I just added a personal fav. to my inspirational links. So if you have time, and you love the use of clever design, visit: Logolog when you have the chance. There are a lot of great logos that use negative space in a cool way, and you’ll also see some designs that can speak louder than the actual business name.
J
I’ve been thinking of creating a logo scrapbook of all the logos I love. I also want to add business cards, letterheads, and all the other materials that go with it. I notice a lot of places have this sort of thing, but I never like everything there, so for my inspiration, I’d like to make my own.
I guess it’s pretty fun to look at other peoples work. I will post some new links to the blogroll soon!
J
I have been super busy doing some logo designs. You can see my new portfolio of logos at Logo Sauce.
On top of all this, I can tell that my style is changing a bit. I am more involved with editing text instead of just dropping an alright one in with the logo. I’ve also developed my style a little more. I made it a bit more clean, and in some cases more fun. Anyway, I’m involved in about 6 active contests that I need to pay attention to right now. Spec work isn’t great, but it can definitely pay the bills.
J
Just having fun debunking this weight loss ad.
find the similarities
Well the cold air is coming in so I started my knitting again. I do mostly baby hats for now, but may introduce new things soon. You can see all of my sale items at sales & services page.
If you know anyone with a baby or want to give a cute gift, keep J-Mill Knitting in mind.
J
There may be a lot of you out there wondering about illustration inspiration. http://philmcandrew.blogspot.com/ seems to hit a certain humor. It hits mine in an odd way, especially with the “Are You Man Enough” comic. Phil McAndrew definitely has a style all his own. It’s fun to look at, and his blog is full of little tools, techniques, and info that some started illustrators may want to know. Check it out!
J
Here is a vlog I think some of you illustrators out there may appreciate.
http://www.youtube.com/user/LittleMissKika
Liz Lorini is just starting her little vlog thing, but I have to say that so far it’s going pretty good. She does book recommendations, talks about her line of work, and even keeps you up to date on her shows and pieces. It’s worth a look so go check it out!
You can also find her at: www.misskika.com
. There’s tons of information and sales for all types. Her art style is just awesome!!! I also did and interview you can see here with her: Sugar-Sweet Interview With “Miss Kika”. Enjoy!
J
So I be readin’ through some news ‘n resent goin’s on, when I come across this scallywag who I feel bad fer… ’til I read further into th’ tale. Ye can find th’ tale here ‘n read it fer yourself. Where do ye stand on this issue? Personally, I reckon ’tis pretty underhanded t’ do wha’ he’s doin’.
Ye must notice I be natterin’ a bit starnge, but that’s ’cause ’tis national Talk Like a Pirate day! Thar’s nah much day left, so I thought I should do a post in pirate. ‘ave fun ‘n enjoy th’ rest o’ yer time!
J
For those of you who like to focus more on the print area of design, I have a link for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh1W15BWCUk
You’ll be taken to youtube to watch a quick little video on how to make a mini-zine. All you will need it paper and scissors. I tried it out and liked it, but I would like to play around with this concept a little more to make it even better. At any rate, this was a pretty cool video, and I bet a bunch of you could make and sell some of your own mini-zines!
J
Okay I know I said that I don’t like spec. work (and I don’t) but lately that’s all I’ve been able to do. The way that the graphic design community works s harsh. If you have an associates like me, it means nothing unless it came from an art institute. The only hope for people like me is a bachelors and hopefully a masters in graphic design. But what if life just gets in the way and all you’re stuck with is that lame associates degree?
Your first thought is probably freelance. That won’t work unless you’re some kind of prodigy that got quick recognition. Even getting a job at a logo place looking for graphic designers at $8 per hour is tough. So of course I looked to spec work. There wasn’t much of a choice in my situation. I can list a little bit of info on my experiences though. Maybe they will help some of you.
Spec work isn’t all bad, but here are some of the bad things I found about it.
• Designers and buyers tend to copy your work, steal it, etc. There isn’t much you can do about it. You can complain, but that could take a bit. Designers normally don’t copy your work purposely though.
• Sometimes buyers will steal your concept. They will open a new account with a new name, submit something crappy and claim themselves as the winner. Again, not much you can do.
• The contests/projects seem to pay too little for the buyer to own full rights to your work.
• When a piece you did is purchased, you no longer hold the rights to it unless you work a contract out with the buyer before they pay for it.
• Buyers can use work they purchase from you however they want, and there isn’t anything you can do about it unless you work out a contract in advance.
• Buyers can give little to no feedback on a project and leave you to wonder if the work you spent time on was good enough.
Of course there are some good parts about spec work, although few.
• It’s good experience as far as working fast and with a buyer goes. You only get about 2 weeks per project, you compete against a lot of designers, and you get a brief to follow from the buyer.
• You learn new things and are pressed beyond what you thought you could do.
• For some, it’s easy money.
• It’s easy to stay up to date on the trend of designs since everyone seems to move in the same direction.
These are just some things to be aware of. See right now I don’t care where my work goes or who owns it. I’m doing it for fun and for experience. Money doesn’t even matter. Spec work isn’t for everyone and hopefully when I get going with my own business, I will have enough knowledge to charge at competitive rates.
J