July 21, 2011

Lessons learned: thoughts on the HOW Design Conference #HOWLive

Filed under: Creativity,Small Business — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 9:28 am

HOW Design Conference in Chicago

Last month, I attended my very first HOW Design Conference in Chicago. It seems crazy that I waited so long, seeing as I started my design business over ten years ago. But since it was in my hometown, I made the time and effort. Now, being seven months pregnant at the time, it was a bit of a challenge and I did have to make some concessions (going home early, no cocktails) but it was well worth it.

In addition to catching up with friends and colleagues and making new connections, I walked away with a wealth of knowledge—and a new outlook on my business.

Lessons learned at the HOW Design Conference

  1. Go to more design conferences: it wasn’t long before I realized the benefits of being around like-minded creatives and how that could inspire my own work.
  2. Read more books: many of the speakers mentioned useful books—and the onsite HOW Bookstore was a great source of inspiration. I walked away with books on photography (Photo Idea Index) and web design (Above the Fold)—and recently picked up a copy of a book I had been eyeing at the conference (Made to Stick).
  3. Incorporate what I love into my business: Peleg Top‘s session, The Creative Side of Running a Business, made me realize how personal interests can be used to enrich your business. Actually, several of the speakers mentioned this concept which really resonated with me. (see #4 and #5 below)
  4. Focus on a creative obsession: Armit Vit‘s session Turning Your Creative Obsessions into Opportunities was one of the most inspiring. As someone who always has several “creative obsessions,” I realized how focusing on one (or at least just a few) can lead to business opportunities.
    One of my current creative obsession: photographing automatic sprinklers in my neighborhood. See the flickr set in-progress here.
  5. Incorporate personal interests into my work: Stephen Doyle‘s session, Where Ideas Come from and Where They Go, was a great example of this. He has successfully integrated both his remarkable paper sculptures and other personal interests into client and professional projects.
  6. Ask for advice: after taking a fantastic workshop on making and selling products by Heather Lins of Heather Lins Home, I realized the importance of asking for advice. Having your questions answered by someone who has been through it successfully can boost your confidence and encourage new ways of thinking.
  7. Tell a story: whether it’s for a client or your own business, it’s important to tell a story and be authentic.

Did you attend the HOW Design Conference in Chicago? What were your top takeaways?

July 18, 2011

Be like a tree: staying calm in busy times

Filed under: Health & Wellness,Time Management — Tags: — lidia @ 6:27 pm

Photo by MizzD on flickr

Thanks to my yoga teacher, I recently picked up the book Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul by Melody Beattie.

With books like this, I like to flip to a random page and see what the “message” might be. The daily meditation I flipped to was titled “Learn to be Calm.” It was incredibly appropriate as I prepare my business for an upcoming maternity leave—a process that can sometimes feel, well, not so calm.

The meditation detailed a drive the author took along the Redwood Highway in California, her observations of the tall, proud trees and the lessons learned from the calm, patient redwood:

Learn a lesson from the redwoods. Let them teach the power of patience and calm… Times move along. There are stories to live and stories to tell, but we can be calm and know that, always, all is well.

—Melody Beattie

It’s a good lesson for any small business owner who is going through a busy or stressful time. Staying calm and assuring yourself that “all will be well” can help get you through—even though you can’t predict the path that will take you there.

What helps you to stay calm during busy times?

July 14, 2011

Are you an inspiration gatherer?

Filed under: Creativity — Tags: , — lidia @ 9:00 am

One of my current inspirations: photographing letterforms and numerals (photos: Lidia Varesco Racoma)

As a graphic designer, I’m lucky to have many opportunities to do creative research (one of my favorite parts of a project!) But even if you’re not in a creative field, spending some time during your week gathering inspiration can boost your mood—and productivity.

How do you gather inspiration?

Gathering inspiration can be as simple as taking a walk and stopping to observe the world around you. Or spending time with a child and seeing the world through their youthful eyes. Or reading an inspiring blog post or magazine article. You can even do it during your workday if you manage time wisely. There are plenty of apps that can help.

Tips for gathering inspiration

  • Keep track of blogs in an RSS Reader: I use Google Reader on my desktop and the Reeder app on my iPhone so I can quickly scan for posts of interest
  • Save interesting posts or websites to read later: I use the app Instapaper and catch up on reading when I have a free moment
  • Carry a sketchbook or small notebook at all times: I sometimes use my cell phone Notes app on-the-fly (i.e. while walking the dog!)
  • Pick up a magazine you don’t normally read: the library (or even the gym) is a great resource for free reading materials
  • Browse a bookstore and see what catches your eye: this always works for me!
  • Carry around a camera and randomly snap photos: one of my current “inspiration projects” is photographing letterforms and numerals that I come across in my neighborhood (see images above)

Managing your inspiration

  • Create file folders for each of your “inspirations”: I have folders for topics ranging from “home decor” to “book ideas”
  • Use an app to wrangle your ideas: I like Evernote because you can save multiple types of media (web pages, digital images, audio notes, etc.) Pinterest also allows you to save snippets of web pages.
  • Make lists: I keep running lists of things like, “books to read” and “client gift ideas” and update them regularly (again, I use Evernote for this).
  • Catalog your photography: create photo sets in a photo site like flickr so you can easily reference (or be inspired by) your photos

Gathering inspiration is a great way to break out of a creative rut, approach a challenge from a new angle, or take a break during your workday. Too busy? Do it on your lunch hour. The key is to approach the process without judgement or preconceived notions and just have fun. You may be pleasantly surprised with what you find!

