Kristen V. Erickson

America's Beauty Show

America’s Beauty Show (ABS) is a trade show exclusively for licensed salon professionals. ABS is produced by Cosmetologists Chicago (CC) a not-for-profit association that is for salon professionals. I had the privilege to work on ABS/CC for twenty years. I lived in this brand. With my direction, I love how it evolved from year to year. Our competition never took their creativity as far as we did. But when you are trying to get the attention from a mass of creative salon professionals making looks and implementing fashion, latest styles in hair, makeup and nails, it not only educated but elevated us above the competition.

I have put together an award-winning collection of ads and other ABS by CC projects that I wanted to reveal showcasing our campaign looks. This helped to escalate the brand from year to year. I added my concept for the CC’s 100 Anniversary timeline to educate our members, attendees and exhibitors in published print ad form and as kiosk signage at our show. That project as a whole made us stand out from the competition by using the actual history of our associations and show.

ABS 2024 Digital Advance Program

ABS 2023 Digital Advance Program

The Digital Advance Program is a digital brochure for America’s Beauty Show. It contains everything that will happen at the show. It won the Graphic Design USA 2023 American Graphic Design Award.

ABS 2023 Spread Ad - Celebrating 100 Years!

ABS 2023 Full Page Ad - Celebrating 100 Years!

ABS 2022 Main Show Entrance Unit

ABS 2022 Spread Ad

ABS 2022 Email Designs

ABS 2022 Posters - Student & Professional

ABS 2020 Advertising Campaign

ABS 2020 Single Page Ad

ABS 2020 Spread Ad

ABS 2020 Single Page Ad

ABS 2019 Spread ad

ABS 2019 Single Page Ad

ABS 2018 Spread Ad

ABS 2018 Single Page Ad

ABS 2018 Advance Program

ABS 2018 Summer Campaign Single Page Ad

ABS 2017 Spread Ad

ABS 2017 Single Page Ad

ABS 2017 Advance Program

ABS 2016 Gatefold Ad - Full Layout Example

I worked with the publication closely on this one. This was published right at the beginning of our heavy ticket sales season when everyone started looking for us and wanting to buy tickets. It has a WOW factor that would get any creative salon professional excited and curious to check us out.

ABS 2016 Gatefold Ad - Outside

ABS 2016 Gatefold Ad - Inside

ABS 2016 Single Page Ad

ABS 2016 Spread Ad

ABS App Design

ABS 2014 Spread Ad

ABS APP Design

ABS 2015 First Look Book - Cover

See this with all pages displayed as a separate portfolio piece within my portfolio here.

ABS 2014 Single Page Ad

ABS App Design

ABS 2013 Spread Ad

We worked with a few Joffery Ballet Dancers as the models.

ABS 2012 Spread Ad

ABS 2012 Single Page Ad

ABS 2011 Spread Ad

ABS 2010 Spread Ad

ABS 2010 Single Page Ad

ABS 2009 Single Page Ad

ABS 2009 Spread Ad

ABS 2009 Single page ad with accordion fold brochure insert - attached to the ad

ABS 2009 Accordion Brochure Insert - Flat

The Daily at ABS - 2008 Edition

The ABS Daily is a publication I designed and collaborated with the writer and photographer to create the content. We would create one 40 pages, issue for each day of America’s Beauty Show, for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We would create the interior 20 pages ahead of time, along with Saturday’s full edition. The outside 20 pages for Sunday and Monday were created at the show and printed the next day. We highlighted with articles and photos what happened the day before for the attendees and exhibitors to read. I would also publish the full schedule of the show in each issue. We did this for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Shows.

ABS 2012 Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Show Timeline Ad Insert - Outside

In 2012, Cosmetologists Chicago (CC) faced a significant competitive threat to its annual trade exhibition, America’s Beauty Show, which is the organization’s primary source of funding. In response, I conceived this plan, did the research, produced all the content and launched a comprehensive marketing campaign focusing on the history of the organization and show, their legacy of support for salon professionals and their contributions to the careers of many of the industry’s most successful professionals. CC successfully thwarted the competitor’s challenge and also produced one of its most successful shows ever, exceeding the targeted budget by 44 percent.

ABS 2012 Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Show Timeline Ad Insert - Inside

ABS 2012 Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Show Timeline Panel for Kiosk Sign

ABS 2012 Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Show Timeline Kiosk Sign

Structural Design by Freeman Co. I implemented my design into the structure.

ABS 2010 Show Entrance Unit

Structural Design by Freeman Co. I implemented my design into the structure.

HAIR2009! Education Event Poster - ABS 2009

1OO1 WOODWARD Campaign

1OO1 Woodward is an office building turned into high-end apartments targeted to elite athletes and the young, successful business people wanting to live downtown.

These properties are located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan, starting at $1 million and up. We had to make the sales center and campaign look modern and sleek to get the attention we wanted from our target audience.

I was tasked to create a full campaign for this property. That’s everything including the logo, business card, large sales mailer, a print ad, an invitation to an open house, design the sales center located on-site, a huge 30-foot banner to hang on the side of the building to draw sales interest, and a one-page website for the property.

