Slō-gun Poster Show (words to live and die by) Tonight at the Tannery Arts Center

Two weeks. Two colors. One theme. That's what eight local #designers had to work with when creating their "Slog-gun: Words to live and die by" posters, which will be on display and for sale at the show. Come and see the results for yourself on Friday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Design & Art Studio at the Tannery Arts Center 1050 River St. #114, Santa Cruz. It's free

Of course this was inspired because I was preparing for the World Championships. Bag packed and training in between trying to keep up with my work. Now I have other ideas and things I would of updated or changed but isn't that always the case as a designer. It is good to do fun creative art in between. I'm currently working on the Think Local First Directory 2016 and a Crossfit workbook with Zac Pine for Crossfit Aptos and so other boxes can custom order for their box. More about that later.

Hope you make it out tonight. Looking forward to seeing all the other posters. Only 25 of each 20.00 each.

Hire a Skate Mom

Thank you for the nice mention on Graphic-Design.com

I love making things and creating design. I have fun. I am working on some Bad Girl Ninja Series t-shirts and stickers...can't wait to share. Being a mom and a designer it is a juggle. You get good at getting the most out of each day. Grateful I am able to do what I do. Maximum Impact Design since 1987

Screaming Hand 30th Anniversary Art Show piece

This is my piece of art for the 30th Anniversary for the Screaming Hand art show coming 2015. Rumor has it that the kick-off party/artshow will be held at The Berrics in LA sometime in June. Here is the official list Cab posted on his Facebook page. I posted my art because I have seen others post theirs. Jimbo Phillips, Colby Phillips and Cab to list a few. And not to bag on anyone but no women are listed. An amazing list of artists for sure. I have to mention it because women hit walls all of the time and it is not subtle in anyway. I wasn't surprised to open up the Skateboard Mag at the Santa Cruz Bookshop last week and see not a one skateboarding woman in the issue. My husband says I should make a women's skateboard magazine. Well Cindy Whitehead and I have a little plan. More details soon.

Here is an amazing female artist Tara McPherson

Social Media invites how I add people and why you have been listed

Most already know my background and roots but for those that may think I'm ignoring their invite to Linkedin or Facebook here is a bit of history on how I roll so to speak.

Maximum Impact Design was founded in 1987 straight out of graduating from school by the encouragement of instructor/mentor Russell Leong of Russell Leong Design. I had been managing the Santa Cruz Surf Shop as a buyer for clothing and skate hard goods, designing t-shirts, logos, ads, window displays and airbrushing surfboards at night while attending San Jose State University. Thinking I should get a job at a corporate design firm Russell said why you are already working and doing what you want to do. He told me if I had any questions he would be there for me. The surf shop is where I met Rich Novak (mentor), Jay Shuirman, Doug Haut, Jim Phillips, Bob Hurley (Billabong/Hurley), Mark Miller (Instinct, Look Snowboards, DC), Cindy Ferrari (Sessions), Joel Gomez (Sessions), and several other key figures in my life that would keep me moving in the action sports direction. I had an office at the Sash Mill for 8 years next to Annie Glass and when I learned she was interviewing some top notched design companies, I told her about Russell and he ended up getting the job and designing her logo. I worked 10 years - as a in-house art director for Rockshox and Giro Sport Design. I kept my business rolling all this time but gave lots of work to other design connections. Started working my business full time in 2008 and have been doing what I love 100%. I am a one woman design company who collaborates with many people to expand and shrink per project. I am nibble and fast on my feet as they say.

I have always believed in connecting people and networking. I never thought how many times the connections would keep going around. And decades later I am able to contact people in the industry design collaborations, getting product for styling photo shoot needs from most of the top action sports and outdoor lifestyle brands. I follow many friends as they move from one shoe brand to another and watch them rise from repping brands to owning brands to selling brands. I am tighter using my Linkedin then my Facebook but still let pretty much every girl skater in instantly and people I have skated with. If I appear flaky at times it is only because I am trying to do way too much and am a bit of a workaholic. Yes it is 5:30 am on Sunday when I’m writing this just because inspiration comes usually in the early am for me. There are over 260 people that have asked to Linkedin and 780 or so via Facebook that I have not had time to add or find out if I know them. Though I am kind of public since I do so much social media I am sort of private on my FB because of my kids and picky on Linkedin because it is people I truly work with and many are longtime friends.

