hashtag social media
Getting all my ducks in a row was one of the first things I did.
Over the past few weeks I have been engaging socially with the world out there in the space of social media. What I find truly awesome about this world, is that I have conversed with people from the USA, Southern England and Asia without leaving my own front door, finding common interests despite often being thousands of miles apart. But how much reliance is there on social media in the workplace? I have found LinkedIn to be extremely useful for making contacts and having interaction with others, sometimes helping out if I know the answer to a query, creating group discussions, or simply learning from others experiences. LinkedIn too was strongly linked to my working with most of my current clients. Twitter too has led me to make contacts and keep on top of trends. Facebook has not proven quite so handy on this front, but I see it as a shop window more than anything else, for clients or potential clients to get to see the real me a bit more, and showcase my personality and share thoughts and news... Getting likes for the sake of getting likes has never, and will never be my target. I want somebody to engage with me because they want to and not for any other reason than that. One thing I did do though, across all my social sites is get my ducks in a row, and create my www.offthewallcreative.co.uk brand. If you find me on the social sites, you'll know you've come to the right place when you land on my homepage, continuity is key! I know that I have it a lot easier than some companies as there is only me to handle it all, but giving a consistent message I feel gives the impression of competence and a feeling of an eye for the details. So here's the question - are your ducks in a row socially? Are your messages consistent? Is your brand consistent? I've helped out a few clients now getting their social sites up and running with banner designs and what not on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+. There's a whole load of them out there, so I'd suggest you impress your customers by having them designed up in a brand identifiable way.Create the right impression without the need for a power suit or phone call.
People, clients and customers are quite judgemental people and if you have mis-messages and non-consistency, what does that say about you and your brand?freelance designer for hire
Well it's been quite a while since I last wrote something profound on my blog, and I'm sorry to say today isn't the day for profound statements either!
Since we last spoke, I have been off gallivanting in the Southern Hemisphere for a few months seeing the sights, but still maintaining contact with my UK clients and picking up a few new ones along the way. Since returning home I have taken the plunge into becoming a real life freelance designer (a very scary thought) and have actually started to both fear and get excited about the future. I've sorted out my website to a level I'm happy with promoting (it's always going to be a work in progress!!) so here goes - wish me luck!So what exactly have I been doing on the freelance design front I hear you cry?
Well, I've done lots and lots of infographics for Cordant Group and it's sister companies, a great many web reports and user documents, and a few logos and business cards for start up companies too. Check out my portfolio for examples and testimonials if you don't believe me! With that said, do you know someone whose design is in need of a little TLC? Are you in a design related crisis? If so, I could be the one to swoop in and help save the day... I quote on a case by case basis, so get in touch to see what I can do for you.busy bee
What a busy few weeks it's been!
Last week I took on a brand new client (which is always exciting!) producing infographic content for their site. Since getting onboard with them, I have already produced 11 designs, with several more in the pipeline - so it's keeping me busy and turning me into a bit of an infographic specialist! I do love a good infographic as they combine two (somewhat bizarre) loves of mine - statistics and graphic design. Yes, I openly admit that I could look at Google Analytics for hours as I am an avid statistic fan, which means that I simply LOVE infographics. Point me at pinfographics.org and that's my afternoon gone... Once all the infographics are live on their site I will do some sharing and what not, but until then I shall do a shameless plug and ask "is your business in need of an infographic?" If so, get in touch and I'll see what I can do!update to follow up of “picking up the pace”
Pipped at the post!
After hundreds of votes were cast, my design to advertise a budget airline came in at a respectable second! Really quite pleased with myself! See the top ten runners and riders here at The Drum. Having never entered a design competition before, I have now officially got the competition bug... Thanks to all those that voted for me, and well done to the other entries.follow up to post “picking up the pace”
I made it onto the short list!
As some of you may have read earlier in the week, I recently entered a graphic design competition hosted by the Drum magazine to advertise a budget airline - and I made the short list!! I am super excited - it's the first design competition I've ever entered, so currently sporting a rather large grin. As a reader of my blog, please could I ask for a small favour? Please could you click this link and "like" my entry? It's the one with the line "live a little for not a lot." If you could, that would be awesome - thank you!! I will keep you posted on the outcome.fun little project
Playing around with Illustrator yesterday I created a cute little fairy that my nieces will totally love. In fact I have created them one each to match their hair and eye tones, as well as favourite colour...
I was so pleased with it, that I thought I'd give it a whirl, and turn myself into the homepage fairy for a week or so, after all it is my site. Although I will probably go back to my usual photo which is more in line with my website as a whole in a few weeks time.
See what you think of the creative fairy.
picking up the pace
At school in art lessons I was always told to come up with ten variations on a theme, choose my three best ideas, develop several ideas based on those ideas to get a final result, which I then had to work on, oh and to keep a notebook of my all my workings out and which artists I had looked at to get my ideas. I have to admit it was a very lengthy process...
And when I started on the path of graphic design, I thought that this was what I had to do for every project and like before it was a very lengthy process...
And so, to my present situation. The other day I was casually browsing the internet and came across a competition #tightbriefs on the Drum twitter feed in response to the new Ryanair advert. Come up with a design that shows "how you would advertise a budget airline" (full article here) have your submission in by midnight.
And here's what I cam up with in about half an hour.
What I learned about this first dabble in the graphic design competition world is that my speed has really picked up. I am under no illusion that I will win, but with this entry I have proved to myself that I can turn around a project in a restricted time frame with no trouble - and this is something I wouldn't have been able to do three years ago.
I'm really quite pleased with myself for submitting this for two reasons. One, I have proved to myself that I can turn around a task efficiently when called upon and two, I would never have been able to even submit anything as I did not have the confidence in my abilities to ever hit upload a few years ago. This is all down to gaining that all important design experience.
