Keeping Inspiration Alive

This is something that I was asked on instagram the other day. At first I was thinking how do I really keep inspiration alive to do the things I do. Inspiration for me comes for everywhere. The reason I am able to stay inspired is because I look at many different things.

For example if I am sitting thinking hmm I would like to watch a vice documentary. Then if I say I want to watch some documentaries on calligraphy or graphic design. One main thing is to not be afraid to fail. Because the first time I did calligraphy I was horrible and the same with graphic design.

Another thing I do to keep inspiration is looking everyday at graphic design blogs and actively searching on instagram. Doing the simple things to be able to stay inspired as simple as possible. Also not forgetting to on instagram not stopping at the first couple results. But by scrolling really far into the results.

There is really not simple way to put staying inspired. Really it all depends upon the person and how much they love what they are doing. Because if you love(enjoy) what you are doing then you will be able to stay motivated and inspired. I really enjoy the creative aspects of design and calligraphy. Simply there is so many things to continually and the show of progress over time.

A great thing to always keep in the back of your head about staying inspired is how much time am I willing to dedicate to master this craft and do I really enjoy this or am I just doing it for the hell of it. I mean you may not want to achieve much in your chosen profession but eventually you’ll get bored and move to the next thing. Do what gets you up in the morning and what you truly know in the back of your heart you’ve always wanted to do.

I am not saying to quit your Job or whatever your currently doing. The main thing is to go about it a a smart way. Therefore you will allow yourself to continually be inspired to make your hobby/passion your source of income.

Over-deliver

By over-deliver this is something that you should put into practice. Because when you treat clients as gold they will respect that. Then it will put them into the mind-frame to take you seriously. If you get a client that does not appreciate you and what you are capable of then they don’t deserve to get treated like gold.

When you over-deliver to a client its a sense of accomplishment. Also if you are meeting deadlines ahead and really dedicating yourself to this profession it will pay off. Before your client may have gotten a designer whom took forever to do things and who knows what else. So you want to do your best to stand out among the competition.

Then the next thing with over-delivering is to sketch more. This should be a thing your doing anyways. If you are going straight to the computer before anything stop doing that. But of course doing research is important and etc. Sketching a lot shows the client that you are willing to not settle for the first idea.

Things to remember

Go the extra mile with your clients

Treat your clients like gold

don’t settle for the first idea

Meet deadlines

How to get started Learning calligraphy Pt 2

So you’ve determined what type of calligraphy you want to do and how much you want to spend. Also you’ve done the research that is required for learning calligraphy.

The materials that I started learning calligraphy with was a calligraphy kit. At first I was a little distraught as in this is it. Well I will admit after I realized this kit gives you the basics. Inside you have gouache, 3 fountain pen inks, fountain pen, and a brush and a practice pad and heavy duty paper for drawing calligraphy on. For example there’s cards,wine bottle tags and etc.

Then after I finished the first calligraphy set I then ventured to a higher quality fountain pen. The pen that I bought was the pilot 78g. The nib is a bit sharp and not as wide as others. Which means you can use it for regular writing as well. I continued to practice and learn with this pen.

Then my next purchase was a cheap calligraphy marker made by a Speedball. The thing about calligraphy markers is that the crispness of the nib wears down afterwhile. I had also purchased another calligraphy kit for very cheap. The real reason I purchased it was because of the book with different fonts. One font that I really wanted to learn was Gothic.

Do not be discouraged by want to be a great calligrapher starting out. The reason is because you will not be. Remember it takes time.

How to get started Learning Calligraphy part 1

When I first learned about calligraphy I had no idea how to get started. The same thing can be said for many other hobbies/professions. Because we see the work of others and have no idea where to start. Well I’m going to tell you how in a series of posts.

First you want to determine what type of calligraphy you want to do. Meaning did you want to do. Meaning did you want to just learn calligraphy for the heck of it. You may be how I was at first I was amazed at flourishes. But lets stay on topic here.

