Sunday, December 8, 2013
New Website!!!
I am so happy to announce that I've launched my sparkly new website, Trotter Creative. Please go visit me there, learn about the creative projects I'm working on, and get in touch. I will no longer be posting at this site, so please bookmark my new site to keep up with all my happenings.
I started this little blogspot blog back when I was heading to graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. Lots of good, challenging posts here. And I hope to continue to post more stories like that on my new site. You'll get to learn about my creative process, and I'll even share some fun tips and tricks for good design.
Go take a look around - trottercreative.com - and let me know what you think!
Friday, November 15, 2013
Finally.
I finally leaped. I designed and ordered my new business cards. Yes. I sat my ass down and finally did it. The cards will be classic. I didn't want a 'logo' for myself...just a nice, timeless look and feel that will tell my future clients, "Hey, I'm a simple gal with a clean look. Hire me and you'll get something beautiful."
I also ordered some nice, black envelopes and thank you notes to go along with my branding. They'll look smashing. I'm expecting them back from the printer at the end of next week, so I might be a little busy mailing some goodies to some fine folks in the area.
Oh, and of course, they're letter pressed. I'm a tactile junkie, so I had to make my cards and notes feel gooooood. Like. Real gooooooooood.
Photos to come.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Motivators
What motivates you to work? My top three motivators have changed quite a bit since my very first job out of graduate school. At that point, I was making enough for me and Mabel (my Westie dog cohort) to live by, and I was the recipient of free cable leftovers from the previous tenant. (I almost lost it when the cable finally turned to fuzz.) At work I was pretty low, actually...the lowest, on the totem pole, and was an eager young woman with a Master's Degree in advertising. (Hint: when you finish grad school you might not necessarily make a hefty salary.)
I actually remember my first winter living in Tulsa. My little 4-plex apartment was built in the early 1900s, had an old, creaky floor furnace and drafty windows. My bedroom didn't stay warm whatsoever. My mom came to town to take me to dinner, and insisted we stop by Target afterward to 'pick up a few things.' I needed laundry detergent and milk, but as we passed the bedding section, mom stopped and put a giant, king-sized fleece blanket in our basket. She then proceeded to find a space heater. She informed me that her job as a mother was to make sure I wasn't hungry or cold. I cried in the middle of Target. Not my finest moment, but one of my most memorable with momma.
My boss had asked me to send her my top three motivators for working. Top motivator? Money. I wanted to get paid more. I didn't really care much for pats on the back or high fives - those didn't keep me full. I can't recall what my other two were, but I'm sure they were petty and puerile.
Fast forward to Friday. I had a meeting with my current boss and I decided to share my top motivators as a working woman today. I may have grown up a bit with my list. (PS - she didn't ask me to bring my top motivators to her - I simply wanted her to be aware of what lights a fire under me. I recommend you do the same with your boss!)
1. Advancement. Whether it be title, added responsibilities or taking on new projects, I want to advance with this group of health care professionals. I can see myself here for many years, and I hope to gain more understanding each day with what our role is in society, and what patients can expect from us.
2. Recognition. I am now to the point in my career that when I receive a "Job Well Done" email, I become very proud of what I've accomplished. Being recognized for my contributions in this role is very important to me.
3. Creative Allowance. Yes. In a very structured health care world, I still hope to be offered creative flexibility with my marketing efforts. I drove this point home, because now I don't do any graphic design during my day job. I simply market, and I'm happy with that. It's just that I'm missing a little bit of creativity now and again. So. Now my boss knows that any creative opportunities that come up will be eagerly approaced by me.
I'm happy that I shared my motivators at my desk job. I'll spend some time thinking about what motivates me with my design business, because I'm sure those points are night and day different.
Now your turn. Think about what motivates you. What fuels your engine?
I actually remember my first winter living in Tulsa. My little 4-plex apartment was built in the early 1900s, had an old, creaky floor furnace and drafty windows. My bedroom didn't stay warm whatsoever. My mom came to town to take me to dinner, and insisted we stop by Target afterward to 'pick up a few things.' I needed laundry detergent and milk, but as we passed the bedding section, mom stopped and put a giant, king-sized fleece blanket in our basket. She then proceeded to find a space heater. She informed me that her job as a mother was to make sure I wasn't hungry or cold. I cried in the middle of Target. Not my finest moment, but one of my most memorable with momma.
