(Graphic) Design the Studio Space

After nearly a year of ignoring my studio space at home, I've decided it is high time to make it look more like a graphic designer works there. Don't get me wrong - it's really pretty: lavender accent walls with a light cream carpet, a large window that floods the space with light, and these awesome industrial-style glass and silver metal desks and shelving units from CB2. Other than the basics, though, it's not very inspired - or maybe it's that I'm just not very inspired by it? Whatever the case, it's clearly upgrade time, as I'm planning on doing some freelance graphic design work for the indie community in the near future (more on that soon), and will be spending my weekends almost exclusively in there! I figured I'd share since (in my opinion) the more you like your work environment and the more professional you think it looks, the more you'll take yourself seriously - and in turn, your clients!

My first step: wall lettering. I want to spell out "THE STUDIO" - nothing too creative, because I don't want to be locked into a name I can't or won't want to use later. I was originally considering buying these cardstock letters from Target, installing them quickly and calling it a day, but I thought it would be great to have some dimension to them, since the light is really beautiful in that room. I had been looking through Joann a few weeks back and found some really awesome dimensional letters that appeared to be made of chipboard - there are also these wood letters available online, though I think I'd prefer a flat edge to a beveled one. Since I want them white, I'm planning on painting the letters with Gesso, but you could use a variety of paint media to cover it if you'd prefer a different color. (If you're interested in coloring it but still maintaining some of the wood grain, why not try painting it with gouache? Gouache seems expensive, but if you use it right, it can go a long way, and the price could be well worth the final results!) Although I'm keeping it as a flat, graphic color, you could also consider rubbing the paint down with sand paper for a more grunge look, or focus on just the edges with your sand paper for an antiqued look.

I haven't decided on how I'll mount them yet, but I may end up purchasing a white Ikea Lack shelf (it's thick, basic, and modern looking), or I may just make something similar and set the type on that. The other option would be to mount them directly to the wall, which would probably look better given how clean the rest of the aesthetics in the room are. I'm going to run to Home Depot - I'll let you know what they recommend for that!

Comments

[Christine]

cool! you'll have to let me see how that looks.

We actually did the same thing with our pets names. We got the wood letters from various places and put them directly on the wall. Hadn't thought to do anything else with em as far as hanging goes. We put them on various walls close to their 'hangouts' or wherever we find them normally. haha

Anyhow--you're absolutely right about having a work environment that reflects who you are and the things that inspire you. Couldn't have said it better myself!

[Tellie]

Can't wait to see the finished project. I adore decorating with letters - it stirs some half-asleep memories of storybooks and the imagination they inspire. Perfect for a space dedicated to creating!

I am planning to purchase some fine art prints of wooden print blocks at thetypejunkie on etsy, if you are looking for more ways to decorate and inspire. (No, that isn't my store and I don't know the owner, but I love the prints.)