February 23, 2012

Pin love

If you haven’t already figured it out, I have an itty bitty (read: ridiculously huge) love affair with Pinterest. Beyond the obvious relevance to interior designers and crafters, it’s an amazing resource for artists and designers to collect, curate and share inspiration. In my opinion, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what can be achieved with Pinterest; we’re already seeing new applications in the realm of retail and social commerce, and I can hardly contain myself when I think of what’s to come.

In regards to my own design work, Pinterest is a place to stockpile and organize objects and images that emit innovation, artistry and creative flair:

 

 

My pinboards reflect a phenomenal intersection between interior design, typography, small-business branding, product packaging, fashion and textile design, and food styling. Lately, my eye has been gravitating toward unusual color combinations, crooked patterns and bold juxtaposition. Follow me on Pinterest and watch as my tastes evolve regularly!

One, two, three, four.

Posted in Creative Process, Inspiration, Personal, Resources | Leave a Comment »

February 22, 2012

Chasing a new adventure…

 

 

Alright. I’ve been riding this crazy, post-grad roller coaster since June, and it’s time that I officially updated the world on its latest twists and turns. Here are the highlights:

For the second time since graduation, I passed up a full-time job offer in favor of the unknown. Over President’s Day, I packed up my stuff (as it turns out, I have a lot of stuff) and left the state of Washington to chase a dream I’ve been entertaining since my preteen years. I drove south, stopping in Eugene to pay homage to the city and school that brought me this far before crossing the California border in a state of emotional disarray. And now, full of unimaginable excitement and paralyzing fear (it seems those two always seem to travel together in my life), I’m embarking on a new adventure.

It’s fresh and exciting, but it’s also downright terrifying. I’m still struggling to adjust to life away from home in the Pacific Northwest. Luckily, my parents raised a fighter. I took a giant leap of faith moving down here with few job prospects and no space to call my own, but now’s the time for a little perseverance, some due diligence and a whole lot of confidence.

My first day in California was spent interviewing at an incredible digital agency in the heart of San Francisco. My second day has been filled with portfolio updates. Day three is its own adventure waiting to be uncovered.

Adapting to change has never been an easy feat for me, but I’ve never been one to back away from a challenge either. Good things come to those who wait. Isn’t that what they say?

Original image found here.

Posted in Career planning, Internship, Personal | Leave a Comment »

February 16, 2012

Get going!

Along with my creative partners in crime Holly Schnackenberg and Renee Alvarado, I was recently asked to divulge three suggestions for current students preparing to graduate in June. The prompt was simple: share three things you would tell students to do during winter term to ready themselves for the real world. After much deliberation, here’s what I had to say:

1. First and foremost, reinvent your personal brand. I can’t stress this enough – a thoughtful and well-executed personal brand will work wonders for you in the job market. If you can’t successfully brand yourself, why on Earth would anyone hire you to develop brands for local, national and international clients? Start with an appropriate job title that speaks to your skill set – I’m sure Deb has told you all about this. Follow that up with a killer logo, a high-quality business card and a professional-grade résumé. Establish a visual identity and carry that through all print materials and into your social media outlets. Most importantly, if you don’t have the skills to create an effective personal brand, seek help from your peers. Trade services and develop those connections that will prove priceless as college winds down and real life begins.

2. Quit wasting your time on sub-par campaigns. In the next three months, you’re going to create crappy work. The sooner you realize that not everything you do will turn into a portfolio piece, the better. You won’t have the time to spend reworking everything you create, so focus on the campaigns and projects that show true potential, and ditch the duds. Your portfolio is about quality over quantity. A poorly executed campaign with a weak strategy isn’t going to elevate your portfolio – it’s only going to help your competitors (and believe me, you’ve got strong competitors) rise above you in the job pool.

3. Lastly, take a mental break before spring term suffocates you. Winter term is winding down, and your brain is probably fried. You need something to momentarily take your mind off of your latest campaign, your impending portfolio review and your endless to-do list. So do something for your mental health – and I don’t mean four whiskey sours and a jack and coke. Read Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, hop on the Pinterest bandwagon, brew your own craft beer or try your hand at acrylic painting. Find something constructive – something unrelated to advertising – that will contribute to your creative process and provide a much-needed breath of fresh air.

