Welcome to Summer...we have a full newsletter this month. Slip on your flip flops, pour yourself some iced tea and enjoy!

Top 10 Design Trends this Summer

1. Animal Prints
2. Asian Fusion
3. Birds and Nests
4. Butterflies
5. Cityscapes
6. Damasks
7, Lace
8. Lattice
9. Scalloped Edges
10. Fauz Bois

 

Featured Project:
Brochure + Business Cards

Bra-la-la is a fine lingerie store in Maple Lawn. They were in need of a new look for their marketing collateral. We took their logo and incorporated a soft lacy look on their brochure and business cards.
   

Featured Project:
Baby Shower Invitations

After the wedding comes the baby carriage...This baby shower invitation included the invitation, reply postcard, custom stamps, and lined envelope. The inspiration for this invitation came from the chosen nursery colors and theme.
Client: connect•the•dots

Highlight: Menu Cards
We sponsored 2 tables at the Great Chef's Dinner which was held on April 19 at The Grand Lodge located in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The theme was "Paris Meets Paradise". Both tables turned out looking great. We designed the menu cards and other paper goods for each table.

TABLE DESIGN: Favored Events
{Congratulations for winning "Best keeping with the theme", best overall award!}
Vendors at this table: Richardsons Flowers and Gifts, Perfect Settings


Highlight: Menu Cards
This is the second table we sponsored at the Great Chef's Dinner.

TABLE DESIGN: Bradshaw Styling
Vendors at this table: Fleur de Lis Florist, Gala Cloths by Dulany, Haute Cocoa, Inc., Party Rental, Ltd.


photography by Arthur Remanjon Photographers


Marketing IQ: Social Media...

"Social media is one of those phrases that is thrown around and abused so frequently these days that it is often completely misunderstood, even by those who participate in it.

At its simplest, social media is a conversation. At its most complex, social media is a conversation. And just like with the dynamics of any verbal conversation, there is potential for a broad range of outcomes.

Everything in life is done through some form of conversation and communication, be it online or offline. Multi-million dollar deals are won (and lost) based on a series of conversations. Wars have been started because of an offense someone took from a spoken word, and peace treaties have been negotiated because of a willingness to communicate in a more humble tone. Couples even agree to marry each other with two simple words "I do".

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are not social media. They are tools that help facilitate it, just like Starbucks or another coffee shop can help facilitate verbal, face-to-face conversations. The conversations that happen within those online platforms is the social media.

Where there is opportunity to speak, there is opportunity to be misunderstood, and online media is no exception. While getting started in social media is as simple as jumping in and starting a conversation or joining one, committing to it is not easy. It is risky and you have to give up quite a bit of perceived control (I say perceived because you weren't ever really in control anyway). Tone can be misinterpreted much more easily via the written word and passive aggressive remarks instantly have a larger audience. Being a hermit, however, is not healthy, either offline or on, and is not a solution to avoiding the important conversations that are happening.

It's important to note that the platforms used will evolve and be replaced, but the need to communicate with other humans never will. Social media will also never fully replace verbal communication. The days of speaking face-to-face or via telephone aren't going anywhere (though the phone might). The tools will always change; the core need to communicate and connect with each other will not.

That said, online communication is not a fad and social media isn't one of those things that was fun while it lasted. It is another form of talking with others, and it will only continue to grow. While Facebook has jumped the shark and Twitter is beginning to swim in some dangerous waters, social media is here to stay. If you're not willing to adapt and participate in the two way conversations online media enables, your business will suffer. "

 


June 2009
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$25 off
Good towards your order of
Personal Stationery
Expires June 30, 2009
code: newsletter06

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Services We Offer

graphic design services
including logo design, brochures, business cards, embroidery designs, calligraphy services, save-the-dates, custom wedding invitations,
shower invitations,
baby announcements, holiday cards, favors, labels, tags, menu cards, programs, escort cards.

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Visit our Showroom

Check out our display of
invitations located in Maple Lawn.
8170 Maple Lawn Blvd, Suite 170
Fulton Maryland 20759

Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for expertise advice and inspiration.

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How can we help you?
Call for a free consultation

Become a Fan on Facebook

Review us on weddingwire

Follow us on Twitter "Couturedesigns"

Featured in Baltimore Magazine

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UpComing Events
You can catch us at the following
bridal shows and events.

June 7 • 1-5pm
"Tweak Your (she)ic'
Image & Beauty Lounge
An afternoon for ladies to rejuvenate, revamp, relax and refresh
Host: Elan Image Management
Hotel George, Washington, DC
INFO