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My Life as a Cartoon #21

Posted 25 Feb 2010 - 3 Gratefully received comments

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Guest Post on Circlebox

Posted 22 Feb 2010 - No Comments - leave yours now!

I’m pretty excited because I’ve had my first article published on another blog! Callum Chapman over at Circlebox, very kindly accepted my article entitled: “Living with a Freelance Designer”.
Please take a look, and while you’re there check out the great things Callum is doing with his blog.

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What is the best thing about your job? – Random Question #1

Posted 18 Feb 2010 - 9 Gratefully received comments

One of the good bits of this whole blogging lark is the interaction with you lot, out there. I love reading your comments and getting a bit of dialogue going. If we didn’t have that element to the whole thing, this blog would basically be me waffling on and on. OK, so maybe that’s the case regardless…

… Anyway, in an effort to get a bit of interaction going I’m going to start just throwing out a random question now and then. Some of them will be design related, others probably won’t be related to anything at all. Don’t be afraid to comment or answer even it it seems completely off topic. I like the idea of a free-form conversation going on in the comments thread.

I did have a bit of trouble coming up with the first question to get the ball rolling, but after a very hard week, it eventually presented itself.
My week has been a bit of a slog, I keep myself pretty busy and this week it’s all beginning to pay off. I managed to finish a very long running project. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you about it (maybe one day), but it has been a large part of my work life for a while now. It’s the sort of project that you think about while trying to sleep. Anyway it’s finally come to an end, or a new beginning, and I can set it free into the world.
I remember the start of the project, last year, when it was just a twinkle of an idea. I’ve witnessed it form in my mind then grow and progress to the point that it has taken a proper ‘real’ shape. The best thing about it is that I have physical proof of the process in my notebooks, scribblings and artwork. This commentary of creation is wonderful.
Which brings me to my question:

What is the best thing about your job?

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Design Book Giveaway… Winner

Posted 18 Feb 2010 - 3 Gratefully received comments

Thank you to everyone that took the time to enter.
The winner of “How to be a Graphic Designer without losing your soul” by Adrian Shaughnessy, is:

Iain Fergus

Congratulations to him, and better luck next time to everyone else!

I’d appreciate any feedback of suggestions you might have for further competitions or any general musings you might want to offer about my blog in general. Please get in touch.

Thank you all once again.

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Design Book Giveaway

Posted 15 Feb 2010 - 8 Gratefully received comments

This competition is now closed, however, please feel free to contribute to the discussion in the comments section.

I’m giving away a copy of “How to be a Graphic Designer without losing your soul by Adrian Shaughnessy. I reviewed this book last week and found the content to be helpful and inspiring. So I want pass the opportunity on to someone else.

I’m a great believer in books, I love knowledge, and good knowledge should always be passed on, so that’s what I’m doing.

I have 1 copy to give away (that’s all I could afford this time). All you have to do to enter is be part of the discussion in the comments section of this blog post.
One part of the book that I found interesting regarded how important it is for a designer to live and work by a few simple principles. Maybe you only work for companies that have good environmental policies, or you would refuse work from a company that did something you disagree with? I want to know what principles you work to, if any. Alternatively, I’d like to hear your argument if you disagree with that statement and you think business is business regardless.

I will moderate each comment, if I feel it is relevant and decide to approve it you can consider that an acceptance of entry. If your comment doesn’t appear in the thread it has been declined. My judgement is final on this and I’m only stipulating it as a way of avoiding ‘empty’ entries. I want to give the books away, but I also want a bit of discussion.
Feel free to post multiple times to carry on with a discussion, but you will only be entered once.

Another way to enter is to sign up to my email notifications. Everyone that signs up will automatically go into the draw.

If you decide to participate in the discussion AND sign up to my email notifications, you will be entered into the draw twice.

I will keep the discussion open until 12 noon (UK) Wednesday (17/11/2009) and announce the winners on Thursday (18/2/2009). The winner will be notified by email.

The winner will be the first entry selected at random.

I’m happy to post the book worldwide, but I cannot be held responsible for how long it will take to reach you or any extra charges that might be incurred through customs etc. The book will be posted from the UK.

Good luck!

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How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul – Book Review #5

Posted 11 Feb 2010 - 2 Gratefully received comments

Being a graphic designer is the best job in the world, but I would say that wouldn’t I. It’s no secret I love what I do but what people might not know is that I dislike what I have to do in order to enjoy my job. If you are a freelance designer you will find that a proportion of your time is taken up with activities that aren’t directly design related; this is a necessary evil that must be accepted in order for you to revel in the freedom you enjoy when the good bit of your work-life kicks in.

Would you like to know how to make the sour side of your freelance life that little bit sweeter?

How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul, Written by: Adrian Shaughnessy. Publisher: Laurence King, publication date: 2005.
Blurb: Independently-minded designers need sound advice on striking out on their own, and guidance on the ethical and practical issues facing designers today. This book offers guidance on employment options straight out of college; setting up as a freelancer; establishing a firm; finding and keeping clients; pitching, and generally doing good work. In the near-endless stream of books on design and designers, there has never been a book on how to be a graphic designer until now. Also included are interviews with leading designers working in the US and UK today, including Neville Brody, John Warwicker, Rudy VanderLans and Alexander Gelmen.How to be a graphic designer… is a practical and inspirational user’s guide for designers who want to create meaningful work without losing their shirts… or their souls.

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My Life as a Cartoon #20

Posted 08 Feb 2010 - 7 Gratefully received comments

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