On the first day of winter, madam dragon decided to grace me with her presence after 4 months of napping. I don’t quite understand how that works, one would assume you’d nap during winter?
Winter is about rugging up and slowing down but for me, this hasn’t happened yet. King’s birthday weekend we were treated to the Aurora Australis which just so happened to show up during an astrophotography workshop I attended in Wellington, what luck!
We had Matariki to look forward to where we can look up to the stars, reflect and remember the year past, renew and look to the future. I love that. I spent my Matariki preparing to celebrate this year’s milestones and birthdays cough 40 cough in tropical Fiji (snaps below, sorry not sorry).
This month has been about looking up for me. Don’t forget to look up every now and again. I have been reminded to feel more awe. There is a sense of awe that comes from looking up at twinkling stars, letting your eyes adjust to the milky way, and seeing your breath. Refreshing.
Anyway, enough of that, here’s what I have been up to.
Latest projects
Sally Duxfield rebrand
Sally is poised to go global and her branding needed to reflect that. We first branded Sally in 2020 so it has been an honour to see how she has grown her personal branding over the years and that she has come back to Lemonface to refresh her brand to take it worldwide. It reflects her evolution.
Show your ability website
Recently the Show Your Ability website went live (woohoo!). Show Your Ability is New Zealand’s premier annual disability equipment show, attracting over 2000 visitors (support workers, disabled people and their whānau) each year since 1999. A purely graphics based website, (no people, no photos) it was designed to be clean and reference decision-making (on/off, yes/no) because the roadshow is a way for visitors to make informed decisions about options and services available to the disabled community. Of course, large typography, font choices and contrast all played a big part in making this an accessible website.
EMPA
We recently designed the collateral for the EMPA Australia conference & awards night in Melbourne. This was applied to certificates, slide decks, signage, table talkers, wee place cards, booklets etc), all of which were designed to look not only consistent but professional.
Out and About
On a bit of a whim a friend and I joined an astrophotography workshop last minute at the beginning of the month. As mentioned before, we couldn’t believe our luck that a/ it was a clear night with minimal wind in Wellington and b/ the Aurora Australis made an appearance. What an amazing start to the winter season!
It was great to be out in the dark with a bunch of strangers and oddly feel like there was safety in numbers to experiment with the technical side of astrophotography. I learned heaps and I think it was particularly nice to know that I was already doing a lot of things correctly.
The course was ridiculously cost effective and very reasonable. If you enjoy getting out and about with your camera, I can’t recommend Rebecca from Sony Scene enough.
A friend and I have since been out to practice these new skills.
Reflections this month
Do things spontaneously. The astrophotography workshop and aurora luck bomb would never have happened if spontaneity hasn’t won one evening.
Feel more awe. Looking up at the stars, looking closer at some frost, watching the Milky Way appear… all of it awe inspiring, instead of hunkering down this winter, I’m going to try and get out as much as I can to feel more awe! I’m hoping this will keep any seasonal sadness at bay.
Make the most of opportunities – speaking may have been uncomfortable but the opportunity to do so and share vulnerability made me feel a little gooey on the inside. It’s nice to be asked to share your unique story.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have things to look forward to, especially in the winter. The months until spring feels like a marathon.
Never underestimate the power of vitamin D (Thanks Fiji).
Lemonface Lens
@lemonfacelens is a Lemonface outlet for creative expression, a place for play and joy. Here are a few views through the lens that stood out for us this month.
It should be no surprise that the Lemonface Lens this month is focused on Fiji. I tried my best to take photos that were not too typical and have the holiday vibes, but alas, it was a holiday and there were lots of vibes.
Boo
Awake on the first day of winter. I have a very cranky lizard now awake and demanding warmth and worms. Welcome back Boo! You have been missed.
