Inspiration

Last semester I attended a graphic design conference with AIGA called SEEK. I had gone to this conference last year at NIU, and met a lot of influential creatives from all over the US. I learned about what kind of skills I needed to acquire over my last year here at Bradley. I was so excited to attend this year to see what I would learn and who I would meet.

One of the most impactful presentations at SEEK last semester was from Justin Ahrens, the Principal and Creative Director at Rule29. It gave me a whole new perspective on design and where I eventually want to take my career. He shared stories of his travels to Africa, and how design can make a difference all over the world. I eventually want to be stable enough as a designer where I can work with non-profits to create impactful designs that can change the lives of others.

Above is a video Justin showed during his presentation of an inspiration he knows. This video really hit me, and made me realize the bigger picture. You should do what you love and live life to the fullest. It is a touching story!

Inspiration

Last semester I attended a graphic design conference with AIGA called SEEK. I had gone to this conference last year at NIU, and met a lot of influential creatives from all over the US. I learned about what kind of skills I needed to acquire over my last year here at Bradley. I was so excited to attend this year to see what I would learn and who I would meet.

One of the most impactful presentations at SEEK last semester was from Justin Ahrens, the Principal and Creative Director at Rule29. It gave me a whole new perspective on design and where I eventually want to take my career. He shared stories of his travels to Africa, and how design can make a difference all over the world. I eventually want to be stable enough as a designer where I can work with non-profits to create impactful designs that can change the lives of others.

Above is a video Justin showed during his presentation of an inspiration he knows. This video really hit me, and made me realize the bigger picture. You should do what you love and live life to the fullest. It is a touching story!

Graphics 360

My favorite sketch paper in the entire world is Graphics 360! What makes this sketch pad better than any other is it's resistance to the permeant marker bleeds. So I can draw in sharpie as much as I want without having the black bleed into the paper like on a normal sketch pad. If you are a designer and don't use this paper for your mock-up sketching, I completely recommend buying one. It gives you cleaner sketches to show to clients.

This paper is also very useful when it comes to tracing items. It is slightly translucent, but not too much that it looks like tracing paper. Graphics 360 is a great tool that really helps me present beautiful sketches in critiques or presentations.

Portfolio Show

This year has gone by WAY too fast. It felt like just yesterday I was a freshman attending the senior portfolio show at Bradley, and now it is my turn to put my portfolio on display. The show is from April 29th - May 10th, which means I have to have everything ready by next Friday! I have so much to do in such little time. Even though I complain I secretly love it. I enjoy pulling all nighters brainstorming and designing, it is when I come up with some of my best work.

From the beginning I always thought I would hand bind my portfolio, especially after I took my very first bookmaking class junior year. Today I changed my mind. I have put a lot of thought into my portfolio, and I think the best solution is to use a professional screw post portfolio holder. Even though it isn't hand crafted, it is the much better solution in the long run. This way I can rearrange pages, switch out pages, and add to my book without having to redo the entire portfolio. I can use the portfolio case for the rest of my life, because it is very durable. The hand bound book may not last as long and get a lot of wear and tare.

I researched many different companies that sell portfolio cases, and I stumbled upon a company called Klo Portfolios, where you can customize the outer shell of the case. I fell in love instantly and knew I had to get one. When I read how long they take to order and receive I lost my hope. I emailed the company to see if there was anyway they could squeeze in my order, and they were so kind and accommodating! This is a very pricey item to buy, but since I will be using it for my entire career it is definitely worth every penny! I chose a matte black finish with my logo engraved on the front of the cover, and I will receive it next week! I can't wait to put everything together for my show!

If anyone would like to come check it out, here is the Facebook event page.

Lockitron

Locking or unlocking your house without a key just seems a little ridiculous. When I first heard of this product, before I watched the video, I thought it was scary and unsafe. It made me think that anyone could just walk into your house, download this app and somehow open your door.

