Igloo Progress: Part 2

Progress from April 15^th to April 30^th:

We’re right in the thick of things here at Sauce.  The more complex design process has started!

ü  We are working on the colour for the CCC & Sauce Logos.  On the 2012 toque, the logos didn’t stand out quite as well as they could have.  We’re going to try and improve the ‘pop’ on this 2013 toque and we can do this by using a solid colour border around the logo, or by using a different colour for the logos. Once we’ve come up with some options, we will show CCC some options for their approval.  Our first thought is that red will look great!

Just to give you an idea, here is a digital example of what the Toque could look like with a red logo and a white pom pom!

ü  Jessica, our talented and creative graphic designer (and former Jackrabbit!) is working on creating vector artwork from Elliott’s drawing.  Vector artwork is commonly used for graphic design because it’s very easy to modify and re-size.   The edges of the art are made of outlines rather than pixels. See an example of vector artwork below:

ü  In order for Jessica to design the artwork properly, she also needs a template to work from.  This template is exactly the same as the sewing pattern that we use when we (or our manufacturers), make the hat.  It helps her know how to design the artwork so that the door of the igloo ends up on everyone’s forehead!

That’s all for now!  Stay tuned…

Igloo Progress: Part 1

Progress from March 31^st to April 15^th:

The winner has been chosen and we know which hat we’re going to be making!  The wheels have started to turn in the heads of our design and production department as we plan our ‘race’ strategy.  

At Sauce Headwear when we determine our strategy we have to consider some of the following points:

ü  How to buy our materials and stay within our budget!

ü  When to order all of our supplies so that we finish the race in time.

ü  What kind of extras and trims might look cool on the hat (ie: a pom-pom, or a heat transfer?) We also have to run these ideas by CCC, and Elliott to make sure that they approve!

                       

ü  Because this design is not abstract like some of the other designs that were in the contest, it requires some special planning with respect to the cutting of the fabric and the placement of the design on each hat. 

·      For example, if the winning design had been a random mix of lines or circles, it would not have mattered how they were distributed on your head.  It would look pretty much the same no matter which angle you looked at it!

Abstract design examples

·      For the igloo design to appear as an igloo, the layout matters.   We need to make sure that the door of the igloo is always on the font and centre of your forehead!


ü  Now that we’ve determined our strategy, the next step is to send the artwork to our graphic designer so that she can turn the drawing into something called vector artwork (more on that later), and present us with some digital representations of the finished product.

The Igloo Toque: From Start to Finish

Sauce Headwear is so pleased to have the opportunity to bring Elliot Tone’s artwork to life – In the form of a hat!

This blog series will keep you updated on the progress we’re making with the project and give you a little insider info on the art and science behind the scenes here at Sauce Headwear.   We hope you enjoy following the Igloo project and we welcome your questions.

Because of our past experiences as skiers, we like to plan our projects like we’ve entered in a long, non-athletic race!  The start of this particular race was on March 31^st, when the winning design was selected.  Our finish line is scheduled for Fall of 2012, when we deliver the hats to Cross Country Canada for distribution to all the Jackrabbit clubs.  So, that means our race is 6 months long and packed with all sorts of interesting news…So stay tuned!

Six-Pack of Sauce Winners

Drum roll please...

In a random draw of all of our spring 2011 customer survey entries we have come up with two winners.

Monica LaBarge  &  Frank Wojcik 

Congratulations to you both, and thank you for your participation.  Please send me an email and we'll sort out the details.  Info@sauceheadwear.com.

A Few Moments with our Graphic Designer, Jessica Spring

1. Jessica, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from and how did you get into the field of graphic design and illustration?

I am from Dundas, Ontario ( between Toronto and Niagara Falls). Once upon a time I skied competitively. Now I'm just grateful when I can blow off work after getting the kids to school to steal an hour on the trails running or skiing. I just wish it could happen more often. I've always drawn, especially around binder rings and in paper margins as means to not pay attention.. Or I wasn't interested in anything else. Eitherway, I'm stuck with it.

2.  You have a distinctive and unique illustrative style that is all your own (We Love it!).  What is it about you and your personality that brings this out?
 I prefer either hand-drawn, organic looking  work or crisp minimalist graphics and typography... and not a heck of a lot in between. I'm finicky. I can't stand obvious digital filters and effects but I love so many thing a computer allows me to do. I might be an addict. I might get twitchy after being disconnected more than 48 hrs. The thought of which might make me a little nervous.

3.  If you had to choose one piece of your work to call your favourite, which piece would you choose?

Finished work tends to be compromised. I work for clients, not to suit myself. Things I save that are my own are often really rough thumbnail sketches. They are fresh and not over-thought.. and the line quality is the most expressive. It loses part of that reworked into a finished piece. Finished work also looks more static to me.. I'll reign in the artsty-fartsy here.

 5.  Could you tell us a little bit about the inspiration for the swirl design, and the houndstooth design.  And then, potentially expand into why you came up with those colourways for those prints?

I only adapted the houndstooth pattern - it's old and Scottish- but in my choices I was aiming for  that would be graphically strong, not too girly. I thought there should be more patterns that men might be comfortable wearing. Ms. Shayla wanted gem colours, so she got them.

Oh yeah - She's right. I did want Jewel tones ;)


Check out Jessica's Blog to see more of her creative work.


http://linearramblings.blogspot.com/

Check back with us again soon for giveaways and other fun stuff!
Shayla at Sauce

Prints Revealed!

Hello Sauce Fans.

It's September 1st, and as promised we are revealing our new prints!  This season we decided to go with two color-ways of two different patterns.  The first pattern is an awesome combination of swirls, bright beautiful colors and a randomly placed 'Sauce Splat'.  Photos below:

Tangerine Swirl

Phantom Swirl

The second pattern is Houndstooth!  Originating from the scottish lowlands many moons ago, houndstooth is a timeless, yet contemporary textile print.  Our clever designer added a little Sauce flare by incorporating some splashy colours, and our business name into the print.  Photos below:

Plum Houndstooth

Olive Houndstooth

 These prints are available for sale on our website, and at any of our amazing dealers.   All four new prints are available in each of our current products - toques and headbands!   Tell all your friends!

We're hoping to bring you an interview with our designer Jessica Spring.  Stay tuned...


- Sauce

The Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Print Reveal Contest #2 !  You all made excellent guesses.

In a random draw from all the guesses, our winner is....

Jackie Ham-Woodman

There was only one correct answer in the mix and we couldn't let that go unnoticed, so our other winner is....

Jamie Graper with her guess of Houndstooth

Ladies, please send us an email with your mailing address and we'll sort out your prize.

info@sauceheadwear.com

Stay tuned to see the Houndstooth print revealed on September 1st.

Sincerely,

Sauce