May 15, 2012

New side project: Typography in the City blog…and book! #typeinthecity

Filed under: Creativity,Design & Art,Featured Projects,Local (Chicago) — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 3:57 pm

a few examples of my new photographic obsession: typography

So, I was just recently talking about creative side jobs on the Creative Freelancer Blog. I’m happy to finally announce one of my side projects: a photographic essay on typography titled Typography in the City.

the inspiration

The inspiration for this project came about in July 2011. I had recently attended the HOW Design Conference in Chicago and picked up a book called Photo Idea Index by Jim Krause. It gave me a new perspective on photography and most importantly, the encouragement to practice daily.

At the time, I was in my last month of pregnancy so my only form of exercise was long walks with the dog. On these walks in my West Loop neighborhood, I started to notice typography—a letterform on a sign, an address number, words spray painted on the ground. With my new found photographic inspiration, I started taking photos and sharing them.

the blog

To share my collection of images—and to add to it when I’m on the go—I recently created a blog called Typography in the City. 

the book

I’m also currently designing the related book, titled Typography in the City. Send your email to be added to the mailing list when the book is released!

Follow along on instagram and twitter with the hashtag #typeinthecity

 

May 10, 2012

A round-up of “moms in business” blog posts for #MothersDay

Filed under: Mompreneur,Small Business — Tags: , — lidia @ 2:02 pm

My wonderful Mama! photo @ Simply Jessie Photography

With Mother’s Day approaching, I wanted to share a few mom-themed small business blog posts Ive come across:

  1. Biz Ladies: Lessons about Motherhood and Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco on design*sponge
  2. How Has the Mom in Your Life Supported Your Small Business? from Sarah Petty’s Joy Blog
  3. 5 Rules to Maintaining a Healthy Work/Life Balance from The Business of Being a Mom
  4. The rise of the mommy economy from Oregon Business (via @boogiemom)

…and something just for fun…

Throughout my personal and business life, I have been inspired and encouraged by my mom. Now that I’m a new mom myself, I’m even more grateful for my wonderful mom.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama!

We believe motherhood is boot camp for running a business. Whether you want a big business or a small one, a home office or sky rise, you are halfway there when you embrace your strengths as a mom and pack them for your journey as a business owner.

—from The Business of Being a Mom website

Have you written a post about being a mom in business or honoring your own mom? Share in the comments!

May 8, 2012

Lidia Varesco Design’s new studio: sneak peek

Filed under: Workspace — lidia @ 10:00 am

from left: paper swatchbook cabinet, The Boss on moving day, creative inspiration

I recently got kicked out of my home office. By my infant son, that is. Little One needed a room of his own, so I had to look for a new workspace. After working from home for 11+ years, renting an office had been a goal, so it was the perfect opportunity.

My new office is located in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, just steps away from parks and coffee shops—an important feature for a creative who needs fresh air (and caffeine) to recharge and generate new ideas. The building is small, but has plenty of networking opportunities. (in fact, I already have a few potential projects…)

After I moved in, I worked with my good friend, professional organizer Elizabeth Lulu Miranda of Mercury Organizing Solutions to create organizing solutions for my office. She suggested filing away office supplies and paperwork not needed on a daily basis and keeping inspirational items (books, magazines, artwork) out in the open. See my bookshelf filled with creative goodies above. Stay tuned for a blog post elaborating on the organizing solutions!

Are you considering renting a workspace outside the home? Read my post on the Creative Freelancer Blog about making the jump to an office.

 

May 1, 2012

What’s your side job?

Filed under: Creativity — lidia @ 3:21 pm

an image from one of my side projects

Like many of my fellow creatives, I’m always coming up with new side projects.

I have a line of greeting cards and stationery fueling my passion for paper. Inspired by my 9-month old son, I’m working on a line of typographic onesies and mama/baby stationery. Not to mention the photography books I’m working on…

Read my latest post on the Creative Freelancer Blog about creative side jobs.

 

March 21, 2012

Spring has sprung: time for new growth

Filed under: Local (Chicago),Small Business — lidia @ 3:44 pm

A few signs of spring on my walk to my West Loop office

Today marks the first full day of Spring (i.e. the Vernal Equinox). And spring has certainly sprung in Chicago. We have been enjoying temperatures in the 80s, a full 30 degrees warmer than average. With Chicago usually going straight from summer to winter, this year’s spring has been a pleasant surprise.

As I mentioned in this Creative Freelancer blog post from last year, at springtime I like to think about “new growth.” This year, I am experiencing it quite literally as I watch my 7-month old son grow (and how quickly!) However, I’m also experiencing it in my business with a recent move from a home office to an office building.

Has Spring sprung where you are? Are you experiencing “new growth” in your business?

February 14, 2012

Do you let the Universe help you?

