…In With the New!

Last year, I started a new tradition for myself by setting Design Resolutions for the year. After giving it a lot of thought the past 2 weeks, I think I am finally ready to set this year’s resolutions in stone. So, without further ado, here are they are:

1. Be More Disciplined in How I Use My Free-Time
   Now that I am back to working full-time, my free-time has once again gotten scarce. I need to focus on using the time I do have in the evenings and weekends more wisely to ensure I can accomplish the rest of this list.
2. Launch the Portfolio Site
   As a continuation of last year’s resolution, I want to actually launch the site I designed. (I still haven’t been able to get past the hurdle of how to build it out in WordPress.) Whether this means I step up my research efforts so I can code it myself, or that I pass it off to a partner to code it, it will be done! And soon!
3. Post More Frequently
   While moving to Chicago over the past 6 months or so, I got into the bad habit of not posting here as often as I used to: going to get back in the habit.
4. Personal Project of the Week
   Yesterday, I had a very inspiring talk with Jason Schwartz, and he challenged me to do one personal project a week. Sounds easy…yet from past resolutions, I know how hard it can be. Whether it’s something as simple as a desktop background or writing an article of design, or as complex/time-consuming as embroidering a new design or doing an ad hoc redesign of a company’s site, this is the year I think I can do it…especially if I have others willing to help me hold to it.
5. Find Studio Space
   To help with number 4, and allow me to get back into the screen printing habit, I’ll need to find some place that I can spread out my work and not be afraid to get messy.
6. Be More Inventive With Typography
   I have a lot of really great ideas on how typefaces I want to use in personal projects should look…but have lacked the ability to realize them on paper: practice makes perfect!

In addition, I have two general resolutions that I made for myself this year that somewhat fit in with my design resolutions…

1. Take Classes
   This is the perfect time in my life to take classes on things that I really want to learn: whether they be on coding/html or more swing dancing classes. I’m going to count the bowling league my friends and I joined as part of this…especially since I currently average around 75 per game. (although for the record, I Have broken 100 before…once…and not on the wii either.)
2. Read 2 Books a Month
   I just saw Linden’s post on her booklist for the year, and it inspired me to vow to read more. (I’ll have to watch this one though as once I get on a roll, I tend to read too much…) I’m hoping to knock off some of the design books on my booklist while I’m at it. Be sure to check out Linden’s list too as she has some really good ones on there: especially if you are interested in linguistics or running.

Tags | Design, diy, embroidery, graphic designer, promotion, Resolutions