On a personal note: I visited the sales center when it was up and running. The developers who were my clients were onsite that day. They told me that this was the best sales center they have ever seen since they have been in real estate and what an amazing job I did on the design and producing it. They were really satisfied with the end result.

1001 Woodward Print Ad

1001 Woodward Website Homepage Design

1001 Woodward "Circles of Influence" Open House Invitation

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Cover

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Back Cover

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Inside

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Inside Middle Pocket with Inserts

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Inside Middle Pocket showing Business Card Slot

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Amenities

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Map

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Tax Benefits

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 1 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 2 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 3 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 4 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 5 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Large Mailer Insert - Unit 6 - Floor Plan

1001 Woodward Sales Center Unit Showcase Wall Hanging

1001 Woodward Sales Center Unit Showcase Wall Hanging showing steel reinforcements

1001 Woodward Sales Center Unit Showcase Wall Hanging Specs

Cali-Curl Ltd.

I am showcasing the award-winning Cali-Curl package design & production on all bottles, tubes, foil packets and boxes. I also added a postcard design and an award-winning email design that help launch the product sales.

Cali-Curl is a professional salon hair-waving system that combines revolutionary technology with innovative, patented superior bond repair and protective solutions to create a one-of-a-kind professional salon service to add to any salon menu.

Logo Design

Beauty Futures, LLC logo

Beauty Futures, LLC is a new beauty holding company that supports the professional salon industry through product innovation, leading chemistry solutions and salon services that deliver exceptional results for clients. Beauty Futures will offer a range of service methods utilizing a portfolio of patented tools and products that will ultimately make hairdressers lives better by giving them more inspiration through new techniques, and a chance to earn more money overall. Beauty Futures’ mission is to support stylists, colorists, salon owners and distributors by innovating at the speed of passion.

The Beauty Futures logo design has won a design award:
2020 Graphic Design USA - GDUSA - American Graphic Design Award

Salon Sustainability Summit logo

This logo was for an event we had at America’s Beauty Show from 2008 - 2011. At the event, the panelists discussed ways to practice sustainability in your salon/spa.

The SSS logo design won two design awards:
2008 Graphic Design USA - GDUSA - American Inhouse Design Award and
2009 HOW Design - In-HOWse Design Awards for the Salon Sustainability Summit logo design - Business-to-Business Merit Award - was published in HOW Magazine FEB 2009 edition

America's Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago logo

This logo won a GDUSA 2016 American Inhouse Design Award.

This logo is to represent that America’s Beauty Show is produced by Cosmetologists Chicago. A non-profit association that gives back to the beauty professional community.

North Shore Village Network logo

North Shore Village Network (NSVNetwork) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization of older adults committed to helping one another live purposeful lives. We provide support and connections to each other as we age, helping us to remain active, vital, and contributing members of our communities.

ColorFest logo

America's Beauty Show logo

CIDESCO® SECTION USA logo

CIDESCO International, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and active in more than 40 countries on five continents, is the world’s most respected beauty therapy association. Cosmetologists Chicago's American Association for Esthetics has been the licensed administrator for CIDESCO SECTION USA since September 2016. CIDESCO SECTION USA schools offer training programs, standards, and qualifications in Beauty Therapy; graduating professionals of the highest level. Estheticians holding CIDESCO Diplomate status are welcomed globally and CIDESCO accredited salons and spas are among the world’s finest.

Cosmetologists Chicago logo

International Nail Technicians Association logo

American Association for Esthetics logo

THE BEAUTY BIZ BY COSMETOLOGISTS CHICAGO

M. Contantino CE2V Logo

I designed the CE2V logo for M. Constantino Winery. They came out with a new blend and wanted to do a more modern look for the logo than their traditional looks.

The CEV2 logo design was added to the label design and it won the 2003 San Francisco International Wine Competition Gold Award Winner Label Design.

Celebration of Quilts logo

Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe - Spring Retreat logo

DPHA Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association 10th Anniversary logo

"Design Changes Everything" for DPHA

ABS Global Image Awards logo - full color

The CC Presidents Scholarship logo

Leo Passage Gold Trophy logo

Beauty is Love logo

SITE 40 Year Anniversary logo

ANPD - Grow, Mentor, Educate, Lead, Inspire logo lockup

ColorAmerica Logo - 2017

Textured Hair Fair 2018 logo

Nails Central @ ABS logo

The Barber Effect logo

CC NEXT GEN logo

CC Diamond Owners Club logo

America's EXPO for SkinCare & Spa Chicago logo

Online Continuing Education logo

America's Beauty Show logo circa 2008 - 2015

Beauty BASH logo

American Academy of Medical Administrators logo

Cosmetologists Chicago 100 Year Anniversary logo

Cosmetologists Chicago Scholarship Foundation logo

Happy Adventure Club logo

Cosmetologists Illinois logo

Email & Website Design

Cali-Curl Email Design for ABS 2022

Cali-Curl wanted to introduce its product line at America’s Beauty Show 2022. This email helped educate salon professionals about the product but also helped sell tickets to ABS 2022. The viewers could visit the Cali-Curl booth at the show and learn how the product works.

