Friday, September 16, 2011

stay creative

from here

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

About me...

A little while ago I did an intensive design workshop with Ken Cato at my UNI and I learned a lot. I am still amazed at how much I learn't in three and a half days! 


The task we were assigned to was to make a series of a4 posters exploring our identity. Looking at what made us who we are, talking to family, finding pictures and documenting passions. I found this to be an amazing insight into myself and made me realise I have what it takes to be a designer.


 To be honest, before this workshop I was seriously doubting my ability to be a designer and now I realise my I was being to hard on myself and I was letting my pessimistic nature leach into my designing as a whole. I was expecting the worst and not giving myself a chance to prove otherwise. I am so glad I gave myself a chance with this and I was so happy with what I came up with in an afternoon! 















Have you explored your identity through design?
Nikkieve x

Don't over think it!

I stumbled upon a new website today that addressed one of the most frustrating and important parts of the design process, not over thinking your design.



So how do you know when to stop? Where is the perfect middle between simplicity and meaningful context. It would seem the most important part of the decision making process is to develop your fast decision making skills so how do we get there? In the design world we wont get a month to work on one project like at UNI so I think this is very important to understand and put into action ASAP!!

So the website I found it called 99% and it is awesome and full of amazing content for designers! 

So the article I found particularly interesting is called... Don't over think it! and it talks about how to not over analyse your work.

Here are the headlines:

1. Satisficers vs Maximizers.
Gathering additional information always comes at a cost. We’re better off setting our criteria for making a decision in advance (as in, “I’ll make the call once I know X, Y, and Z”). Once you have that information, make the choice and move on.

2. How less can be more.
We are designed to process information so quickly that “rapid cognition” – decisions that spring from hard thinking based on sound experience – can feel more instinctive than scientific. Trust your gut.

3. The three kinds of intuition.
 We should trust our expert intuition (based on experience) when making choices about familiar problems. But when we need a break-through solution, we shouldn’t be too quick to jump to conclusions.

4. Why we should trust experience. (Any one's experience.)
If you’re wrestling with a difficult decision, consult a friend or colleague who’s been in your situation before. Their insight will likely be significantly more valuable than almost any research.

5. Choosing your battles.
Ask yourself if this decision is really that meaningful. If it’s not, stop obsessing over it, and just make a call!

Check out the full article here- Don't over think it


Do you over think it?
Nikkieve xx

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Newly Acquired Skills


Today as I was messing around with my camera after uni, I became quite attached to the continual shutter release mode. I was documenting my friends as we had Starbucks and capturing the passers by. I realised this would be the perfect opportunity to learn how to make animated Giff and that's exactly what I did  tonight. Its really very easy when you get the hang of it.

Here is what I came up with...



I know I'm a little behind the times but its so fun!
do you think animated GIFF's are a little outdated?

nikkieve x


My Identity


I have finished my personal brand identity for a UNI assignment and I'm pretty happy with the results. I think there is a few little tweaks left to do but other all I feel I have done a good job!







What do you think of my brand identity?
Is it important to have a strong and eye catching brand identity to land a graduate job?

nikkieve x