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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / {How to find inspiration for new product designs.}

{How to find inspiration for new product designs.}

February 25, 2013 · 72 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, giveaway, shop feature

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to Aimy Michelle (be sure to check your email). Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway and a big THANK YOU to Red Letter Words for supplying it.

Being the owner + designer of a handmade shop brings many fun tasks to my to-do lists, but probably my most favorite task of all is designing new products — and the inspiration that starts it all :) It’s no small accomplishment to design a new product line. Sometimes this means a totally new product concept, other times it means introducing something new to a product that already exists in your shop. 

If you’re a jewelry designer this could look like a fresh design on a bracelet you currently offer, or if you’re an artist it could look like a fresh drawing on a medium you are already familiar with. Dee of Red Letter Words recently launched a new product line and for her it consists of her signature typography style, but with a new element: simply One Word.

We asked Dee a couple of questions about where she finds inspiration for her designs, what it’s like leading up to a launch {her response could surprise you!}, and some creative steps she takes to encourage a successful launch. Be sure to read through to the end as we’ve got something special for one lucky reader…

+ + +

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What is it like releasing a new line for Red Letter Words? Do you get really excited leading up to the launch, feel overwhelmed? What is the experience like for you as the designer? It can get a bit crazy making sure everything is done at the right time. From the inspiration to the first sketch to the color choices to the styling of the photo shoot to the adding to the website to the marketing —  it really goes step-by-step and everybody has their part. When I first started I never did “a line” or “a collection”, I just simply designed a print, took a picture of it and added it to Etsy {and then later my website}.  There was no marketing, no thought process, no rhyme or reason at all.  I did it all myself.  Now I design, Mindy styles and photographs, and Michelle does all the adding to the website.

As the business has grown and after I started licensing certain designs I began to see the value in planning more and having a whole collection of new prints that coordinated well together.

I get very excited leading up to a new launch! It’s a little nerve-wracking — as the designer, everything I do has a piece of my heart attached to it, so of course I want everyone to like it. But there’s always silly thought, “What if people hate the new stuff?” and then I think, “Well do I like it?  Yes!  I designed it!” And then, “Would God be pleased with it — does it glorify Him?  Yes?!  OK, go!”

Any feelings of being overwhelmed are easily managed by remembering that most deadlines I have are completely self imposed — if the new collection isn’t ready then it isn’t ready and we wait a week, not a big deal.  One of the best things about being a “mom-creativepreneur” is that you set your own timetable.

Where did you draw inspiration for creating your new line? Inspiration is everywhere — absolutely everywhere. But I must say that since my stuff is text driven — conversations, Bible studies, and life experiences are a huge part.  Aside from that, I love any kind of contrast.  Old verses new.  Rusty verses shiny.  Timeless verses trendy.  Modern verses vintage.  Yes, I regularly visit antique stores and flea markets ;)

red-letter-words-gussy-sews

Tell us about your vision behind the new line. The one word idea has been around awhile.  I first heard of it from Ali Edwards. I liked it, but last year was the first year I picked a word and really focused on it.  It was a family word: together. When we started homeschooling and spending half the year in California and half in Michigan we didn’t know how everything was going to go but we did know that we were going to experience it together.  The year 2012 was so great, on so many levels — we are repeating and spending the first half of the year in California. How long are we going to do this? We’re not sure. Our word for 2013 is wait.

red-letter-words-gussy-sews

follow Dee on Instagram ~ @RedLetterWords

What are some creative steps you routinely take to encourage a successful launch? For example, do you schedule in extra time so you stay on-track? Do you visit thrift stores for added inspiration? Do you sketch or map out your ideas? Do you work well under pressure, or no? I stopped taking custom print orders so that I can focus all creativity on the new collection.  And I do schedule extra time so I stay on-track.  Everything is sketched out beforehand. Sometimes I sketch something and it doesn’t become a completed design for a couple of years.  So that’s another place I regularly go to for inspiration — my own notebooks! I have stacks and stacks of notebooks. I do work well under pressure, but like I said before — any kind of deadline we experience is completely self imposed.

red-letter-words-gussy-sews

What steps did you take in choosing the words for your new collection? Words are powerful.  Powerful enough to bring blessing or cursing.  I have a list of at least 100 words that bring blessing — these were the ones that made the final cut.

