Catching ideas

I took a walk on my lunch break today, in the Baille Ard park that's five minutes by car from work.

My hair was loose and as I walked through the fragrant, chirpy, buggy woods at a relaxed pace, my hair swayed a little with my movements.

As I walked I thought about some different projects I'm working on these days. My body in motion helps me come up with new ideas, come up with the next step. Something that's been feeling stuck, if I contemplate it on a walk, and turn it around in my head like a puzzle, suddenly clicks into place. The next thing to do becomes clear. "Oh, of course!" I think, "That's the solution."

It occurred to me that it's like my hair is catching the ideas. Like all the fronds and leaves and needles, green and lush in the woods around me, my hair is alive, sensitive, catching particles in the air, and turning them into ideas for me.

It may or may not be true, but as ideas go, I like it.

Day 18: Bloom and the Island Blooms

Today I wanted to share some behind-the-scenes shots from a graphic I made last year, a printed version of which is one of the perks for my crowdfunding campaign. 

This is the graphic:

It originally appeared on a Facebook Page that myself and my classmate/friend Jacquie Blanchard created, called Share That You Care - Cape Breton. The Facebook Page was for a class project we did that was all about using design for social good, and you can check it out and see all 12 graphics we did, at that link above.

I made the island out of lupin flowers in June of 2014. I went out into my backyard and picked a bowlful of lupins from the little patch in my garden.

Then I printed off a version of the Cape Breton vector I use in all my products (bumper stickers, etc) and started laying the petals on top.

When it was done how I liked, I got out my DSLR camera and took some photos of it from above. Then I used Photoshop to lay in the text and prepare it for the web.

And that's it! It was a fun day, and looking back at these photos this snowy spring has been a nice reminder that one day, the flowers will bloom again.

For the perk, I'll be getting this graphic printed at 8"X10" from a Cape Breton business on a beautiful stock, ready to be framed.

To see more about my crowdfunding campaign, click here!

Day 17: A Bit About Working With Me

If you've been looking at the perk of Design Credit over on my IndieGogo campaign, and wondering just what it's like to work with a freelance designer, well, let me explain it a bit! Or at least, explain the process I go through.

It all starts with a chat. Either we talk on the phone, or Skype, or we meet in person. This chat is free - I haven't started the "clock" yet. We talk about your project: what you're hoping to get created, what your inspirations are, what your timeline is, what your budget is. I make lots of notes and ask lots of questions.

Then usually a few days later, I give you an estimate. This is presented in the same sort of format as an invoice, but it's not an invoice. It comes via PDF in your email. It breaks down what I'll create for you and outlines the amount of money we've agreed upon exchanging. You accept this estimate and then my work begins.

(A note about asking for payment up front: every designer and businessperson works differently about payments. Up to this point in my business I haven't asked for payment up front but I think down the road that will change. And obviously the perks work differently... they're pre-paid.)

Charging by the hour is a bit tricky and there is no perfect formula; every designer figures out what works for them. Design is like other services like auto-mechanics or fashion design (and sometimes feels like a weird mix of the two). Nothing ever takes the same amount of time, but here are some general items and estimates of time (although of course it depends on the project):

• Business card: 1 hour
• Brochure: 6 hours
• Logo from scratch: 10 hours
• Vectorizing an existing logo: 1-2 hours
• Facebook header image/profile image using your existing branding: 1 hour
• Illustration: 2-4 hours

Revisions: this is the number of times we'll make changes. The higher the budget, the more revisions I can include. Designers put this in our estimates to avoid scope creep.

Basically, what I've learned from working in other people's businesses since I was 17 -- and from having a side hustle for the last two years -- is that customer service is key. I want to make sure you're happy! So these guidelines are just that: to guide us in making sure the exchange of service for money is fair and that we're both happy with the end result.

You can check out some of my work here in my portfolio, and view the IndieGogo campaign here to purchase some design time! And as always, if you have questions, hit me up at leahcnoble@gmail.com

Day 11: The Value of What I Do

 

Before I started writing this post, I almost talked myself out of writing it.

I thought, "Well, I better do some research first, get some statistics to really prove the value of graphic design. And that's definitely going to take forever. So maybe I just won't, because I'm kind of tired today."

