What happened to all the great Creative Curio articles?? You may have noticed I (LaurenMarie) haven’t been around here much lately. Want to know why?
Job Changes
In March I was laid off. I don’t tell you that for sympathy, it’s just a fact. I think it’s rather exciting, really!
My plan had always been to go independent after a few years of experience working in-house, it just happened a little sooner than I had planned. I chose to freelance once I was laid off, not because of a lack of available jobs (they are out there), but because it was the next step I wanted to take in my career.
I’m for Hire!
So, I’m for hire now! I really like solving problems and collecting information, so consulting is the perfect fit for me. Want to work together?
Check out my portfolio pages: print portfolio, events and tradeshows portfolio, identity portfolio and website portfolio. Of course, I’ll give you my phone number if we work together!
Art Bistro
Finally, I’ve joined Art Bistro as a contributing author. Art Bistro a site run by Monster.com specifically for artists and designers. It offers so many things, from articles on how to find creative jobs to forums where you can ask questions and share experiences. On the welcome page, it says, “think of it as half social networking and half portfolio sharing.” It kind of combines LinkedIn, Facebook, Behance (or other portfolio sites), Monster and a forum all into one.
There have been quite a number of articles from the Education section that I’ve found really interesting and helpful. Is Red the Fairest One of them All? from Igor Asselbergs points out an interesting concept you may have known, but not paid particular attention to. Igor runs his own blog on color called Livelygrey.
If you’d like to join, you can then add me as a friend! I think it’s a great community, and I don’t just say that because I have a partnership with them. I really do think this is a cool and useful community (come on, you know me—I don’t promote things I don’t believe in and/or use myself).
More great things coming up! Remember to grab the free RSS feed (or email!) so you’ll be automatically notified when a new article is published.
I will say it again, Lauren…Congrats! I am so happy for you lady!
Kelly | Purple Lemon´s last blog post: What I have been working on…
Best of luck to you, Lauren, in your creative endeavours. With your portfolio and talent I’m sure you won’t have any problems landing jobs and working on interesting projects. Look forward to reading more about your freelance experience on CC.
The business card is bbbbeautiful, looks like it belongs to a fairy godmother, which you are for all those lucky ones who’ll be chosen by you to help them out
inspirationbit´s last blog post: Striking Web Sites with Font Stacks that Inspire
Congrats Lauren for making the choice going freelance. Looking forward reading here about your projects! Thanks for the mention of Art Bistro, checking it now… Good luck.
Sander´s last blog post: Book review: The Wayfinding Handbook
Haha, I second Vivien’s remarks on your business card. Do you grant wishes? It ties in brilliantly with your site design. 10 out of 10 for consistency.
Thanks to both of you for your tweets, helping spread the word about my search for stories. I appreciate that.
David Airey´s last blog post: Measuring the success, and failure, of branding
Kelly,
Thank you!
Vivien,
Already told you on Twitter, but thank you; the last part of your comment made me smile!
Sander,
Thanks! Hope you liked Art Bistro.
David,
BC was definitely based on the site so people would know they found the right place. You’re welcome for the tweets about your latest post! Hope you get some good ideas (couldn’t think of any concrete examples myself, but if anything comes to mind you will get an email!).
You have entered the freelance world at exactly the same time as I’ve re-entered it, so I know something of the path you’re embarking on right now.
Congratulations on the Art Bistro gig, and I hope it proves very fruitful for you. I wasn’t familiar with the site, so I’ll check it out.
Your business card has turned out well, and the design made me smile.
Tracey Grady´s last blog post: Busting the myths: what Graphic Design ISN’T
Not an easy search, by any means (for concrete case studies of success or failure), so if anything comes from the post I’ll be delighted.
Tracey,
I hope your re-entrance into self-employment goes great!
David Airey´s last blog post: Measuring the success, and failure, of branding
Thanks, David. I’m off to a very good start, much better than I’d anticipated at this early stage.
Good luck to you too in your freelancing endeavours, Lauren.
Tracey Grady´s last blog post: Busting the myths: what Graphic Design ISN’T
What projects do you most want to work on? I’ve recently turned away quite a lot of potential identity design clients so I can focus on my book, so you never know.
Sorry for hijacking the comment thread, Lauren. That question applies to you too.
David Airey´s last blog post: Measuring the success, and failure, of branding
Tracey,
I’ll be sure to contact you if I have any questions! How are you finding new clients, btw? Going back to previous ones or trying to get brand new ones? Thanks for the well wishes!
David,
I would be delighted if you would pass along my information to anyone needing identity design! I really love print, and logos are a very close second. Web is fun, too, and I have a lot of ideas for improving existing sites, but I more like to consult in that area than actually do the site building, though I can (especially with Jerrol’s help).
No apologies needed! That’s what comments are for
Ah, this explains it, I thought you’d gone AWOL
Hope freelancing works out great for you, Lauren. Who knows, maybe it’s Gods’ will.
I like your business card, fits in really nice with the web page (as intended, obviously). I’ve just got some at the printers now, 4000 in all…hope they turn out good, lol.
Looking forward to reading of the new work you’ve done, AK
Andrew Kelsall´s last blog post: Amazing Color Effect 2: Successive Contrast
Exciting stuff indeed, glad you’re not getting too down about being laid off and looking at the positives. I’m working on some personal projects at the moment and have had to turn away quite a bit of work, I’ll be sure to give you a proud mention as I love your work.
Best of luck!
liam´s last blog post: 226 Brilliant Freelance & Work Related Icons Available Now
Andrew,
Erm, I responded to your comment yesterday but something must’ve happened (maybe I forgot to click ok!). I’m still here I just didn’t want to write a “sorry for not posting” cuz those waste everyone’s time. Post an image of your BC when you get it!
Liam,
Wow, thank you so much! I would definitely appreciate it if you passed along some work!
Really like the *creative consultant* part of the card. Also thanks re the ArtBistro website, a new find.
Gluck with your freelancing – is there an area you are going to focus on?
Jacob Cass´s last blog post: Fake Logo Designs: Revisited
It’s funny that so many people are wasting their skills on bosses and companies who really don’t care about you or how you want to grow in your career.
I always get energized when I see people get laid off or quit their jobs. I think it points them to a better direction in life!
I hope you’ll do well; and I think you will!
Dwight Co´s last blog post: 3 Reasons Why you should Never Fear you’re being Copied
Dwight,
I’m excited too! Thanks for the encouragement!!