Long Beach Postcard Mural for LaserAway
When I moved to California, it was love at first sight! Its nature, the art deco buildings, the coastal life there’s no other place like it in the US. Years later, when I started doing freelance illustration work I knew that I eventually wanted to do a postcard mural, and this year I finally had the chance to make my first-ever postcard mural for Laser Away, one of the leading beauty brands in the US, specialized in dermatology and hair removal services. The mural design was created for their new retail/office space located in the beautiful city of Long Beach, CA.
The client provided me with a very clear brief, they knew what they wanted and it was very easy for me to create the artwork. I loved every single step of the working process!
Now, here’s a little secret: I’ve never really been to Long Beach! Yes, I had passed by the city a few times but never really went to visit before working on this mural so I knew I had to do extensive research before I even got started with the sketches.
The research mainly consists in learning about the city landmarks, the people, and its nature. For these, it is key to really observe the details, especially for buildings as you want to make sure you highlight the main features.
Once you’ve done your research and collected all the images of each of the landmarks, you can go ahead and work on the concept sketches! Below you can see the first sketches I provided to the client.
The client liked the lettering and illustrations of the first concept (left sketch) and requested some minor adjustments on the layout like the sketch on the right. The client approved, and we move forward with the refinement phase. I provided a couple of color options using their color palette.
Once it was approved I sent everything in Adobe Illustrator so that the artwork is printed at a large scale and installed with the vendor of their choice. Some vendors I’ve worked with in the past are Signarama and Fast Signs. Note that most of the people that work in print shops are not as proactive or communicative, you will need to follow up often and communicate things to them to make sure that things look good in the end. I always tell my clients that I am more than happy to connect with their vendors, some clients do agree to cc’ me on emails that way if they need anything from me I can assist them, and others prefer handling everything themselves.
One of the things I recommend to clients for vinyl murals is to always contact the vendor first, they usually go measure the wall and create a die-line for installation, this die-line should always be provided to the artist to create the final files. However, you can also choose to send the artwork to the vendor and have them place it themselves in their die-line, I normally don’t suggest this as printshops will make mistakes most of the time and we don’t want that! ;)
Here’s the final artwork:
…And voila, here’s how the mural turned out!
MURAL DESCRIPTION:
The mural titled "Greetings from Long Beach, California" is a vibrant and playful depiction of the city, designed in the style of a large postcard. Each letter in "LONG BEACH" is filled with detailed illustrations of iconic landmarks and elements that represent the city and its coastal atmosphere.
Letter "L": This letter features the historic Villa Riviera building, which is an architectural symbol of Long Beach, alongside a palm tree, a staple of California’s landscape.
Letter "O": It includes imagery of Bayshore and 2nd Street, well-known areas in Long Beach, with silhouettes of people walking, adding a lively community feel.
Letter "N": This letter showcases a beach scene with a surfer, representing the active beach lifestyle of Long Beach residents and visitors.
Letter "G": Features the Lions Lighthouse for sight, a prominent lighthouse in the city, alongside bicycles and roller coasters, symbolizing fun and outdoor activities in the area.
Letter "B": Depicts a view of the Queen Mary, the famous ocean liner that is now a museum and hotel docked in Long Beach, accompanied by the city's modern buildings.
Letter "E": Displays a coastal sunset scene, with palm trees and musical notes, symbolizing the city’s vibrant music and arts culture.
Letter "A": Includes the iconic Pike Ferris Wheel and classic cars, representing the fun and nostalgic aspects of Long Beach.
Letter "C": Features a lively boardwalk scene with cyclists and palm trees, showing the city's commitment to outdoor recreation.
Letter "H": Wraps up with another view of the Queen Mary, set against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers, capturing both the historic and contemporary essence of Long Beach.
The entire mural is set against a warm, pink-toned background, evoking the soft hues of a California sunset. The overall design is whimsical and colorful, using organic shapes and clean lines to create a fun and welcoming vibe that invites viewers to explore and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of Long Beach, California.
What are the benefits of having a mural?
…and why you need one for your retail or office space!
Having a mural for your business can provide several benefits, including:
Attracting attention: A well-designed mural can catch people's attention and make them stop and take notice of your business. This can help increase foot traffic and attract new customers.
Enhancing your brand: A mural can serve as a visual representation of your brand and help reinforce your company's message and values. It can also make your business more memorable and distinctive.
Creating a sense of community: A mural can be a source of pride for the local community and create a sense of ownership and belonging. It can also help build relationships with customers and strengthen your ties to the community.
Improving the aesthetics of your business: A mural can transform a plain or unattractive wall into a work of art that enhances the overall appearance of your business. This can create a more welcoming and visually appealing environment for your customers.
Providing a photo opportunity: Murals can be a popular backdrop for photos on social media, which can help generate buzz and increase your business's visibility online. This can also encourage customers to share their experiences with others and promote your business through word of mouth.
Overall, having a mural can be a creative and effective way to promote your business and engage with your customers, while also contributing to the beauty and vitality of your community.
Murals can be shared online and used as part of your marketing strategy. It boosts engagement, and brings traffic, and local visitors, which means prospective clients, and an increase in sales!
LaserAway took some professional photos of their staff using the mural as the background. They posted the pictures on their Instagram to announce their new location.
The client and their staff were really happy with how the mural turned out, they shared that they have gotten some great feedback from the local visitors!
Want a mural design for your retail space, office, or outdoor walls? Let’s talk!
Feel free to send an email to hello@theinkingrose.com.