Custom Buttons Blog (Page 149 of 152)
Welcome to The Button Post by Pure Buttons! (Page 149 of 152)! A blog where we discuss all things related to custom pin-back buttons and other custom promotional products that Pure Buttons offers. Stick around for coupons to score cheap pinback buttons, new button product announcements and more!
Who are some of your favorite designers?
Whew…I’ll try to keep it down to a few: Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey, Sam Keith and Chris Bachalo (amongst an obscenely long list of my favorite comic book artists). Frank Kozik and Derek Hess are giant influences on me, especially earlier on. Having gotten to work with Derek on some projects was a big thing for me…still is. I’d feel like a jerk to not namedrop the dudes at Go Media for educating young designers, doing solid work, and thriving in my home (Cleveland).
You’ve had experience designing button packs with us. Any tips on designing a unique button pack?
It’s definitely important for designers to strive for something that’s their own, but I don’t know quite how to explain to someone else how to make something unique. For me, the setup of the packs reminded me of action figure packaging from when I was a kid, so I came at it from that angle, especially with my ‘Space Race’ pack. So I guess my advice would be to take a look at what’s out there, find what gets you going, and just make the thing RULE. (in other words, don’t make it suck.)
Last Modified: July 4th, 2008
I’d like to thank all the designers who helped us create some new promotional button packs. You gave us something extremely unique. You can view a sneak peak photo below of some of the ones we had a chance to print. We look forward to making your next custom button / button packaging order happen.
We gave our designers the ability to run free with our logo and turn it into something that would flow with the button pack design. And FLOW they did!
If you are interested in our custom button packaging please visit us @ PureButtons.com
Last Modified: July 3rd, 2008
Step 1. – Printing the artwork. This step requires downloading the artwork from our CMS (customer management system), then fixing up the artwork to our exact specifications.
Step 3. – Die Cutting the artwork.
Step 4. – Assembling the button with our button machine.
– first, you will insert a button blank called a shell into the larger cavity.
– Second, you will place the die cut circle on top of the shell.
– Third, you will now place a metal ring called a collet into the next cavity
This is a step and repeat process.
– Fifth step, let the machine do the work. What happens now is the machine will actually pick up the mylar, artwork and shell and fold the artwork under the lip of the shell. Then, the collet will then be pressed into the shell. The collet is what fuses the two together. (holding the button together)
The machines arm has a magnet at the end of it and its now picking the button out of the machine.
Step 5. – We will insert the pin into the back of the button.
Step 6. – Finally the button is complete! You are now ready to wear your finished button. (In This case I’ve showed you our pin back button option as well as our zipper pull buttons)
Last Modified: July 2nd, 2008
Custom Zipper Pulls – Now Available at PureButtons
This will be my second blog post about our new zipper pull buttons. As you can see these are a pretty unique new item we are now offering.
A Zipper Pull Button shown on a hoody (close up)
Here is one of the many ways you can effectively use zipper pulls as promotional items:
Give your customers more for their money! You are selling a zip up hoody and you sell the hoody with a zipper pull attached to the hoodies zipper. This will be a free item that you can say is included with this hoody and is of a set value. Therefor, you’re giving your customer an added bonus. Remember, your customers love free items! It’s the little details that keep people coming back.
Here’s what some of our customers have said about our zipper pulls.
I think it adds a nice touch. Kyle Crawford – Electric Zombie
This is a great item for my duffle bag. Now, everyone that looks at my duffle bag will know what my favorite sports team is. – Matt Gaspar
Yeah, we’re loving these. the peeps are too! Aaron Belyea – Alphabet Arm Design
What do you think of these? We encourage you to express your thoughts by posting comments.
Last Modified: July 1st, 2008
Aaron Belyea – Owner / Senior Designer
What got you into designing?
By default, actually. I played in a number of bands and ended up doing logos, flyers, and merch for fun. Friends and other bands we played with started asking me to design for them. I hadn’t really even thought of design as a career up until that point. Ironically enough, I had been collecting old clip art books, archival catalogs, type specimens and shooting photographs for years. All which seemed to integrate effortlessly into my early work.
What was your first photo editing program?
I believe it was Photoshop 2.
Describe your style.
I would like to think it’s somewhat diverse. I certainly respond to simple and bold solutions that have an underlying hint of complexity. Our client base is incredibly varied. I really value that over the course of a day we’ll work on super clean, sophisticated marketing material, then switch gears and hand render type or distress elements for a messy, tactile CD package. As designers, it really keeps us from getting complacent or bored.
How would you describe running a design firm?
Amazing, challenging, fun, frustrating, but extremely gratifying. I really enjoy overseeing + art directing a bunch of really talented cats.
What are some of your favorite bands?
Yikes, that’s a tough one…Elvis Costello, Pixies, The Shins, Lee Morgan, Mr. Lif, Doves, Bad Brains, The Zombies + French Kicks.
Any advice for an upcoming designers who are interested in running there own design firm?
Think very carefully before hand. Have a solid understanding of payroll taxes. Order coffee in bulk. Make sure that you have a loyal client base before you open the doors.
What has been your favorite piece of artwork that you designed?
Wow, that’s even harder than the favorite band question. I did this mixed media piece for a design installation that I do love dearly. Part rust, part vinyl, part tin, part spray paint, part sweat.
How did you come up with the name ‘Alphabet Arm’?
Before I was a designer I had a love for type and had an alphabet tattooed around my arm. I quickly had the nickname “Alphabet Arm” which became my design moniker.
How did you start up Alphabet Arm? Was it started by a group of friends?
I launched it as a solo designer in November of 2001. I ran the studio solo for a couple of years and got a handle on the business end, then slowly started adding designers. At the moment, we are a four designer studio with one bad ass intern.
What is your office like?
It is in a renovated brick and mortar warehouse with all the modern amenities of a new building. We have a lot of artwork on the walls. Two of my favorite installations are the noted “T-shirt Wall” (framed samples of shirts we have designed) and “The Logo Wall” (12′ x 30′ wall with a sampling of logos applied as vinyl cuts). The vibe is very professional, but relaxed. It is a large open space and we spend a great deal of time telling jokes, screwing around, attempting to make each other laugh. If we weren’t such highly productive designers, I’m afraid not much would get done. Dress code: t-shirts and sneakers.
What helps you get inspiration for new designs/projects?
Everything? Pop culture, music, design heroes, poorly executed design examples, my designers themselves, and coffee.
What would your thoughts be for designing buttons? Any tips?
Try to come up with something that is not obvious or hasn’t been done a million times. Think about scale, think about the message, and think about it in terms of something you would want to wear yourself.
Any words of encouragement for new and upcoming designers?
Build a killer portfolio. Seriously, do as much work as you can even if you have to give it away until you have a respectable collection of work. Study the masters (Reid Miles, Art Chantry, Saul Bass), define your style, and practice, practice, practice.
Thanks for your time Aaron!
Be sure to check out his design firm Alphabet Arm Design
Last Modified: June 29th, 2008