The Tote Bag I Designed for West Elm

I worked for west elm, briefly, when they opened their first retail location nearly ten years ago. I remember being so excited that my favorite catalog was finally opening a brick-and-mortar location, and that it was going to be right over in Oak Brook! I had left my full-time job at the bookstore that summer, so I applied to earn a little extra money there during the holiday season while I continued my other part-time job and tried to make a go of my stationery business. Now, as they were moving from their original Oak Brook location on 22nd, into a new space in Oakbrook Center, I was working for them again. This time, drawing and designing a tote bag to be given away for the grand opening.

Free West Elm Tote Bag, Drawn and Designed by Nicole Balch of Making it LovelyIMG_7539-Edit640

I sometimes think of the digital mood boards and room designs that I create in Photoshop as my version of window shopping. Way back though, before this blog, I used to sketch rooms, furniture, and clothes that I liked on paper. Doing this illustration project for west elm was a lot of fun, because it tapped into that old practice. I drew ten or so of my favorite products from west elm, and then another ten local landmarks, first in pencil and then outlined with a Micron pen. Then I scanned my drawings, cleaned them up in Photoshop and vectorized them in Illustrator, and then added color. I also played around with the layout, choosing my favorite illustrations and constraining them to the proper size.

Illustrations by Nicole Balch for West Elm

The people at west elm that I’d been speaking to as I worked on the project were not from the area. They had initially requested images that say “Oak Brook” so… the McDonald’s headquarters and Oakbrook Center? Right. If you’re wondering why the tote is more Illinois and Chicago-themed, there you go. We expanded the range.

West Elm Tote Bag Drawn and Designed by Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely

I visited the new store, which just opened today, and it’s gorgeous. I’m so honored to have had this opportunity to work with them again, in such a fun way! Thanks, west elm.

West Elm's Oakbrook Center Living Grow Wall Behind the Cash Wrap

p.s. Cookies, with my illustrations!

Cookies

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25 comments

  • How neat! There was a similar bag at the opening of the Birmingham, AL location earlier this month. Now I’m wondering if someone local did the illustrations …

  • The tote design is fantastic. The cookies look great also!

  • suzanne

    We were in there today.. quite the new set up they have.. i let my kids have the cookies.. they looked liked props..but i knew from your site that they were the real deal!!!

  • Your illustration looks awesome on cookies… Yummy

    Love from Germany and the -fatcatconnection-
    Birdy
    have a wonderful weekend
    http://lasagnolove.blogspot.de/2013/09/have-wonderful-weekend_27.html

  • What a fantastic opportunity for you! The bag is great!
    I went to an opening of West Elm near me this year and the event also featured a local artist. They’re really taking their stores to a new level by including local craft. I like their new direction! Congratulations!

  • I’ve been waiting, waiting, waiting for the Oak Brook move to be complete! I’ve missed shopping that store. I grew up in the town next door and never noticed that the center spells it Oakbrook. What?! Lameness.

  • jbhat

    Neato! What a great project for you.

    jbhat

  • Nicole! I was so excited when I got the West Elm email today and saw YOUR bag! How exciting! I really missed the West Elm while it was moving (I work across the street in those white office buildings). Even though I don’t know you other than via the blog, I felt proud of you, like you would with a good friend! Congratulations!

  • This is so great! We actually had a West Elm here in Cincinnati 4-5 years ago and it closed! So sad! It was the site of my best deal to date. One of their 8 x 11 zig zags for $80. It was a floor model. Sigh. I wish they would come back!

  • Nicole

    The bag is gorgeous – congrats!!

  • Baltimore desperately needs a West Elm!

  • West Elm is coming to London!!! Happiness is this! :D x

  • I love, love, love that bag. Great job. :)

  • I got that tote last night at the sneak peek soft opening- I had no idea it was designed by you. Good job!

  • That’s very cool, Nicole! I love West Elm, and I was happy to receive their email today about the company directly supporting artisans in other countries.

  • How cool is that? I love your little sketches!! New stores are always so exciting, we are STILL (not so patiently) waiting for a West Elm in our city!

  • That is so exciting! The tote bag looks awesome!

  • Danielle

    Soo cool! My only complaint – Chicagoland has had a West Elm for almost 10 years and here in Michigan we’re still waiting. womp, womp. Oh well, yet another reason to visit Chicago! ;)

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