Taking Actions On Ideas

Taking Actions on our ideas at first is a very scary thing to do. Because we can either be scared of the success that will come from achieving our goals. As well as not knowing how to deal with the success that comes from the hard work we have put in. You may think what are you talking about being afraid of success and what comes from it.

I am only speaking from what I used to deal with mentally awhile ago. So I’d say if you know deep down in your heart that you want to be successful prepare yourself for it. There are going to be a lot of things that can seem to come all at once. Which will lead you to be overwhelmed.

I am very thankful for my parents and family for raising me the way that they did. Even though at times I was a very rebellious type and wanted to do the things I wanted. But you know they never ever forced me to not think big. Nor did they ever tell me to not go after what it is that I wanted.

So this leads me to the mindset that many graphic designers/creative individuals fall into, which is creating just to create. As well as not sharing my work with everyone. There are certain projects that seriously should not be shared. As well as not feeling accomplished enough to put out products for people to have and enjoy.

When I started selling products on my Etsy shop and seeing them in the wild I was even more fulfilled. Because instead of them sitting in my bedroom office collecting dust they are being enjoyed. Learning to think bigger has been fun.

As well seeing the value in my work, whether it be graphic design, Calligraphy and Products I create. But I do not want you to think I was not afraid to start selling my own products. The main thing I had to do was make a decision. Making the decision of I am not going to create products just for me.

Then having the mentality that I am going to make sure that I will create items that I would hang up in my home and use. This mentality is what helps me continuously create work that I am proud of.

If you are just starting out creating products and being a designer be honest with yourself. First by knowing whether you work is something you are proud of. Also whether it is something that you would like to have your name attached to. The reason I mention that is because you want to have the types of clients/Customers who appreciate the quality of work that you do.

Think of the possibilities that your work can turn into.

Avoiding Stupid Stuff as a creative person

As a creative person whether you are an artist, designer, or you do anything that requires creative thinking there’s tons of things that will take your attention. There’s a lot of products, ads, videos that will grab you and take hold. The way that I have been able to avoid them and or take back control is a very simple thing.

The way that I used to get so lost in the things that do not matter is astounding. I was so lost in reading tons of blogs and looking at so much work that others have done. Not saying that stuff is stupid at all. The stupid thing is me spending time doing something that is not working in my favor. That habit is easy to be learned.

When I gained control over knowing ok that’s enough time you’ve spent looking at work and reading blogs. The over exposure to being influenced can lead to you being demotivated and not having confidence. But maybe that will inspire you to continuously improve and learn to know what to do and not to do.

Other stupid things is to not be able to work with what you’ve got. Society has us thinking we have to have certain tools to be able to produce. The tools that you have you shouldn’t be a hindrance. Because once you gain the skills you need having better tools will only allow you to get better.

Avoid the stupid things of thinking you are not good enough. Well you know that I was not good enough. I was not good enough to be confident in my work. Then I was able to gain confident by posting my work daily on my instagram page. Once you gain the momentum and also finding friends who are into the same thing as you makes a difference. There is no need to feel you’re a lone wolf.

Avoid the stupid things of thinking followers and likes make the difference. The stupid thing of basing your worth on others does no good for you. The numbers do not make that big of a difference. I say that because I would rather have 10,000 followers 2000 devoted supporters compared to having 20,000 followers with 200 supporters.

There’s endless amount of stupid things you have to make the choice whether you will avoid them or not.

How I became a more confident Graphic designer and you can too

Being a graphic designer or a creative person in general can be difficult to continue with. By that I mean it can be hard for one to stick with being creative and not let society beat it out of them. Because as creative people we have skills and talents in us that we can use. But we let the day to day grind deter us from embracing them.

When you have a skill that is not being used and or a talent its just being wasted. “The worst thing in the world is wasted talent” – A bronx tale. I for one fully believe that having wasted talent is the worst thing. Because if you just stick with it and are able to get through the year of hardships and doubt you will make it.

Now on to how I was was able to become a more confident graphic designer. The way I was able to become a more confident graphic designer was by believe in the work that I was doing. By believing in the work it made it more fun. Also realizing that I had done the best that I could. But not thinking “oh if I do this and that’ll be my best”. Which in actuality that is not the case. Just because you work hard on certain projects doesn’t mean you gave it your best.

Because if you work at an agency or wherever you know how hard you need to work on projects. But you have to ask yourself “did I actually go even further to make sure not all of my work is looking the same?”.

Then the other way that I was able to become more confident was the steady stream of wanting to improve and learning everything I could. Another thing was realizing what I sucked at. There are ton’s of resources available to learn from. Also to help you actually get better. Just because you went to design school art school or whatever you call it, that does not mean you are the top of the line.

Becoming more confident takes time and its not instant. If you are a non confident person then you have to get out of your comfort zone. You do not have to do things that are creative to become a more confident designer. Main thing is to get out of your comfort zone and continuously push yourself day to day.

Being afraid of your work not being good enough

Well recently I was graciously bestowed with the opportunity to join dribbble. As we all may or may not know that Dribbble is a pretty big deal. The reason is because of the work on there how its so good and whatever else you want to say about it. I had thought to myself I don’t know if I am able to hang with those people in regards to designing.

But I said to myself you know what you are able to hang with them. Because of the amount of work that I have been putting in and also perfecting my craft of graphic design and calligraphy. A good example is the people you hang around you end up becoming like. So if you are forcing yourself to jump into the scene of amazing design work you will Do your best to match that quality that is set.

This is not something that only applies to graphic design. You can experience the same thing in any field. Because the level of quality and standard that is set. Always you have to keep the thought of that everything I do will reflect me as a person. Just think for a second how you would look at a landscaper who does a half ass job. You would more or less think they and anyone else who works with them is a poor worker as well.

So do your best to avoid falling into the trap of not thinking you are good enough. Because the only way for you to become better is to hang around people who are better than you. Spending time with those who are better than you may be scary at first. But you want to take the time to learn how they are and do as they do.

In regards to dribbble I am going to start posting work there soon. I will have to learn more about it first before I move forward with using it on a more consistent basis.

Elle Luna on Finding Your Must

Last night to be exact I watched this while having fun using my dip pen. Elle she touches on something that I feel we all should be doing and that is going on an artist date. Which she described as doing whatever you feel like doing artistically. For example whenever I am lettering I feel like using a dip pen instead of a cartridge pen while doing calligraphy.

The continued amount of play with work will allow you to enjoy the process even more. Whenever you are working on a project and you get the urge to draw or maybe not even draw you get the urge to drink lemonade while designing do it. Learn to listen to your inner self and to not kill it by ignoring what it says to you.

Tag: creative inspiration