This email won a GDUSA 2022 Digital Design Award.

ABS 2019 Website Redesign

Erickson Landscaping & Construction Website

www.ericksonlandscapingandconstruction.com

Erickson Landscaping & Construction Website

CIDESCO® World Congress 2019 - The Architecture of Beauty - Event Website

CIDESCO® World Congress 2019 - The Architecture of Beauty - After Event Website

ABS Lookbook 2015

The ABS Lookbook was a new concept to get the excitement going for the upcoming show. It was a first look at the new products, services, education, fashion and highlights that our trade show had to offer.

It included two pull-out posters utilizing our gorgeous photo campaign. I thought beauty schools and salons could pull them out and post them on their bulletin boards with the save the date to keep the show dates easily in everyone’s mind. We mailed this out using our lists and also sent it out wrapped with the latest issue of Modern Salon Magazine a beauty trade publication.

The 2015 Lookbook design won the 2015 GDUSA American Inhouse Design Award and the 2015 GDUSA American Graphic Design Award.

ABS 2015 First Look Book Cover

Salon Pros and Beauty Schools could use this cover as a poster also the spread of the inside spread to put up in their back room.

Inside Spread

The inside spread was also used as a poster.

Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA)

This was a new client to our company and loved the high-end design of the fixtures. I was tasked to make the branding as high-end including the message.

I utilized white space and product photography. It was a very successful loved by the DPHA Board of Directors.

DPHA 2012 Annual Conference Ad

DPHA 2012 Design Changes Everything Web Banner

DPHA Member Brochure

DPHA 2011 Conference Poster

DPHA 2012 Conference Wen Banners

DPHA 2010 Conference Program Mailer

McCormick Distilling Company

McCormick Distilling Co. wanted a trade ad to showcase all their popular brands in a fun way. I thought their drinks were really colorful outside the bottle and showed that in a creative way.

This ad was used for around two years. A spread ad was also designed with the swirl of bottle images to the left and down the right side, a list of cocktail recipes for each bottle shown was a favorite.

McCormick Distilling Co. Single Page Trade Ad

McCormick Distilling Co. Spread Trade Ad

This is another version of spin the bottle ad. We made it a spread ad added recipes for each brand that is listed on the right side.

SITE International Conference - Beijing

SITE, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence tasked me on a new look for the upcoming SITE International Conference happening in Beijing, China. I thought beautiful photography would be breathtaking.

The SITE China group had specific illustrations and script done that we wanted to use at the last minute on the program and pocket schedule. So I integrated it into the designs.

SITE Global Conference Beijing Trade Ad

SITE Global Conference Beijing Postcard

SITE Global Conference Beijing Pocket Schedule

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 2-3

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 4-5

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 6-7

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 8-9

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 10-11

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 12-13

SITE Global Conference Beijing Program - 14-15

International Association of Duty Free Stores, IAADFS Duty Free Show of Americas

IAADFS needed a new campaign for its Show of the Americas. I thought it would be really fun to put the logo lockup within a bright red, leather luggage tag with the thought of sending the luggage tags out to attendees or giving them away at the show.

IAADFS was really in love with the concept and I carried this look throughout the other marketing pieces including web banners and even a video advertising the event.

IAADFS 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas "Luggage Tag" Ad

IAADFS 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas "Luggage Tag" Club of America's Card

IAADFS 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas "Luggage Tag" Banner Ad

IAADFS 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas "Luggage Tag" Invitation To Exhibit

IAADFS 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas "Luggage Tag" Direct Mail Piece

Financial & Insurance Conference Planners, FICP ROI

I worked on the association Financial & Insurance Conference Planners, (FICP) and designed many of their projects so I really understood their brand and created their style.

FICP needed an ROI to showcase and send as a pdf and wanted a printed version as well. I worked with a copywriter and presented the facts in an infographic style and made the information easier to retain through design and layout using a pleasing color palette and typeface selections.

The client was very happy with the final result.

Tarantula Azul Margarita - 4-pack

Tarantula Blue Margarita is a product of McCormick Distilling Co. They wanted to get their blue margarita in a fun pack size with smaller bottles to share and easier to grab for parties.

I worked with them on the design of bottle shape, bottle label and 4-pack carton. They were a big hit when they got on the shelves.

Tarantula Azul Margarita - 4-Pack - Package Design

Tarantula Azul Margarita - 4-Pack - Carton Package Design

Tarantula Azul Margarita - 4-Pack - Bottle/Label Design

Bertucci's

I worked on the Bertucci’s Restaurant account for two years. It served Italian cuisine. I redesigned their menus, menu inserts, table tents and worked closely with the client. We had photoshoots and retouched a little to get the food looking perfect. I had to follow close brand guidelines that had been established like on what bowls and plates for soups and salads to use at the photoshoot and specific wording for the menu items was expertly honed for that welcoming and warm feeling.