Couture Maps: Paris

Our studio is on holiday this week for some much needed rest and travel inspiration.

à bientôt ♥

Bonne St. Valentin!

I hope everyone has a very happy Valentine's Day!

Illustration by Stephannie Barba for the Gap.


2012 Love stamp designed by Louise Fili for the United States Post Office

Hello Kitty for Sephora

Last summer I was delighted to be working with Sephora in creating illustrations for a new line of Hello Kitty products. Inspired by my favorite city, the Mon Amour collection depicts Paris street scenes, and my illustrated watercolor maps were also included on the packaging.

bisoux
xxoo

Happy New Year everyone!

I love unique maps, and this one designed by Marsha Clarke comes from Seychelles Mind Body Spirit website, depicting the island locations of a new event taking place in the Seychelles.  These remote islands are so beautiful and tranquil and are the perfect place for relaxing, enjoying nature and rejuvenating the mind, body and soul.

Here's to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2012!

Press from around the world: Dream Weddings Bali Style

 

In my quest to travel around the world, I discovered the beautiful publication,  Dream Weddings Bali Style while in Asia.  As it turns out, the editor Lee Turner is from Seattle! 

We are so honored to be featured in the current issue which showcases our travel inspired stationery.  Our illustrated wedding map of the island of Bali is included which we told you about back in 2008.  Read more about the  Indonesian wedding of Giok and Johan here.

Seychelles map: go green!

To celebrate the new Go Green series of postage stamps released by the US post office this month, our newest postcard design depicts the green island of Mahé in the Indian Ocean. Included are the two Unesco World Heritage sites as well as a few organizations promoting sustainability and living green in the pristine islands of the Seychelles.

Go Green stamps designed by San Francisco artist Eli Noyes for United States Post Office. According to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the stamps are made from materials that are biodegradable and recyclable.

Feel free to contact us if you would like to receive a free copy of our unique perspective of this special island. It's great for anyone who loves this tropical paradise, dreams of traveling there or if you are just a fan of our work.

Created in collaboration with Vegan Seychelles, promoting sustainability and compassionate living in this pristine island nation.

Happy Holidays!

Happy New Year everyone!

We've gone traveling to find a bit of sun and will be returning the studio in the spring.  We look forward to seeing  you then.

Warmest wishes,
Stephannie Barba
     Travel inspired Illustration, Couture Maps  &   Vegan Seychelles

Summer update: fun new map ideas

It's been a busy season, and we've added a lot of new products to our web site.







Feel free to stop by to say hello!






Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Celebrating 20 years of design!

It's hard for me to believe, but 2010 marks my 20th year as a professional illustrator!

It all began when I was a student at Parsons School of Design in New York where I was studying illustration. My professors were working artists in the industry, and they were amazing instructors--always giving the best advice about working as a designer in New York City. They told me that staff jobs for illustrators didn't exist so I was taught how to freelance and manage my own business from an early age.

With the help and support of instructors, I began my freelance illustration career while still in art school, and it was a perfect fit for me! My style seemed to be what creative directors were looking for luckily, and I began working immediately for magazines, fashion houses, department stores and newspapers. This was just before the popularity of the internet, so I actually took the subway around the city to drop off my portfolios and met my clients in person. I definitely miss this aspect of my job!

It was when I began working at Kate's Paperie in New York City where I gained my love for paper, printing and stationery design. After developing new relationships with printers and paper vendors, I started creating my own line of stationery and maps using all of my own lettering styles for both the wedding industry and editorial.

I've since moved my life and work to beautiful San Francisco, and I find inspiration around me every day. Some of my other passions include traveling, vegan cooking, punk rock, French interior design and hanging out with my sweet dogs.



I've had the pleasure to work with so many amazing people, and to celebrate my 20th anniversary, all Couture Map orders placed in March can receive a complimentary watercolor map print, and all stationery orders can receive a complimentary digital note card design-- just let us know which one you are interested in. Our production schedule is currently full until May so book early to avoid disappointment!




Some of my early illustration jobs included two covers for the Bloomingdale's holiday catalog, 10 pages of lettering for Paper (a NYC based club-kid magazine), and a 6-page spread for Condé Nast Traveler.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day!!


Maui map postcards hand stitched by the amazing Anne Millett at Mira Aster. They are printed in shiny foil stamp ink and were created for our Hawaiian eco adventure.



Letterpress envelope featuring a lei of hibiscus.



Mahalo notecards hand sewn with very cute little fish fabric. Stitched stationery by Mira Aster. All illustrations by Stephannie Barba.

Press from around the globe: Wedding UK

We work with clients around the world, and we are honored to have our maps and stationery featured in the current issue of Wedding (U.K.) Thank you to Victoria Sullivan for including our letterpress wedding day itinerary and save the date map as the best stationery around!

Large format map prints

We've been creating a lot of new illustrations, including large map prints and paintings. The prints can be created up to 12" x 18", and the turn around time is approx. 2-4 weeks.

Original paintings are also available at any size. Feel free to contact us for pricing and turn around time.