Then I checked my email. Because I tend to do that when I'm procrastinating. And I got an email newsletter from New Zealand blogger Marianne Elliott, titled "The Bravest Thing I've Done This Year." In it, she says,

"I chose to back myself not because I was sure of myself, but despite the fact that I felt insecure, uncertain and afraid."

And it really struck me, because that's how I feel about this whole endeavour, this whole doing-a-crowdfunding-campaign-to-raise-the-money-to-take-a-business-coaching-program. I'm not doing it because I'm 100% totally certain of success. I'm doing it despite all the doubts and fears that come up for me every day about this being a crazy idea. I'm writing a blog post a day for it even though it's not easy, even though I don't really have the time, even though some evenings I'd rather not.

So then I decided, well, I can just speak from the heart about the value of graphic design! I don't need to show statistics about the return on the dollar of a logo, or a Facebook post, or clever website copy. Those statistics are important, yes. But it's not, deep down, the reason I do design. Or that I write. Or that I use social media.

I do it because it connects me with my readers, who are other human beings. And I love connecting with human beings.

I do it because images and graphics tell stories too.

I do it because "I Heart CB" is a declaration in bold black, white and red, powerful as any language.

I do it because cards are fun to send in the mail.

I do it because words are my passion and have been since I was a little kid.

I do it because it's just damn fun to dance and share videos of that.

I do it because I feel compelled to tell my truth, and to read the truths of others.

I do it because an identity for a company or a product, when done right, is a beautiful thing.

And all that I have learned through my years of experience blogging and designing is what I offer as a service. That is my value. And that is what you get, if you hire me for a project.

You can see my portfolio here on my website. And you can check out the Design Credit perks on my crowdfunding campaign here. And if you have any questions at all about working with me or about whether your project would be a good fit, just email me and we can talk it out: leahcnoble@gmail.com.

And, now this post is done! I could so easily have talked myself out of writing it. But I'm glad I didn't, because although it's different than what I had imagined I would write, it's also real, and written, and done.

the one about 100 Rejection Letters, part 2: Values & Branding

leahnoble11

So. Values!

(And yes, I frequently use crayons in my work. No, I'm not worried it makes me look childish. Well, maybe a little. But not a lot.)

(Also, Part 1 of this post is here, if you're just joining us now.)

Before I did this work that I'm about to share,  I'll admit that the word "values" made me think of dull, boring things like right-wing conservative politicians yammering on about "family values", which to me personally means very little. Actually, come to think of it, it does mean something, but when used in that context, it feels like words that are smokescreens and that have other, devious meanings, like "oppression" and "intolerance" under the guise of "family values."

But I trust Tiffany (my life coach). And I'm learning to trust the process. So when, after a coaching call where we talked about how I wanted to use social media less, she gave me her workbook "Social Media Rehab" and I read a section in it about values, I thought, "OK, I'll trust Tiffany on this. I'll give this values stuff a shot."

Also, Tiffany had shared her "brand tree" with us in the 100RL program. I'll show you my own brand tree in a bit (once I tell you how I figured out what to put in it) but this, basically, is a brand tree:

leahnoble12

And your values are at the bottom, and what the rest of it all springs from. Well, without knowing my values, I couldn't fill in the rest! So I took a deep breath, and stared down the big scary list of values to pick out the ones that resonated with me.

From Tiffany Han's Social Media Rehab workbook, a section on values.

From Tiffany Han's Social Media Rehab workbook, a section on values.

Like all the other exercises so far, at first, looking at the task, I was scared. I didn't know where to start. I wanted to just not do it. But then I picked up the pen, and wrote something. (Or in this case, circled something.)

The thing about values is, they're super subjective. What do they really mean? You could argue that forever. But I haven't got forever, and if I did, I wouldn't want to spend it debating what "accomplishment" or "goodwill" really look like. So, again, another theme that's emerging (along with "so I picked up the pen, and wrote something"): I went with my gut.

The other feeling I encountered was feeling like I should value all these things. These are all good things. But, to be blunt, you can't pick them all. So move on, Leah!

After I picked my top ten, I ranked them using this exercise.

From Tiffany Han's Social Media Rehab workbook, a section on values.

