WHEELIE: FOR BRANDS THAT THRIVE OUTSIDE
  • LEVEL UP
  • WORK
  • WHEELHOUSE
    • WORKSHOPS
    • AMBASSADOR TEAM
    • PODCAST
  • Contact

How Graphic Designers Stay Inspired 

6/20/2013

0 Comments

 

Graphic Designers and Keeping the Creative Fire Stoked

casually written by Lisa Slagle while listening to a lot of Santigold
Picture
I am a freelance graphic designer in Whitefish, Montana. I spend a lot of time working on a computer--- alone, doing awesomely nerdy things like sifting through code looking for a misplaced "]" or kerning a headline to perfection for hours. Some weeks, I spend more time with Adobe Illustrator than with my friends. It happens, that's just the way it goes. Don't get me wrong-- I love graphic design and running my own business. It's the best. Sometimes though, as with all jobs in the creative industry, staying inspired and fresh takes a little bit of effort. So, for all you designers procrastinating on the internet right now, here's my take on stoking the creative fire! 


10 WAYS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS TO FIND INSPIRATION:

1. GO OUTSIDE! Grab a dog, jump in a lake, ride your bike, sit on a chairlift. Hell, just go sit on your front porch or a park bench. This is called Real Life, and it's like a retina display times eight billion. Everything is so three-dimensional. 
2. INTERACT WITH REAL HUMAN BEINGS. Eye-to-eye. Let them talk, listen to what they have to say. Soak up some of their stoke. Sometimes graphic designers geek out a little too much, myself included, so it's always important to bounce ideas off others or at least just spend some time with people who see the world differently than you and your computer screen.
3. LISTEN TO MUSIC. 
Loudly. Maybe even dance, or at least silently headbang behind your monitor. It's fun. Go ahead, try it.
4. LOOK AT OTHER ART. 
Click around on design websites. There is an infinite amount of cool stuff out there to give you new ideas and keep your design current. My favorite is http://www.creativebloq.com
5. DRAW WITH REAL PAPER. AND A PENCIL. OR REAL PAINT. 
It's cheaper than therapy, and pretending you're in art school again is good for the soul. I also think fine art makes better designers.
6. EAT. 
Sometimes I forget to do this, and then my brain shuts down a little.
7. LEARN SOMETHING. 
Lynda.com is a great place to learn new techniques within the programs you know and love. Then you'll want to practice your techniques and test out your newfound knowledge.
8. SCARE YOURSELF! 
This is where I find inspiration. If you don't know this about me, I'm obsessed with snowboarding. I believe at the core of my soul that inspiration is waterproof-breathable. It can usually be found at the bottom of cliffs or hovering invisibly beyond a jump, or in that quick gap in your chest when your body drops faster than your heart. I think that letting your survival senses kick in every now and then (okay, or at least six times a week) is really good for appreciating your life and keeping inspiration overflowing, but hey, maybe I've just watched Point Break too many times.
9. OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS 
Art is everywhere, and planet earth is unbelievable. Have you watched ants as an adult? They're fascinating. Observe people walking down the street. That's always interesting. Appreciate the clouds. Sit on a roof. Climb a tree. Don't talk, just watch. You'll learn something, I promise.
10. TAKE A BREATH AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE. 
0 Comments

Graphic Design in Downtown Whitefish, MT --my new office!

6/13/2013

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

What Makes a Good Designer/Client Relationship

6/12/2013

1 Comment

 
Life is pretty good at Wheelie Creative Design these days. Business is booming, and I feel very fortunate to have many terrific clients right now. My clients are a huge part of why I love my job.

Recently, one of my clients asked me a very interesting question:
What makes a good designer/client relationship?
He had never worked with someone in the creative industry before, and he wanted to make sure he got what he wanted while also respecting my business practices. (This instantly makes him an excellent client to work with.) I thought for a moment, smiled, and delivered my best answer: communication. That's really what it comes down to, not only in design, but all workplaces and relationships. After thinking more thoroughly about his question for a few days, I decided the designer/client relationship is a great topic to write about.  I'm a bit biased being on the designer side of the conversation, but here goes:
Picture

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DESIGNER/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:


  1.  Communication. Period. As a designer, it is imperative to your business to listen with all your attention. Watch your client talk, listen to what they say, take notes, ask questions. This is not about you, it is about them and expressing their business for who and what it is. And clients, say what you mean. If you don't know how to express your ideas, find examples of websites or posters you like. Visual examples go a long way. Say what you mean, always. This is business. You're not going to hurt my feelings, and I'm not going to hurt yours. We both want to get this right. It's also a good idea for designers to check in with their clients along the design process to make sure the designer direction is congruent with the client vision.
  2.  Mutual Respect. I could talk about this one all day. I'm young. I wear skate shoes. Sometimes I have a goggle tan that makeup can't cover. That doesn't mean I'm not professional. I don't expect my clients to be on call for me, just as I am not going to add content to a website or create a brochure within four hours of receiving an email on a Sunday night. It's also extremely important to separate work relationships from personal relationships. A friend can still be a client as long as both parties understand the difference between discount hook-ups and needing to make a living.
  3. Trust. I trust my clients to say what they need to say. If a client doesn't like something, I trust that they will tell me to change directions or light that page of design concepts on fire. My clients trust me to deliver a product they care about. They trust my design instincts, education, and experience. Good designer/client relationships trust each other to do their job...which brings me to my next point:
  4. Accountability. Whatever it is: Own it. Designers, if your computer crashes and you lose everything, don't make excuses, just put your head down and make it right. Clients, if you suddenly have a new idea, don't tell your designer they're not doing their job, tell them you would like to try something you haven't mentioned yet.
  5. Delivery. Do what you say you are going to do. Whether that means hitting a client's deadline even if you have to work all weekend or outsourcing some programming to someone else to get a website function to work, then make it happen. This will make your design business successful. It's all about delivering a product your client will be stoked on. It's about them, not you, which leads to #6.
  6. Throw Your Artist Ego Away. Never throw an Eggo away. That's food, and you can eat that. I'm talking about ego. As a designer, it is important to remember that your work isn’t ultimately about you- it is a service for someone else and their needs as a client. Once you remove your ego, you take the emotional burden out of it, making it easier to accept criticism or change direction without feeling attachment to an idea you might love but your client is not receptive to.  There's a place for ego as an artist, but business shouldn't be that venue. I paint in my spare time. I put my ego into my paintings because my painting is for me. Design is for you.
  7.  Designers, be good to your printer. If you have a good working relationship with your local printer, your clients will love you even more. Treat your printer like gold. Quick turn-around time on printing will keep your clients happy. 
  8. Stay Inspired. Design is fun. It's the fun part for business owners too. As a designer, you get to make their brand tell the world who it is, and let's face it, that's pretty cool.
Picture

What do you think? Did I miss anything?

1 Comment

    Wheelie Deep Thoughts

    This is where we showcase fun stuff-- new work, case studies, weekly updates, job openings, and general awesomeness from members of the Wheelie Crew.

    lisa slagle
    Picture

    Read Posts About:

    All
    Adventure Entrepreneur
    Amanda Guy
    Business
    Camber Outdoors
    Client Interviews
    Design
    Life
    Portfolio Pieces
    Recent Work
    Thoughts

    BRAND STORIES:
    Glacier Park Conservancy
    Spencer Trail Signs

    Glacier Park Inc.
    Explore Glacier
    Whitefish Trail Signs
    Notice Snowboards
    The North Fork
    Dream Adaptive

    The Montana Scene
    Logos We've Made



    Picture
    follow Wheelie Creative on Facebook!

    Archives

    February 2021
    August 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    RSS Feed

    Picture
HEADQUARTERS:
​406-862-1440

130 Lupfer Ave.
​Whitefish, Montana 59937
​hello@wheeliecreative.com
HOURS:
​
​8am-5:30pm
Mon-Thurs
copyright 2021 Wheelie, LLC.
NEW BUSINESS INQUIRIES
MEET THE CREW
​REFERRAL PROGRAM
​FAQ
EMPLOYMENT


WORKSHOPS
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
AMBASSADOR TEAM
​TESTIMONIALS
BEHIND THE WHEEL
I can't recommend Wheelie enough. Our website launch was almost too successful, and we could barely keep up with the amount of orders we received as soon as we announced the rebrand. They are ah.MAZING!"
view more
  • LEVEL UP
  • WORK
  • WHEELHOUSE
    • WORKSHOPS
    • AMBASSADOR TEAM
    • PODCAST
  • Contact