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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 29 ,2 01 8 | 12 A whimsical take on reality. That's how watercolour illustra- tor Alicia Bint describes her artwork -and that's precisely what Canadians will see adorning their Second Cup products this holiday season. Second Cup's branding and de- sign firm reached out to the Acton- based artist this past February and the design process began shortly af- terwards, with Bint having just un- der four weeks to complete waterco- lour artwork for the company's 2018 holiday campaign theme: Celebrate together. Now her designs are decorating cafés across the country. "They were looking for an illus- trator and they wanted a waterco- lour illustrator so they found me on- line," she said. "I gave them a bunch of different concepts to choose from and it ended up evolving and it turned into what it is now. I'm happy with how they turned out. It's still pretty surreal." Bint says she began by sketching out items that represent together- ness and holiday cheer. She then worked together with the marketing manager of Second Cup to tweak the items to match the company's vision. Featured on the cups are a num- ber of these symbols, including tiny specialty coffees, presents, orna- ments and strings of holiday lights. Bint's designs are incorporated in all of Second Cup's holiday products, as well as the company's signage and menus. "It's pretty exciting," Bint said, adding that she especially loves how each of the takeaway cups showcases a different layout of her pattern. Aside from corporate illustra- tion, which Bint admits is one of her dream jobs, the artist experiments in a variety of mediums, but the work she is most well known for, through her company, Alicia's Infinity, is de- signing wedding invitations. "I really love working with brides and grooms, especially if it's some- thing custom," she said. "It's that spe- cial occasion where you can do some- thing extraordinary for yourself and going through that process with them, making it personalized to them, and seeing their reaction is re- ally sweet." When on her own, Bint says she finds inspiration through nature, and her passion for the outdoors is a common theme woven throughout her work. "I would say nature is my greatest inspiration. I draw a lot of botanicals, but I just enjoy the organic feeling of natural items," she added. "I go hik- ing a lot and my husband and I just love going in the forest and looking at everything that's so perfect and it's just natural ... Nature is amazing." For further information about Al- icia's Infinity, or to view Bint's art- work, visit http://www.aliciasinfini- ty.com or follow her on Instagram @aliciasinfinity. ACTON WATERCOLOUR ARTIST CREATES DESIGNS FOR SECOND CUP'S HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN Alicia Bint's watercolour illustrations can be found in Second Cup cafes across Canada this holiday season. Veronica Appia/Metroland VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com COMMUNITY ALICIA BINT PRODUCES ARTWORK FOR BOTH COMMERCIAL AND INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS, THROUGH HER COMPANY ALICIA'S INFINITY. Bring your savings together Like most people, you probably need different types of insurance to help protect what matters most in life. As your local Desjardins Agent, I'm committed to providing personalized one-on-one service so you can get the best possible coverage at the best price. Better things come from someone who knows you. Call today to get a quote. 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