10 lessons learned for Cultura Visual (Spain)
It’s funny how things come in bunches. A few years ago 3 publications in China asked for interviews and this year the requests have come from Spain. The first was from Linea Curve Magazine for a feature which will be soon published and the second was a banner design and article for Mi Petit Madrid. Cultura Visual recently asked for 10 things learned as an creative professional that no one told me. There were many more lessons than 10 but if you would like to check it out, please click here.
Use your inner eye
It’s always a pleasure to work with a client regularly so you can develop a sense of rhythm. CFA is one such client with whom I have worked with on both publications and identity. Whenever assigned smaller stories for CFA magazine, the client suggested using the same character for all stories to create a sense of continuity. It’s been a fun approach for a reoccurring column. This illustration was for an article about making plans reality. Bil Cullen, Tim Priddy, AD’s. Design firm: Communication Design.
Don’t box me in
It’s always a pleasure to work with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s magazine. They always have interesting subjects for assignments and this one hit close as an Asian American. This illustration was for an iPad edition of the magazine about the problems Asians have with being perceived as one homogeneous group. When you take a close look, you realize how varied the groups are culturally. Valerie Downs, AD.
See the ball
If you like sports, this past weekend was for you. It was the first week for the NFL and the US Open Finals weekend where tennis has the good fortune of all time greats playing in the same era. This seemed perfect to share. Ohio Today Magazine asked for an illustration about the most amazing athletic feats alumni have seen. For me it is either Tiger Wood’s 6 iron on 18 from the sand 200+ yards to 12 feet at the Canadian Open or pretty much anything Nadal and Djokovic do with a racket when playing each other at a major. Sarah McDowell, AD.
School daze
It is interesting to see how kids react to the first day of school. Some dreaded it but I loved it. I was curious to see which kids would be in my class. There was always a new girl I had a crush on but would never dare to let know. The first week was exciting. It wasn’t until we had homework due the second week that school felt like school. This illustration about study was done for Scientific American Magazine for Ann Chin.
Eat and run
It was a pleasant surprise earlier this year when Jeff Fabian of Kinetik called with a calendar project for the National WIC Association. Every year they produce a calendar focusing on nutrition and exercise for families. Jeff and I both are VCU graduates who worked together at the start of our careers. It was nice to connect with an old friend on a project that does a lot of good.
Design firm: Kinetik, Creative Director: Jeff Fabian, Designer: Joanna NG.
Timing is everything
I do not miss my 20’s at all. The main problem was my impatience and desire for everything to happen immediately. Fortunately, experience has taught the benefits of waiting and the rewards of taking your time. SooJin Buzelli had an article for PlanSponsor Magazine about the advantage a longer time frame for investments. Waiting is always a good lesson to relearn.
