Jessica Hische in KC!

I have long admired Jessica Hische's beautiful lettering, and the moment AIGA KC announced she would be speaking I immediately bought a ticket. Here are a few quick takeaways from her talk, I can't wait to read her new book In Progress, which I was lucky enough to get signed! Thanks, AIGA, for bringing such a wonderful speaker to KC. 

Jessica Hische in KC! | Letters Are Lovely
  • Jessica talked about how she was most motivated when she could picture someone using/enjoying the end result of the project. 
  • She has found that it's best to do the heavy lifting of a project through sketching (more work in analog=less work in vector).
  • Her process order includes researching, brainstorming, thumbnail sketches, real sketches, and vector drawing, and she has found that a consistent process matters a lot. 
  • She recommended visiting the Letterform Archive in SF
  • Something I found really relatable was when she talked about how it is necessary to start to vary the skeleton of your letterforms in order to create more unique lettering. I have seen in my own work that I have often changed the "dress" of the lettering, rather that starting with a different and unique skeleton. This is something I hope to continue to develop in my future lettering work. 
  • In her final remarks she listed some practical (life) tips, which included a remark about how designers are like indoor cats. Of course I couldn't resist including that in my notes. But seriously, I truly appreciated her humor and willingness to be open about how she works and also how she interacts with clients. Thanks again, Jessica and AIGA KC!

March Around The Web

I hope you all have had a wonderful March! I couldn't think of a better representation of my favorite things on the internet this past month than Libby VanderPloeg's "Lift Each Other Up" illustration for International Women's Day (which was March 8th). I am very proud to work with and have so many talented & driven women friends who inspire me daily. Take a look at Libby's website to see more of her wonderful illustrations! 

March Around The Web: Libby VanderPloeg | Letters Are Lovely

Other tidbits from this month include:

Personally, my favorite moments from March were spent in Portland with my family, and outside enjoying the warmer Spring weather. I can't wait to see what April will bring!

Mint, Gold, and Neutrals for Spring

I've rounded up a few items on my wish list this Spring. I included a few local KC artists, as well as some other items I would love to purchase. Enjoy!

Letters Are Lovely | Mint, Gold, and Neutrals for Spring

Ring Dish in Mint—Suite One Studio
Open Hearted T-Shirt—Jess Lively for Spirit+Style
Marbled Canvas Cross Body—Maker Goods
60 MM Sequins—Oh Happy Day!
Praise Hands Pin—Pintrill
Celestial Coaster Set—Anthropologie
Create Pillow—Hibrid for 5 Points
Productivity Planner—Intelligent Change

The Bloom Academy

Last Tuesday my mom and I attended our very first Bloom Academy workshop in KC! We learned how to create beautiful flower arrangements using floral from, and I couldn't be more obsessed with the vase. The ladies from The Hair Parlour were also there hosting a braid bar. We had such a great time, I can't wait to attend another workshop in the future! (Just Keep Going Print featured below by Ampersand Design Studio)

Letters Are Lovely | The Bloom Academy
Letters Are Lovely | The Bloom Academy
Letters Are Lovely | The Bloom Academy
Letters Are Lovely | The Bloom Academy
Letters Are Lovely | The Bloom Academy

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

I just finished reading Seth Godin's book Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? I don't remember the last time I took so many notes while reading, and I wanted to be sure to document my main takeaways. It won't surprise me at all if I end up re-reading this book in the future. 

Artists are indispensable linchpins. Art is scarce; scarcity creates value. Gifts make tribes stronger. Organizations will always strive to replace replaceable elements with cheaper substitutes. But generous artists aren't easily replaceable. So artists are different.
—Seth Godin, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? 

In this book Seth defines artists as linchpins, but this isn't a limiting factor for he believes that anyone can be an artist. Linchpins make things happen (build and most importantly ship), they are generous, they provide emotional labor, and they see the world as it actually is. One of my favorite sections talked about how being surprised is a result of doing your job properly. He urges you to not ever believe you have it all figured out, and that you don't necessarily need to wait for someone else to tell you what to do next. You do not need to ask permission to do your job better. 

Letters Are Lovely | Linchpin by Seth Godin

It is difficult to summarize all the tidbits Seth shares in this book. I will say it has helped me rethink how I approach my job, and I truly recommend it to anyone who wishes to become indispensable at work.

Every successful organization is built around people. People who do art. People who interact with other people. Men and women who don't merely shuffle money, but interact, give gifts, and connect...The result of this art, these risks, the gifts, and the humanity coming together is both wonderful and ironic. The result of getting back in touch with our pre-commercial selves will actually create a post-commercial world that feeds us, enriches us, and gives us the stability we've been seeking for so long. 
—Seth Godin, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?