tips for working with a designer.

As I’ve worked with a variety of clients, I’ve seen a whole variety of situations in eager and well-meaning business owners. Everyone wants a new logo yesterday, and sometimes excitement overtakes preparation. Hearing questions from clients has really helped me become more clear in my process and better serve them as a designer. There are some great ways to make working with a designer more seamless, and this is my best advice for someone who want to work with a designer:

 

Know your business first.
While branding is an essential part of building a viable business, it is so important to understand your business and who you are serving before you begin to touch the branding process. It’s easy to get so excited about your new venture that you want to have a logo and business cards as soon as you come up with the idea. However, you should know things like who your target audience is, what type of person will be using your services, and how you want people to feel about your brand. This helps the designer figure out the best way to build your branding.

It’s totally fine if you don’t know exactly what type of logo you want (that’s why you hire a designer), but knowing who you want to appeal to and what sort of aesthetic type you are looking for is essential. For example, saying, “I’m a restaurant that serves food – I haven’t quite decided what yet,” may be an accurate description of where you’re at in building your business, but it is of no help to your designer. Figuring out that you are “a boutique café focusing on local produce and green living that serves vegetarians on the go,” or “an experimental culinary hub that serves unique meats in a family style presentation in a cozy dining setting” changes the outcome so much. A designer is building your brand so that it appeals to your customers, not simply to your own specific tastes.

 

Have all of your content ready to go.
Design solves problems, and it is meant to organize and beautifully present your content. And I get it: it is super exciting to be working on your brand, and you want that pretty website/logo/press kit NOW. But, nothing is more frustrating in the process than when you get all set up with a designer and then say, “Well, I’m still working out what to call my services, so can you hang on while I work that?” or, “Can you just design the website while I work on getting photos and writing the copy?” In short: no. It makes it pretty hard to design a way to organize your information if the designer doesn’t even know what that info is! Your copy and your photos all influence the design product. My best analogy is that you wouldn’t invite a photographer to your house to take newborn photos while you’re still pregnant, right? There would be nothing to work with.

One caveat to this is when a designer has a wait time or you have to get on his/her schedule in advance. It’s great to get in touch with your chosen designer when you know you want to work with that person to see about their schedule, and if they have a two-month wait, you’ll be prepared for that. But, don’t sign on to work with someone effective immediately if you know your copy won’t be ready for two more months.

 

Don’t ask for a duplicate of something that already exists.
If you don’t have design software and instead simply email a designer saying, “Yo, I love the Glitter Guide logo, can you just make me that same concept with my business name?” Um, no. That’s called blatantly copying someone’s property, but also it is completely boring. While it’s essential to have inspiration and give examples of brands and styles you love, the goal of hiring a designer is to create something that’s uniquely you. Having a nearly identical logo is like showing up at a party in the exact same dress as someone else. Embarrassing…

Along those same lines, it’s not very respectful if you are dictating exactly how your logo or website should look, saying things like, “I want this font and this color and number of pixels between shapes blah blah…” If you know exactly what your logo should be looking like, then why did you hire a designer? The most exciting part about working with a designer is picking their brain and using their professional expertise to create something perfect for your brand. Let your designer ask the questions, and then see where their knowledge takes your brand.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and communicate.
There can be lots of lingo when you hire a professional in a field that is not your own. But, we designers don’t expect that you are experts, or else why would you have hired us? If there is something unclear about what your designer is asking for, why he/she is asking for something, or especially if you don’t understand the process, speak up! A good designer will be more than happy to explain.

Asking questions is also a great way to gauge whether your working styles are a good fit. Learning about a designer’s work, process, and style all help indicate whether you will enjoy working with him/her and if their work will be a good fit for your needs.

What have you learned working with professionals like designers, developers, copywriters, etc? Any tips to share or comments on being the client?

 

7 little ways to be a brighter person.

We made it through the first full week of the year! In the Midwest, we’re dealing with sub-zero temperatures and wind chill advisories – making it pretty hard to get motivated in the morning.

