It sure doesn’t seem like I started this blog a whole year ago. Time really has flown by!
Thanks to everyone who has become a friend over this year! Vivien, Tara, David, John, Jacob Cass, Jacob Carter, Kristarella, Esben, RaShell, Steve, Liz, Charity, Brian, Sander, Doug, Tracey, Rob, Jamie, Alec, Paul, Toon, Blue Buffalo, Liam, and so many more that I can’t name you all… I’ve enjoyed getting to know you!
Thank you to the 1,600+ subscribers to Creative Curio! You are welcome to come out of your feed reader more often to comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas and opinions on things.
I would love to hear your feedback on Creative Curio, and feel free to give your input on the direction you’d like to see it head.
- Are the posts informative and interesting?
- Creative Curio needs more _______ (fill in the blank)
- What are your favorite types of posts (on Creative Curio, or ones you’d like to see done on CC)?
Thank you to the people who have left over 1,900 comments on the 158 posts!
Thank you to all of you who have Stumbled, bookmarked, Dugg and otherwise shown love to my articles. By spreading the word about Creative Curio, you’ve helped bring in an average of 20,000 visitors per month (July 2008), and helped me grow the daily average number of visitors to 600 (up from about 175 from January).
I guess it’s time that I ought to think about throwing a birthday giveaway. I’ve never done one before, so you’ll have to help me. What are some good prizes? I can provide some myself, but if you would like to sponsor a prize in exchange for some attention from the Creative Curio crowd, that would be awesome! Let me know in the comments or send me an email.
So readers, what kinds of giveaways do you like to receive? If you’ve done giveaways on your own sites before, please do share some tips and/or advice!
Oh, and I’ve installed the CommentLuv plugin as a way of saying thanks for commenting! Be sure to optimize this extra link in your Feedburner settings. This is also a DoFollow blog, in case you haven’t noticed, so lots of bonuses for you if you comment!
Congrats Lauren, it really has flown. Here’s to another year just as successful
Toons last blog post..Graphic Design Links - Logo Design
You’ve been publishing some stellar articles, Lauren, and it’s been great following your success (coupled with a fantastic re-design).
To complete your sentence:
Creative Curio needs more readers, because a lot of others are missing out.
David Aireys last blog post..Talking about logo design #3
Congrats Lauren! A wonderful achievement in a year! Blogging seems to fit you very good. Keep it up
Agreed with David, more readers and spread the creative curio!
Have a great day.
Sanders last blog post..Gezocht: All-Round technisch Graveur
Really? Only/already a year?!!
I guess time flies when you’re having fun
Congratulations and many happy returns!
As far as the giveways go… I dunno, I am a big “DIY” kinda girl. How about one of your hand-printed cards as part of the gift? That would be kinda cool, IMHO
RaShells last blog post..CDoodling Rocks!!!
Congratulations Lauren, I can’t believe it’s only been a year? There have been so many good posts.
More creative curio is a good enough giveaway for me.
David Rapsons last blog post..Reassuringly Elephants #2
EDIT:I like this blog post feature, does that read my rss feed? I use my own mini cms so it makes me smile when things like that happen
Toon,
Yes! Another successful year!
David,
Hehe, I like your thoughts that CC needs more readers! I’m all for that!
Sander,
Thanks! I think blogging fits me well, too. I like sharing things I’ve learned.
RaShell,
A year today exactly. I was already thinking about my cards as a giveaway! I probably won’t do too much, maybe some books and the cards, but I want to do something to celebrate!
David Rapson,
Hi!! Nice to see a new face here! Thanks for your thoughts; you’re so sweet that more CC is good enough for you, hehe. You like the new plugin? It’s called CommentLuv, and yes it does read your latest RSS entry. I’ve been meaning to install it for a while, thought it would be a nice birthday gift to commentors (I’ll keep it up beyond today, of course).
Yeah I just went and checked out the CommentLuv site. I’m impressed it found my latest post I normally get all sorts of strange times on my feed posts - my site has only just gone live so I’m still having teething problems.
I usually just read your posts inside google reader, decided to be a bit more proactive today.
David Rapsons last blog post..Reassuringly Elephants #2
Congratulations!
