New Year, Old Goals
Like every year, the new year is difficult for me. Christmas is over, the cold winter air has set in, and it’s up to me to grab the bull by the horns and dive headfirst with what I want to accomplish. The question is, what do I want to accomplish?
I was reflecting within the first few weeks of the new year and it felt like the past year sped past me faster than I could count. 2021 was honestly a pretty big year for me and it’s very easy to get in my own head and overlook my own wins, accomplishments, and see how I can push myself even further within the next 11 months.
I knew for a fact that I wanted to create more. Create more of my own content, more illustrations, etc. The first passion project was 36 Days of Type, a fun (yet challenging) creative and noncommittal project that invites designers, illustrators and graphic artists to express their particular interpretation of the letters and numbers.
I started this challenge in 2018 fully on my own, no pressure or daily clock to keep me honest. I finished the full set in 2019, and have been a yearly fan and doer of the challenge over the past few years. The biggest trend that I’ve been seeing and using within my own work has been muted pinks, bold oranges, and soft neutrals and this was no different for 36 Days of Type 2021. The typography is geometric in style, with a modern/retro twist.
The most noteworthy win from last years challenge was when I received a ping that Dribbble, a site where designers can share and upload their work, shared one of my three sets on their Instagram page, checking off a huge milestone for me. When I first started my Instagram, I wanted to one day be featured on Dribbble’s main grid, a small but meaningful goal I could hold myself to, and one that I accomplished last year and hope to one day do again.
Best Wishes, Kind Regards
Sometimes the most memorable memories come out of the blue. Two years ago for a Valentines Day post, I created a piece of fan art for the amazing show @schittscreek simply for fun and it was “liked” by the incomparable @instadanjlevy. This of course was a full goop moment!
Almost one year later, Black Dog Publishing contacted me asking if it would be okay to feature my fan art in their new book “Best Wishes, Warmest Regards”, and this past October I received my copy, signed by the one and only Dan Levy!! Full goop!
It served as a solid reminder that people do care about the work that I do, what I create, and a gift that I won’t ever forget.
A Poster Child
Creating & designing outside of work is something I’ve found to be an essential tool to avoid burnout and keep the creative juice loose.
Two of the biggest opportunities I was lucky to be a part of last year was Posters for Parks and ARTCRANK, two poster shows that took place in-person and online. My ARTCRANK poster was inspired by the Red Owl grocery store mascot, and I wanted to pay tribute to the beloved owl as they enjoy a bike ride with their friend, the Friendly Raccoon.
Later that fall, Posters for Parks was during the week of my 30th birthday. This year, my Poster for Parks poster was inspired by the elusive owl, fascinating and protective creatures. I wanted to create an aura of serene, still nighttime and have always envisioned them as local guardians of the parks; late at night basking in the moonlight while admiring the local floral and fauna. Printed two-color on 100# French Off-White Butcher Paper printed by the amazing Night Swim Project. At the end of it all we sold a total of 837 posters during last year’s show! I’m excited to launch my new shop, featuring all my poster work, later this spring.
Here’s to the future
Every year I have a word that I use to use as a “guiding light,” if you will, something I’ve started since I graduated high school in 2010. Last year my word was “Harvest”, using the past few years to cultivate the life I want and to actively take part in the fruits of my hard work. This year my word is “Inspiration”, allowing myself to simply be inspired and create, not thinking too much about why or how but using inspiration as a tool I can use whenever I need it. Some of my favorite self-initiated designs are below.
Going into the new year, my design goals are to keep my head low and continue making great work. A few ideas that I want to (and will!) accomplish & wrap up this year:
Set up my online shop here
36 Days of Type 2022
Chinese New Year Animal Series
Posters, Posters, and more Posters
2021 was full of wins, and I’m ready to see where the rest of this year takes me. Stay tuned!
Best Wishes, Warmest Regards,
B