listen. think. design.
in that order.
in that order.
Petrula’s TEDx Echo Park talk explores the premise that Millennials and Gen Z can their redefine personal and professional success in a sustainable and symbiotic way. This presentation has also been given at the HOW Design Live and ICON 9 conferences.
interview
How Designers Transverse Today‘s Landscapes of Business and Education by Ester Oh, writer for Communication Arts Insights.
Petrula was included in Women of Design: Influence and Inspiration from the Original Trailblazers to the New Groundbreakers, a definitive book celebrating the evolution of women’s roles in shaping the field of graphic design.
Petrula was chosen by author Denise Korn's 10 Who Mentor as one of ten innovators to share stories of helping young people discover and channel their creative potential and passion. see details
Through writing, speaking, and judging, Petrula continues to be a leading voice in the design and design education communities. see details
“I was struck by how directly her classroom critique applied to the real-world skills needed in the workplace. I thought about our own company, where we highly value collaboration, and group discussions are a daily occurrence.”
As part of a full rebrand for Lemonade, a beloved fast-casual restaurant chain in Southern California, VDO refreshed their identity—designing a system of symbols, palettes, menus, labels, signage, and digital touchpoints.
“I cannot say enough about how impressed I am with your work. I swear we’ve tasked a 1/2 dozen people to come up with the same material over the course of the past 12 months and no one got it but you. Nicely done.”
University of California Los Angeles's UCLA Extension program director selects leading graphic designers to create covers for their catalogs. The collection of is known as The Master Graphic Designer Series.
Petrula has been interviewed by dieline.com writers for her advice on giving and receiving critiques, interview strategies, and how to create a design portfolio for young designers to get hired.
VDO developed marketing and promotional materials for Pasadena-based institutions Carnegie Observatories and the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization, one of the most ambitious earth-based telescopes in the world.
In their book Becoming a Graphic and Digital Designer authors Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne asked Petrula and fellow leading designers to give readers a glimpse into their everyday operations and inspirations.
Petrula, along with her teacher Archie Boston, received the AIGA Fellows Award honoring them as essential voices raising the understanding of design within the industry and among the business and cultural communities of Los Angeles. Petrula served as a national advisory board member of the AIGA and in 2021 Archie was awarded the AIGA Medal for his lifelong contribution to the field.
To discuss job search strategies, interviewing tips, and creative portfolio building, leading business + Design content creator Chris Do often invites Petrula to contribute her expertise to his The Futur's YouTube Channel, livestream videos, and in-person events.
For the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau's DineLA Restaurant Week, VDO created a campaign across a wide range of media platforms. The concept was to highlight the fresh ingredients common to the variety of cuisines in the city. see details
For 15 years Petrula curated and moderated the “3x3” live event series, inviting three creative professionals from various design fields to address a topic of interest for ArtCenter students to learn what will be expected of them both creatively and professionally.see details
“Vrontikis is a devoted scuba diver, turning many of her aquatic adventures into thought-provoking imagery.”
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Northern California acquired one of Petrula's kelp forest images, using it as the signature visual for California Oceans Day.
Over many years we expanded the Southern Californa Grantmakers brand identity, designed publications and annual reports, and produced promotional materials for the organization’s leadership conferences.see details
VDO designed innovative and unconventional marketing materials to launch E! Entertainment. They won numerous design and entertainment industry awards. The E!Go Game promotion is included in the Permanent Collection of the Library of Congress.
“Petrula provides first class quality tactics, ‘fit and finish, everything worked.’ We won many awards for projects she designed. What’s the point in being in advertising if you can’t get great work done?”
Petrula authored inspiration=ideas: A Creativity Sourcebook, a 240-page visual book documenting the objects, language, and imagery that have sparked the work of 18 internationally recognized designers. Published by Rockport Publishers.
A good story has always been the centerpiece of the Red Car Wine Company brand—high-quality red wines. We created the original brand for the company and worked with them for their first 5 years to create labels, packaging, and promotions for their innovative offerings.
“For over 25 years our approach has been fundamental, like the foundation of a building. If the approach isn’t solid, the style will be frivolous and won’t withstand the test of time.”