To all students: I hope you find value in these suggestions, but know that your path to graduation is exactly that – yours. Each of you will take a unique path, and there’s so much beauty in that!

Posted in #buildshit, Advertising, Career planning, Creative Process, UO | Leave a Comment »

January 11, 2012

It’s that time of year…

 

 

It’s that time of year again! The holidays are over, and for college students across the country, winter term is in full swing. I recently received an email from a current student making her way through the UO’s advertising program who wanted to know how I set myself apart in the job market. Because I know there are a handful of student designers out there wondering what they can do now to get ahead in June, I’ve opted to share a few tips here. More than anything, I’ve found that standing out when applying to jobs is about getting involved and being a leader among your peers:

  • Fill your resume with meaningful experiences that speak to who you are and what you’re interested in. Welcome any and all opportunities that come your way, and always work to better yourself as a designer. Your work is never finished, and your portfolio is always evolving. Strive to be the best at what you do, and show people what you’re capable of.

  • Make connections with your professors – visit them often and cultivate professional relationships with each. What you give to your instructors in enthusiasm and engagement, you’ll receive threefold in learning experiences and networking opportunities.

  • Set goals and refuse to give up on them. Some of the most amazing and beneficial experiences I had at the University of Oregon began as pipe dreams. It was only through steadfast perseverance, thorough research and dire enthusiasm that many of my goals became realities.

  • Don’t overlook the value of taking classes outside of design! Part of being a good designer is immersing yourself in all kinds of creative fields. Over the years, I’ve dabbled in black and white photography, sculpture art, wheel-throwing, glassblowing, acrylic painting, charcoal drawing, etc. I used to play the violin and I have a serious love for interior design. I’m a firm believer in the idea that being a successful creative has a lot to do with the objects and activities you surround yourself with.

  • Along the same lines, now is the time to build additional skills to set you apart in the job market. Need additional credits in the College of Arts and Sciences? Don’t waste them on lower-level literature classes. Instead, delve into subject areas that will benefit you greatly in the long run. I took courses in computer and information science in order to develop an understanding of web development and coding. And as it turns out, basic coding skills were a huge plus when it came to building my portfolio and standing out in the job search.

  • And finally, never underestimate the power of your network! On your path to graduation, you’ll meet a lot of people who will be valuable resources in your future job search. Approach every opportunity honestly and professionally. And reach out to other recent grads! We just went through the process that you’re just beginning, and most of us are totally willing to share our experiences.

Images found here and here.

Posted in Career planning, Craft, Creative Process, Design, Personal, UO | Leave a Comment »

December 26, 2011

It’s all in the details

 

 

I hope I don’t completely throw you for a loop here, but for once, I’m going to skip the text-heavy post in favor of a few lovely visuals.

First and foremost, this holiday season was all about quality time, comfort food and a much-needed breath of fresh air. But beyond that, it was about subtle design details – the brilliant shine of patent lather, the bold look of all-over glitter, the sparkle of Swarovski, the incredible usability of Apple, the ombre fade of French stoneware and the power-packed pages of the year’s hottest design book. It’s here, deep in these details, where I’m digging up all kinds of inspiration for my latest design endeavors.

Soak it up.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Posted in Design, Inspiration, Personal, Products, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

November 9, 2011

Movin’ on up!

 

 

At the end of October, I was offered internships at ID Branding in Portland and at Urban Influence in Seattle. Both agencies are small design firms cranking out awesome work, and both positions are unpaid. I’m accepting the internship at Urban Influence (it’ll be easier since my parents still live in the area) and I’m completely stoked to jump in. They don’t have a lot of big-name clients, but they seem truly invested in creating partnerships with their clients and deeply involving interns in projects from beginning to end. All along, I’ve wanted to be a designer more than an art director, so I think this will be a good opportunity to strengthen my technical skills and add some depth to my design portfolio. I think my design aesthetic will really mesh well there, and I’ve always wanted to begin my career in the same kind of small, collaborative community that UI has established.

