A COVID LIfe - Graphic Artist Woahs... and WINS!

 

A client asked me the other day if being a good designer is something you are born with or is it learned. It was a very lovely conversation that I love having. Of course, you are born with it. Anyone can learn the skill, and it's getting much easier now with prepared templates and graphics everywhere. But a designer's eye will catch what you miss. 

It's hard to say what will catch everyone's eye because now everyone can be their own designer. We have access to so many free templates and software, that we forget designers are trained to do this and have years of experience. Plus they design while they are sleeping, eating waking, etc. We observe the world around us in a symmetrical sense and apply this perspective to all our creative endeavors.

And, in an age where EVERYONE has a style and/or opinion, their attitudes land with a very entitled perspective. Trying to maintain a professional perspective is the way to approach any situation, as they are the client with the budget and money to spend. But it leads to an "I know what looks better than you." response to many many many jobs I do. Sadly half of the work I do, will not end up in my portfolio for that very reason. 

This week alone, I have had two clients come to me that wanted a 'redesign' from hiring someone that didn't know what they are doing, so that's a huge bonus having clients that know you can 'fix it'. But is that my target market? NOt a huge moneymaker but fun to see happy clients no matter where you get them from. 

Thankfully, I am pulling in clients during COVID life that are starting fresh in an online business, or putting their current business on a digital platform. Its blissfully forced me to rethink my own presentation, and I will be hiring out to have a 'designer' do that for me, because just like the cobblers kids who have no shoes, I consistently put my website on the back burner. 

This COVID life has awoken me to my flaws in business, my assets, and my needs. I have come to learn that when presenting yourself as a designer to new clients, you cherry-pick a limited portfolio that reflects the specific clients 'outlook'. This seems to sell better than blanketing all your work in front of them. It also allows them to feel a more streamlined approach to working with you. 

So, be wary of your boundaries, know what you can and can not offer before saying yes, and have some really finite boundaries on your time! As designers, we all get lost in the design process, because it is so fun, and sometimes this fun leads to ideas for other projects, but you don't want to be left overworking yourself, and losing some clients that are willing to allow you to be the boss.

What we know is a valuable asset. What we sell is a vision. What others gain from our work is an Audience. Make sure the ticket price fits the amount of sweat you put into it. 

A COVID LIFE - I am a Client

As I am working through my steps to upgrading my business offerings, I came to a very valid revelation! I am a CLIENT!

I have been a freelancer since 2011, when the ‘final straw’ was placed into the camels back and I was set free to ramble on my own creative path.

I am thankful to have such a life as a single mother I could make my own hours, and have time for my child. Consequently, a large part of my energy was spent focusing on the needs of others, and creating a proper business profile was on the back burner. This conditioning created a work ethic that was prevalent for a few years. A survivalist mode that kept me running and jumping at everyones request, no matter my personal needs. Peace of mind for clients, family and friends was the MO. 

With COVID slowing everyone down for business, I found the opportunity to dive into my desires of upgrading my skill set and buckling down to create a well rounded professional services business. This lockdown provided the freedom to develop a plan, focus on my ‘wants’, and start educating myself to the industry changes. My chance to be seen in a more professional and authoritative light. 

That being said, there is still a lingering “knee jerk response” to my clients demands even when I am in the middle working on building my business. But today, knowing I am on a personal deadline, I realized something important. I even said out loud, “I am a CLIENT!!” I proceeded to allow myself to feel that internally and demand that as a boundary to hold tight. I can arrange client work and include myself in that schedule, and relieve the energetic disruption of ‘client first’ because I am one.

AND understanding that we each want to have more comfortable and adult experiences with clients, this is a necessary action for my sanity. It will also benefit my clients because I am showing a level of respect to my brand by creating and continually updating a platform that is trust worthy, helpful and authoritative. With the ultimate goal of continuing to grow nurturing and responsive business relationships that bring added value to the world with integrity. 

So, I am not really a Verruca Salt but, I am my own client! I will stomp my little flip flops down the road to making that a permanent goal for myself. 

I am so grateful for all those that have administered assistance to me in gaining and growing knowledge. I intend to spread that around as I grow as well. 

A COVID life - Shower Epiphanies

Today the GREATEST idea in the shower. now I am out and BAM its gone. vanished. YIKES!!!

I hope it's retrieved later in the day but seriously, I needed a solution!! What can I do to stop THAT from happening to my aging brain!? I searched for an answer and found... Aqua Notes; the resolution. And I felt vindicated, and also one step nearer answers of how to organize my free-range creative thoughts. 

So, in tangent with this shower epiphany, I realize that EVERYTHING can be available to you and if it's not? You create it and offer it to others. Leading me to, the question phase, what is my contribution? How do I realize it? Also, if its already being done, how do I do this differently?

Ultimately I am a creative. My mindset is DNA based on 'creating' or manifesting the dreams of my clients in a visual form. Easy right? It can be. 

The real-life work experience has been so varied. I have been a chef, bartender, pool maintenance, manager, caregiver, ad manager, sales - retail, multilevel marketing, and B2B, Artist, back up singer, pirate (no wait... previous lifetime)... an intuitive, but the main drive for me since childhood has been in creativity; video, web design/work, writing, graphic art, and fine art.  I am the "Jack of all" trades looking to master just one, which seems like a perfect resolution. 

The answer is finding the voice that resonates with my clients. Writing it out and lining up the needs of the masses while aligning myself with those needs. Productively. Having these talents and experiences more streamlined is the most appealing road that can be traveled.

So with this in mind, I align myself to those that have greater experiences with FOCUS!!!! Learning and providing solutions to my own needs. Listing out my services, and seeking some support through finding answers with admin and self-generating procedures, which is challenging to focus on for an intuitive/creative person! 

But just like with the Aqua-Notes, my solutions will be simple and straight forward. I will acquire this team to help my dream of helping others be more creative or realize their creative needs. And allow the epiphanies to keep on rolling into my life. 

With structure.