An Anniversary of Sorts

Yesterday marked the two month mark of my getting picked up full time at my current position as Graphic Designer. And while it's hard to complain about benefits and knowing where my next check is coming from, I can't help but notice that I'm sinking into a creative-less void of sorts. I missing something...but what?

I've decided it is a mentor that is missing. With no superior talent, wisdom, or guidance it's hard to feel as if I'm growing as a professional. When I take a moment to look at my accomplishments I know that I am, but not in the same way I had originally envisioned I would. I have stepped forward as a team leader, learned much about dealing with difficult clients and been able to practice the art of "the pitch." The last part being the best overall lesson, and of course hardest to learn, which again stems back from having to prominent figure to observe and mimic.

There is light however! An up-and-coming magazine has zero graphic design talent on their team and they need my talents to press forward with any success. I'll admit I'm a little skeptical about jumping back into a hellish work load like I faced at school, but I am now battle hardened. I have triumphed many times in the face of looming deadlines and often impressed myself with my outcomes. I also realize I need a more creative line of projects or I'll drive myself crazy.

So with or without a mentor I'm ready to do what I love most, create something beautiful from some thing that wasn't, to create a work of art from a lump of coal. Because even though I may need the money to live, this is what satisfies my soul.

Portfolio Review day

This past weekend I participated in the Portfolio Review day sponsored by AIGA SF. It was an eye opening experience as most of the reviewers gave me critical feedback that reaffirmed by initial intuitions about presenting by book portfolio to design firms.

My instinct was to create more of a narrative and design the book as a design piece in itself. I was pushed not to do this by my portfolio instructor, and created a very transparent place for my work to live. While every reviewer commented that the work itself was strong, they all wanted it to live in a more engaging environment. So is the goal of the next few weeks, redesign my book portfolio to better match the asthetic of this website and my other printed collateral pieces.

Images and perhaps a downloadable PDF to follow upon completion.

The flight departs...

Today marks the first flight of Elevation Creative. We are officially launching the new site, and will be updating as much as possible over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more flights...