Just like how I would start any design project, I did my research first. After getting engaged, I made sure to get my hands on some wedding magazines and checked out some inspiring websites like theknot.com. I started collecting images of things I liked. I had an on-going theme, I wanted everything to be personal by using photography.

My friend, Lydia Ko, volunteered to take engagement pictures for us, which I absolutely love. I wanted to use them somehow, and I had an idea in the back of my mind that I saw of using a photobooth for “save the dates”. So I made four of my favorite pictures into a strip like you would get out of a photobooth into a bookmark, on the back gave the date and location, and more information.

I didn’t want to send out the traditional plain thank you notes; everyone knows as soon as you read it, it goes on the fridge for awhile because you would feel badly throwing it away or just put it straight in the trash. I wanted to send out something that would make someone smile or think, “Wow, that was a cute idea, how clever” and actually want to hold on to it for awhile. I posed with the gifts I received from my bridal shower and added thought bubbles to make me look like a stupid bride that didn’t know how to do anything. I developed the photos and then printed out the back of the postcards on some index cards and glued them together. I thought it was a cute funny idea on a budget, and I had fun with it.

For my wedding gifts that I received for the wedding, I used a photo of my new husband and I on the back of our getaway vehicle that read “Just Married”, but I changed it to “Thank you”, although I could have left it.

No award this time, but it was well worth it! I participated in this year’s AIGA Student Portfolio Review. It was four hours of speed interviews and portfolio feedback. I wish I would have participated before, it was amazing getting tons valuable critiques on my portfolio. I got several compliments on my Mecklenburg Greenway ad campaign and my invitation for the Cybercrime conference. Even though I did not win, a few reviewers let me know I was a close runner-up. I would advise any graphic design student or recent graduate to make sure they participate next year!

View AIGA’s blog post