we'll be at Magnolia Square next month

What do you think of our web banner for Magnolia Square?

We've signed up for a second Magnolia Square, this time at the St Kilda Town Hall, 18-20 March. As its the start of Autumn, we're going to focus on accessories: all manner of scarves and bags. Entangled Scarves, some crochet Anne scarves, a few Sue Scarves. Some wool pieced scarves, and the ever popular vintage silk scarves. Even some new designs: the leather tote, the Harris Tweed tote, Sweater Scarves. At least they are the ones on the drawing board, and with materials collected and stashed. Not sure the screenprinted fabrics are quite right for Magnolia Square, so we'll leave them for another market.

Back to the web banner. It was done it a bit of a rush - on the last day for submission. I'm still not quite happy with the whole corporate identity thing. You know this has been on ongoing struggle for me: What is greenolive? What image do I want to convey? What products do we design and create? 

I went through this when designing the business cards for the Stitches & Craft Show last year, and while happy enough with the end result, I haven't really extended this into a corporate identity. I went through it again when doing the website redesign, and while the green of greenolive is in evidence, the typography isn't.

As we try and expand the business, and Drew becomes more active in the designing and making, I wonder if the name greenolive is still suitable? I mean, its now both of us. The two Booths, The Booths. Greenolive was all about me, a combination of my favourite colour and a nickname.

Our product range is changing too. No longer just scarves that I knit, crochet or sew, we've released three screenprinted fabric ranges, some homewares, and recycled leather products. Handmade bags and laptop cases are on the drawing board. So are a range of vintage paper products. I'd like to think that with background in design, we could turn our hands to a whole range of products in the future.

Even our materials and design process are undergoing change. While I always had a preference for natural fibres such as wool, silk, and linen, our focus is turning to recycled materials. This is as much for the "green" ethos as it is for the beauty, patina and history of the materials themselves. They have a story to tell, and their very format and size contributes to the design process and the finished product.

So, what to do about the name and corporate identity? We need to put our thinking caps on and make some decisions I suspect. And I probably need to step back from the design of the identity, take the emotion out of it. We'd really like your input too. What do you think out it all?

Remember to pencil the Magnolia Square dates into your diary, PDA, phone, online calendar – we'd love to see you there, and get your feedback on our new products. Less than four weeks to go, we'd better get our skates on! I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Comments

[Hannah]

Hi lovely. I have been away for so long....
but so good to be back and having wee glimpses into your world. funny to be in here and reading true graphic designer speak - corporate identity - I guess this stuff is hard to turn off. I wonder if what people start to associate with a "brand" is always product based? perhaps it is related to quality, inventiveness, creativity, beauty. this is not easy to represent in a logo, a tagline, a name, but perhaps, especially in the handmade, independent world, these are the things we are seeking?
hoping you are well, and i hope to see you at one of the in town markets shortly.