Of course gathering materials is key with this. Because when you first start out you may want to go and buy the most expensive calligraphy set you can and by the best paper and pens you can afford. Well that’s not what you want to do. You may ask why not? I want to use the best material possible.

The reason I say not to is because for one you don’t have a lot of experience. Then second you may say screw this I don’t want to keep practicing calligraphy. Third you may end up quitting all together.

A recap of getting started with calligraphy

Determine why you want to do calligraphy.
Do your research about the history (watch a few documentaries and read articles)
Do not spend a lot of money starting out

Stay tuned for part 2 of getting started with calligraphy tomorrow.

Jobs to take while pursuing your passion/career

Well this may be a tough thing to figure out. Well its really not tough at all. You may not like the Job you take while pursuing your dreams. You may end up enjoying your Job while pursuing your passion it will honestly depend on yourself and how you feel about it. Also how bad you want to achieve and be working in your desired field.

The type of Jobs you can take are

Working in customer service part time or full time. Which ever one will allow you to pay bills and not struggle. Because there is nothing fun about struggling to pay bills and etc.
Working in the food industry. This may be for you or it may not. Just think first of what the Job would require you to do and how it will effect you mentally.
This is left blank because you decide upon which Job you will take while pursuing your passion. Not someone else and make sure its not a Job that eats away at your soul.

How to deal with overworking

This may be weird to you to think a designer or just in general someone can overwork. What I mean is when you keep pushing yourself to where you are constantly exhausted. Over these past couple of weeks I learned what being overworked means. Because since I started waking up early my days are longer. Then working at my day Job has been a good thing to keep money coming in.

If you are getting plenty of sleep and never really exhausted. Then you are not overworking. Because people who overwork they always get up whether they feel like it and do the work. They give 110% and not settling for anything less than the best.

But you have to remember to give your body the respect it deserves. Because if you do not respect your body then what do you expect to get in return. If you are taking care of your body and etc you will work better and produce better results. Also do not get confused with taking care of your body with being lazy.

Some tips to deal with overworking

Prioritize your tasks
Set the time in which you will stop working
Do what is most important
Break down the tasks to what you can do with large projects
Focus
Relax
Stop taking on too much work
Learn to say no

How to Knock Off a Saddleback Leather Bag

Very interesting to show people how to knock off your own product. But as we all may know that even if you buy it from someone else the quality and craftsmanship is not the same.

David Pogue: 10 top time-saving tech tips

If you are wanting some simple tips to help you be more efficient with your tech products give this a watch.

Business Card Etiquette for Designers

This may be a problem that you are having with when to give your business card to a potential friend,client whomever. The thing you want to remember from the beginning is not to force them to take your card. Honestly who wants to give someone a card that is utterly cheap quality and as if they went to FedEx office and paid very little for them. Which will in turn lead them to throwing your card away or who knows what they’ll do with it.

You want to really ask the person about themselves and what it is they do. Then when the conversation is going smoothly you let them know about your profession. If they do ask then that is even better and if they do not ask let them know what it is that you do. Because its so easy for us designers to not let people know about ourselves.

After you have been talking with someone about your professions and or whatever your talking about ask them if they have a business card. If they do not ask for yours say this “I have a business card as well if it is ok to give to you”. Because you do not want to force anyone to take your business card. Always asking to make sure it is ok helps reinforce that you care about them.

Some tips to remember

Be interested in what they do
Always keep at least 5 business cards with you
Do not force someone to take your business card
Have a good quality business card
Let your business card show who you are (meaning in terms of design/etc)
Actually follow up with them and keep in contact
The more business cards you give out the more your wasting them (Be strategic)
Focus on building relationships
Do not be afraid to change your business card design

These are simple tips that I have been using after learning over time. Which has been a been a great help and continues to be. Business cards are not dead and if you are a designer without a business card I for one applaud you for doing so.

What are some business card ethics that you follow?