+ + +
GIVEAWAY// Red Letter Words is giving away any print from their new One Word collection. All you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter prompts and you’re entered!

EXTRA DETAILS// This giveaway is open until Monday, March 4th at 11:59pm PST. The winner will be notified by email + announced at the top of this blog post. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Goooooood luck and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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72 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, giveaway, shop feature

« {Baby Bump — 38 week update}
{A few things I’ve learned throughout this pregnancy + maternity leave FAQs.} »

Comments

  1. kara @ launching our life together says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:23 am

    Thanks for sharing! How inspiring. And I’ve been loving Red Letter Words since I first started following The Nester a few years ago.

    Reply
  2. Laura Curtis says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:28 am

    I love the ‘Home’ print.

    Reply
  3. Andrea Merrigan says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:30 am

    Love the Wait print

    Reply
  4. Katy says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:37 am

    I love Grace like that hour you first believed. Beautiful.

    Reply
  5. LeighAnn Standridge says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:43 am

    I would get the word home because we are in the process of buying our first home and bringing a newborn into it in September.

    Reply
  6. Erica says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:00 am

    Love the helpful tips!

    Reply
  7. Jessica W says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:08 am

    Thanks for such a great giveaway! Loved reading through the questions and how other successful moms manage ;) Such inspiration

    Reply
  8. Valerie B says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:16 am

    I love “JOY”–such a happy remonder to look at when you first get up

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:23 am

    Love the prints! I’m always looking for something unique to hang on the wall.

    Reply
  10. Alicia says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:31 am

    I love the “Wait” print. I’m trying to learn to always for God’s timing.

    Reply
  11. Susan says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Simply lovely! Hope to win:-)

    Reply
  12. Sandrea Hines says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:09 am

    I love the “wait” sign. Simply beautiful!

    Reply
  13. sharon says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:24 am

    I like Abide.

    Reply
  14. Lisa K. says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:49 am

    I love the ‘Grace’ Print!!!!

    Reply
  15. Jen Hutchinson says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:54 am

    The Grace print would go amazing in the Youth House at our church- it was just repainted but now there is nothing on the walls:(

    Reply
  16. Kaitlyn says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:59 am

    I love the truth print!

    Reply
  17. Tracey says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:08 am

    It’s almost impossible to pick, I love this collection! The colors on READ, HELLO, & LOVE are some of my favorites…as are the words, but I also adore:: BELIEVE in the One who was sent for you.

    Reply
  18. Katy says

    February 25, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I love the Hope print!

    Reply
  19. Elizabeth Smillie says

    February 25, 2013 at 11:08 am

    LOVE others because He loved you first (so powerful!) in gray

    Reply
  20. Corinne says

    February 25, 2013 at 11:36 am

    I really like the Love Never Fails.

    Reply
  21. Mary Beth (the homemade calling) says

    February 25, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    i really love every single one! And I love that they are reminders of truth and scripture
    I would have to choose Abide or Home as we fill our new home with meaningful decoration and touches of who He is and who we are as a family!
    <3

    Reply
  22. aimymichelle says

    February 25, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    i love the one titled “pray”

    Reply
  23. Tonya Schmidt says

    February 25, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Thanks for sharing your inspiration process!!

    Reply
  24. Tonya Schmidt says

    February 25, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    I love the patchwork pray!!

    Reply
  25. Leigh says

    February 25, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Oh I love the peace and truth signs!

    Reply
  26. Jessica Lane says

    February 25, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    I love the GRACE print, beautiful!

    Reply
  27. Pam says

    February 25, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    I really like the “Hope” I think that is a powerful word amidst all the negativity in the world.

    Reply
  28. Mandy says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Love, love, LOVE “Abide” in salmon:)

    Reply
  29. Shawna says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    I love “Wait”!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  30. Julie S. says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I love the Grace and the Home print!

    Reply
  31. Brooke says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    This is a great post! I love a look “behind the scenes.” Thanks!

    Reply
  32. Emilee says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    I love two prints! Pray and Love!!!

    Reply
  33. sarah says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    What a great interview!