It’s been an amazing learning experience just reading your work and the guest spots on the website, so I hope that you’re able to keep it going for years to come!
I’ve missed a few articles in the past couple of weeks because of work, so I’m about to make time to go back and soak it all in.
Oh, and my favorite posts so far are the posts on the elements of design. That was an amazing series that was well written and extremely helpful.
Congrats to you, Lauren! I may not have been here from the beginning, but I’m now an avid follower of your blog. You’ve defo established yourself as an authority in design.
As for what CC needs, I always love to read Photoshop tuts - your color correction guide was especially useful.
And as for some sort of giveaway, I know I would love some letterpress/coldpress cards. There was a logo design contest (of previous work, NOT spec) where a local printer donated the prize to the contest runners to give out. Just an idea!
Gios last blog post..25 of the best smart design tips in 3 minutes
Lauren, here’s a present for you, very much is spirit of your blog:
Video Tutorial for people like us, with a Perfectionist Syndrome
http://www.vimeo.com/1447036?pg=embed&sec=1447036
RaShells last blog post..CDoodling Rocks!!!
I’m a big fan of this website, Lauren, because of the “real world” advice, particularly with Photoshop and InDesign/Quark articles recently, which haven’t just been “wow, look you can do this” but rather giving some practical examples of how to make the design process quicker, better and more creative. I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to give you any advice for what CC needs because “more of the same” isn’t very helpful.
But congratulations, your subscriber and visitor numbers speak for themselves. And, furthermore, you crack out on average 3 posts a week. How do you do it?
Rob Cubbons last blog post..New logo and identity designed
Woohoo! Happy Birthday! :)
Congratulations Lauren :)
David,
I’m sure glad you decided to come comment today! I hope you’ll keep it up!
Jacob,
Hiya! Missed ya!! You give me warm fuzzies! It makes me happy to no end that you’re learning from my articles. Good news for you if you loved those elements articles; I’m in the process of writing some in the same vein but for the principles of design. Hope you find them equally as helpful!
Gio,
j/k! Wow, you really think I’ve established myself as an authority?? But there’s sooooo much I still don’t know! Thanks for the idea on prizes, too. Looks like I’ll be giving a way a lot of cards! I should be able to print one more batch of 50 this weekend.
You can always go back and start reading from the beginning! I gave the first post link at the top!
RaShell,
But the circle wasn’t filled in all the way!
Rob,
I’m thrilled (more warm fuzzies!) to hear what you are learning. That is exactly what I want people to get from CC! I crack out exactly three posts/week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If I didn’t have that self-imposed goal, I would probably have put up one or two posts and then never come back. If I don’t have a schedule, I tend to put things off until it’s too late. How do I do it? I have an hour-long lunch break and I stay up late sometimes
Alec,
Yay! Thanks!
Esben,
Thanks! And I got your two emails with the Illustrator tutorials. I’ll be sending you a mail tonight.
Oh for sure! You, Kristarella, and David are the trinity of design blogs that I check most frequently, and whose success I study and hope to achieve someday. I believe the first post of yours I came across was the photoshop lightwriting actions. Then there was the color correcting guide and before I knew it I was hooked.
Gios last blog post..16 Life Lessons I Acquired in Art School
Gio,
What a nice surprise! The title of your latest article intrigued me (see, good coming of this plugin already!) so I popped over to read and there was a birthday wish for Creative Curio! Thanks! Excellent advice in your article, too, btw.
Wow, a year, great stuff! And 1,600 subscribers, that speaks volumes about the effort you put into the blog.
CC Needs more - of the same. What you’ve been doing so far seems to be working great, so no complaints from moi :)
Hi Lauren,
One year already, well done… I guess you started just a few months before me then!
Your subscriber numbers really shot up while I was away as well so well done. I’d be interested in knowing where you are getting most of your visitors from?
Anyway keep it up
Jacob Casss last blog post..Celebrating 5000+ Subscribers
Liam,
You guys are too nice! I’m so pleased you are enjoying my content, too. If you ever think of anything to improve, please let me know!
