Stephanie Horn is gauche. Creative design + direction services.1 480 228 1517
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Blog
Critique: OVO Website Redesign
I know I’m a little late on critiquing the launch of OVO’s new website, which debuted a few weeks ago, but I don’t mind if you don’t! If you haven’t heard, Phoenix-born OVO has expanded and opened an office in Portland, Oregon. Congrats to them! So it’s fitting that they’re new client base should be [...]
Critique: Forty Website Redesign
This last week, Forty, a local branding/design/marketing guru-collective, launched it’s new website. I have a lot to say, as I think it’s a great improvement over their old site. Forty’s previous site had character, but no work clearly presented. Their new website preserves their dynamic personality, but introduces their professional portfolio and case studies. I’m [...]
Time for Something Different
When did we stop challenging ourselves? When did we get complacent? When did we find something we’re good at, and stop there?
Recently, I had the great pleasure of getting to know an artist I’ve followed for the past couple years. The main reason I’ve stuck around to watch his work evolve is that he does [...]
That’s Not Punny: The Use of Puns in Design
Puns have often been the source of eye-rolls and disgusted looks in my conversations with friends. I enjoy them. Okay, I’ll be honest… I love them. But while puns are one of the oldest forms of humor, they’re often seen as one of the lowest. Why?
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A pun is “a form of word play that deliberately [...]
What Would Your Past Think of Your Present?
For anyone who went to design school, there’s a significant and noticeable difference between the designer you were then, and the designer you are now.
Remember the person you were when you started design school? What would that student think of the designer you’ve become? And what would you think if you ran into your past-self [...]
The New Office
This morning I met up with Garrett and Artemiz to check out the new office for Royal Penguin. The guts of the building are pretty much done, and we’ll be moving in furniture this next week. At this very moment, Garrett and Artemiz are looking for desks and chairs at a corporate surplus store that [...]
No More Bread Lines for Me.
After 8 months of searching for employment, I’m happy to announce that I’ve signed on as Lead Graphic Designer for Royal Penguin. Royal Penguin is a medical supply distribution company launching in January 2010.
I have to thank my good friend Landon Armstrong for pointing me in the direction of this opportunity. And, of course, many [...]
When Your Client Wants a Monkey
We all have those client moments when we know something is about to go down. This is the story of one of those moments (and what it taught me).
On Monday I received an email from an acquaintance who was interested in hiring me to design his folk album. It was a rush job, as he wanted [...]
Give Good Criticism
There was a time when I was feared. Fellow students would cringe at the thought of showing me their work, and cower during peer reviews. Okay — maybe it wasn’t that bad. But they did make snarky comments when it was my turn to weigh in on their work. At first, I thought it was [...]
Directing Portraits
Local photog Chris Maddox asked me earlier in the week about my venture into the world of photography. Applying my design skills to the lens is the fun part. Directing my models… not so much. Keep in mind, by “models” I’m referring to my lovely friends who have stepped in to pose for me. They [...]
The New Draft: Brand Ambassadors
Many years ago, when I was just a bright-eyed, young pup, I found myself working a menial job at our friendly neighborhood Applebee’s. And by many years ago, I mean three. Let’s give you some context: It was the summer before my Sophomore year in college. I was 18. I had never worked at a [...]
Focus On: Sevenbright
Last week I had the amazing opportunity to take new headshots with photographer Matt Priestley of Sevenbright. I’ve known Matt for several months now, and was excited when he offered a session to help out a struggling designer.
I met Matt and his assistant Joel on Mill Ave and headed out to several locations. I was [...]
Focus On: Christopher Maddox Photography
This week I was able to assist my friend Christopher Maddox at a portrait shoot for a young woman named Ciara. She is finishing her final semester at ASU’s downtown campus will leave with a degree in Tourism Development and Management. She had a great personality and was really fun to shoot!
Before meeting with Ciara, [...]
Is Branding Evil? A Starbucks Case Study
Is branding evil?
I was asked this question the other day and it threw me for a moment. My immediate response was “No, of course not.” But I had to take a moment and wonder.
My answer was that there are two ways to look at branding. There’s the branding that’s created, molded, manipulated, and perpetuated by [...]
“Thanks But No Thanks” and Other Gems.
“Great portfolio, but we just don’t have the money right now.”
“I’ll keep your info on file. We’ll get back to you if things pick up.”
“It’s not you, it’s me. Can we still be friends?”
Okay, maybe that last one isn’t from a design studio, but you get my drift. No one has the money. No one [...]
A Review of #phxdw
Coming off of a high like the one permeating PHXDW throughout the week is a bittersweet experience. I enjoyed learning about my ‘creative class’ and connecting with people I had only heard of through Twitter. We saw shiny work that fed our lustful design-minds. And, in the spirit of nihilism, we listened to speakers who [...]
PHXDW Kicks Off
PHXDW kicked off this week. Last night, designers, photographers, and artists from all around the Phoenix Metro area gathered together to mingle, eat, and chat up their own work and the work of others. My good friend and colleague Jon Ashcroft even had his own special exhibit in a space at Santy Integrated. His work [...]
Phoenix Design Week
Phoenix Design Week will have its inaugural event from October 21st-25th. The week will feature galleries during the week, showing local work of graphic, interactive and motion designers. Among the exhibits will be a display of client rejected logos, a paper sculpture showcase and a collaborative poster show with work from students from 4 different [...]