This month I have been nice and snug in my home office, head down and arse up working on a number on projects and creatively supporting my clients.
My trip to paradise now feels like a fever dream, did it ever happen? Why do they go by so quickly? Take me back to sunshine and snorkeling. I returned to plenty of work to do and got back into a rhythm quickly, I suppose that’s quite good.
I have also spent July out and about networking, meeting other designers, catching up with others in the industry and putting faces to names with clients I have been chomping at the bit to meet. All good peopling! And that’s what it’s about right? Peopling? Building and strengthening relationships, expanding your network, learning about others.
With the end of the financial year (EOY June) it means Annual Reports are underway and information is being collated. I had a very interesting conversation recently with another designer who commented on their organisation requiring design to look inexpensive. I wonder who made that decision and why they think good design is expensive? Who’s perception?
I’d be so keen to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think gorgeous design is expensive? Good design is expensive? What does this look like? What is considered ‘expensive looking’? What looks cheap? How can you tell what creative costs? There is a blog in there somewhere… watch this space.
Latest Projects
Netsafe Resource
I was stoked to work with Netsafe on this resource on technology facilitated coercive control this month. I loved working with this brand, it's bold, bright, vivid and up my alley in terms of branding and kaupapa.
This 2025 Netsafety Week is about celebrating the Power in Partnerships by shining a spotlight on collaborative projects that are helping to shape a safer online world.
The Backbone Collective making navigating legal processes easier for victim/survivors
We also finalised the Child-led Protection Order document for The Backbone Collective. This doc aims to provide victim/survivors and their supporters with much needed information about getting a child-led PO. Navigating the system is hard on any given day, so this document will be welcomed. You can take a look at the doc and associated infographic process or download a copy from The Backbone Collective website.
My 100 day challenge
Do you ever get the ‘brain fidgets’ to be creative, procrastinate from work until this unsettled creativity manages to work its way out? Or is this just me? I’m embarking on a 100 day challenge to create something simply for the joy of creating. I’m a lover of layout so mixed media is my chosen outlet. I’m enjoying this because it doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t need to be complicated and it doesn’t need to have a brief. It’s purely an outlet for my fidgety creative brain.
What do you do to settle the ‘brain fidgets’? Is that even a thing? Is it called something else?
Reflections
Winter is hard - I have been feeling so sluggish in the mornings and often find myself working from the afternoon into the evening when I have 'defrosted'. It's slow going, BUT one morning after defrosting thecar (thanks to the ol AA membership card scraper) I did stop for a smidge of awe looking at how the frosts sparkled and glistened. Magic.
The importance of peopling. As an introvert, this is quite hard sometimes. A few weeks ago I went to Wellington for the day and met with lots of people, attended a networking event and then, colleague and client catch ups. I wasn’t in the mood for peopling in the morning. By lunchtime I had warmed up and felt better when the meetings were 1:1 or a few of us. I left feeling happy and connected. I forget this sometimes. Peopling is good.
Questioning is good. I’ve done a fair chunk of this lately, questioning perceptions especially. What does expensive design vs good design vs cheap design look like? Why am I getting fidgety creatively? Is there another word for that? Why do newborn babies smell so good? Why does time move so quickly and so slowly at the same time? (will save this one for my physics major son and prepare for a lecture).
Gratitude for great clients – I am so grateful for clients who value who I am and what I do. Not every client does, but I swear, I have the best clients! Here’s to you guys, thank you!
Lemonface Lens
@lemonfacelens is a Lemonface outlet for creative expression, a place for play and joy. Here are a few views through the lens that stood out for us this month.
A client sent me some gorgeous blooms to say thank you for one of those last minute need it yesterday jobs and my friend had her baby, and I was honoured to capture his mama with him so new to the world, only hours old. These two things aren't related. Ha.
Boo the Dragon
Boo has been on her first outing post-brumation to the vet for a check up. She’s been complimented a bunch and I’m trying to make sure it doesn’t go to her head. What’s worse than a judgemental lizard? A judgemental lizard that has developed an ego.
Catch you next month