Jacob,
JCD is by far my biggest referring site (1,000 last month) other than StumbleUpon (9,000). A lot of my traffic comes from organic Google searches (5,000), too. I’ve built up some smaller streams that consistently bring in a bit of traffic, too, like pages on Squidoo (speaking of which, I need to update them!). My piddly little 1600 is nothing compared to your amazing subscriber numbers. Of course you probably have a bit more time on your hands for social media and networking (getting to sleep well after 10 PM and all…). Man do I wish I had started this blog back when I was in school! You are getting so much benefit from starting so early on!
A year already! Congratulations, Lauren. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m so thoroughly impressed that you’ve maintained such a high standard, despite holding down a day job.
I’d love to see some book reviews.
Thanks, Lauren.
johnos last blog post..Sunday Type: book type
Congratulations on an excellent year, Lauren, and great articles.
I agree that more book reviews are one thing I’d very much like to see. Seems I get my books on book design in bursts—usually from about my birthday in the fall thru Christmastime—when I collect Borders gift cards from family and friends. I’ll start reading immediately, but almost always get interrupted by work.
Anyway, this buying/reading in bursts always means I need to have a few book design-related titles in mind come my book-buying season. It wasn’t so hard at one point, as I’d not done much reading for a while. So I quickly loaded up on classics, like Bringhurst and Hendel, which I’ve discussed some on my own blog and a few other places.
But I’m now at a point where the pickin’s are slim. The last I bought was By It’s Cover, which I haven’t much gotten into yet. And I wouldn’t know what to get next.
Hey Lauren, congratulations! A year in and you’re still going super-strong, keep up the good work! It’s easy to see by the comments here that you’ve got many loyal fans who love what you’ve been doing (count me in!).
As for what I’d like to see more of? I guess I hope the letterpress articles keep coming with the same love and passion your first two have had, so lets hope you get the time to work on your press and to keep taking the classes
I’ve also enjoyed the elements/principals of design posts you’ve done. keep it up!
Alex Charchars last blog post..The Garden of the Mind ~ Part One
Wooooot! Happy Birthday CC!
In answer to your questions:
Yes!
… recognition?
I think my favourites (of what you’ve done) are elements, principles, inspiration and photo re-touching. So, quite a lot of post types! I’m not sure what my over-all favourites are, but I can say interviews are definitely not my favourites. I read them occassionally, but for some reason they usually don’t gel with me.
“Wow, you really think I’ve established myself as an authority?? But there’s sooooo much I still don’t know!”
That’s probably a good thing, because you’ll be even more inspired to share things when you do learn them.
“You, Kristarella, and David are the trinity of design blogs that I check most frequently, and whose success I study and hope to achieve someday.”
Oh, my. I feel very honoured! And a little guilty because I haven’t been able to update as much as I want to. I have all these post titles and topics to write, but no time. I guess I’ll have to try harder!
Happy one year anniversary to Creative Curio! I’ve known you even before you got into blogging, but you never ceased to amaze me, Lauren, with your unobstructively flowing creativity, warm personality and fervent commendable desire to share your knowledge with others. Keep up the great work, and I’m sure that Creative Curio’s fan club will keep increasing its loyal members.
I really like the variety of topics you write about on CC, my favourites are the ones where you dissect the elements of design, go behind design processes and share your sources of inspiration.
Perhaps you could also organize some kind of Group Design Projects, and challenge your readers to get their creative juices flowing?
Ohhh nice, good to hear JCD is sending some traffic. It was probably that top 10 blogs post of mine I assume.
Ahh squidoo, I never really tried that out. I actually get a pretty steady flow from being on peoples blogrolls as well as SU. SU sends me huge amounts of traffic and then I think designfloat and organic google.
JCD has now got to the stage where I do not have to do any social media advertising, it just works for itself (most of the time) which is really great. If I want to push an article I sometimes do a bit of work myself. Anyway, I should be working! Ciao!
Jacob Casss last blog post..Celebrating 5000+ Subscribers
Hi Lauren, I’m a little late to this party (fashionably late, I hope) because I’ve been out of town and away from internet access for a few days, so here are my belated birthday wishes and congratulations. It’s hard to believe Creative Curio has only been around for twelve months. You’ve achieved a great body of informative articles and an enviable following in that time. I haven’t had a chance yet to think about suggestions for giveaways (beyond “yes please!”) or the future direction of the blog, so I’ll get back to you on those.
