I have been working with the Chicago Writers Conference to help build their conference registration, which launched this week. This was a fairly complicated process involving a lot of specific logic (you must register for x before you can register for y) and options that accommodated sessions with limited times, spots, and changing prices over time.

I spoke at this conference two years ago (about designing author sites) so it was fun to work with them in this capacity (a little) less scary than speaking in front of a room of people.

At the end of April, I started managing the social media for my longtime (beloved) client ASH + AMES. I now manage their Tumblr (and blog), Instagram and Facebook pages. I’ve loved this new challenge–especially being able to engage directly with our customers and build our lists.

I try to appeal to all aspects of this business in my posts from the unique beauty of the individual pieces to the celebrity connections (Christy Turlington recently hit me back on Instagram, which was thrilling!) to the sheer empowerment of a business built by powerful, smart women. Our followers and engagement have grown by about 10% since I started–I look forward to growing it even more.

Here’s another recent site launch to promote. Kaplan DeFiore Rights is a new full-service international licensing agency for publishers and literary agents. Principal Linda Kaplan has more than 25 years experience in and has negotiated licenses on behalf of Gillian Flynn, Martha Stewart, Deepak Chopra, Barack Obama and George W Bush (among many others). We launched this site just in time for the London Book Fair last month.

I recently designed a series of email “drip” newsletters for ASH + AMES. Every new subscriber receives a series of four emails introducing the brand over a series of days. The first email orients subscribers to the brand and its mission, the second introduces the gorgeous jewelry, the third promotes the social media properties, and the fourth introduces opportunities as a brand ambassador. I used a white background to open up the space to the beautiful brand photography and let it really sing. Thrilled with how this one turned out.

The site I designed for Bay Area-based Immigration Law Firm Wiley & Jobson launched today. I designed their original site nearly nine years ago–it was great to help bring the latest iteration of their site to life. This firm has helped thousands of immigrants from more than 75 countries to obtain lawful immigration status. We included a lot of information in a very user-friendly way to help make it easy for potential clients to find the information they need and make the initial contact.

Lisa Viscardi takes a philosophical approach to home and personal organization. In one of her client’s words, “Lisa cleared my mind, my soul, and my closets. I love her.”

She came to me needing a landing page to coincide with the launch of an upcoming podcast. We turned it around in a week, creating a site that was simple, evocative of her brand, and swiftly conveyed her message.

http://www.claritybylisaviscardi.com/

At long last, today I launch my fully responsive redesigned site! I feel like it was not a moment too soon (Lisa Hazen Design & Editorial celebrates 10 years in business this April.) Please do click through–I’m very happy with how it came together. I tried to keep it modern and minimal, but did put some bells and whistles in there. (On the landing page, the gradient should follow your mouse, for example. Oh, and animated icons!)

Thanks to all who have supported me over these (almost) 10 years. Here’s to many more!

This full-color, 64-page catalog for ASH + AMES was a huge undertaking. A collaborative effort between the entire team, this catalog gives the entire picture of the company—from the stunning jewelry to the philanthropy to how to become an Ambassador. So great to have this baby in my hands after a lot of hard work. And ready to start on the next one, integrating the spring collection!

The DeFiore and Company site launch represents the third launch in a week. (Can you tell I was up against a lot of end-of-the-year deadlines?) Headed by agent Brian DeFiore (who has worked with Ken Follett, Jon Krakauer, and Ridley Pearson), this Manhattan agency works with some of today’s best-known authors. The site is one of my favorite designs of late—clean and minimal, it lets the various book covers pop and organizes the hundreds of pages (almost 500) into an easily navigable interface.

The site I designed for Chicago’s InStride Advisors launched today. Clients like these present an interesting challenge–how to visually represent a service-based consultancy *without* resorting to cliched stock photography. We used color, abstract imagery, animated icons and parallax scrolling to create tell a visually interesting story about the company. I love the result, and the client did, too. Principal Sarah Mayeda said, “This has been a really great process. Creative, organized, and fun.”