So today is sadly my last day here as an intern at Studio66. I unfortunately have to start school next week – Monday to be exact. I had a good time and experience here with Rashael, Peter, and Brianne. While interning here, I learned much about the business side of design, which was quite invaluable to me as I’ve had no previous experience on that side beforehand. 

Even on my last day I got to learn something new; this afternoon I got to sit in on a web redesign brief in which Rashael, Peter, and Brianne discussed the planning stages of the redesign. I got to observe them working the planning process as a team, helping each other out and giving new ways of doing certain things or functions. As a design student, such a project would be pretty much all on me to do it all, so it was encouraging – and a relief – to know that when designing outside or beyond my student years, I can work with another person or in a group – whether I end up freelancing or working in a firm. It also reminded me the significance of being able to work with others – something I actually look forward to doing again as I start my design classes this fall. 

I wish the best for the folks here at Studio66 and thank them for their help, advice, and of course, their humor. Here at the studio they have a sort of motto which is “Designers, Professionals, People” and from my experience here, I know this to be true. I would also like the thank the readers of the few blog posts I’ve written – whoever you nice people are; thanks for your comments and suggestions. Hope everybody enjoys a great fall season!

I recently helped concept, design, and copywrite a promotional ad for Studio66 for the Woodland Chamber of Commerce directory. The entire process of this project was fun and interesting because the concept we arrived at was largely based on copy more than graphics.

As a design student who has one more year left of school, I’m always afraid that my design skills won’t be good or sufficient enough. Call me paranoid, if you will, but sometimes the amazing designs I see out there are both inspirational and intimidating. Yet when this promotional ad was being created, I found it refreshing to see that often communication in design actually involves writing. The design of the ad would not have worked if it didn’t have the right copy. I had the task of coming up with the initial content since the chosen concept was based on one of my ideas, and it was encouraging to hear from the folks here at the studio that my writing worked, and was intriguing.

From this project I’ve discovered that perhaps my writing skills – in addition to my design abilities – are something that’s going to help me stand out from the crowd. I enjoyed coming up with the copy for this project, and I’ve been trying to further improve and continue my writing through a design blog I’ve started this summer.

This whole copywriting deal is rather ironic when I think about it, because in high school, I really was not a huge fan of writing. And I was never the type to keep a diary, a journal or a blog – until now. I suppose my English teachers would be proud to know I’m still using my writing skills to survive the design world.

Here’s a link to the PDF of the ad in the Woodland Chamber of Commerce directory – feel free to let me know what you think.

Before I knew much about graphic design and the design industry, I was under the impression that when you worked at a design firm, clients would just come to the firm with their design problems and projects. And there would always be clients because there was just so much to design and fix in the world. Well, I found from observation (and some eavesdropping) here at Studio66, that’s just not the way things happen in the design world.

I’ve observed that it takes strategic and intentional planning and marketing, whether it involves looking up a community’s directory to see what companies could be offered design services, or sending out fun, promotional pieces to local businesses. There’s also the ongoing communication and follow-ups with past clients to see how things are going, and possibly what other design services could be offered for their needs. 

It all makes sense, really. Clients don’t always know everything they need, and more often times than not, they appreciate it when people are able to point out additional ways to serve their needs. This is something I’ve learned not only being here in the studio but also from my own experience working in customer service. 

Moreover, this constant state of communication and self-marketing helps keep the design firm busy with a variety of clients, and therefore, stay in business. This is pretty important especially in tough economic times like these. 

Graphic design is indeed a contact sport in which designers must don their jerseys, go out there, and send out emails or shake some hands. The design industry isn’t just about marketing and promoting another company or business: it also involves marketing yourself and what you can do.

Ahhhh… it’s the start of a new day, and a new project. You crack your knuckles, pick up your freshly sharpened pencil (or if you’re like me, a non-leaky ink pen) and you face that blank, crisp piece of paper that sits in front of you, ready to bust out that creative storm in your brain.

Then something hard hits your head. Ouch!
Well hello, designer’s block.

Blocks: be it for writers, designers, or drivers, they are never fun, and they sometimes hurt (your brain, that is). And if you’re impatient and antsy like me, they are quite hard to get through. I recently got hit by one while I was in the process of coming up with concepts for a promotional piece for Studio66.

Luckily I’ve found ways to get me around or over the block, thanks to my professors, fellow design buddies, and just experience in general. Here they are (in no particular order):

1. Going out for a walk
This may seem out of the blue, but sometimes it’s nice (and healthy) to just get out of your chair, go out, get a whiff of fresh air, and clear your head. I know for myself that I get my brain moving as I’m physically moving. Plus, you never know what’s out there that may end up inspiring you. 

2. Reading design books
While working on concepts for the promo piece, I literally scoured all the packaging design books in both Barnes & Noble and Borders. I even read through other design books because there weren’t enough books on packaging. I would jot down ideas and doodles on a little notepad I always carry in my bag.

3. Looking through design blogs
The piece I was working on was packaging, so I checked out some packaging blogs online (thedieline.com, Lovely Package) to see what was out there and to get inspired. In fact, I check on my favorite design blogs daily for inspiration and general awareness.

4. Dictionary
Something I learned in class; we were told to look up words similar to or relating to the subject of the project. From this research we got new words, from which we got new images and concepts, all the while still keeping with the main word/theme.

5. Talking it out with fellow designers
This is a given; they, out of all people can relate to designer’s block ‘cos they go through them too. I bounce ideas and concepts off my classmates all the time because I like how they are able to see a solution in a different perspective – something I sometimes don’t see.

6. Talking it out with friends
I’ve gotten some great ideas from my friends. Just because they have little or no formal design knowledge doesn’t mean they can’t be creative. Plus, sometimes they are the audience of your piece, so it helps to see what attracts them, what catches their eye. 

Well, these are just the things I’ve personally done to nurse my wounds from a designer’s block. If anybody else has other ways they’ve found to help them get around or over the block, please post them!

So yesterday I sat in one of my first client meetings, and got to see some of the dynamics between designer and client. I learned how important parameters were, and sometimes how tight they can be (particularly in terms of money). I also saw how sometimes politics can dictate design and how all the little details need to be considered and planned before any design even occurs. This was (and is) a lot different than doing a class project with parameters — how generous do they seem now! Yet this all just reminded me how graphic design is also about compromising — finding the best solution for both the client and designer. There is so much more involved in the problem-solving process than just the design itself!