Tracey Gradys last blog post..Making a bigger impact with your design skills
Happy 1st Year!!!!
John,
iLT is coming up on its one year birthday, too! You started your blog like a week or two after I did. You’ve seen some incredible success! Ah, book reviews, now that’s something I hadn’t thought too much about. Thanks for the idea!
Steve,
Thanks! You know, the only books I really read are Communication Arts, and that’s really a magazine (though it sure looks and feels like book!). I would highly recommend it for excellent advice on the business of design, inspiration, trends, new technology and even a page in the back on book reviews! I will look into getting some more design books; I actually don’t collect many.
Alex,
Yes, I do have quite a few loyal readers that come out to comment and I’ve sure enjoyed getting to know them over this year. I’m so glad you’ve come to join them, too! Thanks for your input on future articles. Looks like you’re not alone with liking those elements articles!
Kris,
Yay!! More recogonition for CC, I’m all for that! Help get the word out by Stumbling articles! Those were very nice things of Gio to say, huh? Makes my day when people offer praise like that! Thanks for your votes on future articles, too! I don’t do interviews too often, but I like to find out about other designers, their processes and inspirations. I don’t see myself picking them up more frequently than I do them now (maybe once/quarter?).
Vivien,
Thank you! Such kind words; it means a lot to hear them from you. This is definitely a post I’m coming back to when I need a little blogging encouragement. You folks are the greatest! Hmm, group design project… that sounds like a great idea, Vivien! Have you seen the CD doodle contest over on doodlage? That’s turning out to be a lot of fun!
Jacob,
Let’s see, most of the traffic came from the article I wrote for you, then yes, that top 10 blogs and I think some trickle in from the comments, too (yay CommentLuv!). I notice that your CommentLuv link is a Feedburner one. Why not check out this article for how to fix that?
Tracey,
No worries and thanks for the birthday wishes! I hope your vacation was fun and relaxing! Check out my latest post for what I’ll be giving away and don’t be late to comment on that one! There’s a time limit for the contest
Michelle,
Hi and welcome! So glad you came out to comment!
Hmm, Stumbling… I don’t use SU much, but I’ll keep it in mind. Maybe I could Twitter good articles more often
kristarellas last blog post..Google Streetview in Australia
Kris,
Twitter is good too!
HI,
Congrats on the 1st Birthday, I can’t believe its a year!
Happy to help out with a prize if you need any!
Tara
Taras last blog post..Corporate Identity Guidelines
Tara,
Thank you! And thanks for the kind offer to help with prizes. So many readers expressed that they liked the cards I printed that I’ve decided to give away six sets of those, so go comment on the next post to be entered in the draw!
I’m so lame it took me 5 days after you posted this to get over here and leave a congratulatory comment. As soon as I saw the title of this entry in my reader I was shocked that it’s already been a year, wow! You’ve established a really resource here Lauren, and the fact that is has grown so quickly is a testament to your outlook, writing style, determination and passion for your niche. Job well done!
p.s. The commentluv thing is a cool idea. Nice way to spread some karma. ;)
Charity,
No worries, I’m glad you came by! Thank you for the compliments! How come your latest post isn’t showing up with CommentLuv? Does it show up on other sites with the plugin installed like Logo Design Love, or David’s original site?
Be sure to go comment on the next post for a chance to win a set of my letterpress printed cards!!
I was wondering that myself. Yours is the first site I’ve commented on so far that uses CommentLuv (that I’m aware of). I see now my gravatar isn’t showing up either, but I was just over on krisarella’s site and it came up fine. Oh well it has never worked consistently for me, even on my own site. Maybe I’m cursed lol! ;)
Charity,
Well, I know that CL tries to check the usual place for RSS, domain.com/feed, but yours is domain.com/rss/feed. Maybe that’s it? I don’t know how to fix it. I noticed your Gravatar not working, too! Is that because you’re using a different email? I know it’s tied to your email address.
And I told you I figured out that disappearing comment issue, right? I’m using a new Do Follow plugin called No Follow Free, recommended by Randa. So far, no problems! Still can’t get my Amazon affiliate links to work in posts, though…
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