Hello all! I'm rather impressed with myself, third entry of the year, and it's not even February!
Brief update really. Not much has happened, though it feels like I've been rushed off my feet. First things first, I've had no further luck in my search for a job. Absolutely nothing. Not even an invite to discuss potential freelance work. Clearly, there aren't many opportunities about. So rather than sitting around and hoping to hear back from companies, I've decided to push myself as a freelancer to get myself up and running, as well as emailing companies in hope I get something a bit more secure. Thankfully I do have one freelance job that I've had a meeting for, where I found that my website was broken and has been for weeks... Schoolgirl error, I didn't think of the fact that everyone on the planet doesn't have the font "Angelina"... Which is what I decided to cleverly use on my headings and nav... cringe!! SO I've fixed it. Apologies to those who tried navigating around my site as it was.
Since then I've emailed a few more companies, and took hours trying to figure out how to set up a professional email address that was free from my website host in an email client, set that up on my Blackberry and arrange my old email address to forward all email to my new address and my Blackberry. After scratching my head for what felt like hours (pretty sure it was), I figured out I needed to use the POP server, not IMAP... Anywho, so all of that is working now. You can now contact me on hello@rebecca-lloyd.co.uk if you're looking for some advice or some work done (can't pass an opportunity to advertise).
I also now have a Facebook page, and I don't mean profile (https://www.facebook.com/rlloyddesign - please like!), as well as being on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/rlloyddesign - please follow!) and LinkedIn (http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/rebecca-lloyd/26/bb4/923 - connect if you like!). I have links from and to my website across all social networking sites, so hopefully that'll result in better SEO. I'm on page 2 of the Google rankings when you type in "freelance designer cardiff", so I can't complain, but everyone wants to be on page one! Including me!
The other update is that I've been inspired recently by some of the illustrators and artists out there who use watercolours. I used to use watercolours when I was a kid (yes, expensive hobby for a kid, as I realised today!), and I've been craving starting up using paints again for a couple of months now. I'd realised my only hobby was housework, which is really seriously sad and pretty bleak, so I was thinking of a hobby that could take up some of my very small amount of spare time. Reading was one idea (hence the lovely Kindle present I had for Christmas), and painting was the other (inspired by Susan Delfino in Desperate Housewives taking up painting again). After some thinking and deliberation, I decided to go back to watercolours. So today I bought some pencils etc, a 300gsm A4 pad of cold pressed watercolour paper (12 sheets), and ordered myself some cheap but pretty decent lookingset of brushes and a Winsor and Newton Cotman 45 Half Pan Studio Watercolour Set... All for £45! So I'm really excited to get my teeth into it! Housework will have to take a backseat!
Oh, and how can I forget, I turned 23 on the 25th January! Also known as Dydd Sant Ddwynwen - Welsh Valentines Day. It was the best birthday I think I've ever had. In all honesty, it was a really lovely day. Pete (my boyfriend) and I went for a big cooked breakfast, did some shopping (where I spent my birthday money on the new Wacom Bamboo Pen tablet (mmmmm...), and then headed down to Cardiff Bay. We had a small (and I mean it looked like a thimble to me) drink and then saw Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in the IMAX (the only screen in Wales!). What an experience... I'd go into it and explain, but I'll end up writing another 3 paragraphs on it. All I can say is, if you get the opportunity, splash out and go to see a film in an IMAX cinema. You won't regret it. Better than a 3D film experience by far. And the film itself... One of the best and gripping I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of films! Seriously, GO TO SEE IT! Then that followed by a meal in the new Ed's American Diner in St.David's 2. Chilli Cheese Fries and a Chilli Cheese Hotdog - AMAZING! Then we headed home, had a drink of wine and watched The Royle Family on Netflix. It was a perfect day! :D
Anyway, I think that's about everything that I've been up to... I've got a busy week ahead, so I may not blog again until next week (and if I do we know that I'm do exceptionally well with keeping this up!). I don't imagine tomorrow will be eventful, Wednesday I'm having a much needed catch up with one of my best and closest friends, Thursday I might be working on my portfolio and website, depending on what advice I'm given by Golley Slater in my meeting with them Thursday morning, and Friday I'm out on a date with Pete - Burger King after work followed by Chronicle in the cinema. I love having a busy schedule! Genuinely!
So until next time my fellow bloggers and followers, have a fantastic rest of the week!
Monday, 30 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Some progress?
Well look at me, writing another post only a day after my last one! This could become a regular thing!
I have had a small bit of progress in my career today - I found out that the interview I had last week went well and that the company liked the work that I've done. I'm a top candidate for the GoWales placement that they're going to be advertising and interviewing others for. So I've been asked to call them in mid February to follow it up and see if I've got the position or not. So it's something, and if not something, then it's positive feedback from a company whose standards seem to be pretty high. All in all, a positive result.