After I watched the video, I think it is the coolest thing ever. This app and devise not only can unlock and lock your door without a key, but it alerts you when someone is at your door or trying to get into your house. It is almost like a security system for just your door lock. I went from thinking it was completely unsafe, from now thinking what will I do without this device. The app can allow you to unlock your door from all over the world. It would be so nice if you didn't have a key or got locked out, or just wanted to go for a run but didn't want to bring your house keys! Solves so many problems I didn't even know I had. (Know that's a good product ;)).

It doesn't help that I can be paranoid at times, and I think Lockitron can solve my issues of not knowing if someone is trying to break into my house. If I had this now I would know and be sent a text message in advance so I have time to prepare!

AIGA

The past two years I have been Vice President of Bradley University's AIGA chapter on campus. I first joined the organization because I was told it would look great on my resume, and while I was looking for a job. I have learned over the years that this organization will help me even after I graduate. I wish I had joined this group my freshman year, so that I could have been way ahead of the game.

AIGA is a professional network with chapters all over the US. Bradley participates in Chicago's chapter, and can attend all their events in the city. I have previously attended a conference called SEEK at NIU, where I met so many professionals in the field. I learned so much and networked with some great people. AIGA has given me so many great opportunities, and I am only in Peoria. I can only imagine what I can get out of it once I graduate, and am in the city to participate more. I can't wait to see what is to come with my membership in this organization!

My new favorite toy!

On my birthday in October my parents bought me the Bamboo capture. It is a small tablet you can connect to your computer, and it can be used to edit images and create illustrations. I haven't been able to use it until recently because my Macbook Pro cd drive was broken. I needed to install a program before I could use it properly. 

Now that everything is fixed, I just used the Bamboo Capture for my senior project! For this project we had to chose from a list of creative briefs on the D&AD website. I chose to design perfume packaging for L'Artisan Parfumeur brand. I thought this would be a perfect project to break out the Bamboo. I created all my illustrations on the bottles on the Bamboo. It was a great way to get to know the product better. I love it!

Computer Arts

I love buying new magazines for plane rides, and two years ago I discovered my favorite magazine! I found Computer Arts at Barnes and Noble, in the craft section. I was so excited because I had never seen this mag before! It was a huge bonus that it also came with a disc of tips and tricks on different Adobe Creative Suite programs, and a free font. It was so helpful, the magazine is filled with new creative's work, brilliant ideas, and great advice. This specific issue of the mag had a portfolio section on do's and dont's! To this day I go back and read the portfolio section to keep me on track.

After my vacation I went back to Barnes and Noble to get the next issue of Computer Arts, but it was no where to be found. Last year for my birthday I asked for the subscription to the magazine. It is UK based, so I am assuming that is why Barnes and Noble only had it for a short time. The subscription is a bit pricey, but I am so happy to have it. I learn something new every month, and improve my skills with the disc that comes with each issue. I would recommend this magazine to every designer! I love it.

http://www.computerarts.co.uk

3 Things I Have Learned

As a Senior, on the verge of graduation, it is time to think about the real world. I have had so many questions over the years about the future of design, and where I can go as a designer. I have asked these questions to guest speakers, teachers, and other people in my class, and have received numerous answers. Here is what I have learned.

1. Design for you.

Do personal projects. Design what you want. As a design student we do class project after class project, but you need to find the time to do your own work. I don't know about anyone else, but most of the time I am not the biggest fan of the briefs or the solution I create for a problem is "out of reach" for a client. Personal projects give you space to express yourself and show off your creative solutions. This is something I just started doing senior year, but I wish I had worked on more personal projects earlier.

2. Start your portfolio before the portfolio class.

Always be collecting your work as you create it! Take screen shots and pictures of your projects as the process moves along. This way once it comes time to chose what to put in your portfolio, you have lots of options and process work to chose from. This will be so helpful. I wish I had done this! Also know how to photograph your work ahead of time. Here is a good beginners perspective of how to shoot your work. http://www.paper-leaf.com/blog/2009/09/how-to-take-better-photos-of-print-design-work/

3. Network.

Be social! Networking is a great way to get help in the design world. I cannot tell you how many opportunities and freelancing jobs I have received from just having a friendly conversation with someone. I know a lot of talented designers in my classes, but just because someone has amazing work doesn't mean they will get a job. Being sociable and friendly is huge. You need to be able to communicate your ideas and thoughts!

