Hi, I am Savannah Sapp...

and I have been creating things since I can remember. I would have a blast in Microsoft Word with my mom’s clipart program making posters and paper dolls. Years of MS Paint, early 2000's dollmakers, and my mom’s Ulead Photo Express had me creating my own desktop wall papers. These experiences helped me build a variety of skills even on simple programs. But it wasn’t just on the computer--If it wasn't humming jingles, making up my own versions of them, creating posters and design slogans, then I was creating stories and identities for my dolls. Each one was a character with a back story and personality, it was like I was designing a brand before I knew what it was.

As a child, I used to wonder what I would be when I grew up, often imagining myself in a creative career like Darrin Stevens from Bewitched. In truth I had two passions, learning something new and making something become real. As I got older, my aspirations changed, and I became torn between my creative passions and a career in education. I loved working with people and helping them find their potential. My love for knowledge, a desire to create, and helping others lead me to choose a path in education.

Throughout college, my creative pursuits were strictly on a volunteer basis, choosing to use my skills to better my community or for my friends and family. Upon graduating, I made my way to becoming a full time educator. However, life had a way of getting in the way of my plans, due to a steady decline in my health, I was forced to leave the classroom. After undergoing several treatments, I am back to being myself. My experiences have taught me just how quickly life can pass by. Now, I find my goals to be in reverse, I volunteer with my husband’s high school theatre program and am now working in graphic design.

It is now time I welcome you to Scoria Effects.

A volcanic rock that is formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies into a dark in color, with a reddish, purple, or black appearance. Known for its unique color and texture, scoria is used in many architectural and landscaping designs.

What is Scoria?

Why Scoria?

Beautiful, versatile, scoria is used in architecture and landscaping. However, its symbolic usage is far more significant. Magma is malleable and filled potential before it solidifies into the strong stone it becomes. In this way scoria is enduring and strong.

What did I want my brand to be?

I wanted something that reminded me of the vivid details one sees on a cloudy day, the textures that are more clear in film noir or black and white photography. I also wanted it to be something that stood out. Something that works with my wide range of skills, something that has potential to one day grow beyond me if I want it to. So began my search to not only learn and apply my skills, but to build a brand of my very own.

What experiences could I use?

I remember my one defiance as a child was from a color by number assignment at school. Raincoats and boots were always yellow. That made no sense to me. And for whatever reason that day, I still insisted on it not being yellow. The yellow hurt my eyes on rainy days and I thought there was a color that would work better. So, I colored all of my numbers just right, until I got to the raincoat. I decided to color it purple. It was beautiful, it stood out from the rain but didn’t clash with the surroundings. I thought about using this experience because good design is taking what you know and turning it into something transcendent. That being said, I wanted something that was bigger than the raincoat, I needed something timeless.

The Tone

I wanted something that reminded me of the vivid details one sees on a cloudy day, the textures that are more clear in film noir or black and white photography. I also wanted it to be something that stood out. Something that works with my wide range of skills, something that has potential to one day grow beyond me if I want it to. So began my search to not only learn and apply my skills, but to build a brand of my very own.