There’s been work afoot behind the scenes here at Beastie Towers, and today I’m excited to be able to tell you about it at last!
As many of you probably already know, all Beasties are issued with a special passport before they leave for their new homes. This passport contains everything an adventurous little monster (and their new family) needs to know about themselves – who they are, their code number and how to keep in touch with the crew back at Beastie Towers.
Here’s how they looked when I first started making them…
Full credit for this idea goes to Boyfriend, and for the last couple of years, it’s been amazing for helping me to keep track of all the Beasties I’ve made. It’s also a handy way to show people that their Beastie is unique! I cut a template to help keep the shields on the front cover consistent, and constant practice has meant that I’ve actually got quite speedy at cutting them out, folding them and filling out the features on each one.
But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still making every single one by hand! And as the Beasties have started to reach out and colonise new social networks, I’ve had to cram ever more information onto these teeny 5x6mm cards. The end result is…
Yikes! Look at all that! The last straw came when I was preparing for a market in the middle of last month, and I realised that two of the social networks I use – Twitter and Instagram – had done the unforgivable and changed their logos… to something undrawable!
A bird? And white lines on a multicoloured background? How am I supposed to draw those over and over without going cross-eyed?! Something had to give… So I bit the bullet and tackled something I’ve been meaning to do for ages. It’s time to let print technology do the work for me!
Aaaand since my expertise in designing for print is pretty much non-existent, I figured it would be a good idea to get a pro on board. Fortunately, I know one! I reached out to Julie from Juleco… I’d already seen work she’d done for other clients, and I knew she’d do a great job.
I got my samples back from the printers last week. So now, without further ado, I’m delighted to share her design with you… Behold!
Because I no longer have to draw the crest on the front by hand, I was keen to add in a couple more elements – look, there’s a Beastie on there now! And a couple of nods to their Irish heritage, too.
Inside, there’s space for me to write what type of Beastie they are and their code number. The new “tribe” line will allow me to share their genetic origins – all my Beasties are made from natural fibre yarns, and I want to make more of a big deal about this! I’ll still be drawing the “photos”, of course, but having a space to stick them into, instead of drawing directly onto the passport, will mean I can use proper drawing paper. Plus I’ll be less afraid of making mistakes!
As for the back… I’m especially pleased that the social media logos no longer look like they were drawn by a 3 year old, but it’s great that I can include info about my Etsy store for the first time, too. I’m also relieved to have somewhere to put my health and safety disclaimer at last – not the most glamorous thing, perhaps, but certainly important!
Massive thanks to Julie for making this project a walk in the park – it was a real pleasure! And if you’re a small business owner looking for help with your brand identity, I’d definitely recommend you get in touch with her… Or at least take a peek in her Etsy shop!
So, what’s the verdict? Are we fans of the new-look passports? Let me know in the comments!
Wow, they look awesome!!! I really like it … and it still has this ‘handmade flair’.
Thank you! Julie suggested the “brown paper” look too… I love it, and it doesn’t clash with any of the Beasties’ colours 😀
That was a smart decision. I think white would have been too clean and polished.
Exactly… Plus it quite neatly sidesteps the question of “Aaaargh, what colour do I go for?” 😀
Yep, the color question is a hard one. When I made my business cards I tried a million colors and patterns just to end up with a plain black background.
Long-term, I think it’s best to keep things as neutral as possible… That way, your cards are less likely to start looking dated!
I agree. Black goes with everything … same as your brown cards. Yours have the advantage that you could even run them over with a tractor. .. they would still look great maybe even more “recycled”. 🙂
Hahaha, let’s hope we never have to test that theory out! Although it could happen next time I visit Boyfriend’s family on their farm… 😆
My God! Those are so sweet!!! Would my BM’s Beastie also have one? (read as: I badly like to have one of yours beautiful passports… )
But of course! And if anyone who already has a Beastie at home would like to “renew” their passport and exchange it for one of the new ones, just drop me a line! BM’s Beastie is coming along nicely, by the way… I realise I haven’t updated you on progress in a while!
Do not worry about the update, you have my unconditional trust.
Awww, thank you! And I suppose the longer he stays here with me, the less likely your BM is to accidentally find him before Christmas 😆
Exactly!!!
OMGOODNESS how cool !!!!!!!!
I love them x
Thanks Mrs P! I’m super pleased with them… And my mind is boggling at the amount of work they’re going to save me in the runup to Christmas! 😀
All the more time to create Beasties LOL
I’m certainly hoping so! 😀
Congratulations on the new exciting development!!! Your printed passports still are whimsical and fun, and they look amazing!
Thank you! It’s great to be getting so much good feedback… Changing stuff up like this is always kinda nerve-racking! Cheers for stopping by!
I could see how changing things could easily wrack the nerves, especially when your “branding” is at stake. People can be strange when it comes to change.
Yes… I was worried that they might think that a printed passport was in some way less personal, or a bit of a cop-out. But once I saw the new ones, I knew I’d done the right thing! Now nobody needs to play “guess that social media icon” from my scribbles any more 😆
They look fabulous! Very polished and professional but with ample scope for personalisation. Great job!
Thank you! Well, I can’t really take any of the credit for the design, but it’s great to get such a positive response! Thanks for your comment 😀
I think they look great. The new labels glide very seamlessly into print technology. They still have a handmade feel about them and they look very sleek and neat. Great job 🙂
Woohoooo! Thanks Noémie! And if any of your Beasties at home would like to have their passports renewed, just say the word 😀
Mine roam the seven seas and spend their life in international waters at the moment, and I have preciously kept their passports in my own treasure chest 🙂
Best place for them! At least you’ll know where they are in case the Beasties ever decide to give up piracy and come back home 😉
Exploring the Titanic wreck is possibly the work of a few life times I’m afraid… 😀
… Which is fine by me as long as Celine Dion isn’t involved…
Hahaha! I reckon even she’d have a hard time warbling down there… 😆
Good.. But her music, THAT song could make it into the story aaaaaaarrrgggh
Thankfully Boy is too young to remember such horrors… So you’re probably safe enough!
Brrrr! I hope Diver Beastie is dressing up warm for those forays into the deep…
Well, sometimes pint beastie dive down to have a go after a few pints…
Hahaha! Careful now, Pint Beastie! 😱
Woah I can’t believe you used to make these all by hand! What a brilliant idea though, the new printed ones look great 🙂
Thanks, Jem! Yes, I can’t believe it either… I just sent off my first Beastie with one of the new passports at the end of last week, and it made the whole packing-up process so much easier! The only downside will be replacing all the hand-drawn passports on my market Beasties with the new ones… That’s going to be a fun day! 😲
They’re amazing! Well dome you. Sorry I’ve not been about much. I’ve missed our chats. 😃
Likewise! Dangit, there just aren’t enough hours in the day, are there? But the radio silence ends today! Cheers for stopping by 😀
Cool, lets hope the silence is filled with chatting eh?
Yes indeedy! 😀
🙂
Love this! 😍
Thanks! It’s saved me so much time now that I don’t have to draw each one by hand 😀