Do you spend time during your week gathering inspiration?

Share what works for you in the comments!

July 11, 2011

Business cards going away? I don’t think so!

Filed under: Networking,Small Business — Tags: , , — lidia @ 11:13 am

A recent New York Times article spoke about how, in some circles, the business card is becoming a “relic.” [insert collective gasp from graphic designers everywhere]

My graphic designer-based opinions aside, I host networking events in Chicago and there is never a shortage of business cards being exchanged.

At the recent HOW Design Conference in Chicago, I saw business cards—from attendees and vendors alike—in myriad shapes and sizes, some using interesting formats or folds.

I understand the article’s point of view that in certain environments—such as tech conventions—people are exchanging contacts using technology (i.e. twitter handles or barcodes). But eventually those businesses will need to make themselves stand out or be memorable. And in a crowded marketplace, a well-designed business card can help your business stand out.

Business cards also keep you top-of-mind with the recipient. Many times, I keep a business card on my desk as a visual reminder to follow-up with someone. Can this be done with an electronic contact?

So yes, I think business cards will be stickin’ around.

Read my tips for making your business card more effective

What are your thoughts on the business card? Here to stay or going away?

July 8, 2011

Exhibition review: Renaissance Prints in Daily Life

Filed under: Design & Art — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 6:31 pm

photo © Art Institute of Chicago

I stopped by the Art Institute of Chicago today for a quick visit and stumbled upon a wonderful exhibit: Altered and Adorned: Using Renaissance Prints in Daily Life.

Most of us are used to seeing old woodcuts and engravings in books and on museum walls. But back when they were created (1500-1600s), Renaissance prints were sometimes used rather mundanely in daily life.

A few standout examples:

  • Prints adhered to wooden storage boxes—something you may still see today (see example at right)
  • Prints used as wall coverings (instead of the more costly tapestries of that time)
  • A “scrapbook” of engravings, woodcuts, etchings and aquatints pasted into a journal
  • Pattern books for needlework and amateur artists—similar to the Dover Art Books you find today
  • Compass and sundial decorated with woodcut prints
  • Prints used as playing cards—a great example is the Italian tarocchi deck, which you can still buy today in Florence
  • Anatomy flap prints: prints showing the human anatomy with removable, cut-out organs—a fabulous precursor to today’s pop-up books and paper cutting art

The exhibition runs through Sunday (July 10) and is worth a visit!

July 6, 2011

Are you and your business memorable?

Filed under: Creativity,Marketing & Promotion,Small Business — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 3:09 pm

lsvdesign on flickr

I often notice a recurring theme in my (business) life. Something that seems to follow me around wherever I go. Right now, that theme is: being memorable.

What makes you fascinating?

The closing speaker at the HOW Design Conference in Chicago last week was Sally Hogshead, author of the new book Fascinate. Sally gave an engaging and inspiring talk featuring the 7 triggers of fascination and how they can be applied to people, products and brands to make them more fascinating or memorable.

For example, my primary trigger is PASSION. According to Sally, that means I draw people closer to myself and my ideas with a warm and open style of interaction (which is true).

PASSION could also be used by a brand who communicates passion for their product to their customers—thus making it more memorable.

And aren’t you more likely to buy something from a passionate shop owner, rather than one who doesn’t greet you when you walk in the door?

What makes your ideas “sticky”?

Earlier this week, I was reading a blog post from Megan Auman of Crafting an MBA about “making your business stick.” Megan references the book Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath—which outlines 6 basic concepts that make ideas stick—and offers her ideas on how to apply these concepts to make your business more “sticky” or memorable. (incidentally, happened upon this book at the HOW Conference and was intrigued by it)

One of her suggestions is based on the concept of stories: are you telling stories about you and your business? People buy from you because they are interested in the story.

This was a concept discussed in a session at the HOW Design Conference (there’s that theme thing again…) and it goes along nicely with the idea of making your business more memorable. If you tell a story about your business (on your website, for example) a potential client will not only feel more comfortable (it’s like they know you already), but they will also remember you.

Find your Fascination Factor: take Sally Hogshead’s ‘F Score’ quiz here.

How do you make your business memorable?

 

July 1, 2011

Thinking of going to a conference? Do it!

Filed under: Networking,Small Business — Tags: , , — lidia @ 10:00 am

Scenes from the HOW Design Conference in Chicago

Have you been thinking of attending an industry conference?

What’s stopping you? The cost, travel details, taking time off work? It can all be overwhelming. I know, I’ve been there.

Well, I’m here now to tell you: do it!

Having attended my first HOW Design Conference in Chicago just one week ago, I’m now saying top myself: “what took you so long?”

Here are a few of the post-conference perks I’ve enjoyed:

  • Returning to the office more excited about work
  • Ideas and inspiration to apply to projects I’m currently working on
  • Sketchbook full of ideas—for client and in-house projects, as well as growing my business
  • New creative vendor resources (plus special discounts and perks!)
  • Network of creative people to brainstorm with—and keep me on track with my goals
  • Renewed feeling of how much I love my job

The benefits were well-worth the cost of the conference—and I realized what an important investment in my business it was. And now I’m hooked…I’m already planning for the next conference!

So if you’re on the fence about going to a conference, I urge you to do it. Of course, it’s important to find one that’s right for you. But after you do your research, take the plunge—even if it means saving up the cash or rearranging your schedule.

Read my tips on designing the perfect conference experience.

Have you attended a conference and experienced a “post-conference high”? Or did you have the opposite reaction? Leave a comment!