I started a new job a little less than 5 months ago and it feels like I've been working on our holiday card the entire time. While I have probably only worked on it seriously the past month, talk of the card has been going on for ages. One of the most important criteria is to make it holiday neutral, respectful of all cultures and religions.
After many iterations of the card and careful cropping of photos for the calendars, we have our final concepts. I excitedly received our holiday calendars during our work party Friday and look forward to finishing up our e-card this week.
In the process of getting everything approved and in light of the time of year, my co-workers and I have been sharing our family traditions. Everyone has a different way of celebrating the holidays but I feel extremely lucky when I talk about all of the time I am able to spend with my family. Most co-workers were shocked that I had such large gatherings (even more shocked by my abundance of first cousins), and thought that my family had it all figured out. I am so happy to be spending another year with my close knit family and hope that everyone has a great holiday.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Postal Designer
Designing a stamp for Canada is a prestigious project and only the best artists and designers are commissioned to do so. Much thought goes into the design of stamps; will the image be strong at stamp size, how will the details print, will the subject offend any citizens, and so on. From my experience projects with government organizations generally involve working with a committee which makes the process even more difficult as you have more than one person to please with your design.
You can now avoid the hassle of working your way to the top and being asked to design a stamp by using Canada Post's Picture Postage application that helps you create personalized stamps for you and your loved ones. While stamps are thoroughly checked over and inappropriate designs are rejected, it is a fun opportunity to put an extra personal touch on your holiday cards and mail.
Please enjoy my latest design below.
You can now avoid the hassle of working your way to the top and being asked to design a stamp by using Canada Post's Picture Postage application that helps you create personalized stamps for you and your loved ones. While stamps are thoroughly checked over and inappropriate designs are rejected, it is a fun opportunity to put an extra personal touch on your holiday cards and mail.
Please enjoy my latest design below.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
The Plan Ran Out
A friend from work posted a link today to a great article about millennial women in the workplace. (Why Millennial Women Are Burning Out At Work By 30). After reading the article I quickly checked that I was in the age bracket then continued worrying that I might let this happen to me.
The article explains that while young professional women may not be dealing with difficult financial struggles, they are still frustrated that their lives are not turning out how they expected. These women may seem to have it all, but before they reach 30, many are burning out at work. Like me, many women plan how to do well in highschool and post secondary but stop short of planning for what will come after they have graduated or secured their first job in their field.
I remember being excited to graduate but extremely nervous about what would come after. I had been planning for college graduation since grade 10 when I took an aptitude test and discovered graphic design as a career option. From then on I chose courses that would help me get into the school of my choice, and I happily accepted when I was offered a spot at Conestoga, my top choice. After getting into Conestoga I pushed myself to do the best I could so that I would have a great portfolio at the end of the program. What I didn't do was plan how I would secure a job and keep my dream of becoming a magazine designer on track.
After a little more than a year I am happily settled in Toronto and have come to realize that I thought about what to do after graduation quite a bit. When I didn't get a job immediately, I decided to take an internship at a magazine publishing house. After a few months of interning and a short contract I had enough experience to get a job in production at a book publishing company. I thought that I would like production, but realized I wouldn't be happy working if I wasn't designing full time. This led me to look for a new position, taking me to my current position as a junior designer at an architecture and exhibit design firm. The stress level is much higher, but I am really enjoying being busy and useful as a designer. Co-workers come to me and trust that I can design their next presentation or proposal and are happy to work with me to get what they want.
While the article has me a little worried that I will take on too much and make myself crazy, my record of strong, smart decisions has me hopeful that I won't let that happen to me. The article concluded by saying that getting a long sought-after job is unlikely to be the end of the journey. Instead imput from new friends, new places and new experiences will change the end goal and desired career outcomes. From what I have experienced so far I definitely agree. If I had stuck with my original goal I never would have learned about the book industry, nor would I have thought about becoming an exhibit designer. With so many options within my field, I anticipate a long meandering design career.