Maximum Impact Design Facebook page

The only other women in the skate industry that have been around as long are my friends Cindy Whitehead and Cindi Ferreira Busenhart (Sessions). Cindy Whitehead has the coolest job as a Sportsytlist® she coined it and registered it. In our spare time we have a skate project we are simmering and one day we will get it done. If you want to do what we do you have to work your ass off. No if's ands or buts. It is no cake walk and it takes WORK. But we both love what we do and though it was a path that never was. Take it from us it is the right path. You will get a lot of NO's and have to break through the boy wall but it can be done!

And yes for some folks if I don't get back it's because I am not interested.

Cool Bart Simpsons Santa Cruz Skateboard t-shirts

Bought a bunch of these for my kids. Super fun. The classic Cellblock graphic turned Cell Jailbird.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 2012 Show Connections

Got back from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show 2012 late last night. Always nice to see in person the work you have done the year or so before. Croakies product graphics I art directed with several artists from Santa Cruz. Jimbo Phillips, Danny Sun...more cool stuff for 2012 in progress. Can't show.

Saw the booth with Aaron Brookes who hired me to art direct, location scout, style, produce...photos from two shoots. One in November and one in May 2012. The booth graphics look great. Tomorrow is the last day of the show. One of the highlights was showing the sock brand Swiftwick the shots of Elle and Tommy Zaferes wearing their socks. I was scouting for a few companies that I work with. One the Sockshop and Shoe Company from Santa Cruz one of the second largest independent shoe stores in the US. The California rep was stoked to see the images on my iPad and probably happier still to know the shot of Tommy was 15 feet tall at the show. I know some people looked at me thinking I was some Asian trying to knock off their brand. Most companies were really nice but their were a few not to name names. They use to be smaller companies selling just socks but have grown. They weren't as nice. I like working with small brands and brands that make great product. Makes the work even more fun.

Magellan GPS

Sneak peak up and coming product that Santa Cruz Skateboards has in the works. Made in the USA. Closer up a few have a patch not a sticker as the art. Looks better in person. My photos posted on my OR flickr set.

New Pacific Rim Film Festival Poster for 2011

Fresh off the press the new Pacific Rim Film Festival
Working on the program next ads and slides for sponsors. Thank you all the great sponsors. And of course the Ow Family for their generous support every year. I'm glad to be apart of the staff. Their are some great films in the Festival as always.



We're excited to be celebrating our 23rd year here at the Pacific Rim Film Festival and look forward to sharing with you the pick of the contenders for the 2011 season. For six days, from October 14-19, we bring you work from filmmakers spanning the Pacific rim: Japan, South Korea, China, New Zealand, The Philippines, India, Mexico, Australia and the U.S.

Our local artists include Bay Area filmmakers Greg Miller and Brian Lilla with their film 'Patagonia Rising,' our benefit finale film. We are also proud to present the premiere of Santa Cruzan Eric Thiermann's film 'It Tolls for Thee.'

True to our theme of 'When Strangers Meet', we offer films with a mission to foster cross-cultural understanding and strive to share our films with the broadest audience possible. To this end we offer our films free of charge to our patrons for the entire festival with the exception of the finale benefit event.

We are funded completely by the support of our community and are especially indebted to Ow Family Properties, whose gracious beneficence has allowed us to carry on our mission each year. We welcome and appreciate your support in any way that you feel inspired and able. Check out our 'We Want You' page for suggestions.

Take a look at the film schedule, share the trailers with your friends, make plans and mark your calendars. And get there early - we always fill up.

We'll see you at the theatre!

Calrepshow in Santa Cruz today is the last day

Of course I liked the white Calrepshow website I designed over the updated black one.






One of my skull belt graphic designs in the Croakies belt line up.


