Customer Spotlight: Bear & Moo - Designs for Cloth Diapers

Ever since I started the business in 2011 Little Smilemakers Studio has been working for cloth nappy brands all over the globe. This industry has been growing and more parents are choosing a more sustainable way of diapering. And a big plus: they are a lot cuter than disposable ones! The first brand we worked for was Milovia, for which we also did some branding. After Milovia we worked on a completely new print identity for Bambino Mio. And after all these years we are still creating designs for cloth diapers.  

For 6 years we've been making designs for Bear & Moo. We started working with Hannah back in early 2019. And as the global market got greener and more conscious. Bear & Moo became the award-winning nappy brand and every won the business of the year award. They became trailblazers creating baby products for the concious parent. How cool is that? We are so grateful to work together with many talented ladies who are truly making a difference. And as you can imagine we are beyond excited to have them on our list of clients.

This spring Hannah selected another bunch of our designs. Our green puppies & neutral hearts are now launched and part of they nappy & baby accessory collection. You can find these prints on cute bibs, wet bags and even re-usable sanitary pads I wish they sold on our Dutch market! We proudly present you the new products here on our blog.

Hannah licensed our designs non-eclusively but she does have an extended license with exclusivity to her branch. With the Premium license you can use our ready-made designs and keep them unique to your company without breaking the bank. Need some prints for your products too? You can find more info about using our designs and our licensing options on our website.

Finished work: Days of Gold - Day Care in the Woods - Logo Design

Rainbows & Sprinkles has been one of our long term clients. We created hundreds of prints for Lucy’s sportswear brand. Last year we created a logo for her basic line of sports pieces before she decided to change course and sell her business. While creating designs we discussed our mutual love for animals and her biggest dream was to be surrounded by animals all day. In the summer of 2023 she found a large plot of land with stables, horses, right up the hills and surrounded with woods. She decided to change everything and start a Day Care. A place to grow up and play surrounded by nature and animals. 

We were so sad to see her leave Rainbows and Sprinkles, but she’s such an inspiration. She turned her life around and has worked on opening up her day care for months. For her new business we created a brand new logo design reflecting the surroundings of her new Nature day care: Days of Gold. We created some really crisp clean cut designs, freehand logo’s and some designs with badges reminding us of the scouts. Did you join them when you were a kid?

As a kid I grew up in the country side with lots of space to play. Take care of animals, build bridges over streams and little huts. So this logo was a fun piece to create. Something I could personally relate to. Here we’ll explain the logo designing process, so you can have a little insight on how we work. In case you need something for your branding swell.

Step 1: The Business Before we start we want to know everything about the business. Is it already ‘out there’ as an established brand? What are the core values. Some insight about the philosophy is key to create something that really connects. A logo should reflect your brand in a flash. What makes you different than others in your branch. We ask all the questions before even making a quote. For Days of Gold it was a smooth process since we know Lucy personally. This step was quickly taken. But most people we create logo’s for need some time figuring this out first. And we are happy to guide and assist when you still need to find out your business identity. It’s all part of the branding.

Step 2: Who’s your customer For Days of Gold we knew it would not be attracting the usual parent. Playing outside in the mud all day is a little different than your usual day care. Knowing your customer is really important. You have to understand what it is they’re looking for and what connects them to your brand.

Step 3: The Quote We have several packages for logo design and branding. Some of our customers just look for a catchy visual that sticks. Some want the whole shebang with a website and all the graphic elements attached to branding. This particular job was reduced to a logo design only to start with.

Step 4: The Design process When we have a clear agreement and laid down the basics above we start the design process. Usually this starts with a brainstorm and a free sketch routine in which shapes, notes and illustrations are put down on paper. For some designs we create everything by hand on paper. So did we for the first drafts. From there we translate those sketched onto the computed and create new vector sketches in Adorable Illustrator. For every logo design process we create a minimum of 3 design options, and branding directions, to choose from.

Step 5: The first presentation In our first presentation we put all sketches we made and create a story on how the design was developed. And how it involved during the process. Resulting into three proposals that are ready to use. We create some mock-ups and color versions for each proposal and explain why we made certain design decisions. Because it’s not all drawing. A logo design has an entire philosophy attached that will lift up your business. And normally you can’t see that in a blink. So we create a little guidance so a design makes sense for everyone.

Step 6: An hour of tweaks In our pricing we include an hour of changes after the first presentation. Usually it only takes some small tweaks. For Lucy, it was almost an immediate go on the first draft. She chose the circular logo. Easy to use as a badge on clothing and versatile. the premises also has a glamping on it, so with this shape we could also expand to logo versions per business. For this project we didn’t even need that extra hours but for some projects we need some more time to tweak and adjust.

Step 7: Payment In case you haven’t worked with us before. We never send out any finished artwork before we get paid. After we receive our payment in full we wrap things up.