And the best part? Greg and I are both locked into three-month internships! My gig at Urban Influence starts on Monday, and I’ll be living with my parents for now and commuting into downtown. Greg’s internship is at a small-midsize demand marketing agency called CatapultWorks down in the Bay Area. Big clients, funky office, and lots of room to grow. He was told that they would have brought him on full-time if he’d had any prior internship experience and that if he performs well, they’d love to move him into a salaried account coordinator position at the end of his internship.

So we spent the last two weeks driving up and down the West Coast, making the most of our last days of freedom before we dive back into work. After a much-needed visit with his family in the Bay Area, we left San Jose on Monday, golfed in Bandon – which was absolutely breathtaking – yesterday and finally arrived back in Eugene last night. We’re packing up our apartment today and tomorrow before saying goodbye to our beloved college town and making a whirlwind move to Seattle on Friday. After Thanksgiving, Greg will pack up and head down to California in preparation for his December 5th start date. This week has been a doozy, and the action doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon!

Stay tuned…

Images found here and here.

Posted in Career planning, Internship, Personal | Leave a Comment »

November 5, 2011

Get with the program

 

 

Lately, I’ve taken a few requests from current students who are interested in learning how I reached the level of design proficiency I’m at now. My best advice for students looking to chart a path through design is simple: master the tools. As a designer, you’ll use InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop for the bulk of your work, and you’ll need to know how to use each of them for a broad range of tasks. Here’s a rundown of each, as I see them:

  • In my opinion, InDesign is the most intuitive and easy to learn. It’s used heavily for layout design, which is a great place to begin learning basic rules of traditional design. Once you have a strong grasp on the fundamentals, you can begin to break the rules and intelligently experiment with your designs.

  • If you plan on becoming a designer, I would strongly suggest you gain experience using Photoshop for web and app design – as the industry continues to sway more toward digital, it will benefit you greatly to understand the tools necessary for the medium.

  • Illustrator was the program I knew least in school, but it has become the program I use most now. In my opinion, it’s the most complicated program but it’s also the most capable. The huge amount of things you can do with Illustrator will astound you.

Design tutorials can be extremely useful resources for those beginning an education in design, but always make sure you’re paying attention to the steps you’re taking and how the tools are being applied. Simply whipping through tutorials like you’re crossing things off of a to-do list won’t get you anywhere unless you’re gaining a firm understanding of the process.

Lastly, know this: If you want to be a successful designer, you can’t rely solely on yourself to be both teacher and student. So get involved early and often. Take advantage of the vast variety of opportunities available to you – the best way to learn is to completely immerse yourself into the world of design and repeatedly put your skills to the test.

Images found here and here.

Posted in Craft, Design, Digital, Personal | Leave a Comment »

October 20, 2011

Thoughts on: Oregon advertising curriculum

 

 

Not long ago, I stumbled upon a smart and insightful piece on the pitfalls of traditional design programs written by Mike Mates of Seattle-based Urban Influence. Mike’s argument is this: Many graduates from design programs that focus solely on theory and technical ability are poorly educated on the slew of practical challenges that exist in the professional realm (client dynamics, budget restrictions and workplace communication, among others). And though I didn’t major in graphic design, I found myself reflecting on my experience in the University of Oregon’s advertising program, pinpointing fundamental reasons why its students emerge with a competitive edge. Here’s what I’ve concluded:

1. We’re multi-disciplinary. Unlike the majority of art schools and portfolio programs, the UO embraces liberal arts and compels students to delve into a wide array of subject areas. The result is a well-rounded crop of young professionals who deeply grasp the importance of cultural awareness, community involvement, and continuing education.

2. We’re given the freedom to act on our ideas. More than just a community of dreamers, thinkers, and idea generators, we’re builders and makers taught to harness our creative potential and turn our ideas into reality. In other words, we have the drive and desire to put our creative toolbox to the true test.

