I love my work as a graphic designer. I get to work on a variety of projects from ads to websites to logos to flyers to programs to packaging. I’ve done banners and signs and event collateral. However, when people invite me to work on truly personal projects like an adoption profile, I am still amazed and honored.
I’ve known Jill and Gretchen for many years. In 2013 they allowed me to create the printed pieces for their wedding including an invitation, RSVP card, program and thank you cards. So it was truly special when they asked me to work on some pieces for the next stage of their lives together: parenthood.
The adoption profile
The adoption process is a long and complicated one (I won’t even pretend to understand it!). Part of that process includes getting a family profile in The Book. As I understand it, this book is a place where birth mothers can learn more about prospective adoptive parents. These short, colorful pieces are meant to be meaningful introductions to the families that can be shared not only with the adoption agency, but friends, family and any other birth mothers.
The Rodes knew which image they wanted to feature on the cover. This beautiful image of the two of them laughing with the super sweet (and super spoiled) Petunia between them really inspired me. Everything else was designed around that image. I love the addition of the bubbly polka dots which I think really captures the truly loving and joyful personality of these two.
While Jill and Gretchen supplied me the text and a lot of images, they trusted me to layout the profile and select images. Of course we worked together to make sure everything was perfect.
The website
Once approved, the next step was to create a website. I knew I wanted to match the profile and am so happy with the way it turned out.
Their website is simple: four pages and links to important information (a downloadable version of their profile and information about adoption with links to their agency). It was important to make this site clean, easy to navigate and responsive for a variety of devices. They also wanted a blog so they can share life updates and give families a deeper look into who these two are.
The site is set up on the WordPress platform. I worked with Jill and Gretchen to register their URL, set up hosting and gave them a back-end tutorial once the site was complete.
Take a closer look at this project on my portfolio. If you have your own project you’d like to work on—including an adoption profile—drop me a note and let’s get started.
