Spotlight | Syd Design
I was first acquainted with Abbey of Syd Design through her husband, Mac, and met them at the MWEP meeting in December. Abbey and I decided to attend Eventology together - where I learned that she is the perfect travel partner! To say the least, I had a complete blast with Abbey and look forward to watching her grow her business in West Michigan.
I am happy to share a small selection of her work, and the Q+A we did together - I hope you enjoy!
How long have you been designing wedding invitations?
I have been designing wedding invitations for four years part time and full time since August 2008, when I left my job as Art Director at a publishing company.
What inspires you?
I consider each wedding a project or assignment, so I actually get most of my inspiration directly from the bride and groom. I get to know a little about the couple, what they are looking for and what type of event they are having which I translate to their stationery.
As an artist in general, I find inspiration through various other types of design, like fabric patterns, furniture or even a swanky new downtown GR restaurant.
How does the whole process work with a client?
The process starts with a consultation where I get to the couple’s style and they decide if my designs are a good fit for what they are looking for. After this initial meeting (or emailed questionnaire if they are not local), it takes about four to six weeks to order in their desired papers and come up with their unique designs. Depending on the timeline, the couple can take home these samples and spend some time with them before making a decision.
Once they have a design direction, we work together to tweek any of the details and choose the right kind of paper, fonts, etc. I always send a final invitation in the mail for the bride to review the final details before printing. The whole process takes a minimum of three months.
What sort of prices are your invitations?
The invitations vary in price range from $2 for a single flat panel on textured card stock up to $8 for an intricate pocketfold. There are many options for all budgets without compromising on quality or design. The average bride spends between $3 to $4 per set.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
TCBY’s white chocolate mousse. This also qualifies under my favorite meal!
What do you do on your days off?
My husband and I are both outdoor enthusiasts, we spend much of our free time rock climbing, hiking, running, skiing, biking, kayaking, gardening, etc. We also enjoy spending time throughout the local community, for example at a market or new restaurant. Grand Rapids has so many local businesses and artistic opportunities; we enjoy taking advantage of this enthusiastic community that we feel apart of.
5 lovely comment(s):
so i totally know ashleigh and steve - their invites are beautiful!
Yay Abbey! So glad you spotlighted her, her work is absolutely beautiful. She's creative and meticulous, which makes for gorgeous design and an incredible product! :)
Abbey's work is fun, modern, and charming - kind of like Abby herself! :) Keep up the great work Abbey!
First off, beautiful designs Abbey, I really love the craftsmanship you put into your work!
On a completely unrelated note, I had a client this season, with the same exact name as Abbey, also from Grand Rapids. When I saw Abbey's website I was totally confused as to why this client of mine was getting invitations through me, and then I realized they were two totally different people. Sheesh!
Small world!
Thank you everyone for the kind words and Aletha for the fantastic post! I have so much enjoyed becoming a part of this industry and getting to know other local vendors!!
(Kristin: I graduated from GVSU with an Abbey Fowler who i think is the same girl that my old hair salon keeps mixing me up with:)
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