Once I created the print version of this invitation, the email version was a snap. I used the images in a downward sequence, adding a bit of html code and sent out emails to the 50 or so potential investors who were invited to Firefly‘s private showcase.
In 2009 I produced a fundraising private showcase for Country Pop sister trio Firefly. This printed invitation features new artwork, color palette, and the new logo. Photographer Mark Mabry took shots of Melanie, McKenzie, and Madelyn. I knocked them out in Photoshop and layered images of landscapes, firefly lights, book ends, borders, and instruments. Those are McKenzie’s hands that we got a rough shot outside. I also cut it out in Photoshop. Each layer was given a drop shadow. Then everything was passed through warming filters with increased contrast. It sounds so simple now but it took hundreds upon hundreds of hours to create every element of Firefly‘s visual brand.
When preparing for their initial private fundraising event in 2009, I designed this web site for Country Pop band Firefly featuring their new logo and color palette.
Firefly’s main logo is designed to appeal to girls ages 8-18. Pretty and gold like a fairytale princess would sign her name. The web domain is also their LLC name. Both logos are used by promoters and event organizers when creating advertisements for upcoming appearances.
Melanie, McKenzie, and Madelyn Merchant are the oldest of 7 musical siblings from Gilbert, Arizona entertaining audiences from Arizona to New York. By 2006, Melanie had become a featured singer-songwriter and opened with an original song for a benefit event honoring the legendary Wynonna Judd. In the Summer of 2007, they formed their country-bluegrass band Melanie and Firefly to perform during Writer’s Night at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee. They went on to share the stage with The Gin Blossoms, Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband, and Benton Paul later that year.
As they developed their sound, they were influenced by artists Michelle Branch, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, and John Mayer and quickly moved from Bluegrass inspired Country to Country-Pop and they shortened their name to just Firefly. This sound coupled with lyrics of fairytales, hope, love, and light became known as the Firefly sound.
In October 2009, they set their goals to raise funds to further their music careers and they asked me to produce a concert for private investors. We held it in the backyard of a very influential Phoenix philanthropist. In organizing the event, my roles were vocal coach, event designer, graphic designer, and publicist.
Unfortunately, I lost several hard drives a few years ago due to heat and I have no pictures of the evening. However, I have pieced together files from my email attachments of the graphic design elements. I created a new visual brand (here’s the old one) to tell the story of their message as a group sharing light to a world in twilight.
Visual Brand Components: