Pennie Works Studio

11/13/2025

Why hire a professional graphic designer? It's obvious.

06/08/2025

The Episcopal Church in the United States is one of the five mainline Protestant denominations in the country. It is investing significant resources to promote its commitment to fully accepting people who identify as LGBTQ+ into the ministry and worship life of the church.

I have always admired their logo because of its simplicity and unabashed connection to both its Tudor English roots and its institutional sensibility. Even so, the mark doesn’t “say” Christian or church with any strength.

It does have a red cross that spans the shield to represent their Christian affiliation graphically. My complaint is that the cross is not a cross here but a design element that defines the quadrants. The cross is diminished. No other common Christian symbol is present. Is this mark for a law firm or a worldwide Christian denomination?

Recently, the situation has worsened as the standard logo has undergone radical modifications to include Pride symbols, particularly during Pride Month (June), to signify support for LGBTQ+ individuals. The Pride logo is all pride and no cross.

This is another instance where the agenda has compromised sound branding principles. You never, ever, change your graphic identity temporarily.

06/02/2025

From the Vexillology Department of Pennie Works Studio comes this story of how a state changed its official flag.

The design of Utah's new state flag was chosen from over 5,700 submissions made by Utah residents. A task force reduced these entries to 20 semifinalists, then to five finalists, considering feedback from over 44,000 comments. The final design, which incorporated elements from the top submissions, was approved by the legislature in 2023.

The flag features a beehive symbolizing industry and unity, set against a backdrop of mountains and red rock. A gold hexagon represents strength and natural resources, honoring Utah's heritage while providing a modern symbol for all residents.

Despite the significant controversy surrounding the redesign, the new flag has been made official. Critics argue that the redesign erases historical symbols and is politically motivated. Efforts to overturn the change through referendums failed due to insufficient signatures. The original flag remains designated as the historical flag.

03/15/2025

My wife is a Red Cross volunteer and has participated in many disaster deployments (including the recent hurricane in Florida, the Maui fires, and the North Carolina floods). Here’s a typical overview of what happens. The Red Cross collaborates with local emergency management officials. They are often the first organized aid to respond in a disaster and are probably on-site by now.

They help manage the shelters and provide immediate assistance to victims, including small financial aid. They coordinate food distribution, medical aid (such as medications, medical devices, and support for special needs), and assist those with pets. Additionally, they offer help to individuals who have lost loved ones once the immediate response settles down.

After a while, other non-governmental organizations begin to arrive, typically church-related groups, offering various forms of support.

Once everything has been assessed, FEMA steps in to provide longer-term assistance.

Shelters may remain open for an extended period, depending on various factors. Occasionally, local contributions through the Red Cross have allowed them to provide more financial aid than usual.

Currently, my wife is in Kansas for a Red Cross disaster aid workshop. She'll be home later today and will work from home to coordinate health needs. I’ll keep everyone updated as an unofficial news source for as long as I can. However, any information from official disaster agencies will always be more reliable than my updates.

03/15/2025

03/04/2025

Shameless self-promotion. Latest art.

02/28/2025

Showing off new designs. Shop.pennieworks.net/store/

01/31/2025

Pennie Works Studio latest t-shirt design.
shop.pennieworks.net/store/

01/26/2025

Newest logo job. Thanks to Chris Peters for choosing Pennie Works Studio.

01/16/2025

I did the logo project a while back but didn't remember to show it off here. You will see it around town.

11/30/2024

Well, I have created my first Pinterest ad.

07/30/2024

This how-to comes from the Bogus Phone Call Rejection Department at Pennie Works Studio.