The article explains that while young professional women may not be dealing with difficult financial struggles, they are still frustrated that their lives are not turning out how they expected. These women may seem to have it all, but before they reach 30, many are burning out at work. Like me, many women plan how to do well in highschool and post secondary but stop short of planning for what will come after they have graduated or secured their first job in their field.
I remember being excited to graduate but extremely nervous about what would come after. I had been planning for college graduation since grade 10 when I took an aptitude test and discovered graphic design as a career option. From then on I chose courses that would help me get into the school of my choice, and I happily accepted when I was offered a spot at Conestoga, my top choice. After getting into Conestoga I pushed myself to do the best I could so that I would have a great portfolio at the end of the program. What I didn't do was plan how I would secure a job and keep my dream of becoming a magazine designer on track.
After a little more than a year I am happily settled in Toronto and have come to realize that I thought about what to do after graduation quite a bit. When I didn't get a job immediately, I decided to take an internship at a magazine publishing house. After a few months of interning and a short contract I had enough experience to get a job in production at a book publishing company. I thought that I would like production, but realized I wouldn't be happy working if I wasn't designing full time. This led me to look for a new position, taking me to my current position as a junior designer at an architecture and exhibit design firm. The stress level is much higher, but I am really enjoying being busy and useful as a designer. Co-workers come to me and trust that I can design their next presentation or proposal and are happy to work with me to get what they want.
While the article has me a little worried that I will take on too much and make myself crazy, my record of strong, smart decisions has me hopeful that I won't let that happen to me. The article concluded by saying that getting a long sought-after job is unlikely to be the end of the journey. Instead imput from new friends, new places and new experiences will change the end goal and desired career outcomes. From what I have experienced so far I definitely agree. If I had stuck with my original goal I never would have learned about the book industry, nor would I have thought about becoming an exhibit designer. With so many options within my field, I anticipate a long meandering design career.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
New to Nuit Blanche
Last night I went to my first Nuit Blanche in Toronto; conveniently the friend I went with is much more familiar with the city and was able to help guide me to the best areas in town. We started North of where I live at the Spadina House and Casa Loma stables. Spadina House had a number of installations that were spaced along a path in their beautiful garden. They also had an interactive piece where one person at a time could put on special glasses and control bubbles on a projected screen (I didn't try it, but my friend thought it was pretty fun). The installation at the Casa Loma stables recreated a birch forest with speakers built into the trees and lighting effects to change the feeling of the forest from light and airy, to dreary and mysterious.
When we were finished with the installations north of Dupont, we hopped on the subway, got off at Union, then worked our way back north. It was disappointing that Union did not have any installations but after walking only a few minutes we were in one of the most heavily populated areas. Walking along Bay, we stopped at the Design Exchange, looked at a fun house, took a break on the steps at the corner of Bay and King, then continued on the City Hall.
There were a number of pieces to see in an around City Hall, but my favourite piece of the night ended up being the suspended pieces in the Eaton Centre titled Vertical Constructions: Dancer #1 and #2, by Max Streicher. The sculptures were made of recycled billboards, sewn together to create abstract shapes that the artist wanted to represent speed and movement.
After much walking we made it to our final destination, Market 707, an urban food court that transforms shipping crates into food stalls. While many of the items were sold out, it was still a great place to finish off, and we enjoyed Korean veggie pancakes and chicken curry dumplings before our quick ride home.
When we were finished with the installations north of Dupont, we hopped on the subway, got off at Union, then worked our way back north. It was disappointing that Union did not have any installations but after walking only a few minutes we were in one of the most heavily populated areas. Walking along Bay, we stopped at the Design Exchange, looked at a fun house, took a break on the steps at the corner of Bay and King, then continued on the City Hall.
There were a number of pieces to see in an around City Hall, but my favourite piece of the night ended up being the suspended pieces in the Eaton Centre titled Vertical Constructions: Dancer #1 and #2, by Max Streicher. The sculptures were made of recycled billboards, sewn together to create abstract shapes that the artist wanted to represent speed and movement.
