For example, I started blogging because it was a good way to vent about my current situation. When I found out I could make a little sidecash by placing ads on my site, I gave it a shot. After a month of blogging, I got a check for almost $130. I was stoked. Ads are in limbo right now, which I may play around with this weekend, but I still love blogging for blogging's sake.
Another thing I love doing is graphic design.
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| A logo I designed for a graphics design business. IF I ever decide to start one, that is... (Last name is Pearson. Hence the pear) |
I used to do this for a living, and I miss it from time to time. I got paid to play with pretty pictures all day. Sure, I did a LOT more than that (I was often referred to as "the glue that held the company together") but the main aspect of my job was marketing, promotions, and graphics graphics graphics.
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| A flyer I created for my former employer, promoting an Open House event. |
Now and then, I help a friend or family member with a project, like I did with my girlfriend and her scrapbooking business. Not only did I design her website, but I also made this snazzy logo using a vacation picture of her brother.
So when I was reading other blogs and found one mentioning a band who was doing a "design our logo" contest, I jumped right in. Not only were there goodies if I won, but my work would be on a bigger stage than ever before.
They're called Five Finger Death Punch, and the contest info can be found here. Sure, by linking the contest, one of you may join in on the fun, and possibly beat me. But still... half the reason of doing it is the sheer fun of doing it.
So all you graphics-nuts, what do you think? What should I work on? What do you like, and what don't you like? Do you think I have a shot at turning this into a career, if I devote a little more time and training into it?
Let me know. In the meantime, here is my submission for 5FDP:
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| I CRUSH YOU! |
36 witty retorts:
Yeah why not you seem to be good.
For me blogging is like hobby I dunno creative career needs lot more than I initially thought.
You can code and work or type anytime, but write something or create something is not easy as anyone thinks.
All the best dude!
You can make pretty good money designing web pages and such. You should try that. :D
:O 5FDP! <3
I must admit I hate the thought of making money out of the things I love, photography, blogging etc...I fear that it will take all the fun out of them and make them just another chore….
Will be in touch shortly about your entry into the Blog of War…
Love the pear - very nice ;)
omg how are u able 2 make so much frommadsense!! *holds you by collar* tell me!!!!
@Kitkat: Doesn't really matter. They through a fit and dumped me. I had $185 in 'verified funds' for the month of March, but they tell me "my website has potential for fraudulent clicks." Not that there WERE fraudulent clicks, but there was potential.
And they're not explaining themselves. There is no support center to call. I feel ripped.
A man of many talents, very impressive! 5FDP has played around here a few times and seem to have a good following so the exposure would be stellar. Hope you get selected!
You have the talent and should go for it. I worked at a career for 30 years that I didn't like and got laid off from over 3 years ago. Now I am making crafts from found objects on road trips I take with my friend. I say why not make money doing what you love!
Yeah, judging from all the cool graphics work you've shown here with the work you've done in the past and present, I would definitely say go for it. I think it would be great if you could make a living out of designing websites. I've seen people with a lot less talent than you do it. Speaking of which, I think my blog could use a makeover. I'm not good at it, though. Somebody re-did the look of my blog a couple years ago and now I'm kinda getting bored with the look. Anyways... I think you should use your talents toward Website Design.
First of all, I think it's great that you are pursuing your interests and doing what you love and not worrying so much about the money. From what I have seen so far of your work, I think you got potential. With more dedication and training, I think you could be successful and happy!
Regarding your submission, honestly I think that it's a good start. Right now it looks like a work in progress. It doesn't look "finished" or "polished." It seems to be lacking that something to make it pop and stand out. For the image, I wouldn't be so "literal" with the hand. I would do something more abstract. I would also reconsider the type (the font).
I hope I didn't offend or discourage you with my above suggestion. I just want to be honest and maybe give you some feedback.
that logo is fantastic I like your style
You know i'm all about making money from the things you love, hence me writing and putting my book for sale.. I love to write, so i might as well make some money at it!
AmberLaShell Rants
@Shutterbug: No offense taken at all. With the 5FDP idea, it took about 10 minutes to throw it together, and it kind of looks like it. The problem is, I accomplished exactly what I had floating around in my head.
What I need to do is do a little more research on the band, see what they've done in the past, and incorporate the ideas into one badass logo. I have a day and a half, so I'll see what I come up with. :)
@Kelly: If you're asking me to be your blogger consultant, let me know. I'd be happy to help, and promise not to charge you a million bucks per hour. (Maybe only a half-mil)
Exactly how I feel - I'm trying to narrow down what it is that I'm good at. We started blogging and making a little cash as well, only for adsense to complain about "invalid clicks."
