Hello ... its been a while

I haven't written for a while ... been tough looking for a job that will suit my life now.

I look back on my previous rants ... it's not a truly professional graphic design blog. I talk about my emotions a lot more than the process of my design work. I can't help myself. I cannot separate into different entities. Some people have their family life and then their professional life. Not me.

I am proud to finally find work that I can call 'home'. I work with a bunch of professional, hand working and amazing people. It took time to find this place. I made a decision that I need to get out there and learn and collaborate and grow. Working from home my confines my creativity.

But I am a mom also with two kids to take care of; laundry to wash, hang and fold; a house to clean and a tired husband to feed when he comes home from work.

The latter is the more reason why I cannot just jump on the first job that comes my way or the closest one to home or the highest pay. I am giving up my time, my time with my kids, husband and home - it has to be worth it. And the every second of time I have for this company is precious too and I will give it all my best.

You know you're a freelance designer when ...

you come in the office and your computer's gone?!

Clearly because I am not there permanently, they think they can just take away the computer that I am using and it's OK. To make matters worse, they deleted my files. It cannot just mysteriously disappear. I chose not to point fingers (but in my mind I'm blaming the IT Manager who was responsible for the switcheroo.) and I just waited patiently sipping my soya mocha, checking my FB account and personal e-mail and charge them by the hour.

The Manager, bless his heart, came up to me and apologised for all the shenanigans! I wasn't expecting that!

I've been a freelancer many times before, the beauty of it is that you are not involved with the office politics. You come in, you design, you get paid, you go home! Yay! I don't really need to be nice to any one else except the one that hired me.

And I have worked with many freelancers before, I give them my most hated job to finish! And when they are not in that day and something goes wrong in the design studio –  we always blame him or her. FUN!

What are your experiences with or as a freelance designer/ contract worker?

It's not final until it's final final.

I have labelled artwork before with 'filename_finalver1.pdf.' Which is silly because FINAL means 'this is it', 'the one and only' but not in the design world. Only designers will know and understand that there's a final version 1, 2 3 or even 4.

When you've uploaded final files to the printers with the approval of Art Director, Editor and Publisher/MD and you are packing your bag to call it a day. Comes in the Publisher/Managing Director who showed the front cover to the CFO last minute and HE is not happy with the picture. And you are thinking in your head - "What do they know about photography?!?!?!"

Should I bloody explain why the image of the girl is slightly blurred in the background and the drinks in her hands are more prominent? BECAUSE IT'S A LIQUOR MAGAZINE NOT A WOMAN'S MAGAZINE.

People think designers should just do what they say ... we are not monkeys trained in CS6. You hired us for a reason. Generally, I wouldn't care but in some cases – show some respect!

Okay ... this is now becoming a rant. Which is not intended. I was just amuse at how I name my folders lately.

Final Final Final perhaps? I hope not!

Doing Magic ...

I remembered many times as a designer being told to 'do my magic' ... I wish it is indeed magic but it's actually a combination of many things. Different designers will come with different designs and one might not be better than the others. 

I would like to say that my design will be a combo of my past experience (in design or as a consumer), my education in communications, from the guidance of my previous art directors/creative directors and my good taste.

I just want to particularly write about a certain job I did recently for another small business. There wasn't a brief given. I was just forwarded a PDF file and was told to improve it ... 'do my magic'. Ahhh where's my fairy wand?

So, I did and then e-mailed them back with my design. 

But it wasn't really as easy as that!

First and foremost, I forgot to ask important questions prior to designing. There can be a lot of questions but the common and most important ones are such - dimensions and medium for the design (print or web).

Other things I would require from clients - hi-res logos, images and the text. I got none from this client!

It took me about an hour to do the layout, search for logos online and re-type their information. And another 15 minutes to do minor changes. I almost did it as a favour. I wanted to wow them in the beginning so that they will come back to me for more magic.

NOT my design

MAGIC! 

ZOMBIE

My first design blog ... here goes ...

Been up most nights working on an important project! I am excited as ever. So, even though I should be catching up on sleep as I have a six and 22-month old kids - ENOUGH SAID - I've been busy clicking my mouse in the wee hours of the night, feeding and more clicking and tap, tap tap on the keyboard! Hence the zombie-look if you spot me pushing my double pram at Rouse Hill Town Centre.

I was a lost soul after graduation high school - career path? That sounds boring ... I practically did three uni courses (and a certificate in a private college) as I couldn't decide what I want to do. I was a professional student! But I need to eat at least & have a roof on top of my head so I need a J-O-B.

I became a graphic designer. My first job as a Junior Designer was with Design Foundry & AJB Publishing. What am I doing here?! Blah, blah, blah ....

I just really wanted to introduce my client ... she was actually one of my bosses when I first stepped in the world of magazines, adverts & catalogues. She has probably seen me grow as a good designer - I hope.

So what have I been doing for the super powerhouse Miss Jainey Bennett and her crew ... which also includes a woman named mighty Carla :-)
Am I ass- kissing? That's what I do second-best after designing! I am a comedian too ... can you tell?!

Below are SOME of the work! Cause it's actually stoopid if I don't include any artwork in a graphic design blog.

Newspaper advert for EzyFIT gym. I made a large & a small version.

iPhone skin - promotional item for Jainey's women's clothing range.

Stickers - promotional item for Jainey's women's clothing range.

Swing tags for Jainey's women's clothing range.