Belt rack made in the USA. Several local Santa Cruz artists. Eli Atkins, Danny Sun, Angela Stucky, and Mojo. Working on next belts for Spring 2012. These are all at once orders made in Bozeman Idaho.


Santa Cruz Bart Simpson stickers not out yet. Got to love the Springfield and Screaming Hand.

Croakie Belt Product Graphics Art Direction

Collaborated with a bunch of talented artists.
Croakies are made in the USA
Owned by a oldschool Skateboarder.
Croakies on Facebook will post artist links and names.
Danny Sun, Angela Stucky, Eli Atkins, Johnny Mojo and many others including myself.

The Year in Review, ala Seth Godin

Inspired by a post from Seth Godin on writing down what you did and review. My favorite book is The Purple Cow
#YearInReview What did you ship in 2010?

Assisted with the Museum of Modern Art & History's Surf Show Exhibit in Santa Cruz Had a case with graphic work and lent my Jim Phillips Crew original poster framed by the Frame Circus of course.

Completed the Amgen Surfboard graphic on prize the Doug Haut surfboard that was for first place for stage 4 in Santa Cruz that was won by Dave Zabriskie. I missed the event which was okay because I was in Montana at Croakies going over marketing projects for the year.





Board Rescue window display Urban Outfitters month of July with contributing skateboard artists and helped sell them on ebay



Designed and built a recycled skateboard birdhouse with husband and a skateboard chair for the Board Rescue window display.
Went to Wyoming with the family. We were at the Gros Ventre River Ranch during the earthquake.
Checked out the Heart Mountain Memorial near Cody and learned that my uncle was at the camp with his family.



Set up a few Linchpin meet ups at NextSpace
Worked on surf inspired belt graphics for Croakies and helped with rebranding and simplifying the logo treatment with Chris Schultz



Painted 4' x 6' painting of Carrie Cooper skateboarding in Hawaii. Had not painted a complete painting in years



Updated the IGSA (International Gravity Sports Association) logo and designed these new World Cup Downhill and Luge racing logos for Marcus Rietema.



Designed completed 94 page catalog for Sessions 2012 year and trade show graphics 2011



Logo design collaboration with Jimbo Phillips for Rick Kepler's Seascape Tennis Academy



Had a garden for the first time in years

Volunteered for Think Local First Santa Cruz. Born and raised in Santa Cruz it feels good to promote the local businesses. Worked on a fun project for the SockSmith. A green recycled label for shipping.



A tree free label The SockShop and SockSmith. Locally owned and operated the SockSmith owns Old School Shoes, The SockShop and Santa Cruz Legs. Fellow Think Local Santa Cruz member and sustainable direction we created a green tree free label to go on all of their packages. Printed on Tree Free paper using non-toxic water based inks.

Placed second in the tight and giant slalom, third in the hybrid at the World Cup of Slalom Skateboarding in Colorado on a 9 percent grade hill. FAST down hilled for the first time in a few decades in a contest for the thrill of it.

Working on a presentation via Slideshare and Powerpoint

In progress. Always good to keep your portfolio current. I do more than graphic design print work. Can't show some of the graphic collaborations yet. Waiting for Spring 2011 launch.

Maximum Impact Design Works

View more presentations from Maximum Impact Design.

Croakies Surf Expo booth

Surf Expo starts today. Got a few images of the booth set up. Worked with in-house designer Chris Schultz and a host of talented artists. Will show belt graphics later. Super stoked with the graphics and designs that are being showed. More to come.

Maximum Impact Design Current Portfolio

Seems it is always hardest to work on your own stuff. I update this Maximum Impact Design portfolio site on a regular basis since it is something I can do quickly. I am working on Sessions new 2011 Catalog. Worked on Camelbak's 2011 colors and graphics but can't show anyone until they launch next spring 2010 for 2011. I was super stoked to work on some new stuff and with some cool artists. More later to come. Working on Prima's and Foy Construction websites. Finished Cypress Garden's site and have a few more projects in the works.

Working on doing a women's beginning Skateboard Class at UCSC, Graphic design high school stoke and a few other irons in the fire. Never a dull moment. I work hard and play hard. Love what I do.