Bandwagon Graphiks

I recently received the newest squadron patch created for the United States Air Force. I continue to do these patches having a blast along the way. It’s really fantastic seeing your work reproduced in different mediums where pixel perfect representation can’t be guaranteed. You simply learn along the way what works in thread, ink, textured papers, CMYK vs RGB and so on.

See the previous post about the patch here–> Mable Patch

Check out the new patch here–> Link

As kid I always heard about the dreaded identity crisis in popular media. It was always something of comedy, usually manifesting in the form of a middle aged man trying to regain what he had in his 20′s and buying a crotch rocket. When I was a young teen – I witness that happening…only both of my parents bought motorcycles and dressed in head to toe leathers. It was frightening.

However the identity crisis I am referring to now is not personally related but business related. Your identity in the marketing world is the most important icon you have to hold dear. You’re logo or identity should always be held up against a certain level of standards defined when you start your business. It is key toward the success of your business and brand recognition amongst the public sector.

But what happens when your icon no longer represents your company? Or what happens when you change your company’s focus and it becomes clear that your icon is hurting your business?

This is the frightening part. Four years ago I drew the signature Bandwagon that blazingly adorns all of my media and obviously this website. It has been by all account a raging success of a logo – I have had nothing but positive happy smiles when my peers and clients see the wagon. It also represents my Detroit muscle roots and beginnings in automotive advertising. I love my logo, but I’m not chasing after automotive clients anymore and frankly I hate driving.

You all know I am an avid cyclist, one who rides nearly 5,000 miles a year and keeps her car parked most days of the week. I will find a way around town without a car. Consequently I am on the hunt for cycling industry work – and if you havent hear…bikey people don’t like cars! So what is a biker from Detroit to do?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately, some have suggested to add a bike to the roof rack of the car – ala Breaking Away – which is fun…but then my logo becomes really large, obtuse, and frankly hard to fit on a business card in an interesting way.

I also had the idea to make the header of the site a dynamic element that features several “Bandwagon” logo iterations – however that brings me back to creating a recognizable identity. I think I’m in a pickle.

The cool news is that I’m actively re-designing this site and have developed a look that doesn’t rely on the car logo so much. It’s looking great…I’ll show of the home page soon enough…problem is now that I am a much better web designer than I was 2.5 years ago when I launched this site….which makes me want to make a site that is 100 times better…and that takes time…unpaid time…guess I know where my Saturday nights will be spent this summer.

Happy to Announce that we have go for bikey design! About a year ago I got to meet the amazing Dorothy Wong, head honcho of SoCal Cross and local cycling group The TEAM. We kept in touch and last month I got to design my first cycling kit! It was a great opportunity! I’m still working with Dorothy to brand The TEAM and give it a solid identity. Stay Tuned for future updates!

Today was a day for not making excuses, not being the typical troll chained to my desk, and a day for #Winning!

Everyone now and again I post about all the bike commuting I do as a freelance designer, I certainly talk about bikes a lot, and if you don’t know me in person – then you have no idea that I am just as passionate about cycling and alternative transportation as say Helvetica Neue 37 Thin.

In the last five years as a freelancer designer, I can honestly say that I have gotten more work as a result of riding my bike, than through my accomplishments. More than anything its a conversation starter, and when you do little things like ditch a car and succeed at being a freelancer on a bike, other designers seems to treat you like a Jesus, or like you just cured AIDS.

People can’t seem to wrap their heads around using a bicycle to get around for work. I try my best to advocate but a lot of times it falls on deaf ears and then the excuses start rolling out.

Well today was a day for me to tackle one big hurdle that was in the way between my designer life and my cyclist life. You’d think that by now I’ve stopped making excuses, but no not really, the excuses just get more refined.

So today, I had to pick up a job from my printer and take it to my client. A normal task, if it weren’t for the fact that gasoline these days feels like it costs about as much as my profit margin. Especially when you have 50 miles to drive between your studio, the printer and the client.

And so, I scheduled extra time to take care of this task today and planned a bike commute. In the past, I had actually ridden the bike to his shop once before and he actually told me that in 35 years of business I was the first person ever to pick up a job on a bicycle. How is this possible?

The problem with all this is that my printer relocated about 6 months ago, and now sits in a very inconvenient, un-bikey location in East LA.