I've also been asked to build a website for someone I know, which I'm really pleased about. I can test run doing some freelancing, and it'll be something I may be able to use in my portfolio in the future, providing I get the go ahead first of course! See everyone, perseverance will get you somewhere!
So my next move is to keep on looking for opportunities. It's best to keep my options open. I've not been offered anything solid, so I'll keep emailing, start calling people and look into marketing myself in an affordable but alternative way to emailing. My plan of action at the moment is to target design and marketing agencies, printing companies and in-house design teams. If that fails (which it may well do), I'll send my CV to the recruitment agency I was working through when I worked in the web team in the Welsh Government, and see if they can find anything for me. And after that... well, I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it!
In the mean time, I'll keep you all updated on my journey breaking back into the design industry outside of the public sector. I'm heading off to watch One Born Every Minute now. Tissues at the ready! Toodaloo!
I have had a small bit of progress in my career today - I found out that the interview I had last week went well and that the company liked the work that I've done. I'm a top candidate for the GoWales placement that they're going to be advertising and interviewing others for. So I've been asked to call them in mid February to follow it up and see if I've got the position or not. So it's something, and if not something, then it's positive feedback from a company whose standards seem to be pretty high. All in all, a positive result.
I've also been asked to build a website for someone I know, which I'm really pleased about. I can test run doing some freelancing, and it'll be something I may be able to use in my portfolio in the future, providing I get the go ahead first of course! See everyone, perseverance will get you somewhere!
So my next move is to keep on looking for opportunities. It's best to keep my options open. I've not been offered anything solid, so I'll keep emailing, start calling people and look into marketing myself in an affordable but alternative way to emailing. My plan of action at the moment is to target design and marketing agencies, printing companies and in-house design teams. If that fails (which it may well do), I'll send my CV to the recruitment agency I was working through when I worked in the web team in the Welsh Government, and see if they can find anything for me. And after that... well, I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it!
In the mean time, I'll keep you all updated on my journey breaking back into the design industry outside of the public sector. I'm heading off to watch One Born Every Minute now. Tissues at the ready! Toodaloo!
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
A graphic designer's New Years resolution
Hello all! It's been a while. I've realised that I need to start blogging more frequently. So this is post one of hopefully many to come in 2012. Happy New Year by the way! I hope you all had a fantastic time celebrating and all had a lovely Christmas too. Now, how many of you have dropped your New Years resolutions already?
This year I intend to become a better designer. I have the flare, I feel the need to do something about it and feel like I'm on the verge of having a brilliant idea that would spur me into the Graphic Design spotlight here in Cardiff... If only I knew what that idea was. It's that feeling when you think there's someone near you, so real that you can grab onto but when you turn around there's nothing there. I'm trying to figure out how to remove it's 'invisibility cloak' so that I can become the designer I yearn to be and to keep to my New Years resolution of becoming more successful. I have until March 31st to get the ball rolling, when my casual contract at the Welsh Government ends.
So far this year (all 17 days of it), I've launched my new look website (http://www.rebecca-lloyd.co.uk) emailed countless companies, had one interview and haven't gotten very far. A word to students - even when you have close to 2 years experience in this industry, you will still struggle to find your foot in the door of a company. It is all about patience and perseverance, and giving it time. And finding the right company who will give you a chance and sees your potential. I feel eager to push forward, but so far haven't applied myself completely to it. I intend for that to change as of right now. I'm done with not feeling excited about the new adventure that is of moving on and upwards, excelling myself and my skills. The potential inside me to improve and be brilliant is right on the surface, it's just finding the right place to let it burst open. It's just a daunting task and very disheartening when you're really eager to get out there but everyone's doors are closed.
As I have said, so far I've not gotten very far. So my other plan of getting some freelance work in seems like a good idea. Now it's just finding the clients... So I'm back to emailing design agencies, marketing companies and the like. Who I've already emailed... I have the plans, I've just not found the right place to carry them out. I'd love to do some marketing to raise the general public and small businesses of my presence, gain some regular and new clients, but the aspect of being jobless by the end of March is making me a little stingy with my money. Plus, everyone else is careful with their money thanks to the prospect of the country going into recession again, and having design work done just isn't on people's priority lists at the moment. I wish it was! I know that they say that you need to spend money to earn money in this industry, but really, right now isn't a great time.
I don't know about you lot, but I'm the sort of person who feels the need to achieve something with their day, be it designing a nice bit of work for someone, or just cleaning the house. I go to work, do the best I can while I'm there and come home. And can't relax. I feel like I need to be looking, emailing and applying for jobs even when they're not advertised. So I do, and it never feels enough. I feel like I'm achieving nothing, and trust me it's not a nice feeling. So I email some more, look around more, try and invent the "invisibility cloak" to reveal the brilliant idea that I feel close to finding, and yet here I am, day 17 and I'm no closer to getting the ball rolling. It's barely inching forward.
