too early to start planning for your next holiday party, right?).

Just some snaps of sweet treats and holiday gift tags I created for a client. Each of the eight yummy little packages was put together by a different Houston restaurant (Hawthorn, Volare, Ooh La La Sweets and Molina's Cantina).