Step 8: Finishing Up The last step is creating files that are workable for our clients. We have clients that need different types of files and versions. We all include those. Logo files for web. Logo files in high resolution for print. And Pantone colors. If you work on an entire branding project with us this is the moment we can go further and talk website & graphic items.

Need a logo for your new start-up or project? Or does your business need a re-vamp? We would love to take on your branding. Check our website for more info & rates. You can contact us there directly by filling out the contact form.

Finished work: New nappy designs for The Bebe Hive

A couple of years ago we set up a new signature brand collection for Bambino Mio, a nappy brand based in the UK. We also worked for Milovia, and a couple of nappy brands in the US and here in The Netherlands. Now we have another player on our list of clients. All the way in New Zealand.

Over the years we’ve seen our nappy clients buy our bright colorful prints. Those turned into more eco conscious themes; leaves, jungle animals. After that more muted colors were licensed out and now we’re happy to see our boho prints have been selling like mad for nursery items. Over the years the demand in design has changed. In 10 years we’ve seen the demand for bright and bold going to neutral and earthy. Seeing these trend waves take shape en seeing our designs evolve as brand evolve is awesome to witness!

We love Carli’s eye for soft delicate design and we’re happy to see our newest surface designs in her new collection. She turned them into cloth diapers, muslin wraps, wet bags and swim nappies, and a bunch of other accessories. Her product range is affordable & kind to the earth keeping cloth diapering easy and accessible to new parents. It’s lovely to see small businesses grow and take part in the process. Lets see where we’ll be a year from now.

Curious to see our newest prints for The Bebe Hive? Check the collection on the website or follow their Instagram to have a first look and keep in the loop about new launches.

Licensing print designs
If you like to license our prints for your business too please send us a message. We license print designs all over the world and we love to welcome new collabs.

Finished work // Theater Rotterdam

Last fall the studio received an email from an exciting new client. Actually it was the first company I worked for as a graphic designer while I was doing an internship, when I was still eager to become a designer and didn’t have a clue what I was doing, most of the time… I was working here for 6 months.

Theater Rotterdam contacted me to license some illustrations for a kids production ‘Crazy but True’ by Ant Hampton performing in their theater mid-December. An interactive performance magnifying how kids can form their own reality. The flyer and posters were designed to show random facts using typography supported by illustrations.

We are very happy with the lovely result of these graphic items. The typography and illustration color palette with a deep blue, soft pink and white are a strong combination, fresh and fun without getting ‘too young’. We love the result. And we also love performance art, so hopefully there will be more exciting things to work on for Theater Rotterdam in the future.

Uitagenda 10 years // Kunsthal Exhibit

Here is a little story about my first steps toward being a designer. When I was a graphic design student I had to do an internship in my third year of studying. And I was the lucky girl that was hired as a graphic intern at one of Rotterdams best theaters. During my time there I worked with just one designer colleague who taught me the technical aspects of prepping work for the printer, checking the press, thinking in concepts, designing new campaigns for cultural festivals. I loved it. Being dropped into this cultural melting pot and working with so many creative people within the theater was amazing and such a good prep for the real deal. I had a shitload of responsibilities as an intern and I love the freedom of it all.

10 years later I bumped into my intern colleague when my college was having an open house and we met up for coffee later. it was so much fun to catch up after all this time and while we were sitting down, discussing all the things that happened in those 10 years he also invited me to participate into a new project. At that time he was working for a cultural magazine that needed a cover for the new cultural season kick off. I created a cover and I also created a bunch of illustrated patterns for their kids section. A year long my work was spread throughout Rotterdam. And as you might know already, I have a soft spot for that city. A great project to work on.

That same magazine is now celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary. And they are properly celebrating! All covers made on those 10 years are now part of a Kunsthal exhibit. Last week was the grand opening during the kick-off of the new cultural season, of course. You can now see a beautiful overview of covers; photography, illustration and typography. A wonderful mix of graphic designers and illustrators who have created something unique. I am pretty ecstatic to be on the Kunsthal wall, one of my all time fave museums, in my fave city.

Sources of inspiration: Keith Haring // Kunsthal Rotterdam

The last few days you can still visit the Keith Haring exhibit in Rotterdam Kunsthal. I know I am a little late with this post but I did not plan to write about it actually. But when I visit the exhibit yesterday I was struck by how much his work is still inspiring me up until today. So a little writing is in order.



I was 15 when I got introduced with the art of Keith Haring. With it's colorful pop culture works of graffiti and giant canvasses I completely fell in love with the energy put into the art. It was then when I realized I could create something to release my emotions, that might look a little naive to some, but was in fact a part of dealing with what was going on. I loved its powerful strokes and expressive colors and up until this day I find myself being inspired by the works of this NY graffiti artist.

