finding focus
At the beginning of the year, it’s so easy to set resolutions. You make goals that are genuinely important to you and stay dedicated for a few days, a week, sometimes even a month.
Then life happens.
You miss a day and suddenly you’ve settled into the old habits that you were hoping to let go.
But here’s the thing: Just because you took a slight detour, doesn’t mean you have to abandon the goal.
You just need to reevaluate. This month and every month is an opportunity to set and maintain consistent next steps in the direction that your heart aims.
All you have to do is take a moment and re-find your focus.
How to Redesign a Local Magazine: Deconstructing NOLA Baby and Family Magazine
For nearly a year I’ve worked with NOLA Baby & Family to design their print magazine that goes out to around 10,000 people in the greater New Orleans area. The publication was founded in 2006 by local mom and entrepreneur, Ann Herren. Each issue highlights useful information with local parents and families in mind.
I started working on the magazine in March 2015, building on an adapted design from the previous designer. This December, however, I was offered the opportunity to take a stab at a full redesign.
I. love. redesigns.
There’s something beautiful about being able to start with a blank document and build something that makes people feel something. Many people don’t realize this, but the majority of a graphic designer’s job is to establish design systems for clients. Good graphic designers bring structure to establish consistency through guidelines and rules.
In this post I will walk you through the process of redesigning Nola Baby & Family magazine and highlight what it takes to build something for an already established brand.
ilovecreatives feature
This post was originally featured on ilovecreatives.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
More specifically, I’m a a creative director, graphic designer and marketing strategist. This means I wear a lot of hats and have my fair share of side projects.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
A lot of school and a lot of hustle. I majored in Graphic Design for undergrad and received a Masters in Arts Administration. I also worked a variety of positions: web designer, graphic designer at an ad agency, communications manager at an arts high school, and instructor at a university.
I took the leap and started my own business in 2014 and have seen my professional and personal life flourish as a result.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
I think the only thing that holds anyone from their goals is a lack of tenacity—an ability to work beyond the phase where things are difficult.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Currently I’m working on quite a few things:
1. Creative Consulting for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs
2. Teaching branding at Loyola University
3. Planning VenturePOP, a Creative Entrepreneur Conference in New Orleans
4. Creating meaningful content as a blogger and illustrator
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Right now I’m really interested in learning video production. I think visual storytelling in this form is the most interesting.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
My biggest challenge is always finding the right balance between bread and butter jobs and passion focused projects.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I’m actually considering hiring a virtual assistant for 2 things: Email management and help with research for my class and my blog posts.
LET’S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
It took a long time for me to leave my full-time job. If I could go back in time I would have done it much earlier in my career. I had the skills.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
There are so many game changers. I would love to talk with Tina Roth Eisenberg about the transition from designer/blogger to icon. I admire her growth and development as a creative entrepreneur.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I love branding projects
I love illustration
I love content creation, especially in the travel industry.
And recently I’ve had the opportunity to speak at some pretty interesting conferences and events. I would love to do that more.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?
VenturePOP Conference has truly been one of the best professional experiences of my life. Working with a small group of creatives we developed a beautiful experience for 150 attendees filled with incredible national speakers. I think it worked because each of the co-founders has a different skill set. We genuinely complement each other.
WHAT IS YOUR RATE?
In general I only work with businesses for minimum contracts of $1500.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Feel free to email me directly. I am interested in making digital connections and grabbing coffee with interesting people.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Disconnect from the glowing screens