And then a week later, I had a call with Tiffany, and that's when the fun started. (Ha!) It felt like Alice in Wonderland a bit, because what she did was then compare each value to one other value. "Would you rather have wisdom without trust, or trust without wisdom?" Well, how the heck do you decide that? "Would you rather have wisdom without love, or love without wisdom?" "Would you rather have wisdom without fun, or fun without wisdom?" I quickly felt disoriented in a never-ending maze of values that quickly lost meaning. But it was fast. Pick one of the two and move on. It took about thirty minutes and in the end I was a bit worn out. And in the end my list of values had got re-arranged again.

leahnoble_10

The good thing to keep in mind is that these things are always in flux. This list is not set in stone. I will grow and change as my life continues and my values can too. But having a list is a starting point. It's a solid base to stand on. To look at and say, "I need these things to be present in my life, day to day, to feel good." You can also think about how you are honoring each value, in a given day. How am I honoring wisdom today? How am I honoring communication? And the honoring of them can be small acts, like for example, going to the library to be surrounded by many people's wisdom in the form of books.

So then, the next step: I put those 10 values in my brand tree.

The next thing is coming up with your three brand words. I asked Tiffany about this and she said to spend some time looking at brands I admire and think about what I connect with, about them. And to think about the brand words in this way: "I want everything my business/I does/do to be __________ or ___________ or __________." And, to think about the value I want to provide to my customer, and how I want to provide it.

The three brand words I came up with are clarity, groundedness, and beauty. Again, these can change! That's the freeing part.

A brand tree

Then it felt like it was time to start creating a brand look. And that's where I hit another wall. I'm a designer, so I feel a lot of should inside myself about what I should be able to do. I did some research (which, to be honest, is usually a way of stalling, for me, not actually productive) and downloaded some free and cheap PDFs from other people talking about how to brand yourself.

And then (can you see a theme here?) I picked up the pen, and wrote. LOL.

Next week, I'll share my branding process so far,  which will include a cool eCourse I took from Braid Creative. (Which, holy crap, if I could afford them at all right now, would I ever want to work with them! Check them out, they're badass lady bosses. I love it!)

I hope you have a wonderful, productive and inspired week, my dears, and don't be shy -- it thoroughly makes my day to hear your thoughts!

xo Leah

begin, again.

Every storm and snowfall brings new snow to shovel. Every time I lace up my boots, and pick up the shovel, and go out to the driveway, I must begin the process of shovelling it clear, again. Likewise, every day and meal brings new dishes to wash. Every time I approach the sink, tidy and scrape, pull on the rubber gloves, and turn the tap, I must begin the process of turning dirty dishes into clean ones, again. Every day.

There is a concept in Buddhism called the "beginner's mind" that I'm a little familiar with, thanks to my Buddhist dad. Basically it means that, no matter how much of an expert you become, it is a good practice to keep your mind open to new ideas, as if you were a beginner. While the expert's mind has only one right way to do things, the beginner's mind has many options.  Begin, again. It's frustrating sometimes - "what, this again?!" ... like the movie Groundhog Day, but it is also a reminder to take a deep breath, not overthink the process, and just... begin, again. Do the work.

***

This week, thanks to the wicked and wild wintry weather, I had some time to spend working on my own branding. It is kind of funny how scared I am to just sit down and do the work. Whatever resistance shows up when I'm doing work for a client is double when it comes to doing the work for myself! It continuously blows my mind how weird that is.

But, for three hours on Friday and a few hours today, I worked on my own branding. And, I'll definitely share more about this whole process at some point with you guys, but right at this moment I don't feel ready to. My intuition is telling me to keep it private a little bit longer, to let it gestate. And, I'm working to give space to my intuition in this whole process, so I'm going to honour that.

But, I will share it, soon -- I want to show you the questions I've been answering, about my company and my brand, and the mood board I'm making of inspiring textures and colours for the site. I want to share how I came up with my personal values, and why value-work is even important (hint: it's a lot cooler than it sounds), and what sorts of goals I'm setting for my business. 

If you're curious now, though, you can check out a couple of Pinterest boards I'm using to corral inspiration and ideas: My Brand Moodboard and I Love My Small Biz.

I hope you have a productive and inspiring week!

xo Leah