3. We’re offered real-world experience. Students are presented with countless opportunities to engage and interact with industry professionals while developing practical experience in their field:

But I’m under no illusions that my alma mater is by any means flawless. So in the interest of impartiality, I’ve also rounded up three ways that the School of Journalism and Communication could improve its advertising program:

1. Expand requirements. General studies and prerequisites aside, undergrads in the UO’s ad program are currently only required to take five classes centered on the vast and ever-changing world of branding and advertising. Those who aren’t compelled to dig deeper scrape by with only a surface-level understanding of the most fundamental concepts.

2. Strengthen offerings in visual communication. While we’re routinely praised for the high level of strategy present in our work, we’re often told that our creative executions can’t compete. In terms of curriculum, the caliber of visual communication courses in the UO’s ad program should mirror the quality of its strategic offerings.

3. Embrace the little guy. Simply put, the big-name agencies aren’t the only ones doing mind-blowing, forward-thinking work. The UO’s advertising program should spread its attention across agencies of all types and sizes, providing students with a more objective and comprehensive understanding of the industry.

Original images found here and here.

Posted in #buildshit, Career planning, Personal, UO | Leave a Comment »

September 22, 2011

It’s party time!

Of the countless design projects I’ve been diving into lately, one in particular has been especially fulfilling. Tomorrow, I’ll be flaunting these babies at what has jokingly – wait, were we joking? – been called the wedding of the century for quite some time:

 

 

My closest childhood friend is marrying the man of her dreams, and I am absolutely, completely and utterly honored to stand beside her as a bridesmaid. Not only that, but I’ve also had the privilege of designing her save the dates, invitations and ceremony programs (pictured above). Many, many thanks to my sister for scouring the entire State of Oregon for materials and helping me painstakingly assemble nearly 250 programs. The process wasn’t easy, but it was well worth it! This was my first foray into wedding stationery, and it won’t be the last time I undertake this type of project. But more on that later…

It’s time to whip out my dancing shoes and practice my Electric Slide!

Confetti found here.

Posted in Personal, Portfolio, Print design | Leave a Comment »

September 15, 2011

Every once in a while, we all need to be reminded

Throughout my job search, I’ve found that it’s all too easy to become jaded; sometimes, I find myself struggling to reignite my passion for design and remember why I chose advertising as a viable career in the first place.

And while it’s true that my hunt for employment has been taxing, there are brief, liberating moments each week — often, each day — that remind me why I ventured down this path.

Since the September 6th launch of her new book, Grace Bonney has unknowingly given me many of these wonderful reminders. Bonney and the rest of the lovely ladies behind Design*Sponge are all about seizing opportunities, solving problems, sharing perspectives and curating a comprehensive collection of some of the best design work — interior, graphic and otherwise — on the planet.

Many in the design world have anxiously anticipated the arrival of Design*Sponge at Home, and now that it’s here, Bonney and her team have given us all something to cheer about. Absolutely gorgeous from cover to cover, the book showcases countless examples of innovative and creative design and artistry. Both a resource and work of art, it is a rare fusion of design inspiration, education and appreciation. Watch the Design*Sponge promo video below:

 

 

Beyond the book, Bonney herself is a true inspiration. I’ve been following her blog for years, but only since embarking on a somewhat unsuccessful job search have I truly begun to appreciate her work. She — along with many others like her — has inadvertently taught me that in the field of design, agency life isn’t the only life. She’s shown me that with a commitment to my craft, a clear vision, some serious dedication and remarkable time management skills, I can build my own successful — and independent — career from the ground up.

Since the book’s launch, Design*Sponge at Home has received rave reviews. And each time I read an encouraging comment, see another photo of the book displayed in a reader’s home or hear about the creative process that resulted in such an amazing product, I remember why I entered this amazing field:

I wanted to inspire people. To create and collaborate. To see projects from conception to completion. To uncover beauty in the most ordinary of objects. To strategize. To really hunker down with a thought, a concept or a vision, massage it again and again, and emerge with something greater. Then finally, to bring that idea into reality — to turn the intangible into something tangible and make the world just a little brighter.

 

Posted in Career planning, Design, Industry professionals, Inspiration, Personal, Products, Resources | Leave a Comment »

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