The Art of Licensing - June 2008 - (Page 21) soon discovered by Kim Lawrence, an art director and designer at Enesco. Enesco marks philoSophie’s first license for cosmetic bags, totes, compact mirrors, mugs, and framed prints. To create a larger statement, Enesco is now licensing Alberti’s artwork for spiral note pads, day planners, sticky-notes, and beyond. The Enesco paper collection will be available in September at card/gift retailers, specialty boutiques, and select department and grocery stores. Suggested retails range from $3 to $25. Since the initial launch of gift products in April, Alberti and Enesco promoted heavily with tradeshow artist signings and illustration events as well as promotion packages with DVDs including clips from the studio, trade advertising, and Web ads. From her studio in Rochester, N.Y., Alberti and her team continue to create handmade cards embellished with blush and glitter accents. The artist will continue to develop illustrations as well as business opportunities while keeping the handmade cards and custom invitations the inspiration for new formats. “By taking this work and manipulating it for licensing, it can impact a much larger audience, but maintain the same feel and originality,” concludes Alberti, who recently signed with King Features. Kate Spain’s organic designs (above) are ideal for paper goods. PhiloSophie’s stylish cards (below) target young female consumers. stationery that featured Hello Kitty, Thomas the Tank Engine, Powerpuff Girls, Barbie, and more. Spain currently produces a variety of work from paintings to hand-drawn and computer-generated art. She often draws first, and then uses the computer to generate repeat patterns for production and product concept mock-ups. “Though the computer has become an integral part of design, I always begin with a pencil and paper,” says Spain, who explains that the texture and linear quality of hand-drawn art is what gives it personality. Spain and her husband are avid gardeners, cooks, and outdoor adventurers, so most of her inspiration stems from nature. “Sometimes it’s the unlikely juxtaposition of colors that jump out at me, and sometimes it’s a simple flower that I’d never looked at so closely before,” she says. Her themes include vegetables, flowers, and birds. Spain believes it’s essential to shop the marketplace to know what consumers are buying. “When I design, I always keep the market trends and customer in mind,” says Spain. “Actually, part of my initial process in creating a line is thinking about the ‘dream’ retailer who I would like to see carry it and work toward that as I settle on color palettes and subject matter. I like to lure people in with color since that’s the initial connection people make with art. Sometimes humor can further the connection on an emotional level, and I think humor is something people crave [given the state of the economy, more than ever].” She is interested in licensing her work for note cards, holiday cards, writing sets, notebooks, scrapbooking items, invitations, desk sets, gift wrap, and beyond. At press time, Spain was expecting to seal a three-year contract with a textiles manufacturer. For those adults who still yearn to capture the energy, magic, and creativity associated with the Disney brand, the Walt Disney Signature collection caters to those mature taste preferences. The stylish collection, which offers Walt-inspired furniture, lighting, rugs, and outdoor dining, debuted in 2006, and targets art enthusiasts and Disney film enthusiasts. The Walt Disney Signature collection recently expanded to include fine Summer 2008 THE ART OF LICENSING Paper Passion Growing up, some kids had a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, but Kate Spain had a sketchbook. Spain’s parents are both artistic, so from a very young age, she recognized that pursuing an art career would be a natural path. After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, Spain began her career as part of an artist’s cooperative in Newport, R.I., where she hand made note cards, magnets, children’s furniture, and many other decorative and functional wares. Later, Spain moved to New York to design novelty books in the children’s division at Simon and Schuster. From there, she went to work as a designer of licensed character merchandise for several accessories companies. For 10 years, Spain designed backpacks, handbags, watches, socks, slippers, and 21
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