NEW ART PIECE! & a logo!

just finished this portrait of my old college roomie - Ashly! (finally!)

However, I still think it needs some work. :/

reference photo:

medium
: graphite.

date completed : 25/11/10




AND a logo design for Beauty In Motion by Karen Smith
http://www.karensmithbeautyinmotion.com/

CREATIVE NICHE : resource workshop.

C R E A T I V E   N I C H E
http://www.creativeniche.ca/index.cfm

Presentation by : 

Stephen Hodges, President (left)

Adele Wootton, Account Director (right)

S T E P H E N :

• 20+ years industry experience

• Joining Creative Niche in 2006

• Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto

A D E L E :

• 20+ years industry experience 

• various job roles completed

• 10 year recruiter

C U R R E N T   S T A T S :

on the uprising :

• digital • interactive • web • rich media • mobile • social networking

wages :

• junior designer - 40 - 55/yr

• senior designer - 57 - 75/yr

some examples of available jobs :

(obvious)

• production • designer • art director

(less obvious)

• studio manager • production manager

(not so obvious)

• SEG / SEM • U/X • Online Community Management

W O R K :

environments :

• advertising agencies • design firms/studios • in house  • client side • independent • freelance • freelancing through recruitment agencies

finding it :

• general job search websites/publications • industry related publications • social networking • professional member associations • potential employer websites • recruitment agencies

R E S E A R C H :

• identify a list of employers • research market trends • consider your needs and goals • carefully read job descriptions of your desired positions

R E S U M E :

who are you?

• name, contact info(not your address), title

what job are you applying for?

• your objective

what can you do?

• highlight your skills and abilities

what have you accomplished?

• list your achievements

with whom have you worked?

• mention brands/clients/accounts/etc...

format and design :

• determine layout/structure/content

• visually pleasing and easy to read

• 8.5" x 11"

• two versions available - .doc and .pdf

• number of pages depends on your experience/relative content

• avoid blocks of colour

• skilled based vs. chronological resume

edit and proofread :

• review, proofread, spellcheck!

• ensure grammatical phrasing is consistent - same tense used

• check design and layout is appropriate for the role and company

• save various copies and track where you have sent them

A D V I C E :

• keep it up to date and ready

• stay informed and anticipate industry changes

• grow your personal network

• update technical skills and knowledge

• built a great personal brand

• continue to participate in portfolio reviews

• make sure your work is commercial!

Officially A Freelance Graphic Designer

Today's post is a very special post. Today was the completion of my first paid client job. AND DAMN DOES IT FEEL GOOD!

C L I E N T :

Adam Kerr of Adam Kerr Photography

website: www.adamkerrphoto.ca

J O B :

Create Adam a Logo design for his Photography Company.

( I also threw in a surprise Business Card redesign for him as well).

T H E   C O L L A B O R A T I O N :

• Lots of communication.

• Constant open minds.

• Honest reactions and opinions.

This was an excellent experience as my first paid freelance job and I am really happy that it went so well. Adam took my suggestions with heart and put the time and effort into thinking about what he was really going for. Although unsure of how to say it sometimes, everything worked out absolutely awesome. I am really glad to say that Adam was impressed with what I came up with and couldn't be happier with his new Logo. Personally, I can't wait to see it on some of his photos so I can feel like a shy schoolgirl, point, and say "I DID THAT!" with a huge smile on my face.

T H E   R E S U L T :

Let's be honest, this is really what you came to see.

All in all, I think it turned out really well.

The client got what he wanted. And I got to excercise my typography skills.

Adam and I have also been tossing around the idea of doing a shoot together— which I am really excited about adding to my portfolio and helping him out as well. This is the beginning of a wonderful professional relationship. Yay Networking!

Nails, Tarsier, Hand Dancing, P!XY, and a little something to sooth the soul.

These are some of my interesting discoveries this week.

P ! X Y :

Dare I say it? The most inspirational shoes I have seen to date! These shoes are all HAND DRAWN on and therefore are one of a kind! As soon as I seen these creative heels they were an instant MUST HAVE in my closet! My favourites are Paparazzi (left), Bachi (bottom right), and Tula (bottom left). They are a little pricy, but given what you are getting in return, they're well worth the buck!

Please visit http://www.pixyshoes.ca/ for a more inside look!


N A I L S :

While browsing facebook, I found this image. I continued to go through this girls' album on nail design, I noticed the logo on some of the photos, which lead me to Yukiumi— a nail design site where all the nails are hand crafted with different little objects. I must say, they are very creative and if I actually thought I could wear them and get away with it... I would definitely buy them. However, they are not practical for what I do in my day-to-day life. They would be perfect for modeling shots though.


T A R S I E R :
Also during facebook surfing, one of my friends posted this link:
http://purpleslinky.com/humor/animal/3-weird-looking-animals

I found the Tarsier quite the interesting little creature. The site states that "each eyeball is approximately 16mm in diameter and is as large as their entire brain.".

I found this especially interesting because I have gauged—stretched— ears that are 5/8" (16mm). Which is the same size as little guys' eyeball diameter and his brain.

H A N D   D A N C I N G :
Now on a more entertaining note, something fun you can do with your hands!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM
and if you liked that one, check this one out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC3Iwiwy88g

A   L I T T L E   S O M E T H I N G   T O   S O O T H   T H E   S O U L :
yann tiersen - comptine d'un autre été
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyCRJmerW1Q&a=GxdCwVVULXd5B4KQKreW9zbZNQa8hZut&list=ML&playnext=2

Clinical Assistance Please.

On Friday October 22/ 2010, a lady by the name of Nichole came for a visit to the Web Design program of Sheridan College. Her visit was to inform us about some of the most common injuries that people in our career field deal with. She also showed us how we can stretch these problem areas in order to help us decrease our chances of developing them.

M O S T   C O M M O N   I N J U R I E S :

• eye strain - a result of sitting too close or too far from the computer screen or bad lighting.

• carpel tunnel - a result of constant wrist and finger use at an un-ergonomic level.

• thoratic outlet - a result of bad posture; hunched back.

• sciatic nerve irritation - also a result of bad posture and sitting for long periods of time.

E R G O N O M I C S   C A N A D A :

http://www.ergonomicscanada.com/

These are some helpful tips on how to set up an ergonomically correct workspace.

• your neck should comfortably rest 18 inches away from the computer screen.

• the arm rests of your computer chair should let your arm rest at a complete ninety degree (90º) angle and your arms should not extend out anymore than ten (10) inches.

• your keyboard should be the same height as your elbows.

• your hands should be inline with your forearm and comfortably rest straight.

• when sitting, your thighs should be at a complete ninety degree (90º) angle in connection with your hips and your feet should rest comfortably flat on the floor with your knees slightly apart from eachother.

• when using the mouse or keyboard, your wrists should not exceed more or less than ten degrees (10º) in an upward or downward angle.

• when buying a computer chair, it is very important to purchase one that has everything adjustable; back, height, arm rests, tilt, etc...

• if you have an adjustable document holder for your computer, make sure that it is four to eight (4-8) inches lower than your eye level when looking straight in front of you.

This information and more can me found on the Ergonomics Canada website.

S T R E T C H I N G :

 

• stretch for five to ten (5-10) minutes every hour.

• get a massage once a month.

• for eye strain : look away from the screen; focus on something far away rather than close up.

• for carpel tunnel : see photo 1 below.

• for thoratic outlet : see photo 2 below.

• for sciatic nerve irritation : see photo 3 below.

You can find helpful stretches online, through books, or at local shops where you can personally inquire.