forming thoughts and making work

I've been doing a lot of reading lately about the process of design, not actually designing, but just the way we go about thinking, drafting, planning, and creating in the design world. Way too often I get wrapped up in having so much to accomplish, so many projects to finish that I don't really allow myself the time to just think about the design. My mind goes on autopilot, pulling inspiration from god knows where, and I end up churning out a design I am only halfway pleased with. The articles and posts I've been reading lately have inspired and challenged me to go about this whole process differently. To put the time into letting inspiration grow organically so your results don't feel like a hodge-podge of ideas you've seen somewhere before; and to just think about the early steps of design as being just as important as that moment when you sit down at the computer to execute an idea. I feel like this way of processing information and inspiration will also lend itself to a little more balance between life and work. I have a hard time processing inspiration I encounter on a day to day basis because I'm so rushed to instead be working, but now I plan on giving a little more breathing room to the simple acts of idea creation, sketching, and reflection.

Here are the readings that I am referring to, see if you can find the quote that I did the design below from.

AIGA: Beyond Craft & Tools

Inspiration vs. Imitation

The Fresh Exchange

Also a great video interview with Paula Scher.

What are your thoughts on finding inspiration, waiting for ideas to strike, and getting to work on any of your creative endeavors?

finding the light

 

The last month has been spent navigating the waters of this new schedule and new lifestyle of mine.  I've lost track of dates and have been working harder than I ever have before, but somehow enjoying every moment of it.  There is a feeling of calm and freedom that I have never enjoyed before; no matter how busy I am get; and that is priceless. 

Here are a few moments from the couple of last months, shot with my new 50mm lens that seems to discover in the most beautiful light ever.

28 & 2013

Yesterday I turned 28 and officially started the new year.  I was a little behind getting my 2013 started because a lot of big changes have been happening; good, life-affirming types of changes.

This month I quit my job of full-time art teaching to pursue a career in art and design. It's been a change that I have been needing, wanting, craving, working towards, and hoping for for far too long now.  It's taken the mister and I years to get to this place where we feel comfortable and settled and ready to take this big step, I'm so lucky to have his support in my life.  And it wasn't until yesterday that I felt ready to sit down and reflect on the past year and look towards the future ahead of me, because my last day of work was the day before my birthday, hence the new year and birthday joint celebration.

Before I talk about goals and plans to come, let me take a step back.  As 2013 started I was transitioning from being a full-time teacher to a part-time student and part-time freelance designer.  I was working 40+ hours at my job while also going to new classes in graphic design and still working on projects for various clients.  The last few weeks were crazy, a whirlwind of tasks that were so spread out I didn't know where to place my focus or my energy.  While teaching was a wonderful opportunity for me, a job that paid my for school the first time around and an experience that took me from being a child to an adult with a real career, it just never felt like the right fit.  My heart and creative mind were always somewhere else- making, planning, aching.  So with this switch into a new phase of my life I am finally able to slow down and think and gain a little more perspective on what I want out of the future.

My plans in the next month, year, and years to come are not set in stone yet but I know that I will be more fulfilled in doing something I can truly enjoy, the exact thing I was trying to teach my students over the last 6 years!  So now I'll be working on expanding my own design and illustrations, building my etsy shop into what I've long wanted it to be, sharing my work here with you as well as on various client projects, and most importantly, I'll be gaining more knowledge as I put some time, money, and effort into my own education.  I can't tell you how excited I am for all of this and I'll be sure to share the journey here with you.  It feels good to do something good for yourself every once in a while.

xo- kat

instagram photo from my pre-birthday weekend with a dear friend at Wrightsville beach. 

four-dollar pine cone garland

 I was so excited to find these tiny gold pine cone ornaments at the dollar store last weekend.  I scooped up three packs (four cones on each) and a spool of twine from the kitchen section.  This little garland is the first of my holiday decorations so far this year but it is starting to get me in the spirit for more...

shop update, holiday coupon code, AND a giveaway!

Hello friends!  It's been another long break due to an overly packed schedule but I wanted to pop in today and share some new prints I have up in the shop.  The peach and mint floral pattern prints are 5x7 inches and are $10 and the woodland NC print is 8x10 and is $12. 

Order now for your holiday gifts and like Heart & Craft on facebook for an exclusive coupon code!  I'm also offering (for a short time) custom state prints in the same style as my woodland NC for just $50.  Leave me a comment here or send my a message in my etsy shop to set up an order!

And the most exciting news of the day?  I am offering a giveaway of one FREE custom state print to a reader!  Like the shop on etsy and facebook, then leave me a comment here telling me what State you'd love to get for yourself or to give as a gift!  A winner will be announced next Friday, November 23rd.  Yay!

fall photos

One of the many outtakes from my little sister's engagement photo shoot last week.  No that is not the bride to be, that is me, being obsessed with the 30 inch balloon decorations I made her.  Simple pleasures.

See the rest of my instagram shots here.

raw color

I'm back to my preferred palette of soft neutrals and pastels.  I would love to play hide and seek in this curtain of fabric scraps by Raw Color.

for fall

As the Summer comes to an end I can feel myself being more and more drawn to the darker, moody colors of Fall and I'm ready for the season change.

one // two

inspired: for the walls

Lovely wall hangings by Justine Ashbee.

thiebaud: land and figure

So inspired by the color schemes in these Wayne Thiebaud paintings.  I love the way the figures almost completely match the landscapes even though they were painted decade apart.  And those girls just look so damn cool, don't they?

1/Girl in White Boots, 1966
2/San Francisco West Side Ridge, 2002
3/River Cloud, 2002
4/Girl in Blue Shoes, 1968