Slacking off...

Yeah I've been slacking off the past couple days. But today I went to my massage therapist :D and I think I'll be feeling a lot better from now on. So I'm still planning on working on some projects, at least something on Photoshop each day. I got started sketching some cars, and they're turning out pretty cool! I'll put them on my website and post the link tomorrow.

That's it for today!

Taking a small break...

I'm feeling: Tired and kind of blah, but motivated to keep learning

I'm reading: Colorworks by Dale Russell (I have 3 of the 5 books)

Yes, I skipped yesterday... I really do mean to post everyday, but I didn't end up having the time! My sister and I went to the Western Idaho Fair yesterday, and rode a couple rides. There weren't many that we wanted to ride, it was real slim pickings this year and that was kind of disappointing. Then I was tired and took a nap... and then I drove to Caldwell to pick up Max, a friend of mine, and we hung out, and then I took him to the airport this morning. He was heading back home to Washington for a little while, and then he'll come back before the start of the school year. I love hanging out with Max! :D We watched both Fast and Furious movies, and now I think I want to get into drawing graphics for cars. I just have to find some sites about drawing cars, or get a book.

All I did today was sit around... So I intend to get started reading again tonight, and find some stuff about cars.

Fun! Sorry this is boring so far. I don't think anyone's reading it at this point anyway. I'm just kinda talking for my own benefit. :D Which is cool.

Ugh...

Mood/Mental State: I wish I could crawl back into bed and stay there all day (ie. blech!)

Excuse me while I complain: I hate days like these. They start off bad and just go downhill. I couldn't sleep last night because my joints hurt (something I used to have a huge problem with, but is getting better). Then at 4:30 my cat woke me up demanding food, and she was going to tear my room apart if she didn't get it. I usually have food in my room in a coffee can, but there wasn't any left so I went to the basement and got some. Then my dad came in at 6:45 to get me up so I could help my sister get ready for school, but I fell right back asleep and woke up to my sister saying "come on we have to go!" at 7:15. So I took her to school and then came back and crashed again. Then about 10:30 my boyfriend came to my house to say goodbye; he's going up to UofI, where my other sister goes to school, and where a lot of my friends are. I wanted to go with, but I have to take care of my sister still. We're going to the fair later, so we'll see how that goes. I don't really want to go with just her; only because she's going to want to ride rides that I can't ride, and I'll have to stand around by myself and wait. And carnies creep me out. :P

OK. So that's done. Other than that, I'm not sure what I'll do today. Maybe do some reading, I really haven't had time for that lately. By the way, whenever I don't mention what book I'm reading, I'm still reading the book I mentioned the day before. I bet that's obvious, but whatever.

Man I'm cranky.

For a project today, I'll just work on my website some more and see how much I can get done on that.

And take a nap. :)

The First Day

Mood/Mental State: Surprisingly energitic and motivated

I'm reading: Elements of Graphic Design by Alex White

Well, this feeling I had yesterday that I had to do something about my life, and not just let it go by in a string of failed job opportunities has stayed with me, and I'm starting to construct an evil plan. Mwahahaha!! Oh wait, maybe not evil. Just practical. But what fun is that?

My Plan: I am going to create a series of projects to work on, and then work on at least one part/graphic per day. I'm going to redesign my website again, and make a page for these projects. Plus I will read as much as I can everyday from the books I've checked out, and plan to buy or check out in the future. I'm going to improve my portfolio, online and physical, so that I have a greater chance of finding a great job.

Other Stuff: I hang out in a GD guild on Gaia Online, where there are lots of great people and lots to learn. I've posted my recommended book list, and will soon post my intended schedule for projects. Contact me if you'd like info about this great group.

Phew. That's it for now!!

Hello World ;)

Well, I've decided to join the trend and start a blog. I never thought that I had anything important enough to say that people would want to read it. But I just decided that I am going to take control of my life and change the way I live it!

The story behind all this is that I recently graduated from college with a degree in Graphic Design (GD to make it easier to type). I have spent the whole summer trying to find a full time job, and doing some odd jobs for friends. I am helping someone learn how to use Photoshop, and in the process I realized that the school she goes to has a better GD program than the school I attended. So I started thinking that maybe I could help the school I went to improve their program.

And then the perfect job opportunity came along... a Graphic Design position at the very college that I graduated from. I really wanted the job; it would allow me to move away from home and be on my own. The fact that I am an alumni seemed like it would be an advantage for getting the job, plus it seemed like everyone liked me in the departments I would be interacting with. I had the assignment to create a postcard for the homecoming events this year, and I ended up making 8, and included my thought process and thumbnails in my presentation. I did my best, and thought I made a great impression.

However, I found out this Monday that I didn't get the job, and that even though they liked my work and thought I was talented, they just didn't think I was right for it. After some thought, I began to realize what the program at my school was really worth... just about nothing!! If the school I graduated from can't hire me into a position I was supposedly trained for, what am I supposed to do?

So. I decided that I am going to take it upon myself to learn everything I can about GD. I've already read and looked through countless books, and I'm going to get my hands on as many more as I can. I am involved in an online community of designers, and its great having a support network where I can learn and interact. I want to improve my chances of getting a good job by immersing myself in the GD world, and becoming the best designer I can.

And so now we come to the blog part of the whole thing. I wanted to document my progress in this whole situation so I can have a record of what I've learned and what I still need to do. Thanks to anyone who has read this... keep checking back and maybe it'll get interesting. :)