Tim Read tells us about how he started 5 Fingers Creative and what types of products he can design for brides.

How did you get into the design business?

I’ve always been creative in one-way or another. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing. I worked my way through design school in Davenport, Iowa as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer in the mid 90’s. I freelanced for a while but eventually landed full time positions for a screen-printing company and an arts and entertainment rag out of the Quad Cities. I moved to Chicago in 1999 and worked as a staff illustrator for a printing company that made pull-tabs. It was a fun job but not much room to grow so my wife and I moved back to Iowa to start a family. I landed a position with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage where I started a design team for their advertising department. I enjoyed much success in this position but still hadn’t fulfilled my dream of owning my own commercial Illustration and Design studio. So, in October I started 5 Fingers Creative out of my home. In May I moved into my own studio in Ames. I have had much success with 5 Fingers Creative with clients all over the country.

How far in advance should brides contact you for invitations?

It’s important that I meet with the couples to hold a short creative brief to understand their needs and desires. I always like to get a realistic time frame before I begin any project. Typically I can turn around a project in a matter of a few months. However it always depends on my current workload. I think a safe timeframe is 3-6 months.

What is your most popular product?

5 Fingers Creative is a creative services business and being creative is what I do. If a bride and groom have idea of how they want to “jazz” up their wedding I can usually make it happen. However the request is unrealistic I will let them know right away and try to brainstorm other ideas that might work. The most popular product I provide is a fun illustration of the couple, the bridal party or parents that can be used on invitations, thank you notes, mugs, steins or dozens of other items.

Is your work done in digital format?

All of my work ends up in digital format and some of my product packages include a CD with the artwork on it for the couples to use any way they like.

What other productions you can design?

Other products include wedding logo, personalized gifts, caricatures, custom invitations and thank-you notes, save the date cards, place holders, coloring pages for children attending the reception, personalized candy bar wrappers for guests, Custom wine bottle labels, and much more. The list is endless. New ideas are coming up all the time. The best thing to do is plan a free consultation to discuss ideas.

What do you like best about working with brides?

Brides are stereotyped as crazy, emotional women who can easily turn on you if you’re not paying attention. IT’S NOT TRUE. The brides I have worked with have been fun open minded and enthusiastic. This is the most important day of a couple’s life and my job is to add value to the moment through my work. When brides understand that all I want to do is make people smile and create memories they really appreciate it. I’d say when a bride is creative and want to make the most of the day I am one happy camper!

What other hobbies do you have?
Hobbies? I am living a dream. I get to be creative for a living. Who needs a hobby when you love your work? I am a father of a 4-year-old boy and a 14-month beautiful little girl who are my life. Any spare time I have is spent with my family. Everything I do is for them. My hobby is make them the best people they can be.

What is your contact information if brides have any questions?
Tim Read
Principal/Illustrator/Graphic Designer
5 Fingers Creative
515-451-1684
timread@5fingerscreative.com
Www.5fingerscreative.com