We recently celebrated an exciting new brand launch at Luxecetera – a very special concept we named Libbie Wicket. Our newest creation is for Elizabeth Smith (formerly of ebs photography), who came to us with a very simple request, “I need a change.” After meeting Elizabeth and visiting her studio, we got a feel for what she was looking for – something that captured the whimsical, fantastic essence of her business – we went to work. In researching ideas for the brand, we kept coming back to Victorian-era England and Lewis Carroll’s In Through the Looking Glass. His fantastic, whimsical characters and the world they lived in became the driving inspiration. Following our own “white rabbit” of invention, we were lead to other inspirations, such as Nanny McPhee and Coraline. The result was a brand that everyone at Luxecetera was able to contribute to, especially our copywriter, Tyrie, and illustrator, Walter – the boys really had fun creating this spunky, fun, and out-loud little girl, Libbie Wicket. Her image and her story became the inspiration for Eva, Ashley, and Lisa to build a complete brand-from the website down to the design choices for Elizabeth’s new studio. It was a great project experience for everyone involved. So, without further ado, we give you Libbie Wicket …

Every now and then a brand comes along that very nearly literally takes on a life and character all its own. This is certainly the case with Elizabeth Smith’s new brand, Libbie Wicket. Elizabeth was looking for a new direction to take her photography business. She wanted a complete re-branding that could better communicate her philosophy as both a photographer and a business owner. Her spunky, fun approach to both, coupled with her real love for the whimsy of childhood, inspired the creation of an authentic brand that came to life in the form of a precocious, independent, and out-loud little girl we named Libbie Wicket (how fun that Elizabeth’s childhood nickname was Libbie!). This rough-and-tumble tomboy, with skinned knees and tussled hair, became the personification of Elizabeth’s work and drove the design-earthy tones, rich textures, and nature-inspired design elements. Libbie’s personae and her story serve as the foundation of a complete branding endeavor that lives, breathes, and climbs trees.

Projects Include: logo, branding, illustrations, naming, tagline creations, other copywriting services (Libbie’s Story), postcard, notecards, magazine advertisements, business cards, stickers, magnets, custom dream album cover, wall decals, and custom blogsite.

Cute little gift magnets that Elizabeth orders from here.

The Custom Branded Dream Album Cover… Elizabeth uses cream for the girls and chocolate for the boys.

Our favorite part has to be these wall decals that we had made via an Etsy shop. They really brought Libbie to life!!

The business cards were printed offset and turnout so lovely… printed on a thick cream linen stock in a larger size (3×3) with rounded corners… they look and feel completely wonderful.

The custom blogsite that we designed and our friends at Flosites programmed. All programmed as a custom Wordpress theme.

So… how did the client feel, you ask…

When you first met “Libbie,” was it love at first sight?
It was totally love at first sight when I saw Libbie. How can anyone resist her knobby little knees and devilish little grin?

In what ways does “Libbie Wicket” the brand communicate the most important aspects of what you do?
I was looking for a logo and a brand that pulled together both the business and the passion. I wanted something whimsical, unique and elegant (but not stuffy). I knew that the gals at Luxetera were the right ones for the challenge. Ashley and I met for lunch and got to know one another a little. She listened and noted my ideas and thoughts for the branding. After that meeting I knew I could trust whatever she came up with.

Tell us what you hope your new look will do for your business.
My new look came at an important time in my business history. I was able to reveal my new studio at the same time I revealed my new branding. The new brand gives potential clients a peek into what they will experience when they choose me as their photographer. Libbie, as a character, is what I am looking to capture in each child I photograph.

How would you describe your experience with Luxecetera?
My experience with Luxecetera was beyond fabulous. Ashley happens to live close to me so she and I worked on most of the projects together. The girls at Luxecetera say I was easy to work with because I loved all their ideas as they were – no changes. However, I have to be honest and say that the girls are just brilliant and it was easy to love everything they created! I would highly recommend them and I would absolutely use them in the future!

In what ways is Libbie a reflection of you?
Libbie is me – in a child version. I was that child who caught bugs, climbed trees, swung from ropes, caught craw dads in the creek and played on the boys soccer team. I fear I have not changed much. I still love to get dirty and to have a great time. Last weekend I got knee deep in the water to get “the shot”. Sadly, my camera took a dunk and now it is in the camera hospital. That, my friends, is what happens when you live life out loud… you have to laugh at the bumps along the way.

ETA: completely forgot to show these original sketches of Libbie…

Tags: Branding, branding for photographers, dream album cover, logo design, name development, tagline writing