The Comedy Club

Hello again — it’s been a while!

To say the last year has had its ups and downs would be a MASSIVE understatement, and I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments I catch myself feeling a little down on myself at not having more to show for it. But then I remember that I’ll be coming home to a house I can call my own that afternoon, a house that we worked so hard this last year to make our own until it actually, finally was, and that now, we’re only a short bike ride from just about everything the city of Detroit has to offer. I’ll remember how I can see the downtown skyscrapers out my window, how I can see the beacon that is Michigan Central Station glowing out in the distance. As these days get warmer and this last winter fades into memory, this usually sets my mind at ease. 

Amid this major life change, I’ve also been growing my portfolio of photography and graphic design work, the latter both independently as well as with Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor. Here, I’m currently working to elevate our customers’ user experience as we’ve transitioned to a new site platform in the month of May. So far, I believe we’re well on our way to standing out among our peers as a modern, sophisticated, all-purpose bookstore. 

I consider myself immensely fortunate to have played a role in shaping the business website’s design aesthetic, and I’m honestly really proud of the work I’ve done so far. Along the way, I have sought to foster a sense of cohesion across all channels of the brand, whether online, in-store, or in-store merchandise. By emphasizing vibrant colors and bold typography, we aim for simplicity and ease of access, ensuring our site is easily navigable without feeling dull. Here’s some of the icons I’ve made so far:

In the spirit of the Literati Bookstore brand, I was inspired to go with a completely hand-drawn, sans serif font named Wingman, which itself is inspired by a 1950s-era poster type. I’m so glad to have found this font and I can’t wait to be able to use it on future projects going forward. Visit the creator’s site here to learn more about this font as well as others she has made. 

While we’ve accomplished quite a bit so far this last year, there’s always more to be done — more photos to take, more designs to make, and more graphics to design. I’m hoping to return to more regular updates here as more work accumulates, though holding myself accountable to this is sure to prove an undertaking of its own. Take care, ’til next time!

-Ben