Wow, I can’t believe it’s 2008 already and that Creative Curio is five months old! It feels like I just started this blog yesterday.
It’s been an awesome experience starting up this little community. I’ve met some wonderful people and become better friends with other online acquaintances. I have loved learning from you all!
Building a Better Resource
I want Creative Curio to continue to be a place that you come for interaction and information on graphic design. What can I do to make this a better resource for you? I would greatly appreciate and value your feedback, so come on out of that RSS reader you lurkers! I want to hear from you, too! Will you answer some questions for me?
- What have been your favorite (or favorite types of) posts?
- What topics interest you the most?
- Do you like the current posting schedule (three times per week)?
- What made you subscribe to this blog? What would cause you to unsubscribe?
A Big Thanks!
Finally, I want to thank many of the commentors here (and hopefully get their attention by linking to them!). In no particular order, thanks a bunch to Kristarella, Johno, Vivien, Charity, Alec, David, Tara, Cody, Esben, Nap Warden, Paul, Nathania and Steve. You’re the greatest! Thanks for being a part of this community!
Thanks for starting this blog, Lauren! I’m glad to have ‘met’ you online, and I’m sure Creative Curio will go from strength to strength in 2008.
I hope you’re well today.
Oh, I almost forgot to answer your questions!
1/ Favourite types of posts are ones with a personal touch, and that teach us how to do something (be it software related or otherwise).
2/ Principles of design and typography. I’ll forever be learning more about these.
3/ Great posting schedule, but feel free to lessen it if you’re too busy. I won’t mind.
4/ I subscribed to your blog because of who you are, and for the support you’ve given my blog over the past year. I’d only unsubscribe if your life depended on it.
David,
Thanks for your positive and uplifting thoughts! It’s a satisfying feeling that I can provide useful information to you.
2. Principles of design and typography… I think I’ll be forever learning those, too, but I’ll share with you what I discover!
3. I was definintely not thinking about decreasing my posting schedule. I was actually wondering if people thought it was “just right” or “not enough.” I feel like it’s just right, because I get overwhelmed with keeping up with those who post every day (or more)! But see, that’s me. I want to know what my readers think, since I’m here for them, so thank you for your feedback. It’s a relief to know that it could be less if needed!
4. Hehe, well I guess I have a subscriber for life through you, David. Thank you. It means a lot :)
All the best for 2008, Lauren.
Answers to your questions:
I like the educational posts. I’d love some more illustrator ones. I often use Photoshop when I should be using Illustrator (a naughty habit of mine), so please wean me off Photoshop (at least a little). O, and anything type-related of course.
I like 2 posts a week (sometimes struggle with 3, but that’s me);
I’d only unsubscribe if you divorced your husband and married a corrupt politician.
And finally, I’d love to see a redesign. Having said that, I don’t think there’s a single blog I subscribe to solely because of its design; so the most important thing is the content—and on that front I love it.
Thanks for Creative Curio, Lauren.
Johno,
Oh more love from my readers! Thank you!! You guys are so encouraging
You are in luck with the Illustrator cravings; Esben is writing up a comprehensive beginner’s guide to using Illy that I’ll be post here when he’s done. He says it’s because he’s tired of seeing that people use Photoshop for everything! Ha, I’m so guilty of that one.
Wow, another vote for the possibility of fewer articles! I’m really surprised! I guess all those that say you need to post at least five times a week don’t get it that we all feel overwhelmed with blogs that do that. I’ll keep it in mind. I’m very comfortable with writing three times per week myself. Perhaps I’ll concentrate on making Friday posts lighter and/or more fun. Let’s see what others say…
Ah yes, a redesign. I told Kristarella (I think it was) that I’m nervous about doing that since this is a graphic design blog. I have to practice what I preach! I don’t want people to run away because they don’t find the design of this site appealing. Right now at least I have the reason that it’s just a free template
That’s no excuse though. I’m tumbling lots of ideas around in my head and your recent post on 15 more great examples of web typography helps very much, so keep ‘em comin’!
Happy new year, Lauren. I’m on board with David and Johno in thinking that your how-to posts are great, and I’d certainly like to see more of those. Step-by-step documentary-type posts detailing your own work would be nice. I like your InDesign posts, since not too many people focus on ID.
