Throwaways

So, not all designs are used, we know this.  But when you love something so much because it touches some kind of place in you, and no one wants it, you feel a little icky sometimes.  I don't think this design is particularly good, but I was drawn to the style and the limited color palette that I had a hard time letting go.  Alas, here is a "throwaway"... at least for now.

It's not amazing...I'm not a programmer but rather a programming fan girl.  I have come to appreciate what goes into it, and the pride that programmers have, but I'm still an outsider and this design shows that.  But I still loved something about it.  And I was inspired by another design so much that I used it as inspiration for the piece.  If anything, I learned something, had fun, and might turn this into something in the future.

Here's what I'm listening to today as I draw.  It's enhancing my day.

Drawing Friends

I love working at my company- I'm always changing "mediums" and context.  Today I'm been working on character illustrations for the employees here.  Some have requests, and some don't.  This is one I did for the community manager, Christina, who is an all around awesome person.  She gardens, bakes, makes clothes, has impeccable taste in fashion and is the easiest person to feel comfortable around.  She can't help but coo at babies and cats, and she always has fun blurts to share from Reddit.

Nerds

It's been a strange week.  I had an adventure on the Caltrain up to San Francisco and haven't shaken it off yet.  Also- I've been more tired than normal.  All of us at the office have felt the same and are resorting to handfuls of candy and coffee.  It's dangerous but oh so good.  

Everyone, I find is nerdy about something.

I came across this link on Designer News: Link.  It occurred to me that I can't think of anything I'm truly nerdy about.  There is a fanaticism that people have when they nerd out, and usually acquire grand amount of knowledge on the subject.  I can't say I'm nerdy about drawing either.  I remember friends from college owning books of other artist's drawings, and pouring over them with a certain jealousy.  I am getting closer to this as I get older.  Most of the time I like to wander around outside and explore.

Can you "nerd out" on exploring? Is there an app for that?  In all honesty, you can, and there is, but the kind of exploring I like most is the kind without any planning or agenda.  

One thing I always did love was looking at other people's sketchbooks.  There's a book I sought out pretty hard because it was a collection of artist's sketchbook journals.  It's called "An Illustrated Journey" by Mr. Gregory. One of my favorite things to do is take a drive somewhere alone and draw in my journal.  This book is full of other people just like me. 

If I could, I would love to read minds.  I would love to collect other people's journals and read them.  I'm a little bit of a creep, I admit.  There are nerds, and there are creeps.  Ha.

What are you nerdy about?  And why?  I can't read your mind so please, share!

Bridging the Gap

As someone who loved to draw but never cared much about computers, I didn't even try to learn web design, graphic design, or any kind of design until the last few years.  I just took pencil to paper and explored the traditional mediums.  I love them still, but the exciting world of technology and all the new tools out there I have recently been exposed to are sweeping me off my feet!  I'm in love.

Guess what- all those things I resisted because I thought they were too complicated are...really fun.  Html is simple and cool, and CSS lets you do so many awesome things.  I wish there would have been some classes at my public school growing up, exposing me to the world of programming.  It is, in itself, an art and a craft.  I'm never been so inspired to learn before and to create.  It's like being a kid again and someone has handed me a new set of toys.

I highly recommend Code Academy because it's a fun and easy way to get started on the basics of tons of different languages.  And....it's free.  I also started following a lot of women who code on Twitter to stay inspired and stay exposed to what's worth caring about.

Here are some mock ups I'm making for the company's website.  We need to incorporate some of the illustrations I've been making.