Right after he moved I remember looking for routes to get to his shop, but it just wasn’t happening – every route from Pasadena or the Downtown area was through some pretty gnarly trafficky streets or not-so-nice neighborhoods. I was bummed of course and shelved the idea of continuing my bike commutes to pick up print jobs.

But today, that was not going to happen – I really didn’t want to be stuck in my car and really, what was keeping me from riding the bike there? Fear? How can I even dare to be good designer let alone a responsible human being when fear physically keeps me from enjoying the one thing I love most.

And so with the help on some of my fellow #bikeLA tweeps – I found a route and planned to ride.

To my delight the day was FANTASTIC!

I started the ride on familiar grounds down the LA River Bike Path and actually rotated pace with a fellow rider, sharing the headwind and pushing a good 21mph the whole way down. A real treat when you find someone at your speed level and willing to rotate leading with you.

The ride in/out of East LA was actually pleasant! Mostly thanks to middle of the day low traffic – but it would be slow when I’m picking up jobs – kinda forgot about that! The next leg was a whopping $1.50 ride on the Red Line back up to the Valley where I rode another 15 miles deliver the job to my client and heading home.

All in all the ride was a 35 mile commute, all over LA. On new ground, taking the stand against reliance on my car. What would have costed about $15 dollars in gas costed me $1.50 – and I got to enjoy the fresh air and burn off a ton of calories!

Time wise it took me maybe an extra hour to accomplish this by bike – an hour that really when you think about the bigger picture, is best spent being a better human being than working 24/7. My number one rule in life is to make time for yourself, and find a way somehow to make it work. Your client will respect you more, if you are just honest and open, my clients love the fact that I ride. They also like the cheap prices since I’m not paying for gas.

I suppose the moral of the story is that you can do it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be by bike, but do something unselfish or a change. Work towards being a better human being by taking care of this planet and yourself. Quit making excuses!

Once again the boys up at Edwards Air Force Base called upon the wagon to cook up a cool new patch for their squadron!

This time is was about taking a character from the past and retooling it into a patch!

These patches are so much fun to do and I love every minute of them

Take a look at the new patch in the Illustration Gallery along with all the other Air Force Illustrations!

Over the years I have designed my fair share of pages. Magazine pages, Ad pages, One Sheets, Sketchbook Page scrawls, etc – but until recently I was devoid of one thing in my portfolio that really tests your knowlege of In Design: Books.

In mid December I was approached by a friend from the LA Bike Community to meet with his group about a zine they were putting together, he showed me some of the previous iterations and from the moment I saw where they were going, I wanted in.

The group is called The Amor Fati and they have cultivated a magazine/digest/zine of sorts chocked full of Paintings, Drawings, Poetry, Photography, Short Stories all from local Los Angelenos.

A quarterly publication, the Amor Fati choose a theme for each edition and then create a book around that theme. From the words of the poety to the layout of the pages, everything communicates the theme.

and I got to design the whole thing!

I’m so excited for this book, and the future editions that will come from the Wagon. This editions theme is Origins, and being a huge history buff – I wanted to take the approach to the book – from the perspective of someone living in the world 2,000 years ago, looking up at the sky wondering how they got there.

I stumbled across an illuminated illustration of the Islamic calendar and geocentric world, which at first sight – was my immediate inspiration. It’s rich colors and construction were all I needed to create a kaleidoscope of organic layout design.

I illustrated constellations, busted out the best of the wagon layout skills, skewed paragraph justification, broke away from the perfect grid and got down and dirty.

Besides my design love oozed onto the book, the writing and poetry is a side of LA I have not known. The stories are well written, the poetry is melodic and curious, the paintings are immersive and the photography rich.

I encourage you will all my deziner love to pick up a copy of The Amor Fati: Origins from your local Los Angeles bookstore – or order a copy online! They are only selling for $10!

If you happen to be a writer/artist – they take submissions! So submit!

For more pictures of the book, visit the Advertising/Illustration galleries!

If you are a regular reader of the blog…you might get a sense that I am anti-professional association. Sure, I haven’t been handed opportunity after opportunity but I am no where near anti. If anything, I have worked for and hoped that all professional associations can inspire/create while embracing every level of skill.

Years ago when I was a baby designer, I travelled with my AIGA Student Group to two conferences for design. My parents thought this to be an investment in my future, I saw it as a way to get to know what graphic design had to offer once I left the security of the classroom.

