Project Seven

The last one! I can't believe it. This is a magazine spread, written, design, and photographed by Yours Truly. My article was written about nerd hobbies and how there is a little nerd in all of us. This project was so much work (read: regular 4:00am bedtimes), but also a ton of fun to create. Thanks for following along this semester and have a very happy holiday season! I certainly intend to.

On Blogging

As this semester draws to a close, I'm thinking about the future of this blog. Will I continue posting bits and pieces of things that inspire my design spirit? Will I morph it into something fresh and new? Or will I let it die, like so many blogs before it?

I don't know what will become of CMYKunz, but I do know that I've gained a great respect for professional bloggers. It's not easy posting content regularly, much less amazing content. Ideally, a blog is so beautifully curated that readers will flock, but that's not always the case. Making a living from blogging is a tall order, but there are many who are successful.

If you're thinking, now or ever, of blogging as a profession, here is a terrific list of what makes a blog good, via 42 Folders.

1. Good blogs have a voice. Who wrote this? What is their name? What can I figure out about who they are that they have never overtly told me? 
2. Good blogs reflect focused obsessions. People start real blogs because they think about something a lot. Maybe even five things. But, their brain so overflows with curiosity about a family of topics that they can't stop reading and writing about it.
3. Good blogs are the product of "Attention times Interest." A blog shows me where someone's attention tends to go. Then, on some level, they encourage me to follow the evolution of their interest through a day or a year. There's a story here. Ethical "via" links make it easy for me to follow their specific trail of attention, then join them for a walk made out of words.
4. Good blog posts are made of paragraphs. Blog posts are written, not defecated. They show some level of craft, thinking, and continuity beyond the word count mandated by the Owner of Your Plantation.
5. Good "non-post" blogs have style and curation. Some of the best blogs use unusual formats, employ only photos and video, or utilize the list format to artistic effect.
6. Good blogs are weird. Blogs make fart noises and occasionally vex readers with the degree to which the blogger's obsession will inevitably diverge from the reader's. If this isn't happening every few weeks, the blogger is either bored, half-assing, or taking new medication.
7. Good blogs make you want to start your own blog. At some point, everyone wants to kill the Buddha and make their own obsessions the focus. This is good. It means you care.
8. Good blogs try. A good blog is written by a blogger who thinks longer, works harder, and obsesses more. Ultimately, a good blogger tries. That's why "good" is getting rare.
9. Good blogs know when to break their own rules.

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Gift Wrap This

I have very few talents, but one of them is wrapping presents. Call me boastful, but my wrapping skills can make even the gift of a banana peel look good. Actually, gift wrapping masks the fact that I'm not a terrific gift giver. In the spirit of the holidays, here are some drool-worthy packages. P.S. I DARE you to search Pinterest for wrapping ideas.

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Inspiration Stations Part 2

"Things that make me go hmmm." - C&C Music Factory

1) Letterpress:

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2) Jamie Beck's Blog, specifically her Lifestyle section

3) Table top photography

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4) Young House Love, The Book, 243 DIY ideas for the home (visit the blog here) 

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5) Animal print tops

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6) Marc Johns, the artist

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Project Five

This was by far the hardest assignment for me. I would estimate that I spent 40 hours or so working on this. The assignment was to create an iPhone app, my choice. I designed an app called "Ask Fancy" for busy women who want to stay trendy. A user can ask "Fancy," a savvy database, if a certain article of clothing is in style, read up on the current trends, and see a selection of daily looks from across the web.

My first draft was rough to say the least. I learned really quickly that navigation is key. Though this took me essentially back to the drawing board, I was really happy with my revision. Thinking 100% about user experience, I added universal navigation, clear pathways, and multiple avenues. I rethought and cleaned up the overall design. My biggest "ah-ha" moment came when I was able to eliminate four entire wireframes by simply thinking strategically and using a sort button.

As Tyra Banks would say, here's my best shot:

The greeting cards have all been sent...

I don't always send out holiday cards. Sometimes I make them and they never get printed. Other times, I pick up a really fancy pack of cards from the dollar store and slap my name on them. This year, I haven't even had a free second to think about anything other than words, images, and Words and Images.

But last year, oh dear me, LAST YEAR, I nailed it. #tootingmyownhorn

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we? 
The inspiration for the card came from a print of that infamous quote from A Christmas Story that I saw on Etsy: "Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window."

I knew I wanted something simple that incorporated quotes from holiday movies that my husband I love. I used typographic design and some traditional colors. The back of the card had a couple super-cheesy pictures of my husband and I. Because what's a Christmas card without a super-cheesy picture?
Finally, I managed to convince my elf, I mean, husband to put his calligraphy skills to good use...while I fanned myself and ate bon-bons. *Sigh* Those were the glory days. Maybe next year....

Inspiration Stations

When I feel my creative juices running dry, I find inspiration by peeking around the portfolios of a few of my favorite graphic designers. Just looking at all they are able to create, invigorates me and helps me push myself to try harder and be better. 

Just a few, in no particular order:

1. Melanie Burk of Fifth and Hazel

2. Jessica Jones of Jessica Jones Design

3. Mike and Alma Loveland of Ollibird

4. Christine Hughes from Darling

I'm not terrible crafty, but sometimes participating in another creative area like DIY awesomeness is just what the doctor ordered to replenish those juices. So I'll turn to:

1. You are my fave

2. Say Yes to Hoboken

3. Oh Happy Day!

4. How About Orange