Design Killers
In the last few months I have seen some trends that spark some fear for my profession. I believe some of the following practices and/or trends may be leading to the dilution and even destruction of our profession.
Business
Learn the other side of your craft.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Creative Success With Multiple Skills
In this sea of everyday web designers, artists and writers, finding out where you fit in may be the hardest task. As I watch the news every night with much trepidation, it seems like unemployment and closing businesses are on the rise. If there is one thing to take away from this, it’s ‘don’t limit yourself’ - learn a second, or even third, skill. Having multiple tools in your tool belt will allow for additional avenues of income and potential success where you least expect. It all depends on what you are doing with your time.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
UNC’s Arts & Business Seminar
We’ll be speaking today at UNC’s Arts & Business Seminar with Michelle Bordner, Artistic Coordinator for Carolina Performing Arts, Chris Wimberley of Nightsound Studios, Alexis MastroMichalis of Nightlight and Jim Dennis of Music Loft on the subject of “So Your Want To Open A Studio?” (Local professionals with backgrounds in Music, Studio Art, Design, and Dance come together to share and compare their experiences managing a small business and pursuing their artistic careers.) Our plan is to be open, honest and careful not to sugar coat the gory details of entrepreneurship. These are the questions they’ve asked us to prepare for…
Post by laura in Around Town • Business • News • (0) Comments •
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Motivation to create
In a moment of self-reflection I’ve complied a few ideas that might help artists stay motivated.
Art Makes Great Gifts - It is the holidays so what better way to get some new work done than to give a gift to your loved ones. In most cases your family or friends desire one of your masterful creations, but just cannot afford it. Here is an opportunity to do something nice and hopefully it will have been a portfolio-worthy piece as well. Whether it is for the New Year, for your valentine or just a birthday, it is a good way to have a solid deadline and stick to it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Inspirational Links
Everyone always asks artists about their inspiration; where does it come from, who inspires them, why do they create the way they do. Some of these questions will continually go unanswered, many will receive a pretentious artist’s explanation and only a few may come down to the very specific reason why. Each artist that I have met has been inspired and motivated quite differently but there is one consistent factor, and that’s the unquenchable desire to create.
Making Controversy Work For You
All “controversial” artists have some type of message. This message is usually something you’ve heard before, either from a Christian conservative or maybe a man-hating lesbian or animal rights activist, but never the less, a voice that is represented visually. The voice they speak is one that touches each of our nerves and the imagery is striking. In some cases their motivation is purely shock value to force you to run away crying. At other times the artists are asking you think about the concept with new eyes and consider the other side.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Market Your Art
As an artist I can only speak from experience, getting noticed and recognized is quite the daunting task. Taking on the life of an artist or freelancer is never easy and here are a few tips on how to get noticed.
Post by laura in Around Town • Artwork • Business • Web • (0) Comments •
Inspiration in Every Corner
Artists are too often lacking their creative muse, their inspiration, ideas that pay the bills. Art is reactionary work, not very often do you wake up ready to create something great and original. Creating something from nothing is harder work than say, your average day at the auditing house or security detail. There are no guarantees that what you put down, put out will be well received - unless what you’re putting out is your body.
Post by laura in Around Town • Artwork • Business • (0) Comments •
Friday, January 09, 2009
Seeking Artists and Musicians
photo kidnapped from the Scrap Exchange
We are currently in the process of collecting names & contact info for super cool, but underground, artists, musicians and business owners for the new and improved Artery Magazine. We’ve been working slowly on it for months thinking no one’s paid attention - but they have, and we’ve been getting emails, phone calls and other odd requests. Guys and gals in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and yes, even Durham. With the immediate reaction we’ve had from Durham residents I can’t understand why everyone is so down on the Bull City.
Post by laura in Around Town • Artwork • Business • Music • News • Writing • (0) Comments •
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Logo and Business Card Design
We received an email from good friend, Steve Downie, early this week about creating a logo and business card design. Steve is a lifestyle photographer whose claim to fame is his most excellent captures of local performers in their element, their roadies and the small details that set them apart.