The first conference was the AIGA National Conference in Boston in 2005 – a week long design party of sorts with probably two-thousand people in attendance from all over the country. I was INTIMIDATED. I felt like I couldn’t talk to anyone – no one wanted to listen, and looked upon my mediocre business card as instant garbage. I didn’t leave without learning anything or meeting anyone but it was not what I was hoping for.

The next conference was the 2006 Y-Conference hosted by AIGA San Diego at the end of every March. I came dressed in a suit and portfolio in hand, only this wasn’t Boston. The Y-Conference turned out to be a very small, very intimate gathering of creative professionals. Mostly filled with locals, I could relax here and take a breath. People were calm, dressed in jeans and willing to talk to you no matter who you were. It was less about what’s going on in the office and more…how can we inspire you.

Since then I have been to every single Y-Conference. It is the one design event I look forward to every year. I dont know what it is, but it seems like half way through the first days speakers – my brain opens up and the creativity floods back in. From January to Y, I feel stuck…and once I get to Y…all my worries disappear.

Some highlights over the years have included:
- Shots with the guys from Ask A Ninja.com
- Getting one of Christopher Simmons’ watermarked business cards
- Tim Biskup’s lively presentation and quotes
- Shawn Wolfe’s quotes and personality.
- Scaling the hill with Tucker Viemeister from Studio Red
- Conversations with Doyald Young
- Yoga with Petrula Vrontikis
- Creating Products out of Recycled Rubber with the ladies from UsedRubberUSA
- Learning that Stefan Sagmeister was not shallow and actually a really cool guy.
- Shooting the Breeze with Ric Grefé
- Meeting students who were just like me a few years ago
- Countless amazing presentations
- Sunsets at the University of San Diego
- Riding my Bicycle 125 miles from Los Angeles to Y last year and from now on
- Regaining my love for the profession

I can’t even recall everything that has changed in my life thanks to Y. I have been able to open up more and gain confidence, push myself and fly in the face of a horrible recession – staying true to myself as a designer.

You may be a more business oriented designer, who sees shots with Ninja goofballs – not quite a selling point for a conference. But the Y-Conference is that one time every year where you can let go from the crushing stress and get back to being innovative and relaxed.

I am the type who doesn’t care what the topic is each year, and just looks forward to having a good time and opening up.

Here are some tips for the designer on a budget:
- The Y-Conference is CHEAP – compared to other conferences…its a steal…and they feed you.
- If the Conference hotel is a tad out of your price range…check out the 500 West Hotel/Hostel in the gaslamp district…its right next to the trolley stop, nice, and clocks in around $50/night.
- BRING SWAG. The more memorable your swag, the better.
- Parking is a pain in San Diego…take full use of the public transportation – I have been using the trolley as my main mode of transport at every Y…and its good for the environment.

So, maybe your not quite convinced yet…or short on funds…but if by chance you need a short break with creative folk and to be challenged…by all means…come Y with me. I will be your conference buddy

The last couple weeks at the wagon have been especially tough. I finished a large project at the end of January and after several sales fails, really had nothing substantial lined up. So begins the money crunch. Sleepless nights, inability to concentrate, wondering what the next step is going to be…all things that plague the freelancer.

Blame it on what you want…economy, Los Angeles, flakes, disregard for business ethics…it really doesn’t matter – I live in a city where the majority of the population lives in poverty, but has the dreams of a billionaire. Unfortunately when you market to independents, you get a lot of people who think $5 for 10 hours of work is reasonable. I’m not joking!

I can’t tell you how many times I get this in emails “I want someone who is driven by the sheer desire to be creative, and support the independent spirit.” – it happens time and time again. As if it were the most original thing they ever said and big dreamy words made my heart quiver.

The sad part is that my landlord does not take creativity for rent, Burbank Water and Power does not accept desire stamps in exchange for kilowatts and The Gas Company certainly does not support the independent spirt. The world runs on money.

I’m a creative person, I’ve always supported the independent spirt, but I cant help you unless you treat me like a true business working for you. I will not take $75 to draw a logo. Be realistic.

I have a good friend who thinks my money woes exist simple because I don’t charge enough money. As if putting a big sign up on this site…saying “WEBSITES ONLY $39,999.97…ON SALE NOW!”…is going to lead me to clients with money. Yes thats the answer. Can someone please direct me to the line of clients all begging for expensive designers! I’m ready…lets go. I’ll buy lunch.

