Shoaff-Ballanger Designs Design Challenge Winner, April 2025
What were your inspirations for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from idea to greeting card.
When the notice of the Design Challenge was posted we immediately began to think about our own sisters and female camaraderie. The inside verse for the card was so important to us, and we wanted it to reflect the power of female relationships. We wanted the card’s cover design to reflect a simple but powerful message. The cover design was created first, and then we completed the message inside.
Do either of you have a sister(s) and, if so, how did your relationships inspire this card design and verse?
Our sisters, as well as ourselves, experienced and lived through the 1970s with all of its social movements, women’s rights, music, and art. Even though we were different ages we experienced the era together and listened to each other’s LPs and 8-track tapes. The inside verse was kind of a review of our experiences with our sisters as we have lived our lives. We each have one sister still living and are ready to meet those obstacles together.
This design has a little hippie or 70s feel to it. Intentional or coincidental?
It was a very intentional decision to have a 70s feel for this card. We decided to go a little retro for this design with the colors and symbolism.
You have entered many Design Challenges. What advice would you give to other artists who are hesitant to enter?
Do not hesitate to enter the Design Challenges. It gives you such wonderful exposure on social media and the free card credits are great if you win the challenge.
We try to use fonts creatively if the Design Challenge requires the use of BigStock images.
Sometimes we find ourselves in a creative rut, and entering the Design Challenge gives us an incentive to try new ideas. Go for it!
You’ve been a member of GCU’s artist community since 2008. How have you seen your own card designs evolve or change since the early days?
Our store review a couple of years ago, although painful, was so needed and has improved our designs with less distracting elements, improved use of text/font styles, improved marketability, and more current messages on the inside verses.
There are many rewards for the Design Challenge Winner. Which is your favorite and why?
We love being featured as the Design of the Day on the Greeting Card Universe home page, and we send links to family and friends. It makes our day and theirs as well.
Relatively new to the Design Challenge is the sharing of post voting Judges’ Notes. Have you found these to be valuable and if so, in what way?
The post-voting Judges’ Notes are so helpful, and we appreciate and use the feedback. It really makes you think about what you have created and how it is perceived by others. Think of it as potential customers looking at your card and deciding whether to purchase it or not.
The early bird catches the worm. Do you have plans to design early for holidays or occasions (like Christmas in July) or are you inspired at the moment?
We are inspired by the moment since being retired from 30+ years of teaching for each of us. We are currently enjoying the spring weather and getting our planters and window boxes filled with flowers. We should be designing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but are enjoying the 70-degree weather too much at the moment.
Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …
How did your childhood prepare you for your job today?
Both of us had mothers who nurtured our artistic endeavors as young children to draw, create with clay, sew, take classes at the local art center, or just watch our own mothers dream and create things in their daily lives.
What’s the most unusual item in your desk / workspace?
We are both currently staring at a series of five wooden drawing mannequins with movable parts. Kicking, jumping, running, and more!
What is your greatest irrational fear?
We both detest snakes and creepy crawly things.
Pick up pennies or walk past them?
Leave them be.
What is the grossest food you ever had to eat to be polite?
Cooked okra, period!