GIF-ing it up.

Look at those NotDesign-ers go!

Photos taken of the gang minus Kate (who we all miss already!) last Saturday in the middle of a very busy day filled with breakfast, website edits, and lots of conversation. Feeling very excited about the things this studio has on the horizon. Have I mentioned I love these peeps?

Happy (belated) St. Patricks Day

Well this past Saturday was a day to celebrate all things Irish! Most people think of it as a day to wear green and have one too many drinks however, having to work most the day, I did not participate in that particular part.


Guinness Storehouse, learning to pull the perfect pint. Dublin, Ireland.




I did however get to enjoy a few things on behalf of the Emerald Isle this weekend!

I baked chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Baileys cream cheese frosting.
Tried these for the first time 3 years ago and they've become a staple ever since!

Created a print at NotDesign for the occasion. Slainte, meaning cheers in Gaelic, seemed like the perfect greeting for the holiday.

I also spent the weekend constantly reminiscing. After living in Ireland for a few months I feel connected to that country on a level that means way more than just my genealogy. I posted a photo on St. Patrick's Day last year and honestly, even a whole year later and I don't think I could have phrased my love for Ireland any better.

"To the country who taught me to slow down. Where I learned to whistle, drink beer, and dance the ceilli. Where I got to hear folk tales, climb castles, and learned to believe in fairies again. For a country who proved that sometimes even the little guy can stand up for what he believes in no matter the cost. A country where I met some of the most amazing people and fell in love with the countryside. Here's to Ireland! Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Slainte!"

Yesterday was a gorgeous day outside. I enjoyed brunch, worked a few hours, and ended the evening with a Bulmers Irish cider and a pizza with a few good friends. Apart from the green dress I wore, the day wasn't perhaps the crazy Irish holiday others indulged in but, to be honest, I have no complaints. To me St. Patrick's Day isn't about that, it's about remembering the greatest adventure I ever embarked upon in a country that I love. (Though an excuse to drink a few Guinness and listen to Flogging Molly never hurt!) Until next year...La Fhéile Pádraig Shona Duit!

Studio in-betweens.

A lot of times, especially with design work, the process is usually more rewarding than the final outcome. Test prints, happy accidents, and "Ah-hah!" moments are some of the things I look forward to most when working on any sort of project. For some reason that's something I was reminded of today. It's far too easy when you get so busy with meetings and deadlines to forget to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. As a result, here's a few photos at NotDesign of some of the in-betweens I've had going on lately.

I love that there are probably 4 or 5 different prints on top of one another on this one.
The best part? They were probably all printed by someone different, how awesome.

Letterpress demo.

I was lucky enough to be asked by my alma mater AIGA group at Grand Valley to come in and talk to the gang all about letterpress and my involvement with NotDesign last week. This was the first time I've ever really taught anyone anything, especially letterpress, so I won't lie, I was pretty nervous. But after a brief introduction and little history lesson we jumped right in and got our hands dirty. All in all it was a great night and I think everyone was really jazzed afterward! I even got a few guys interested in coming into our space here at ND for a follow-up, more in-depth workshop in the near future which is awesome.

Mainly I love seeing others geek out about typography and creating something with their hands. It feels great that I can spread knowledge about something I care about so much. Also, as the previous AIGA GVSU President it's great seeing everything the students are doing. I hope that love for teaching and learning never changes.

DIY Chalkboard

For as long as I can remember, even before I became a member of the studio, NotDesign had this little sign up on a set of old crib headboards stashed in the corner. A few weekends ago I decided to listen and follow said instructions.

All it needed was a rag for cleaning, a screwdriver, and some chalkboard paint, which I was able to purchase at the hardware store for less than $10.

Ta da!

It only took a few hours and two coats, so simple and they turned out great. We now have two, fairly large, chalkboards for the space. Perfect for to-do lists, sketches, or studio-mate love notes!

T-Shirt Sunda(y)es

As the newest member of the NotDesign studio I am just now getting really acclimated to the space and all it's wonderful resources. Lately I've been doing my freelance work out of there and although it hasn't been much creative fun it's been great having a space to go to where I feel I can get some serious work done. Also! Drew, Kate, and I started a little something fun called T-Shirt Sundaes where we all go in on Sunday, print t-shirts, and eat ice cream*

Here is a little evidence from our first set of experiments.

T-Shirt Sundaes from Elyse Flynn on Vimeo.

Hopefully many more to come.

*Note: Ice cream is a relative term and so far has consisted of not ice cream, rather danishes and Cherry Deli on various occasions