Death Wish Coffee

I love branding. Last year i took a brand strategy design class, and I really appreciated the thought process behind creating a brand. Learning everything about the brand is the easy part, because everything is out in the open for you to gather information. The hard part is creating a solution that stands out from the rest of the brand's competition.

Being an extreme coffee lover, I stumbled upon a coffee company called Death Wish Coffee. I was shocked by their brand, and instantly loved what they were doing. They took coffee to an extreme, and the way they branded themselves is extreme as well. They aren't messing around. Their name alone sets them apart from all other coffee brands. This is the most highly caffeinated premium dark roast organic coffee in the world. That statement alone makes me want to try this coffee, just to accept the challenge. 

Their design is rough and edgy. The colors and brand name represent the brand just the way they want it to. I think this is a perfect example of a brand taking a risk and standing a part from the competition. Their branding makes me want to purchase a bag just to try it out!

Design Love Fest

Design Love Fest is one of the first blogs I started regularly looking at. It reminds me of Pinterest but in a blog form. They have a lot of different categories on their site. My favorites are the inspiration and downloads page.

On the downloads page they have iPhone and Computer wallpaper designs that you can save for personal use. They call it "Dress Your Tech".  I am constantly changing the background on my computer, so I love this aspect of their blog! They also post fun DIY projects. They had lots of fun Valentine Cards a couple weeks ago that I made for some of my friends.

They also hold weekend seminars for other bloggers! They call it BLOGSHOP. This workshop is a photoshop bootcamp. I love this idea because it helps bloggers find their style and incorporate it into their blogs. Wish I could go to one! I could always learn more about photoshop too.

http://www.designlovefest.com

3D Pen

It is crazy, all of the tools that are out there that we don't even know about. As a designer I constantly have to be looking our for all the new innovative design tools. Staying on top of new technology is difficult, but it is so interesting to see what people have come up with. I saw this on twitter the other day: a 3D pen!! Oh the things we could create with this.

The 3D Doodler heats and then cools plastic as it comes out of the pen. There is no computer software needed. It resembles what a 3D printer could create, but in a much quicker speed. It looks a lot like a glue gun. This could be great for art projects, creating jewelry, or making prototypes!

Here is the link: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/02/the-worlds-first-3d-printing-pen-that-lets-you-draw-sculptures-in-real-time/

Valentine's Day

In the spirit of today, I have been thinking about chocolate a lot lately... I stumbled upon this great site of chocolate packaging! Very interesting all the different ways you can package chocolate.

http://www.thecoolist.com/chocolate-gifts-20-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-chocolate-package-designs/

Package Design

For my senior project this year I am creating new package design for L'Artisan Parfumeur. http://www.artisanparfumeur.com/shop/home-us.html. After I do all my research on the product, I love to look at what other people are doing with package design.

I really enjoyed looking at this site! http://www.creativebloq.com/packaging/inspirational-packaging-912837. There are some very clever ideas here.

MadPax

About a year ago, while I was researching for a product design, I stumbled upon MadPax.com. I thought this site had a really neat design! It is a company that makes unique backpacks for kids. The company began with just one mom making her kid their backpack, because he didn't like any normal backpack that was out there. So many kids loved his awesome backpack, and the company boomed. They are pretty sweet....I would buy one for myself!

I love how one idea can cause such influence. This company inspires me to think differently, and shoot for my goals! https://www.madpax.com/index.php

Pinterest

I have always loved pinning my favorite fashion trends and home decor, but recently I have started to pin graphic design inspirations. It has especially come in handy when I am searching for ideas for design projects. I create different boards for each one and post other peoples work that I really like or utilizes the concepts I am thinking of well. I also started a board for my own work that I share on Pinterest. I am thinking of putting my invitation designs on my board! I am hoping to catch people's attention to get some freelancing work. I still have a long way to go, but I think it will be well worth it!

Here is a link for my Pinterest boards that I have used for recent projects. Some of them are pretty interesting even if you don't design, especially the infographics!

http://pinterest.com/court_cam/