• SHOP
  • About
    • About Sara
    • Contact me!
    • Design Collaborations
    • Sewing Collaborations
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Things I Made
  • Design Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Radiant Home Studio | Sewing Patterns & Surface Design

Radiant Home Studio

January 14, 2020 ·

Slow Growth: The Evolution of My Logo, Branding, & Design Skills

Shop

You may have noticed I’ve updated my logo! I’ll share another post with more updates soon, but today I thought it would be fun to share the evolution of my logo, branding and website design.

I love watching designers and small business owners grow and change as their interests and skills develop. For those of you that haven’t been following along since 2013, I’m sharing the early work. It’s pretty rough, but wasn’t everybody back then?

We didn’t have to be graphic designers, web developers, and experts at everything! At least my photos were decent…

(Some links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no cost to you! Thank you!)

The Developing Logo:

Ready? Check out these logos!

Somewhere around 2016, I learned a lot about branding, typefaces, color, and balance. You can see the trend toward simplicity. Knowing when to cut details and keep things simple is one of the greatest design lessons I’ve learned in 7 years.

The 2013 logo was just a sketch that I traced with a free vector graphics program. I quickly realized I needed something more graphic and streamlined (and with words!), but I’m not sure what I was thinking with the font. I think I was looking for a handwriting font, but Creative Market was still in its early days and I was too cheap to buy anything. And obviously, there’s still way too much going on!

Making progress in the 2015 logo, but it’s still lacking good balance with spacing and with the font. I hadn’t quite figured out that black didn’t fit into my color palette even though everyone else was doing stark black and white. (Thanks to Fiona Humberstone and Style Your Brand for help understanding brand color psychology!)

I managed to use the same font in the next version, with much more balance. And found my color palette. I don’t dislike my 2017 logo, but I needed something that worked better in a linear form and felt more sophisticated.

The 2020 version has some variations that work for all my web and print applications. It feels more refined, and it sets the tone for my growing body of surface pattern designs.

The Developing Website Design:

Ready for the website design?

These are the early website designs. I used a basic free template for several years until I could afford a paid theme. The layout isn’t terrible. I can see where I learned CSS between the second and third images. The lines are thinner, the logo fits better, and some of the other small details are changed.

And then I bought a paid theme! Such a difference. By 2016, I was customizing my own website and occasionally hiring a pro to help with big issues. A few months ago, I decided to integrate my surface design portfolio into the website and changed from a standard blog setup to a website landing page.

The first paid theme was recommended by a developer, but I hated it. The back end was so confusing, with so many unnecessary features. It looked fine, but it wasn’t user-friendly. I switched to a Restored316 theme, and I LOVE it. There are tons of tutorials on their website and the FB group is also a wonderful resource. If you want to check out their other themes, click the image below.

Captivating WordPress Theme for Bloggers

I’m still adjusting details as I go, so I assure you that this is not the “final” version. But slow, incremental changes are the best way to grow!

So, there you have it. A history of all my bad developing logo designs and website updates. Start where you are and take time to grow slowly! 😊

Previous Post: « Thoughts on My Year & New Things to Come!
Next Post: How to Make Happy Origami Hearts »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nanette says

    January 15, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    I love your new logo! Reading about your development is wonderful. I am a graphic designer turning into surface pattern designer and am at the beginning stages of reworking my logo and website too. Thanks so much for sharing your progress!! Is Restored 316 a site to build websites like Wix, etc?

    • Sara says

      January 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you! My website is built on WordPress and Restored316 sells WordPress based themes. It’s a little less user-friendly to set up without a developer, but Restored316 offers setup at a pretty reasonable price if you aren’t up for trying it yourself! 🙂

  2. Havalah Turner says

    January 17, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    I love it! I need to redesign my logo, I just haven’t been able to settle on something I love…but maybe I’ll get there soon. Love yours!

    • Sara says

      January 20, 2020 at 9:15 am

      I’m happy to brainstorm with you, friend! Email me anytime!

Primary Sidebar

Hello

Welcome! I’m Sara. I share modern home & accessory sewing patterns, and I create surface designs for licensing. I hope you are encouraged to see beauty in small things and are inspired to try new creative projects!