Yes, every designer dreams of being able to complete the Sistine Chapel ceiling on a Mac, with idea generation and time to fulfill the task to the best of their capabilities. But what I have learned along the way is that sometimes speed is of the essence and getting something down on paper is often half the battle.
What I learned about this first dabble in the graphic design competition world is that my speed has really picked up. I am under no illusion that I will win, but with this entry I have proved to myself that I can turn around a project in a restricted time frame with no trouble - and this is something I wouldn't have been able to do three years ago.
I'm really quite pleased with myself for submitting this for two reasons. One, I have proved to myself that I can turn around a task efficiently when called upon and two, I would never have been able to even submit anything as I did not have the confidence in my abilities to ever hit upload a few years ago. This is all down to gaining that all important design experience.
Yes, every designer dreams of being able to complete the Sistine Chapel ceiling on a Mac, with idea generation and time to fulfill the task to the best of their capabilities. But what I have learned along the way is that sometimes speed is of the essence and getting something down on paper is often half the battle. when graphic design meets hollywood
Two of my favourite things in the whole world are film and graphic design, (there are of course other wondrous delights like profiteroles and sunbathing that could be classed as favourite things, but I won't go into that...).
I came across this article whilst browsing the always fantastic Creative Review site and it got me thinking. How exactly would you get into this profession, it looks and sounds incredibly awesome. One day you're writing a blog (ok, got that bit) and the next (well not quite the next) Wes Anderson gives you a call asking whether or not you want to design for his next film. Yes please!
I often feel that graphic design is an overlooked skill and art form, sometimes considered to be an after thought and something that can be done by almost anyone who has Photoshop. It is very true, there are a wide range of software packages out there and are readily available, but one quote that stood out for me was this one by Annie Atkins, lead graphic designer on the recent Wes Anderson film "The Grand Budapest Hotel:"
You're not always designing for the camera: much of this work will never be seen by a cinema audience, but still you have to create an atmosphere and a world for the actors to work their magic in.
This sums up what being a graphic designer means to me. Graphic designers provide the attention to detail that makes a scene complete. Whether it's your corporate branding or a submission to win business or an exhibition stand or web presence, we set the scene of expectation for the recipient. First impressions count and style can very much add to the substance. It's great to see that graphic design plays an important part in the world of film. Just think of all the newspapers characters read, or train tickets or notebooks the characters carry, I was blown away by the graphic design section on the Harry Potter Studio tour. Image really is everything... For now though, I think I'll stick with freelancing for small businesses, but you never know in years to come I may be designing for the stars! http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2014/march/grand-budapest-hotelthat friday feeling
When it comes around to Friday and somebody mentions "that Friday feeling" I always think of this and then I want a Crunchie. 
What is it about clever marketing campaigns, and how years after the release you can still hum the tune and feel inclined to make a purchase? I wish I could come up with something like that. (My mum thinks the person who came up with "more reasons to shop at Morrisons" was also some kind of genius.)
It's very clever stuff.
It's all about having a plan.
And it's all about not being like the contestants on The Apprentice.
So next time you have "that Friday feeling" rather than feeling like you want to sneak off from work a bit early to miss the traffic, feel like "wahey, I want to go ride on a roller coaster of a weekend, throw some shapes to some Pointer Sisters and eat a Crunchie." It sets you up for the weekend and it's what those marketing gurus were planning for all along.
What is it about clever marketing campaigns, and how years after the release you can still hum the tune and feel inclined to make a purchase? I wish I could come up with something like that. (My mum thinks the person who came up with "more reasons to shop at Morrisons" was also some kind of genius.)
It's very clever stuff.
It's all about having a plan.
And it's all about not being like the contestants on The Apprentice.
So next time you have "that Friday feeling" rather than feeling like you want to sneak off from work a bit early to miss the traffic, feel like "wahey, I want to go ride on a roller coaster of a weekend, throw some shapes to some Pointer Sisters and eat a Crunchie." It sets you up for the weekend and it's what those marketing gurus were planning for all along. infographic: The design process
A while back, I was invited to pitch for a graphic design competition. I was sent a brief, and request to create an infographic about "graphic design process."
For those of you that know me well, you'll know that I do love an infographic! Here is what I produced...
I am a big believer in the bit before the actual design part takes place - the planning! I definitely have the "let's think about this" frame of mind before diving in. In my opinion, this saves time in the long run as there is some method to the madness, supported by background research.
Once this is all done and dusted, then comes the brain storming part (which I truly LOVE!) where I can come up with the weirdest and wonderfulest thoughts, and filter out accordingly. Some clients like some things, others not so much so understanding your target audience is key!
Once I've sorted out the awesome thoughts from the not so very awesome, I get cracking on actually designing something... Come up with a few suggestions, then send them over to let the client have a look, and fingers, toes and legs crossed they go for one...
So that's my process, with an offthewallcreative branded infographic to match. What do you think?
I am a big believer in the bit before the actual design part takes place - the planning! I definitely have the "let's think about this" frame of mind before diving in. In my opinion, this saves time in the long run as there is some method to the madness, supported by background research.
Once this is all done and dusted, then comes the brain storming part (which I truly LOVE!) where I can come up with the weirdest and wonderfulest thoughts, and filter out accordingly. Some clients like some things, others not so much so understanding your target audience is key!
Once I've sorted out the awesome thoughts from the not so very awesome, I get cracking on actually designing something... Come up with a few suggestions, then send them over to let the client have a look, and fingers, toes and legs crossed they go for one...
So that's my process, with an offthewallcreative branded infographic to match. What do you think?