Q&A TIME:
Why do I design?
It's simply a passion! Why do you breath? Cause you have to; well, God gave me this talent/ability and I HAVE to use it!
I design for me, for God, for clients, for you, for smiles, laughs, emotions, provoking thoughts, and any other reason.
A design is like a poem, some times there is an underlying meaning and other times it's clear-cut to the point. And logo can tell an entire story. The right font can make the impact of that design powerful, but on the other hand, a wrong font can break it.
How do you deal with any comment?
Ask 100 people to look at a design and they are going to have 100 different thoughts and feelings for that design. That's what is amazing about art. If you break your arm and see 100 different doctors, they're all going to say the same thing (hopefully), that your arm is broken. However, sometimes the 100 different reactions can be hard to take if they're negative, and believe me when I say that I've experienced my FAIR share of negativity.
I suck it up and try and see why they were negative. What made them say something negative. Was it the design? Can I improve it? And other times (since I can be stubborn) I let it pass from one ear to the other without a care; usually because I am 100% satisfied with the design that no one can make me change it.
When someone gives me a compliment I usually say thank you. I do try to give God the glory. It is HIS talent that He has chosen me to carry. I do my best to carry it well.
You design for God? How?
Yes, I do. I don't get any divine premonition about a logo that He wants or anything. I simply mean that I will design to glorify Him. I wont design anything that questions who I am and what I believe. Life's too short to sell out.
Okay, But how does God get glory for a logo that is not "religious"?
Good question! It's easy. He gets the glory when I use my talents in the way I'm supposed to. So a logo says, "Robot Dog". It's not the logo that God looks at and is 'impressed' with. He looks at me and I hope He see's my passion for it. That I honestly try to give Him all the credit. "Yes, THANK YOU for your kind words on a logo I created, BUT the Lord gave me this talent. I thank Him!" And when I have 'design block' I pray about it. When I need a creative idea, I silently say, "Lord, help me." I don't have to give this long speech; He knows my heart and will give me inspiration as He sees fit.
Why design "random" logos?
Because it's fun. I get a word or a phrase and I have to create something for it. OR sometimes I am messing around with a shape or design and something clicks. It looks awesome. So, then I get creative and think of a name. Like "Tangled Rainbow", that one I was playing with the shapes and it just clicked. I started playing with colors and it started to look like a messed up graphic rainbow. And the rest is history. Another reason is simply to keep me fresh and creative.
How long does it take you to create a logo?
Honestly the time for that varies. It can take me 1 hour to 1 week. It all depends how fast I get ideas. Some ideas come slower; I have to research and doodle and play around with things before an idea flows out. But other times something comes and the logo is done as fast as the idea came. The fastest "good" logo I've done took me 27 minutes to complete. That includes adding effects and rendering it complete.
How do you deal with clients?
One step at a time. Each client is different and sometimes it's a long term designing relationship and others it's a logo and done. I try and make it personal with each client. Get to know them, why they need a design, know their company or what they are trying to accomplish. With B.R. SMITH BOOKS I read his book twice to get a feeling of the design. I am not JUST here to design. I'm here to help others spread their message. We are ALL the body of Christ! I just try to work together and to get the client a quality design.
How to you deal with a full time job AND running a full time company?
Just like anyone who deals with two jobs or a family and a job. You take each in their own time. My full time job is Monday through Friday. Every now and then I need to work nights at home, but for the most part the weekends and evenings are for Celemoe Designs. Whether it is just to let me catch up on work or email clients to keep in touch. You just have to go with the flow.
Have you ever had multiple clients at once?
Yes! I have, but I still take it one client at a time. I HATE to tell someone I don't have time for a design, so usually I'll make it work out even if I have to give up something personal.
Do you LOVE every design you do for a client?
No. I try my best to put my heart and soul into each design. I give the client 3-5 designs to choose from and let them pick. Usually I let them know that I send them in the order I like them. Sometimes the client loves #5. The one I don't. But, I'm here to design for the client and I will put my heart and soul into the design they like. I have looked back on designs and thought, "What was I thinking?" Then I will sit down and redesign it for myself. If it's a clients logo, however, I don't touch it unless they want me to.
Does designing completely fill your time?
No. I refuse to let it. I need 'me' time or family time. I need time when I shut my computer and don't look at if for the rest of the day or even the rest of the weekend. Sometimes, even if it's my passion, I need a break. I know that if I don't get a break, I'll start to get 'design block' or worse, start to not like designing. That's when I know I need a break.
How has Celemoe Designs grown since you started it in 2005?
Well when I started it, it was nothing more than my small portfolio. I wasn't even out of college. I would do my school projects and do other designs just to build my portfolio. I started the company because I knew that one day it would be a company big enough to let me work from home when I start a family. Even over the last two years I've seen more clients come in and more people know me and my company. I try to post new designs on here or on Facebook or Twitter. I try to keep the most current work online so everyone can see the progress. I share information about my clients and try to promote them as well as myself. My goal is still to make this company my only job and be an at home mom. I can keep it finally taking shape and I thank the Lord for the progress to date.
Would you ever stop designing?
Yes. It's hard for me to imagine a world where I didn't design, but if the Lord called me out of it I would have no choice. I pray that never happens, but it would be a sacrifice that I would make if needed. Another reason would be (and I believe this would be of the Lord as well) if my family was drifting apart and designing some how played a part in it. I would never continue something that would tear my family apart. Again, I pray and don't think that will happen, because I balance it well now and I have two jobs. Like I said above, there is a time and place to design and not to design. The Lord comes first, then my family second, and third would be designing.
Thank you so much for reading these questions and answers. I've had a good time in this Q&A. I'll be posting new designs soon!
REMEMBER: Celemoe Designs is going to unveil a new line of designs soon! Check back for all the latest info from Celemoe Designs.
Got Questions for me? Post a comment below and I'll answer!
