jenn nienaber

When I hand my business card to someone I nearly always get a comment: “Oh, a cloud.” “These are so cute!” “Nice, what’s that paper?” “Of course, it’s a cloud.” It’s the exact reaction I want. I want them to get noticed, to stand out. For years my cards were square, with a soft touch varnish, which also got noticed. At the same time I was running out of cards, I met with Andrew at Allegra printing. He gave me a tour and we ended up in the back area surrounded by Heidelberg presses. As...

Last week at a networking event a woman asked me a new question. “What have you designed lately that’s been out of the ordinary?” It’s a good question. And a pleasant reprieve from “What do you design?” I thought for a second, “Hummm, let’s see… Patches! I designed patches.” “Patches?” “Yes! Hold on, I’ll show you.” I grabbed my phone and showed her the photos I had taken just that morning. “Oh, those are so fun!” When I got the request months ago via text, I said the same thing, “Patches?” I...

This one has stood the test of time. At a medical appointment a few weeks ago, while the nurse took my pulse, blood pressure, temperature, she asked me about work. “ So, what do you do?” “I’m a graphic designer.” I’ve learned over the years to always add the word “graphic” in front of designer. Otherwise they assume interior design, which is not at all what I do. I can’t even pretend to decorate my own house. “Oh, cool, so what kind of stuff do you design?” “Logos, branding, brochures, trade...