My boss had asked me to send her my top three motivators for working. Top motivator? Money. I wanted to get paid more. I didn't really care much for pats on the back or high fives - those didn't keep me full. I can't recall what my other two were, but I'm sure they were petty and puerile.
Fast forward to Friday. I had a meeting with my current boss and I decided to share my top motivators as a working woman today. I may have grown up a bit with my list. (PS - she didn't ask me to bring my top motivators to her - I simply wanted her to be aware of what lights a fire under me. I recommend you do the same with your boss!)
1. Advancement. Whether it be title, added responsibilities or taking on new projects, I want to advance with this group of health care professionals. I can see myself here for many years, and I hope to gain more understanding each day with what our role is in society, and what patients can expect from us.
2. Recognition. I am now to the point in my career that when I receive a "Job Well Done" email, I become very proud of what I've accomplished. Being recognized for my contributions in this role is very important to me.
3. Creative Allowance. Yes. In a very structured health care world, I still hope to be offered creative flexibility with my marketing efforts. I drove this point home, because now I don't do any graphic design during my day job. I simply market, and I'm happy with that. It's just that I'm missing a little bit of creativity now and again. So. Now my boss knows that any creative opportunities that come up will be eagerly approaced by me.
I'm happy that I shared my motivators at my desk job. I'll spend some time thinking about what motivates me with my design business, because I'm sure those points are night and day different.
Now your turn. Think about what motivates you. What fuels your engine?
Monday, October 14, 2013
Creative Betterment
Sometimes, with creativity, projects are left unfinished, blog posts unposted, books left unwritten.
Two of my favorite creative women and I are starting a group called Creative Betterment. This group will help maintain momentum for creative projects, and help hold each other accountable to finish or polish our projects as best as we can. We will do creative exercises, share articles on productivity/creativity, give “homework” to help grow each other as creative women.
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Here is the email I sent to my cohorts:
Hey Rachel – so I’ve been toying around with the idea of starting a small, women’s creative support group. This group will meet every other week to discuss personal or work-related creative projects. This could be anything from writing a book to building a new website to marketing a new project to designing a new logo. Even sewing projects or interior design ideas! Really, anything goes, as long as it’s creative.
The meetings will be 90 minutes. 20 minutes to catch up and chit-chat, 60 minutes to discuss projects (each person gets an equal amount of time) and 5-10 minutes in the middle of that to take a restroom break/grab a coffee drink. We’ll meet at various coffee shops, cupcake stores, homes, etc. The locations should be fluid to evoke new senses and inspire us.
Sometimes, with creativity, projects are left unfinished, blog posts unposted. This group will help maintain momentum for creative projects, and help hold each other accountable to finish or polish our projects as best as we can. We can do creative exercises, share articles on productivity/creativity, give “homework” to help grow each other as creative women.
So, Kristen Wright and I are going to have our first meeting soon. Would you like to be a part of our creative support group? You always have fantastic ideas, and are always thinking of new creative ventures (hello, Cheesebox!). I know you could contribute a lot to our group. I know you’re busy, but it’s also good to get out for fresh air once in a while. :)
What do you think?
///
Our first gathering is this Wednesday at my house. We're having a potluck, and I couldn't be more excited to see how this group grows. Wish us luck, and let us know if you'd like to join our family!
Two of my favorite creative women and I are starting a group called Creative Betterment. This group will help maintain momentum for creative projects, and help hold each other accountable to finish or polish our projects as best as we can. We will do creative exercises, share articles on productivity/creativity, give “homework” to help grow each other as creative women.
///
Here is the email I sent to my cohorts:
Hey Rachel – so I’ve been toying around with the idea of starting a small, women’s creative support group. This group will meet every other week to discuss personal or work-related creative projects. This could be anything from writing a book to building a new website to marketing a new project to designing a new logo. Even sewing projects or interior design ideas! Really, anything goes, as long as it’s creative.
The meetings will be 90 minutes. 20 minutes to catch up and chit-chat, 60 minutes to discuss projects (each person gets an equal amount of time) and 5-10 minutes in the middle of that to take a restroom break/grab a coffee drink. We’ll meet at various coffee shops, cupcake stores, homes, etc. The locations should be fluid to evoke new senses and inspire us.