    Sarah

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage

    Reply
  34. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    February 25, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Thank you for this opportunity! Comfort :)

    Reply
  35. Margaret g says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:35 am

    Love the Read!

    Reply
  36. Mary B says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Love all of it! Especially the patchwork LOVE!

    Reply
  37. Traci says

    February 26, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I l.o.v.e. ALL of her designs but my favorite right now would have to be this one:
    http://www.redletterwords.com/index.cfm?Action=ViewDetails&prd_id=390
    (the “wait” one.. <3)

    Reply
  38. April says

    February 26, 2013 at 9:17 am

    My daughter’s names are Grace and Joy so those would be precious in their room!

    Reply
  39. Jessica says

    February 26, 2013 at 10:19 am

    I love the prints “love”, “hope” and “pray” together!

    Reply
  40. Kim Cox-Grosso says

    February 26, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Great post! I love the JOY board. Very cute. :) Best wishes to you and your family!

    Reply
  41. Abbie says

    February 26, 2013 at 10:42 am

    i love the JOY board and the TRUTH board. congrats on your new little one! they are such a blessing!

    Reply
  42. Scarlett says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Oh my! It’s hard to decide, eh? HOPE, JOY, ABIDE!!!

    Reply
  43. Jennifer Waldo says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:33 am

    I have been wanting one of her items for awhile! I love the Grace print!!

    Reply
  44. Kella says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I love them ALL! I think my favorite is the Trust.

    Reply
  45. Michelle Underwood says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:40 am

    My favorite is the Grace sign. It was hard to pick a favorite. They are all cute:)

    Reply
  46. Karen Ann says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:41 am

    I love the Grace sign!

    Reply
  47. Bethany says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:46 am

    I love the Abide

    Reply
  48. Amy says

    February 26, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    love this! thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 26, 2013 at 12:07 pm

      @Amy, I like “trust” the best!

      Reply
  49. Jill says

    February 26, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    BELIEVE! Thank you.

    Reply
  50. Erin Christine Noie says

    February 26, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Trust. http://www.redletterwords.com/index.cfm?Action=ViewDetails&prd_id=339

    Reply
  51. Jessica says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    these are so neat! My favorite(s) are “Joy” “wait” and “wisdom”. How unique

    Reply
  52. Heather says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Home- that is where you will find me

    Reply
  53. Rebecca says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    I love the grace, joy, and hope!

    Reply
  54. Cilla says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    These items are so pretty!

    Reply
  55. monica says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    love the prints! they’re beautiful.

    Reply
  56. Melissa E. says

    February 26, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I love Joy and the patchwork Home print.

    Reply
  57. Shelya says

    February 26, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    I just love these! One word alone can be so powerful indeed.

    Reply
  58. Katie says

    February 26, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    I love the patchwork “hello”!

    Reply
  59. Jessica Netherton says

    February 26, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Love her designs!

    Reply
  60. Kristin Smith says

    February 26, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    LOVE “trust”!!

    Reply
  61. Julie says

    February 26, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I love the JOY print!

    Reply
  62. JESSICA C says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:18 am

    i like the pray & home print!

    Reply
  63. Lari says

    February 27, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Love the “JOY” print

    Reply
  64. Laura P says

    February 27, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    I love the joy print.

    Reply
  65. Crystal S. says

    February 28, 2013 at 3:28 am

    The “wait” sign is my favorite…not my favorite thing to do, but where God has me right now :)

    Reply
  66. Lauren says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    i like joy

    Reply
  67. lisa l. says

    February 28, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    the home print is nice.:)

    Reply
  68. Diane | An Extraordinary Day says

    March 3, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    It would have to be abide….that’s what I’m working at right now. :)

    Reply
  69. Courtney says

    March 4, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Love the Grace. And Wisdom. And Hope. :)

    Reply
  70. Stephanie Oh says

    March 4, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I’m so excited about the new One Word collection – thanks for sharing! I’m eyeing the Abide print now :)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Web Roundup | Gospel Girls says:
    March 5, 2013 at 7:05 am

    […] Letter Word’s new One Word collection that I found out about via Gussy Sews. Totally eyeing the Abide […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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