Surround yourself with talented people and force your way to the top; at least that's how I'm trying.
EEK I love 5fdp! Some of my favorite metal right there! Some things you might want to know is they go for the "death" look a lot, using skulls and metal knuckle thing-a-mabobs, and their name was inspired by the Kill Bill death move.
*Is a fanboy*
If you want any opinions from fan-point of view, I'm also open! Good luck, I'd be so stoked FOR you if you won :D
I'm a novice graphic designer, but have a little experience being a computer programmer. I personally love your current idea for 5FDP.
It's not much, but if you wanna check out a little of my work, my website is:
www.abigbluebox.com
Following in hopes of seeing more and maybe picking up a few tips,
juju-paintballer.blogspot.com
I may get in touch with you, by way of email, on that- after this month is up. I'll have more time. Thanks! Only half a mil... quite a bargain. :) Later, dude.
There's a lot of ways you could go, from a button that goes to an etsy account with paypal for people to purchase a custom profile pic cartoon version or a banner for their blog for a set price to doing ebook covers. As an ebook writer, I know that hooking up with a good artist for your cover art, book art and even book trailer is critical. Luckily, I'm dating my artist.
That is cool you're doing things you love and thanks for the info on adsense, I read the comments because I heard it gets kinda shady so I haven't done it yet.
Hopefully they'll send u the check you deserve. Nice post
-Dale
5FDP is an awesome band, good luck. The art looks good, but as Shutterbug said, a bit unpolished.
Also, yeah, Adsense is iffy, I haven't been dropped yet, but I'm thinking of switching because so many people seem to be getting ripped off. We'll see how it goes. Blogging because you want to is always important, I always end up un-following a good handful of blogs every month because people just seem to quit.
great post! keep up the good work
Nice design. I think it suits them well.
I'm pretty good living proof of do what you want to do and make money from it. I left an IT job making a very reasonable salary to write full time. I'm poor and I don't make even half of what I did before, but I'm writing, and I'm happy. And that's all that matters.
nice flyer, not sure about the 5fdp - looks amateurish
Oh, and as a stupid afterthought to your comment on my page, my Audi does have the turbo package. Doesn't make it fast, though... :)
I think you've real talent...and agree with some of the above comments about offering your design services...I certainly need a logo for mine
As for the 5 finger death punch - nice concept, but you lose the little finger (it may be the contrast on this monitor though)
Shit, that's the American dream! To get paid to do what you love without losing your damn mind to "the man"...do what it do homie!!
Yep, blogging is all about expressing your own opinions and having a hobby
If you can make some money off of it, then why not?
That's a really good turnover for a month, well done!
Your design work is good too
Oh I like the art! Makes me think of the Kill Bill five finger palm of death thingey.
hed
i cant wait to make 10 bux till then i gotta get a job
I think you have alot of potential to turn that into a career! And I think you'll find (and you probably already know this), that those who blog for the love of blogging tend to be the ones who are the most successful. You definitely have a knack for keeping it interesting!
I'm a graphic designer by trade and it's an extremely hard profession (not at all glamorous as people think). Late nights, concepts, sketches and amends, oh jeebus the amends can kill you! But having said that it can be really rewarding knowing that you have fulfilled a brief and presented something to the client, that fulfils their needs and propells the business forward. I wish you luck with this. I would say invest in learning Adobe Illustrator, Indesign and photoshop. Lynda.com is really good for tutorials. Staying up to date is key! Look at websites like FFFound and It's nice that for design inspiration. Take time, a good design is like planting a seed, it starts with an idea then the designer cultivates it until it's larger than life. Then he/she preens it, trims and cuts off the dead bits! Leaving a perfectly healthy plant!
If you want any tips or me to critique the stuff you have posted properly (with suggested improvements) just give me an email and i will be happy to help you out and give you some tips and advice.
Go for it! You have the talent, so why not get something out of it? BTW, 5FDP is classic. I need to incorporate that in a sentence at work tomorrow some sort of way. I don't have the patience for graphic design although people claim I could do it. I beg to differ. I have to have instructions for designing, but some people can create naturally. You need to use that natural talent.
@Alice: Thank you. I can't give you enough props for sending me this. I am planning on going back to school this fall, either for graphics or website design. People tell me I have a raw talent, and I can tool around in illustrator and photoshop, but I need to hone my skills in order to make it farther than just this podunk town.
Again, thank you. I'll remember your offer.
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