Let me guess: you haven’t made it to the gym every day this week. You didn’t give up sugar because you found some leftover chocolate from your stocking. You haven’t even started reading a new book to meet your 10-a-month goal. Making these specific resolutions can make it easy to feel discouraged about your New Year progress, so instead I’m offering you some small goals that you can achieve any time this year and on any schedule. You’ll feel brighter {and brighten others}. Just try these simple ways:

1)      Wear one clothing item or accessory outside your comfort zone.

We all have that friend who rocks bold lipstick or oozes style with her over-the-knee boots. If you admire a look on someone else, why are you worried you’ll look ridiculous? Give that top knot a try or swing a circle skirt. Try it in a setting where you know you’ll be comfortable and just go for it. Not only will it be fun, but you’ll feel accomplished for taking a chance.

2)      Send a thank you note.

This one is easy after the holidays – let someone know how much you appreciated her card or gift! Gratitude is still great via an emoji-filled text, but it is extra special when delivered to your real life mailbox. Even better: send a note to a friend or relative just to thank them for playing a role in their life. Who doesn’t love a little snail mail? Plus, it’s a great excuse to get some new stationery.

3)      Call your grandma.

Or your mom. Or your college roommate that lives in Boston. Here again, the emoji text is nice, but how much better is it to hear someone’s voice once in awhile? Even 10 minutes will truly brighten a day. Plus, now your grandma will have some new material when bragging about her grandchild to the bridge group.

4)      Don’t take a picture.

I admit: I’m a total Instagram addict. I love seeing the beautiful snaps in my feed and binging on all the imagery. But, it hurts my soul when I see a group out to dinner and everyone is on their phones or spending 20 minutes getting photos of every combination of people at the table. Now, I totally get wanting to document moments or capture the most beautiful sushi presentation you’ve seen. I simply challenge you to have one outing where you have such great conversation that you forget you even have a phone.

5)      Write down one thing you’re thankful for every day for a week.

Nightly gratitude journal for 365 days? Way too daunting. Knowing you have to do it for just a week seems much more doable. If that’s all you do, you’ll have a list of seven things you can look back at and feel gratitude all over again. Or, maybe, you’ll be inspired to write something down more often without the pressure of missing a day.

6)      Find 5 items in your house to donate.

Every once in awhile, I reach a boiling point and want to get rid of crap in my house or my closet. I sort through long-ignored clothes, overflowing closets, and sometimes even the mystery piles under the bed. Filling up a bag of things that are cluttering my life but could be part of someone else’s is a lovely feeling. Give that vase that’s tired of hibernating a chance to see daylight, and let that sweater that never really fit well hug someone else. It’s a great cleanse without all that questionable green juice.

7)      Forgive yourself for something.

We all have things, both big and small, that we feel badly about. It could be something you always come back to and get mad at yourself about, or something small that happened recently that you can’t shake. Let that sh*t go. Maybe you didn’t speak up about your accomplishments at work, were passed over for a promotion, and now are mad at yourself. Maybe you forgot to give your hair stylist a Christmas gift and are feeling guilty. Big or small, dwelling on the past will get you nowhere.  Learn, forgive yourself, and move forward.

You don’t have to do something monumental or measurable to be a better human. It’s all the little things that make us brighter.

2014 highlights.

As the year comes to a close, the huge crop of end-of-year recap posts start to emerge. While I don’t want to get too nostalgic or focus too much on what has passed, I do think it’s great to look back on all you accomplish in a year. Instead of a December recap, I want to reflect on some of the fantastic things that have happened this year as well as highlight some of my favorite posts.

Here are just a few of this year’s highlights:

1. I had a blast doing a new series, a Handlettered Holiday Happy Hour (say that three times fast!). See them all here.
2. B and I had an awesome trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Traveling is so good for the soul. {Photo above is of Prague}
3. I really honed in on my design process, with my favorite step likely being the moodboard. This one was my favorite!
4. I designed some really fun brands and websites for some wonderful people, including Media Bombshell and Lauren Wald. Lady power!
5. One of my favorite blog series to compile has been Style It / Send It – gives me an excuse to look for stationery and shoes at the same time.
6. I added some fun cards to my Etsy shop, and will be adding some new projects soon!