Keith Haring was a street artist of it's time, heavily influenced by the eighties in which he openly discussed (his) sexuality, the global commercialization and political topics like the war. His work might be playful but clearly shows his perspective on serious matters like the increasing homophobia, Aids, drugs, homosexuality and rape. Some pieces are very explicit. The topics are heavy but the body of art makes it all joyful, light and almost appealing. He was struggling with his own health and was diagnosed with Aids. Every painting and every canvas is a piece of himself, reflecting on his life and life in general. His symbolism and way of expression in color and shape still truly captures me up until today. So if you have some time to see an upcoming Keith Haring show near your place in the future go and experience the lightness of a heavy life. It is breathtaking.

Cultural season kick off | Cover design & illustrations // Uitagenda Rotterdams Uitburo // Stof Rotterdam

During my internship I was lucky enough to work as a graphic designer for Rotterdamse Schouwburg. Now, almost 10 years later, I collaborated with Albert (my former mentor during my internship) again. Meanwhile he set up his own design agency; Stof Rotterdam in Rotterdam and this time we worked together for Rotterdam's Uitagenda and this is the result. I was asked to make the Magazine's cover for this years start of the cultural season and a series of colorful kids illustrations for the Children's Agenda insert. I am a great fan of live performances, theater and music and I realized, while working on this project, I miss that creative energy going around, working in this creative energetic environment. Uitburo Rotterdam has also published a short interview on their website which you can read here. All in Dutch! Sorry guys.

So I am very happy I will be back working for performance theater this upcoming year too. I am part of a team working for Stills. A performance written by Caroline Rottier that will be part of the Art Brut project during Mons 2015, Cultural Capital of Europe 2015.

Shutterstock Contributors Drink & Draw Rotterdam

A few months ago I was asked to set up a contributors meeting for all Shutterstock Illustrator Contributors. Lot's of create people work by themselves from their home office so this was a nice chance to get some traction from outside of this usual working space. Meet colleagues, chat about work, illustrations and design and hopefully inspire others to also come and join.

Over 40 people showed up on our first Drink & Draw and to give contributors some more insight about the company they have been working for, Gerd had prepared a small presentation. About the company, how it all started, their vision and some information about latest trends.

It was such fun meeting contributors from all parts of the country. One of them told me she was so happy to finally meet other Shuterstock contributors. She had never met any other illustrators before our meet-up. And I understand how nice it can be to get to know others in the business. Learning form each other is so important. If you don't read the blog or forum, working in stock can be lonely, working from your home studio. But I think this is a great first step to get to know each other, people with same interests exchanging experiences and tips.

Hopefully we can do another Drink & Draw soon and keep this great energy alive.

I was amazed by all the positive responds, fun chat's and great feedback. Hopefully we can do another Drink & Draw soon and keep this great energy alive. And I hope to have more time to talk to each of you and to know all of you. Thank you Shutterstock (tnx Jennifer!) for letting this great event happen and a big thanks to Gerd for his presentation and 'props' and the Lungo Rotterdam staff for their great help.

One year of animal illustrations // Woodland Fall // Winter Wonderland // Indian Jungle and Brazil Paradise

July was a month filled with great new projects. One of these projects was for my former internship collegue. Ten years after my internship at Rotterdamse Schouwburg he contacted me to work on this great new series of illustrations for UITagenda Rotterdam. A cultural magazine that also includes a kids culture agenda. I was asked to design a new series of designs for the children's section of the magazine. These four patterns are a little preview for what is coming. This upcoming cultural season kicks off with a cute woodland fall theme. But I was also asked to make a design for the magazine cover. Looking forward to see all designs in printing.

> How i miss Rotterdam

by Maaike Boot

Five years ago i decided i wanted to move out of my Rotterdam apartment. It was falling apart, the rent was crazy and i was working and studying in The Hague. I thought it would be really nice to move again after living in this amazing city and the room with the view. I have been missing my little cozy apartment everyday for the past five years. Today i miss it even more.

> Witte de With festival

Visit Rotterdam? Go and visit this particular city. There are some very nice galleries and shops and very nice places to eat or drink. One of my favourite restaurants (Bazar) is located here. They serve delicious turkish dishes in an amazing atmosphere. Try Tavuk Sis when you're there.

> Back to school in stores!

all images by Maaike Boot

All six

all images by Maaike Boot

Nice little city walls

all images by maaike boot

> Rotterdam, my new cat

all images by Maaike Boot

all images by Maaike Boot

Amazing music by Rob Kanters. These images are made in downtown Rotterdam. I love the way every colour blends with the other, all brightly coloured, layers. This is the first video he has ever made. I love it. I say: well done!

How blue is your summer soap?

All images by Maaike Boot

I miss the sea

Catch of the day