Filed under: Creativity — lidia @ 5:33 pm

from the Smithsonian Institution on flickr

While reading Journey to the Heart, a book of daily meditations (and one of my favorite sources for personal and business insight), I came across a useful passage titled “Let the Universe Help You.”

The author, Melody Beattie wrote, “Tell the Universe what you want. Tell a friend…Write it down on a list. Be clear and forthright about what you need and want…Then let go.”

I thought this was great advice from a small business standpoint. How often do we have big ideas, yet we abandon them because of fear? Or we start on a new project and get hung up on the minor details (I know I am guilty of that). What if we let the Universe help us?

The author goes on to say, “Go naturally about the course of your life…Listen to your inner voice. What you are guided to do. Where you are guided to go…the people you meet, the phone calls you receive, the experiences you have—even the problems that arise.” Basically, stop trying so hard to figure things out. Sit back and look around. Be aware of the signs.

Even if you don’t take a spiritual approach to running a business, this approach can be taken by writing down a goal and then quietly observing. Take note of what is going on around you. Perhaps you see a tweet related to your idea. Maybe you meet with a friend who brings up something relevant. Or receive a phone call from a colleague who can help you with your idea. This happens to me often and I believe the Universe has a hand in it. An everyday occurrence can become advantageous if your mind is open and receptive. Intuition can become inspiration.

Do you let the Universe help you?

February 1, 2012

The Month of Letters Challenge: can you send a letter a day this month?

Filed under: communications,handwritten — Tags: , , — lidia @ 10:00 am

As most of you know, I love cards. I love designing them, I love sending them, and I especially receiving them. So when I heard about the Month of Letters Challenge via twitter, I was intrigued.

Author Mary Robinette Kowal started the Month of Letters Challenge, which begins today, as a response to “taking an internet vacation” last year. She replaced her electronic correspondence exclusively with mail correspondence and was pleased with the outcome.

Your Month of Letters assignment:

  1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
  2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

I plan to do this as successfully as possible—given the fact that I have a busy graphic design business and a 6-month old baby with boundless energy. If anything, I love the fact that it has me scanning the calendar for upcoming birthdays and thinking about who else I can send a card or note to. I hope I get some cards back too!

So, who’s with me? Let me know and let’s exchange cards!

January 20, 2012

Bright spot: people prefer print and paper

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion — Tags: , , — lidia @ 11:50 am

paper, glorious paper...

Now, here's a story that warms my heart: a recent survey commissioned by Two Sides showed that people prefer to read print communications rather than on a screen. As a print designer—and someone who still gets excited when a magazine arrives in the mail—this makes me happy.

And now that I'm a new mom, I'm buying more books than ever. Frankly, I would rather have my infant chew on a colorful board book than an iPad. And according to this story by Two Sides, I'm not alone: most parents agree that children should read good ol' fashioned books, not electronic gadgets.

The Two Sides survey also found that many respondents believed electronic communications were more "green" than books, magazines and mail. Two Sides President Phil Riebel says “The fact is that both electronic and paper-based communications have an environmental footprint, and making both smaller is the right environmental choice.”

So keep on buying those books or hit the library. And don't stop sending brochures or direct mail to potential clients—just be smarter about it. Use a smaller page size, print a lower quantity, link to detailed information on your website, clean up your mailing list to include only true prospects.

Thanks to Print in the Mix for sharing this story.

Have your print habits changed? Share in the comments!

December 22, 2011

A baby changes everything—in your morning schedule, that is.

Filed under: Mompreneur,Time Management — Tags: , — lidia @ 3:48 pm

"What morning schedule?"

Before baby:

  • 8 am: wake up
  • 8:15 am: have a leisurely breakfast while catching up on magazines
  • 8:30 am: browse twitter feed/blogs, work on new blog posts
  • 9:30 am: check and respond to client emails
  • 10 am: take dog out for a long walk

After baby:

  • Sometime between 5 am–9 am: wake up (usually in a hurry) and feed baby
  • While baby is occupied in swing or bouncer: eat breakfast quickly and read a few pages of a magazine (if I’m lucky)
  • After breakfast: check and respond to client emails on iPhone in rocking chair, while feeding or rocking baby
  • When baby starts crying: take dog and baby out for a brisk walk (hoping that baby will fall asleep in stroller)

How did your schedule change after baby?

October 7, 2011

Preparing your business for baby

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 7:12 am

Like many moms-to-be who are running a small business, as the Big Day got closer I started to wonder what to do about maternity leave. With no employer providing time off and work coverage, the thought of it was overwhelming.

Read my latest post on the Creative Freelancer Blog to see how I successfully prepared for my Little One’s recent arrival.

Share your comments: how did you prepare your small business for baby?

• • •

See all of my small business posts on the Creative Freelancer Blog here.

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