But it does bring up an interesting idea, I do charge very little for my services, compared to a regular agency….but clients with money want agency security. Freelancers are still not seen as an easily accessible/affordable route to take. People in Armani suits don’t want to sit down at my kitchen table next to the cats food bowl and discuss their next E-Commerce site. My skills are so broad yet so specialized at the same time.

Then due to the fact that working with many independents mentally puts you in this position where you fear what you client is going to say when you send your invoice. You think they are going to freak out over a $500 bill. You immediately start questioning your rate because you want nothing more than to retain that client but will you when you charge late fees, rush fees, development fees. How much longer can we go on being nice…sometimes you just have to be an asshole.

The main reason out purse strings are so tight is because I went after probably 5-10 big budget clients, spent a lot of time writing proposals and doing face time…only to get my butt handed to me. I’m not a saleswoman, I’m a designer…I make pretty pictures that sell your product…and thats what I love to do. I’m one person here at Bandwagon and wearing 8 hats can sometimes backfire.

But charging too much? You have to charge what you think you can get. Its client specific and its a major pain in the ass chasing down flakes. I’m a believer that Los Angeles has more flakes per capita than Alaska has snow flakes…but I’m also a realist and tell it how it is. I work so hard tracking down potential clients and networking yet still have not found this huge ocean of people throwing money at me like my one friend seems to think exists.

Sending off big bills when you think you might lose a client over it is part of the game. You really can’t get to know someone until you talk money. It’s how marriages start and end, banks get robbed, and how the world spins. If it were up to me…I would like to travel in time to the 24th century where Captain Picard is waiting in the world where money doesn’t exist and everyone does everything for the good of humanity.

So its been probably a good 8 months now since I’ve uploaded new work. Yeah yeah…I’ve been bad! Even worse is that for a while there I was so busy I forgot to get print samples and pictures of some of the new work! Tsk Tsk.

No worries though! Lots of new work has been uploaded to every gallery!

In other news…BandwagonGraphiks.com is going to get a facelift! We been crafting this site for a little over a year now but now…things have grown a bit bigger. I’ll be adding a new gallery for the web design we completed this year, as well as a store where all your favorite bandwagon goods can be turned into just about any trinket.

So, take a look around and hopefully with new work to come, we can launch the new site in a month or two Till then I bid you adieu.

I’ve been at a crossroads lately between my personal and professional lives. They seem to be more and more becoming one life, but at the same time – only seem to have so much room and things that I used to care deeply for are getting pushed out. Cycling has become a full-time passion – and I dont even seem to have time to fully embrace cycling as much as I want. I have a business to run, a day job to maintain, and a triathlon to train for – where do other people find the time? On top of that – I need some time for myself to just pick my nose sometimes.

Ive been thinking about this mainly because – my involvement with AIGA the past few months has been non-existent at best. Im ashamed of that. AIGA is the sole reason why I kept trucking along all these years – they provided that community I left in college here in LA and were very welcoming. However I suppose in recent months with being as busy as I have been, and the local chapter being deeply entrenched in leadership changes – I sort of just fell out of the loop. I got burned out, and made friends who ride bikes.

It’s been a sort of 6 month long realization, but in the 6 years that I have been a member of AIGA, I have never once gotten an interview or job lead. I’m not saying that this is impossible – or anything really, but with the state of the economy and lack of jobs – I just wasn’t getting what I needed out of it I suppose. I’ve been a struggling freelancer for years, and the one group that I have been trained to look up to – has not produced the return I needed. My business has grown more from leads off Craigslist and people I have met in the cycling community and on Twitter than anywhere else. But this is just me, I’m a special needs designer. I honestly have lost faith that I belong in a traditional role – maybe my quest for the traditional role is all the garbage that has been indoctrinated in my head throughout college and adolescence.

If there is one thing anyone who knows me can tell you, is that I have never followed the status quo. Excuse my language, but Fuck the status quo. I will not create bad design, I will not create bad design for the sake of profit, and most importantly – do not ask  me to settle for bad design. I have no care for titles and politics – I care about creating the best product. That doesn’t mean I won’t compromise, it just means that you will get an earful if you are directing me in a direction of bad design that I am morally opposed to.

Overall, I guess I’m saying that carving your own path is difficult, don’t expect anyone to help you. People like me can listen and write about our struggles in hopes of helping you prevent the same mistakes we made, but the world has changed. We function mostly through our phones these days and that responsibility to one another that existed 15 years ago is non-existent anymore.