I should listen to my own advice (being patient) - I'm the most impatient person I know, and when I want something, I want it now. I want to buy a desk and chair from Argos, set it up in a room in my rented house and sit in front of my big 27" Mac computer that I still need to buy (and the money to buy it with), despite the fact I've gotten nowhere with getting any clients. I refuse to doubt myself and my ability as a designer to deliver high quality designs, to clients or to work in and part of an agency. I'd blame for the lack of work. Heck, I've been working for the Welsh Government for a year, within 18 months of graduating (something I like to think of as a great achievement). I consider myself to be talented. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm not useless. Doubting myself would bring me down to a level where I would resort to just throwing in the towel, and losing my passion to be a great designer. I'd be letting myself down, and the people who have given me the chance to better myself so far since being out of University. All I can do is hope I find the next person who will give me a chance, who I can aspire to and learn from, preferably in a design agency in Cardiff, to be great and become the designer I know I can be.
I hope my fellow graphic designers, web designers and illustrators are having all the luck in the world at finding a job. And if any of you have found one, please send your luck my way. I could do with some!
Until next time folks, I'll sign off. Have a fantastic rest of the week!
This year I intend to become a better designer. I have the flare, I feel the need to do something about it and feel like I'm on the verge of having a brilliant idea that would spur me into the Graphic Design spotlight here in Cardiff... If only I knew what that idea was. It's that feeling when you think there's someone near you, so real that you can grab onto but when you turn around there's nothing there. I'm trying to figure out how to remove it's 'invisibility cloak' so that I can become the designer I yearn to be and to keep to my New Years resolution of becoming more successful. I have until March 31st to get the ball rolling, when my casual contract at the Welsh Government ends.
So far this year (all 17 days of it), I've launched my new look website (http://www.rebecca-lloyd.co.uk) emailed countless companies, had one interview and haven't gotten very far. A word to students - even when you have close to 2 years experience in this industry, you will still struggle to find your foot in the door of a company. It is all about patience and perseverance, and giving it time. And finding the right company who will give you a chance and sees your potential. I feel eager to push forward, but so far haven't applied myself completely to it. I intend for that to change as of right now. I'm done with not feeling excited about the new adventure that is of moving on and upwards, excelling myself and my skills. The potential inside me to improve and be brilliant is right on the surface, it's just finding the right place to let it burst open. It's just a daunting task and very disheartening when you're really eager to get out there but everyone's doors are closed.
As I have said, so far I've not gotten very far. So my other plan of getting some freelance work in seems like a good idea. Now it's just finding the clients... So I'm back to emailing design agencies, marketing companies and the like. Who I've already emailed... I have the plans, I've just not found the right place to carry them out. I'd love to do some marketing to raise the general public and small businesses of my presence, gain some regular and new clients, but the aspect of being jobless by the end of March is making me a little stingy with my money. Plus, everyone else is careful with their money thanks to the prospect of the country going into recession again, and having design work done just isn't on people's priority lists at the moment. I wish it was! I know that they say that you need to spend money to earn money in this industry, but really, right now isn't a great time.
I don't know about you lot, but I'm the sort of person who feels the need to achieve something with their day, be it designing a nice bit of work for someone, or just cleaning the house. I go to work, do the best I can while I'm there and come home. And can't relax. I feel like I need to be looking, emailing and applying for jobs even when they're not advertised. So I do, and it never feels enough. I feel like I'm achieving nothing, and trust me it's not a nice feeling. So I email some more, look around more, try and invent the "invisibility cloak" to reveal the brilliant idea that I feel close to finding, and yet here I am, day 17 and I'm no closer to getting the ball rolling. It's barely inching forward.
I should listen to my own advice (being patient) - I'm the most impatient person I know, and when I want something, I want it now. I want to buy a desk and chair from Argos, set it up in a room in my rented house and sit in front of my big 27" Mac computer that I still need to buy (and the money to buy it with), despite the fact I've gotten nowhere with getting any clients. I refuse to doubt myself and my ability as a designer to deliver high quality designs, to clients or to work in and part of an agency. I'd blame for the lack of work. Heck, I've been working for the Welsh Government for a year, within 18 months of graduating (something I like to think of as a great achievement). I consider myself to be talented. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm not useless. Doubting myself would bring me down to a level where I would resort to just throwing in the towel, and losing my passion to be a great designer. I'd be letting myself down, and the people who have given me the chance to better myself so far since being out of University. All I can do is hope I find the next person who will give me a chance, who I can aspire to and learn from, preferably in a design agency in Cardiff, to be great and become the designer I know I can be.
I hope my fellow graphic designers, web designers and illustrators are having all the luck in the world at finding a job. And if any of you have found one, please send your luck my way. I could do with some!
Until next time folks, I'll sign off. Have a fantastic rest of the week!
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