(Oh, a site redesign? Yes!)
Alec,
Aaaahh! (as in screaming) More votes for a site redesign! Yikes! Better get going on that. Thanks for your input on the kinds of posts you like. I didn’t think many enjoyed the how-tos because there were far fewer comments on those than others, like the color palettes. I suppose I should watch my subscriber numbers, too, though they can be slightly unreliable—dependent too much on whether someone accesses the feed or not (the “not” doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve dropped my feed).
Step-by-step, you mean like a case study? Similar to how David presents many of his logos? Good idea! I like it a lot! Unfortunately, most of my projects for the company I work for can’t be disclosed. I’ll talk to my manager a little more about that, though, and see more specifically what I can and can’t show.
And InDesign. Check. I’ll see what other helpful things I can write about that program. Thank you!!
1. What have been your favorite (or favorite types of) posts?
I really like your “teaching” style when writing How-To posts. I put the “teaching” in quotes because you don’t really teach nor preach it to us, but guide and share your experience and knowledge. I also like your design articles - elements, principles.
2. I’d love if you could write more articles specifically targeted to the print design, more design inspirations and perhaps some case studies.
3. I think three times per week is just right. That’s my goal for this year for my blog, especially since I’m posting LitBits on the weekend, it would be nice if I could post “regular” articles during the week.
4. What made you subscribe to this blog? What would cause you to unsubscribe?
I subscribed, because I knew you before you started this blog, and couldn’t wait for you to get into blogging yourself
haha, I liked Johno’s response on his reasons for unsubscribing from CC, I concur with that.
All the best to you and CreativeCurio in 2008. I too would like a re-design, but hey, who’s talking - you’re like me, wanting a perfect design for the site. But then can “perfect” really stay perfect forever?
Hey Lauren and a happy new year,
Like Alec, I think ID needs attention desperately, although I know there are some bloggers that also have a focus on ID, but newbie articles are always in demand.
About posting.. if you wanna be a super star like Johno, then perhaps you need to update often. But personally I like once a week, because then I get a feeling that you are alive and well
Topics.. hmm well ofcource I do like Ai related topics, but on the other hand I really don’t need it, so I guess ID, PS and Flash is something I personally struggle with.
“How-to-posts” is always a good idea, but it doesn’t need to be on things you currently are doing. Cover a simple topic where you are making something useful and then release the resource file, like small tutorials.
A redesign propably helps alot and im willing to chip in, if you need it.
I’ve been lazy in the holidays Lauren, I hope I will make up for it :-)
Vivien (inspirationbit),
Thank you for the compliments! I’m glad you like the way I teach. I do love showing people new ways of doing things (especially when they are eager to learn!). I think I can cover the elements a little better with some real world examples and I have only covered one of the principles of design. Definitely planning on covering the rest. I’m so glad I have readers like you (all of you!). You make this whole thing worth it! And thanks for the little kick in the pants there, Vivien. You are totally right, perfect will not be that way forever! I think I’m suffering from that analysis paralysis again… time to shake it off and get moving! I’ve got some ideas for styles I would like to try out for the design.
Esben,
So glad you stopped by to offer your feedback! Seems that many people are interested in InDesign. For me, it’s almost as second nature as Photoshop, so sometimes I struggle to think of what beginners would need to know. I covered the very basics a while ago with the master pages, layers, paragraph and character styles articles, but there is more I could go over. Perhaps a walk through for a simple project; setting up the file, styles, layers, importing text and images, etc. That might be a series, just so it’s not so overwhelming! Thank you for your kind offer to help with the redesign. I will keep you in mind if I need it! And no worries about taking some time off for the holidays. I did, too! Everyone is looking forward to that Illy intro, Esben!
InDesign series with a walk through a simple project is a great idea, Lauren. Really look forward to that, as well as to your new design.
Hey Lauren, I’m forever the lurker…but any general/how to/Photoshop post will usually bring me out of the woodwork. I’m so glad I found your blog, I know I am a better designer for reading it!
