What do you do when your husband can't stop starting companies? Make sure they look great. My latest contribution to the family business(es) is a revamped site for Nick's latest company, Hirabl (co-founded with our friend Jon). They're an HR tech software company that helps recruiters and corporate HR departments improve their bottom line by analyzing data and keeping on top of candidate and partner movements in the marketplace. Not the easiest concept to communicate and keep your audience awake (sorry, was that harsh?). Fortunately for me, Nick and Jon were down for some cheeky, irreverent images and copy to bring their business ideas to life. As usual, I had a professional organizer's zeal for sifting through their existing site for what stays, what goes, and what goes into which box. SO. SATISFYING. So here it is, all tidied up and ready for its close-up!
TYING IT TOGETHER FOR THE LITTLE LEBOWSKI LOUNGE
One of the best things about this gig is that I never know when an email is going to roll into my inbox and present new work – it's always a surprise, mostly pleasant. That is definitely the category that a note from my friend and former Williams-Sonoma compatriot fell into. Jen is a talented writer and editor who is currently living the American dream – that is, quitting her corporate job and moving down to Baja to live in a trailer, write, and own a Big Lebowski-inspired bar where Twister is played on the regular. What? I want to go there.
So The Little Lebowski Lounge was in need of a logo and I was more than happy to oblige. There's no shortage of amazing visual references when it comes to The Big Lebowski – bowling alleys, ransom notes, neon, cocktails, grandpa sweaters and The Jesus, to name a few. Also, a totally a valid excuse to use the typeface Mesquite, and come on, that's rare. I could have spent weeks, but it was a quick job (that's not quite over – they've narrowed it down to two) – and sometimes those are the best. The Dude wouldn't approve of overthinking it.
ONE PAGE WONDER(S)
I've just finished a one-page site for a great start-up called Augary – a fleet management software solution that monitors on-the-road data to improve safety and efficiency. I helped them to hone their message and choose the right images to convey it and add some personality to the mix.
I also used Squarespace's "coverpages" for the first time to create a condensed, off-nav version of Augary's main site, designed for users acquired via an adwords campaign. I can think of so many other fun, creative ways to use this coverpage tool to make my clients look gooooood. They're pretty sexy, as webpages go.
As always, I'm beyond satisfied with Squarespace – their design tools are stellar, and the new Squarespace Seven takes WYSWYG to a whole new level of ease. I couldn't be a bigger fan of them as both a designer and small business owner – they're killing it as usual.