We all need to start somewhere
I was taking a few photos of cards for my portfolio when I came across my very first business card.
Multi page and single-page. That’s right.
Definite proof that we all need to start somewhere.
I’ve learned a lot during the past six years of self-employment, such as don’t mess with Google, some clients are better to avoid, and if you don’t ask, you don’t get, but what’s been most beneficial is the knowledge that the online design community is a hugely helpful group of people.
With that in mind, here’s to you. To your comments, your encouragement, feedback, critique, and everything else you’ve done to help on my journey.
If you want to read a few more tips I’ve learned, this is a good place to start.
Related posts worth a look
18 appreciated comments on “We all need to start somewhere”
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Hey David, its always great to look back and see how far you have come. Nice job! Do you have any pictures of your current business card/logo?
You’ve come a long way David. I can remember way back when your site had a blue banner with some sort of image of marching soldiers on it? I think?
Hey David! Wonderful post! I skimmed over the evolution of your design portfolio and found that to be most interesting! I’ve been struggling lately with trying to build my business ideas, my design portfolio, and trying to make sure everything is perfect. But its amazing to see that 6 years ago you had a “bad” logo, “ugly” website, hadn’t started blogging… that you’ve come a long ways and really built a strong business for yourself in 6 years. That’s really encouraging to me. Maybe I mess up at first, but improve it over time… Thanks for sharing this. Really has blessed my day.
Thanks for posting this, David. I remember my first flash site. It was pretty horrendous. I would compare myself to other designers and wonder why I’m not at their level. After seeing this, I realize that even the best designers had to start somewhere. It also made me realize that maybe I wasn’t a design prodigy, but I have definitely evolved since my first site and my first design portfolio (out of college). I have to agree with Timothy. This was very encouraging. Again, thanks for sharing, David.
Great stuff. I’m not a designer but am fascinated by graphic designers and love to read about them. I’m sure most designers look back to their early years and start cringing. what’s funny about one of your posts was where you used frontpage in your early years — I have come across some so called professional web designers that still use it and their portfolio looks very frontpage(ish) and template-like too. When will they ever get it!
Any good business will always evolve to best serve their customers and as designers we are not exempt!
Thought I’d share with you a business card I designed for my daughter 10 years ago.
http://www.indigoimage.com/wpblog/2010/04/unique-business-card-designs
It was one of the most memorable cards I have created … but I don’t think the design will cut it today.
On a completely different note I would like to urge all designers to run a Google search on their testimonials. This week I have discovered 22 companies who have helped themselves to my testimonials and used them as their own. Here is the wall of shame I created to “out” these cyber thieves.
http://www.indigoimage.com/wpblog/2011/05/wall-of-shame-website-testimonial-theives
“A man who would letterspace lower case would steal sheep”
My first business card had a picture of hand with CMYK ink on each of the fingers. I’ve no idea why, but it seemed to make sense at the time.
Really enjoyed seeing the journey of your website and how you’ve not been afraid to rebrand and adapt to make full use of the web.
Could I ask though, how did existing clients react to you rebranding? Did it make any difference or did you get any negative reactions?
Only these note cards, Justin. No need for anything more right now. Probably soon, though.
Well remembered, Andrew. My site header used to show this photo from my trip through Vietnam.
I think that as designers, Timothy, we’re never 100% satisfied with what we create for our personal use, so don’t let the little flaws affect your goals. We can all improve in some aspects.
Catherine, happy to give encouragement. You’re more than welcome.
Very cute, Zoe. Given the story behind it, I’m sure the card could still be used today. Thanks for the testimonial tip. I’ll give it a shot.
Dewi, the nature of what I do means that a successful project is often a final sign-off with the client. My job is done (unless they come back at a later date wanting fresh marketing material created). As such, the only negative reaction came from some of my blog readers who preferred previous styles.
Thanks a lot for the comments.
Didn’t you post the New Dawn Graphics logo on the My Space Graphic Design group all those years ago David? I remember when you said you were starting a blog, I had no idea you would go on to be so successful!
I did indeed, Lee. I remember one of the main downsides to that forum was the inability to search past threads, and the same questions were asked again and again. Shame, because there were some excellent contributions.
Yep, it’s all gone now though. I give Myspace 6 months. I can’t see it lasting.
I enjoyed reading this post. It’s very inspirational and encouraging.
When I hit the creative blocks or feel like my work is just not good enough, I try to look back and remind myself of the way-worse art/design work I used to create. They help me realize that I’ve been improving little by little every year.
Many of the artworks I created while in college or years ago look so bad that I can’t even add them to my portfolio. The funny thing is, when I created them years ago, I thought they looked alright. Haha.
In your “The 30 Month Eveolution…” article, you wrote, “I was still happy to call myself New Dawn Graphics, but, reluctantly, did away with my vast network of design employees, favouring to operate as a sole proprietor.” This made me wonder if I should change the name of my website as well from “Daxis Design” to “Jessica Lee”.
I originally wanted to use my name for my website but there were too many websites named “Jessica Lee” and jessicalee.com was already taken.
I’ve seen many successful designers with strong, healthy online presence who use their company name or alias for their websites. Would you recommend that all designers and artists should use their name for their websites (online portfolio and/or blog) instead of using a company name or alias?
I think it’s whatever you’re most comfortable with, Jessica. I spent ages deciding on the New Dawn name, only for it to grow old after a year or so. Whereas with our personal names, we’re already used to living with them. It’s a shame your .com is taken. There’s always the option of tagging “studio” or “design” on the end, a bit like your Daxis Design, but it’s worth remembering that we don’t need to be so literal with our business names. Think of Pentagram, Landor, Lippincott, The Chase, GBH, Johnson Banks… if we were unfamiliar with the agencies, we’d have no idea they were design/branding-related.
Another point I should mention relates to the advantage of not using your personal name: If in the future you want to take a step back, passing responsibility for your business onto others, it might be easier if the business name isn’t based specifically on you.
For instance, imagine if I ever wanted to sell davidairey.com. The market would be insignificant compared to that if it was movingbrands.com or futurebrand.com.
At the same time, I’ve been able to use the small amount of equity behind my name in the launch of side-projects like Logo Design Love and Identity Designed, so there are pros and cons.
Hi David,
Thank you so much for replying to my comment. Just like you said, I guess there are pros and cons to both options. After reading your comments, I think I will stick with my current domain name. After all, it’s named after my beloved dog.
Thanks again for taking the time to write these very detailed tips! I really appreciate it. I love how you read everyone’s comments and and reply to most of them, if not all.
I really enjoy reading your blog, it’s very inspiring and informative. Having come from a very different country I am not familiar with how things work and where to start. Sometimes I feel that graphic design industry is too competitive, I have a lack of knowledge etc. But posts like this one, really encourage me. May be my business card is not the greatest one but this is just the beginning, not to give up!
Thanks a lot for sharing.
The funny thing is “New Dawn” and the design, looks and sounds like some sort of New Age type sci-fi type “Nexus” magazine business. I am glad you got rid of the name.