Back to December now: this month’s favorite…
Font: Feast from Great Lakes Lettering
Snack: All the Christmas cookies.
TV show: Peaky Blinders on Netflix.
Book: The Magicians by Lev Grossman

What was the best part about your year? While I’m not one for big New Year goal setting or resolution keeping (I think it’s something one should do year round!), I can’t wait to share more with you as we head into 2015. Thanks for reading this year, and may great design fill your new year!

 

October highlights.

Happy Halloween! What a month it has been. I must say, it really throws you off when your month starts off with a travel. Though it can be overwhelming to come back to your clients that have a flurry of projects to work on, I always find it kind of exhilarating to get back into the routine. Here are just a few of the month’s highlights:

1. B and I had a fantastic trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Though I ate many more meat & potato meals than I normally would choose to, it was so wonderful to see such beautiful buildings and history. Prediction: Budapest will be the next big travel destination. It was magical.
2. My lady Hilary launched a new membership site I designed for the students in her Style & Styleability course, and we created a beautiful new journal for the class. {It’s hard not to have fun when working on such stylish projects.}
3. I started work on a new project that involves lots of typography fun and a bit of handlettering {outtakes above!} that I can’t wait to share more about. Hint: it’s very girly.
4. I got a start on my holiday projects – yes, this means new items are coming to the shop in November! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?

Rapid fire round! This month’s favorite…
Font: Acustica
Snack: Trader Joe’s pumpkin butter. On anything.
TV show: Gilmore Girls on Netflix. It’s like I’m 15 again.
Book: Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. A fast, intriguing read!

What was the best part about your month? And, I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to in these last two months of the year!

great podcasts on design and life.

Happy Friday! One of the things I love doing while working is listening to podcasts or talks when I’m not in the mood for music. There are some great series out there, and it’s a fantastic way to learn something or really get yourself thinking. Today I’m sharing a roundup of some classic talks as well as some ongoing series I really love! Some are design-related, but some are just great life & creativity talks.

Great episodes:
Passion Projects from Jessica Hische – This lady is a celebrity in the lettering world, and in this talk she discusses the importance of what she calls “procrastiworking.” We really do all need hobbies and side projects!

Creative Mornings: Bri Emery – The ever-fabulous lady behind Designlovefest tells the story of her creative journey.

The Power of Introverts: Susan Cain – In this Ted Talk, Susan (author of “Quiet”) brings her viewpoint on why introverts should be encouraged in society (introverts unite!).

Your Elusive Creative Genius: Elizabeth Gilbert – This Ted Talk from the author of “Eat Pray Love” discusses how we all have genius rather than being a genius.

It’s Not All Business: Megan Gilger – A great talk from the innovative designer at last year’s Circles Conference.

Creative Mornings: Ellen Lupton – A great talk from the author of “Thinking with Type” about how typography and graphic design interact.

Great podcasts:
After the Jump – hosted by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, the show covers everything from business to design to life.

The Lively Show – hosted by Jess Lively, this podcast has become a recent addiction of mine. I really love how energetic Jess is, and asks such great questions from her lovely guests.

Smart Creative Women – hosted by Monica Lee, the show features guests from all sorts of creative industries. Bonus – this one has video, and it’s so fun to watch Monica and her guests interact.

About graphic design:
Design Matters – hosted by Debbie Millman, this show features interviews with all kinds of graphic designers and artists.

Graphic Designer Podcast – hosted by Dan Nisbet and Jessica Rosengard, this podcast tackles topics from dealing with clients to ideas in the design process. Bonus points to Dan for being a Milwaukeean!

Below the Fold – hosted by Erin Anacker, the podcast tells the stories of women in design. Obviously, I’m behind that concept!

Do share: what are you some of your favorite podcasts? I’m always on the hunt for new ones!