Michelle McCoy Designs

Rebranding Belmondo

Michelle McCoy — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:35:41 +0000

Last year I was an intern for Aveníu Brands, an international wine importing company based out of Baltimore, Maryland. I was given the task of redesigning the label for Belmondo, a winery out of the Tuscan region of Italy.

Below is an image of what the label used to look like.

This label was previously contemporary in style, although its audience prefers a more traditional, authentic Italian look. Therefore, my goal was to come up with a design that would appeal more to Belmondo’s targeted audience.

Throughout the creative process of designing this new label, I experimented with different typefaces, images, illustrations, colors, and sizes. There were dozens of revisions that took place, but in the end, the label achieved its intended goal.

Thank you to Merino Photo for providing pictures of the new Belmondo labels.

Once a Phi Sig, Always a Phi Sig

Michelle McCoy — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:45:43 +0000

Even though I graduated and am no longer an active sorority member of Phi Sigma Sigma, I still like to do what I can to help the chapter out and stay involved. Below is the design of a shirt I made for all the sisters to wear and have new members receive on Bid Day.

During the week of recruitment, the events all had a “travel” theme so I picked a slogan to reflect that the new members had reached their final destination.

The art of perfecting a logo

Michelle McCoy — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:45:47 +0000

A couple months ago I had the opportunity to design a logo for Chesapeake Periodontics, who was a client of Emerging Communications. At the beginning of the design process, I was told that the client liked ducks and the outdoors so I went with that as the inspiration for the logo.

Here are some of the initial proofs I came up with that led to the final logo design.

In the end, the client decided they wanted to try something else in place of ducks so I did a typographic illustration of the initials of the company to look like a sail boat, representing the Annapolis location.

After the logo was designed, I carried out elements of the logo onto the rest of the branding and identity materials including letterhead, business card, brochure, and envelope.

(Re)Invention at AIGA GAIN Conference, NYC

Michelle McCoy — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:31:49 +0000

After coming home from the Gain Conference in New York City this past weekend, I definitely feel as though I have returned to Maryland more inspired than I was before and I learned valuable lessons from some of the most influential leaders in design. The theme of the convention was about (re)inventing not only our careers, but society through messages that our work can express.

When Larry Keeley spoke, he captured the audience with his motivating speech about how designers have the ability to use our skills to our advantage and impact the way others think about current issues. He said, “Find something you are passionate about”. If we have an interest in something, we will produce much better work. Wouldn’t you have to agree?

I challenge anyone who is reading this to take a minute to think about what it is that you are passionate about and whatever it may be I hope you use that as an incentive to drive your work further.

From this experience I’ve decided that I would like to make it my responsibility as a designer to find something I feel strongly about and then stimulate positive change to better the lives of others. As good ole’ Gandhi says, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Amen, brother!

Black & Gold takes over UMBC

Michelle McCoy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:17:51 +0000

The Black and Gold Project was a campus initiative to celebrate the school colors in an artistic way. They are presented along the sidewalks with spirited slogans on them and the banners certainly brighten up the atmosphere. This week was the debut of the banners and they should hang throughout campus for the upcoming year (or two) to come!

My new hobby: painting!

Michelle McCoy — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:10:06 +0000

I’m so happy with the way this watercolor and acrylic painting turned out! I made it as a gift and it took about a week to complete. I’ve never really experimented too much with painting but what’s good about it is that it’s cheap & entertaining, relieves stress, and in the end you (hopefully) have a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

I’m backkk!

Michelle McCoy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:11:51 +0000

Hey, so I bet you are wondering where I’ve been the last month! I had some time off after school and I stayed busy by traveling all over the place. First, I went to LA to visit a friend, then Minnesota for my cousin’s wedding, Kansas City to visit more cousins and finally I went to Mainz, Germany with my mom. It was quite an adventure seeing so many cities that are so different from each other!

My favorite pictures from my travels came from Germany. I wanted to capture the historic architecture and lush greenery of the vines, flower boxes and trees.

Enjoy!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

Michelle McCoy — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:05:51 +0000

Yesterday, I graduated from college! I can officially say that now I am a true UMBC alumni and it feels pretty good. I’m excited for everything that is yet to come and I’m ready to take that next step.

So my family from out of state could keep up to date with the news of my graduation, I made them all notecards. Below is the design!

Looking back on a video project

Michelle McCoy — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:21:53 +0000

Well, tomorrow my LAST final project EVER in college is due and I’m pretty excited about that. I was thinking earlier about past projects I’ve had and it was just last spring when I was involved in a video project where I had to do all the script writing, directing, shooting film and editing myself.

Since I like to embarrass my brother from time to time, I posted the video on YouTube and now you get to enjoy it as well

UMBC Seniors Strut Our Stuff

Michelle McCoy — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:34:47 +0000

The time has come! I can’t believe four years have come and gone within the blink of an eye. I have gained so much from the Visual Arts program at UMBC and the saying holds true: UMBC stands for U Made the Best Choice. (I’m corny… I know. Thus, I have embraced it)

As the image shown above displays, the Senior Exit Exhibition is coming up next week at UMBC and is presented in the Center for Art and Visual Culture. On Tuesday, May 18th I’d like to invite you to come see some of my work in this exhibition. Oh… and might I add that there will be free food and alcoholic beverages provided too?

Hope to see you there!