Shop Sewing Patterns


icon icon

icon icon

Newsletter

Sign up to get access to free sewing patterns & resource library!

Find My Work at:






© Copyright Notice

All images and text copyright ©2013-2020 Radiant Home Studio, unless otherwise noted. Please be kind enough to link back to my site and contact me if you would like to use my images.

Disclosure

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • Disclosures & Copyright
  • About
  • Contact me!
  • Digital Pattern FAQ’s

Resources I Love:







Featured Posts:

  • How to Make A Waxed Canvas Gift Pouch | Radiant Home Studio

    How to Make a Waxed Canvas Gift Pouch

Sewing Tutorials

Denim Pocket with Grommets and Denim Shoulder Strap| Tote Bag Upgrade | Radiant Home Studio

Sewing Patterns

Surface Design

home page 1 - radiant home studio design

overflowandco

surface pattern design • modern sewing patterns • welcoming gifts & creative home goods • mom of 7 • beauty in the everyday // also @prettynerdypress

Sara Curtis | Stationery & Pattern Design
Favorite place to add stickers? My kids have them Favorite place to add stickers? My kids have them on their water bottles and laptops. My husband adds them to his bullet journal cover to document his travels each year.

A few months ago, I added some inspirational stickers to the shop, but I don’t think I’ve shared them here! 

#stickershop #wholesalestickers #fairewholesale #fairewintermarket #fairewintermarket2023 #stationerylove #loveyourneighbor #practicekindness
Here’s another new pattern! This periwinkle colo Here’s another new pattern! This periwinkle color has been inspiring some new color palettes and combinations recently. 

Faire Winter Market is open for wholesale orders! I’m looking forward to connecting with more community-focused boutiques. 🙋‍♀️

#fairewholesale #fairewintermarket #fairewintermarket2023 #wholesalegreetingcards #papercampalum #surfacepatterndesigner #artlicensing #fabricdesigner #stationerydesigner
Washi tape is stocked and ready to ship! I started Washi tape is stocked and ready to ship! I started a fresh bullet journal a couple of weeks ago and I love using washi to mark sections. What do you use it for?

Today is insider access to Faire Winter Market! If you are a retailer, my Faire store is linked. And if you know a shop owner that sells stationery or accessories, please share! ☺️

#washitapelove #bulletjournalinspiration #fairewintermarket #fairewintermarket2023 #wholesalestationery #prooftoproduct #papercampalum #prettywashitape #encouragingcards #encouraginggifts
Hello Retailers! I’m participating in Faire Wint Hello Retailers! I’m participating in Faire Winter Market with 10% new orders over $150 from Jan. 24th-26th. (Insiders get access on the 23rd.)

If you are just finding me here…welcome! ☺️

My cozy, fresh cards and gifts are designed to promote connection and provide support. I value building community and finding beauty in the everyday! I love to partner with local shops that share these values. 🛍️

I have greeting cards, washi tape, stickers, and bandanas ready to ship! 📦 

@faire_wholesale #fairewintermarket #fairewintermarket2023 #wholesalegreetingcards #giftboutique #stationeryboutique #greetingcarddesigner #overflowandco #prooftoproduct #papercampalum
It has been months since I had the creative drive It has been months since I had the creative drive to make a new pattern! I had other things to do today, but when you feel the energy return you have to go with it. 

I have several unfinished collections that just needed a pattern or two to complete the set. I’ve finished one today! I’m not sure where this will land in the world, but it feels good to be designing again. 🙌

#artlicensing #fabricdesigner #patternfieldapp #teapattern #cozypattern #stationerydesign #fabricdesigner
I’ve got a few new cards in stock for Spring! Th I’ve got a few new cards in stock for Spring! This card is a favorite - happy flowers and an encouraging message about embracing challenges. 

Retailers - new Spring cards will be available for wholesale at the Faire Winter Market next week! 

@faire_wholesale #fairewintermarket2023 #fairewintermarket #wholesalegreetingcards #greetingcards #stationeryshop #proudofyou #embracingchallenges #lifeissobeautiful #shopsmalldurhamnc #shopsmallraleigh
Load More Follow on Instagram
  • Disclosures & Copyright
  • About
  • Contact me!
  • Digital Pattern FAQ’s

Copyright © 2023 · Sara Curtis // beloved theme