Vivien,
Thanks, and keep your eyes peeled! (where did that silly expression come from? Reminds me of a banana…)
Nap Warden,
(and terribly sorry about your comment being marked as spam… no idea why that happened! Silly Akismet). Seems many here like the How To posts, so I will keep them coming! Thanks for your feedback! Do you have an online portfolio, btw? I would love to see some of your work!
Long time no see! You were a pretty active commentor for a while there. I’m glad you’re back
Happy New Year, Lauren! Thanks for the props.
1. I particularly liked your post that asked “What makes good design?” The whole realm of “the theory of design”—whether books (my area), type design, or the use of color—strikes me as what I call “transportable knowledge” that can be applied in different areas of design.
2. I’d like to read some about how people use networking sites to expand their professional clientele.
3. The scheduling of blog posts … That’s sort of a sore point with me right now. When I started my own blog, I thought three times weekly the ideal. Because I tend to write longish pieces, two times seemed more practical. And now, ironically because my site and blog have brought me more clients, I’ve been working at a pace that I never saw this late in the year. Consequently I haven’t been posting regularly to my own blog. But I’d love to read your blog as often as you can post.
4. I don’t subscribe to blogs. I visit the blogs on my blogroll—and sometimes on the blogrolls of the blogs on my blogroll—daily. It’s my respite from work, in lieu of watercooler time. Especially when I work late at night. And subscribing, having new entries brought to me, would take away from the sense that I am going off on a break and the pleasure of seeing something new when I get there.
Keep up the great work in 2008!
Steve,
Happy New Year to you, too! I like looking at the theory of design, too, because it’s in studying those details that we become better designers and have more exact control over our designs.
I don’t know a whole lot about using social networking to expand business, but that’s why I subscribe to blogs like Chris Brogan, Caroline Middlebrook (though she went through a bit of crisis which may now change her content a bit) and Dawud Miracle to an extent talks about this subject, too.
Well I think having too many clients is not a bad problem to have! Congrats on that! And what an honor that you come directly to my blog (I’ll add one more to my subscriber numbers in my mind). I trust that you’ve been enjoying yourself at my “watering hole.” :)
Hey Stephen,
I found out that jaiku can to some degree be very helpful for getting attention to your whereabouts and your activities to others.. it have given me small assignments
Lauren,
Colors is a struggle for me on a daily basis, even more so than waking up early in the morning.
Esben,
Thanks for sharing that bit about Jaiku. I found you on there, but I can’t read anything! That’s in Dutch, right?
I don’t know, waking up in the morning is pretty difficult!
I’ll do some posts on color theory in the future for you, so at least when waking up you’ll have something to look forward to!
How about a new site design?
Jaiku is difficult to explain what it does.. its like a forum where you only on read post from your contacts and groups (and the your contact/groups rss feeds)
In a way its a forum with personal rss feeds.
I write posts in english and danish, so languages doesn’t matter that much
uhh im looking forward to the color articles -yummy :-D
Dylan B,
LOL ok, ok! I get the hints!! I’m working on it
Esben,
Danish! Yes, Denmark, Danish, I should know that *blush* Jaiku looked a lot like Twitter to me, too; just short little snippets of what you’re up to. Neat! Glad that’s worked into some jobs for you!
Thanks LaurenMarie! Gee I’m glad that I came across your blog and subscribed!
I don’t think I could pick a favourite type of post because you have a great mix. How-Tos, personal and sort of in between (like the colors one).
I think your post frequency must be good. It took me a couple of days to get to this one, but I’ve never found myself thinking that I can’t keep up or wishing that you would post another one. Just right!
I might unsubscribe if you didn’t publish full feeds or didn’t include images. I hate those two things. Can’t think of any other reason.
Don’t rush a redesign! It’d be nice to see what you come up with, but I think gradually collating ideas and getting it just right would be good. Although, I always immerse myself in that sort of thing and forsake everything else I was supposed to be doing… bad habit!
kristarella,
Well it’s nice to not have quite so much pressure for the redesign! I tend to let things simmer for a while, thinking about it a lot when it’s time to go to bed and putting together different elements (which results in me being very tired the next day!). I will always keep full feeds on; I hate partials, too. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my posts here and that the schedule is comfortable for you. I like it, too. It’s nice to have all this positive feedback! I’ll come back to it if I’m feeling down :)