After much walking we made it to our final destination, Market 707, an urban food court that transforms shipping crates into food stalls. While many of the items were sold out, it was still a great place to finish off, and we enjoyed Korean veggie pancakes and chicken curry dumplings before our quick ride home.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Artistic Anxiety
I love to help a friend out, but when they ask me to design, draw or paint something on the spot I get very nervous. Yesterday my boss asked if I wanted to go to a ceramic painting event, where the bowl I paint will be put into the kiln, then sold at a silent auction for a scholarship fund. I'm excited now, but when she first mentioned it I got worried immediately, I don't want to be the one who makes the ugly bowl that no one buys. If I painted something and knew it was only going to be me stuck with it that would be fine, but I'm supposed to be helping raise money. Thankfully my boss reassured me that lots of people plan ahead and even provided me with this year's theme. If it turns out well I will be sure to post an image.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Two Off the List
In my second year of college I got a job at the information desk. Because of the nature of the job, my boss focused a lot on how we could build our soft skills for the future. One of the things she highly suggested (i.e. forced us to do) was attend Connect workshops, a series she created for just that purpose. While I don't remember what the results were for my personality test, who I met at the workshops or any of the ice breaker games, the workshops opened me up to participating in other similar exercises.
In January I did a one hour questionnaire that asked me to write down things I wanted or valued from a list of characteristics and aspects of life. In addition to that, the questionnaire wanted me to write a list of things to accomplish in the next five years. At the time I thought it was probably a waste and that I would throw the list out or find it many years later, but instead I found it a few weeks ago. I am happy to report that I have accomplished two things on my list. Not only did I take a web course, but my work paid for it. In addition to that I joined a recreational volleyball team and am back to loving sports. I didn't think I missed group sports, but after smiling through the entirety of my first two games I am convinced.
Next up on the list is a trip to Croatia and learning to scuba dive, here's hoping I can accomplish both on an amazing trip to Europe.
In January I did a one hour questionnaire that asked me to write down things I wanted or valued from a list of characteristics and aspects of life. In addition to that, the questionnaire wanted me to write a list of things to accomplish in the next five years. At the time I thought it was probably a waste and that I would throw the list out or find it many years later, but instead I found it a few weeks ago. I am happy to report that I have accomplished two things on my list. Not only did I take a web course, but my work paid for it. In addition to that I joined a recreational volleyball team and am back to loving sports. I didn't think I missed group sports, but after smiling through the entirety of my first two games I am convinced.
Next up on the list is a trip to Croatia and learning to scuba dive, here's hoping I can accomplish both on an amazing trip to Europe.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Hittin' the Books
I was talking to a friend last night about reading and after a few minutes we realized we had experienced the same thing mere days apart. After not reading a book for a long time, we picked one up and wondered why we had waited so long. Reading a newspaper or magazine is nice, but getting sucked into a great book is infinitely better. I've mentioned this before, but I've been trying to read all the magazines I set aside while I was in school. Every once in a while I let myself read a book instead and all of a sudden I'm making time to read and end up staying up late to fit in a few more pages.
Another thing my friend and I realized is that reading a traditional book rather than an e-book is much more tactile and satisfying. Currently I'm reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, and I love that I can see my progress by how far into the book my bookmark is. My parents asked if I wanted an e-book for Christmas last year, and I declined for a couple of reasons, in addition to the greater enjoyment reading a traditional book provides, I also love to see all of my books on my shelf (probably my favourite thing in my apartment).
Overall, I love having time to read again. After making a Google spreadsheet of all the books I've written down that I want to read, I've realized that reading will continue to delight me for the foreseeable future.
Another thing my friend and I realized is that reading a traditional book rather than an e-book is much more tactile and satisfying. Currently I'm reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, and I love that I can see my progress by how far into the book my bookmark is. My parents asked if I wanted an e-book for Christmas last year, and I declined for a couple of reasons, in addition to the greater enjoyment reading a traditional book provides, I also love to see all of my books on my shelf (probably my favourite thing in my apartment).
Overall, I love having time to read again. After making a Google spreadsheet of all the books I've written down that I want to read, I've realized that reading will continue to delight me for the foreseeable future.
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