Bonnie Cohen Ceramic Design
Ceramic Tile & Creative Design for Endowment & Fund Raising

Bonnie Cohen is a designer and fine artist who creates decorative ceramic sculptures and handmade tiles that are sold in galleries and museums. Even though her work was featured in several national publications and sold well in galleries, Cohen wanted to expand her business to include large commercial installations and corporate commissions.

Technology provided the key element to expanding by opening up a whole new market for her designs. It started with the development of her website. Linking to and from several other larger websites, Cohen’s site generated national inquiries about her work and within one year; she had obtained four large commissions to design donor recognition and fundraising walls. She uses e-mail, digital photography and conference calling to create and revise design details for these projects. For example, Cohen is currently working on a commission for the Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island with the architect in Washington, D.C., the interior designer in New Hampshire and the signage company (doing the installation) in Maine. In Cohen’s words, “Five years ago, I would never have dreamed of working on a project of this caliber from my studio in Akron, Ohio.” Even though she may be hundreds of miles away, she can allow the client to “virtually” visit her studio every day to see how their project is coming along, ensuring the personal touch and passion she brings to the work.

Cohen has learned that it is important to balance your personal goals and others expectations. Her advice to other businesspersons includes: don’t be afraid to hire the best help. Stick to what you do best and what you are passionate about, don’t be afraid to spend money to make your image more professional, and don’t let criticism get you down.