Sometimes, with creativity, projects are left unfinished, blog posts unposted. This group will help maintain momentum for creative projects, and help hold each other accountable to finish or polish our projects as best as we can. We can do creative exercises, share articles on productivity/creativity, give “homework” to help grow each other as creative women.
So, Kristen Wright and I are going to have our first meeting soon. Would you like to be a part of our creative support group? You always have fantastic ideas, and are always thinking of new creative ventures (hello, Cheesebox!). I know you could contribute a lot to our group. I know you’re busy, but it’s also good to get out for fresh air once in a while. :)
What do you think?
///
Our first gathering is this Wednesday at my house. We're having a potluck, and I couldn't be more excited to see how this group grows. Wish us luck, and let us know if you'd like to join our family!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saddles. Back in them.
Well. It's time for a return. A return from my blogging silence and a return to sharing my creative pursuits. A few things I'm currently working on...
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Starting a Creative Support Group for OKC women. We'll gather once a month (for now) to share our creative projects, provide encouragement for each other and offer advice/other points of view.
Designing a logo for a local dental practice. Real talk: I despise going to the dentist, so this project is helping me dig deeper into how dentists can make patients feel GOOD and happy. I'll be eager to share my progress in the logo design and finalization.
Organizing my home office, which has finally been redone. (Trumpets and angels singing right now!) Jeff and I spent about a week ripping up carpet, painting walls, laying floor (OK, I didn't lay the flooring, but whatever) and introducing a sweet, vintage mint green metal desk to the room. It's a really inspiring spot in our home now, and I can't wait to add photos and art to the walls to complete the look. I'll share some progress shots with you.
Removing myself from Facebook. Yes. I've been eager to leave the social network for a while now, and by deleting the app from my iPhone and iPad, I can finally see that it's not hard to live without it. I'll have the occasional friend say, "Did you see my photo from ______ that I put on Facebook??!" Um, no. I haven't been on that site for at least two months now, and I like it. I still tweet and Instagram, but I learn from those sites. I learn about (unbiased) news, I learn about beautiful moments captured by a camera and I learn how brevity is most times best. "So, if you think Facebook is too public and folks share way too much, why the hell are you blogging again??" Because I'm focusing more each day on my design career, and I believe sharing some of my heart could score me a client or two. Or some new graphic design friends around the webs. Plus, I like sharpening my creative axe, and dreaming of new posts could possibly lead to some inspiration.
---
I'll be moving this blog from Blogger to Wordpress with the help of my bestie, Kristen. I hope to connect this blog back to my design website, trottercreative.com, to show any potential clients what I'm about. So, it's good to be back, and I hope to inspire with creative projects, happy thoughts and adventures in my world.
---
Starting a Creative Support Group for OKC women. We'll gather once a month (for now) to share our creative projects, provide encouragement for each other and offer advice/other points of view.
Designing a logo for a local dental practice. Real talk: I despise going to the dentist, so this project is helping me dig deeper into how dentists can make patients feel GOOD and happy. I'll be eager to share my progress in the logo design and finalization.
Organizing my home office, which has finally been redone. (Trumpets and angels singing right now!) Jeff and I spent about a week ripping up carpet, painting walls, laying floor (OK, I didn't lay the flooring, but whatever) and introducing a sweet, vintage mint green metal desk to the room. It's a really inspiring spot in our home now, and I can't wait to add photos and art to the walls to complete the look. I'll share some progress shots with you.
Removing myself from Facebook. Yes. I've been eager to leave the social network for a while now, and by deleting the app from my iPhone and iPad, I can finally see that it's not hard to live without it. I'll have the occasional friend say, "Did you see my photo from ______ that I put on Facebook??!" Um, no. I haven't been on that site for at least two months now, and I like it. I still tweet and Instagram, but I learn from those sites. I learn about (unbiased) news, I learn about beautiful moments captured by a camera and I learn how brevity is most times best. "So, if you think Facebook is too public and folks share way too much, why the hell are you blogging again??" Because I'm focusing more each day on my design career, and I believe sharing some of my heart could score me a client or two. Or some new graphic design friends around the webs. Plus, I like sharpening my creative axe, and dreaming of new posts could possibly lead to some inspiration.
---
I'll be moving this blog from Blogger to Wordpress with the help of my bestie, Kristen. I hope to connect this blog back to my design website, trottercreative.com, to show any potential clients what I'm about. So, it's good to be back, and I hope to inspire with creative projects, happy thoughts and adventures in my world.
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