Designer, illustrator, artist? All of the above.

The faces of humanity, especially in children, who they are and the hints of who they may become continue to intrigue. Creating portraits from my original photographs expands with the addition of some new work.

This fall has also seen a rise in not-for-profit projects. Helping the community is rewarding and keeps things busy.

At long last…

Finally, after years of upholding the shoemaker's daughter's tradition, I am delighted to introduce the official JodiLuby.com website, showcasing a representative sampling of the projects and range of my business, Jodi Luby & Company, Inc. To celebrate this milestone, I have given myself a new logo, with a nod to life in the country, while remaining committed to the JL&Co. signature clean and sophisticated look.

One of the toughest tasks of putting the site together was selecting which projects to show, so much good stuff and only so much navigation, what to do? Unfortunately the answer is edit. In most cases, for every project shown, there are a dozen left in the shadows of my backup drive, and having to pick favorites, many have been cruelly left behind. That said, it's a good look at what can be done, with many an update to come. Happy perusing!

About April…

After a brief warm weather tease, like the season work is a little betwixt and between, finishing and starting, and reflecting on new directions all the while. Some clients are progressing to the next phase: Armoire Chocolat has opened a charming cafe in Seattle, Square Bites is introducing a new product, and Oxmoor House/Time Inc. is trying a very new and visually arresting approach to a new cookbook series. Here is a sampling of the winter work…

From modest beginnings of a few chocolate bars, Armoire Chocolat is blossoming into a fully realized business venture with a delicious line of pastries, confections, and of course chocolate.

Square Bites has developed an absolutely addicting toffee cookie (more flavors to come).
Logo and label design by Jodi Luby & Company.

Southern Living's "What's for Supper" direct marketing promotion will be in the mail by the end of the month.

On the portrait front, several in the works, this one complete.

New beginnings…

Starting September 21, 2011 Jodi Luby & Company will officially be based on beautiful Twin Lakes, in Salisbury, CT. After a lifetime in NYC I've decided to take full advantage of my ability to work from anywhere and greatly improve my office view, which will now overlook the lake and Berkshires. I will continue to serve my wonderful clients like Condé Nast and Time Inc. all over the country from California to Alabama to New York, with the same expertise and commitment, only perhaps without the stress of NYC in the background.

It has been a busy summer preparing for the move, but I still managed to produce some fun projects, including some new cookbook promotions for Southern Living/Time Inc. for the Southern Living Annual Cookbook and Christmas With Southern Living. Tasty!

Southern Living Annual Recipes 2011

Christmas With Southern Living

In addition, there will be a lot more drawing and portraiture in the future. Recent work includes the Meucke brothers Liam and Theo, to be followed soon by their sister Celilia.

More to come! Happy Fall.

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The positive feedback from recent projects is rolling in. The redesigned ChefShop.com/enews is generating a 15% increase in response overall and 20% uptick in linked sales. The new format offers much more product placement and accessibility. The layout is proving to be flexible and functional. The combination, supported by Tim's excellent photography, is making for a winning combination.

   

The first mailing of the customink.com magalog direct mail piece was so successful that they are following up with an increased mailing of nearly a quarter of a million pieces. This was a piece Jodi Luby & Company created from concept through production in conjunction with the in-house writer, in addition to the 24 page slim jim magalog, an online interactive 'catalog' was also created. customink.com/catalog

 

Meanwhile, the websites and cookbooks must go on…current projects include the new and improved work in progress MerileeNoorani.com website, complete with new logo, new look and photography (some interior shots are by Jodi Luby, dusting off my photographer's hat). 

Simultaneously, (and in complete contrast) after creating a winning control last year, our second direct mail piece for the Oxmoor House/Gooseberry Patch Family Favorites cookbook is currently in production. And it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas—also in production is the update direct mail promotion for Christmas with Southern Living book, to be released in June.

Here & Now

Welcome to 2011. Good riddance to 2010! I am working on lots of exciting projects and taking New Years resolutions seriously this year, starting with showing some of the exciting work I'm doing now. 

In packaging, I just completed the design, photography and production of the new cookie bar called Square Bites with friend and client Richard Marmet. This introduces a whole new category in the food world, a healthy nutritious cookie that tastes great. With Richard's encouragement I dove into the creation of his new line with gusto, using my former skills as a photographer combined with my experience as designer and Photoshop expert to develop an appealing and original package. The new website design will follow next.

Simultaneously, I updated the totally decadent (healthy if you consider indulgence good for your soul!) Armoire Chocolat with a new line of bars in five flavors plus two new truffles. I love these chocolates, the quality is top notch and Ellane is a pleasure to work with.

 

www.chefshop.com

Which leads right in to the ongoing partnership with ChefShop.com with my good friends Tim & Eliza. We are constantly tweaking, adding, brainstorming and improving both the newsletter and website. My redesign of the newsletter has brought significant increases in the traffic/sales, and the incentive bursts, postcards and features on the website are showing positive results. 

On the fine art side, delivered just in time for Christmas, a large portrait in graphite of the lovely Shepardson children, 30" x 24", drawn from my own original photo of the kids. It was a wonderful project and I'm going to miss looking into all their mischievous eyes as I work.

Upcoming: Regional wine labels for another good friend; web design for the up and coming interior designer Merilee Noorani, packaging and product development for the Big Cookie and much more.