GOODBYE 2013, HELLO 2014

I don't believe in resolutions. I believe in goals.

But I thought I would do a 2013 recap.

For me 2013 was the the year for learning, growth and direction.

It was the year I I fell out of love with Deesigngeek and didn't want to design any more, a scary concept as it is all I have done, 

it defined me.

It turned out it was the type of work I was creating that just wasn't rocking my world any more and I had to take it in a new direction, I tried not to be too hard on myself - sometimes to go forward you have to go back. 

So I got creative, I mean "picking up paintbrushes, pencils and cameras" creative and learnt how to have fun again rather than how much could I sell this for. 

I appreciate that money allows you to travel, buy art materials and have a nice life but does it motivate me? I have to be honest and say a big fat "nope".

For me to get excited about designing it has to bring some beautiful to the world and make someone feel good.

I realised I had put too much importance in work and I started to enjoy life, time with my friends and family and to achieve goals I never thought I would be able to like run a Half marathon. 

I also decided to live positively and started meditating, this helped me to see situations with clarity which had a great knock on effect on my design work and business planning. I had the idea of bringing everything back in-house under the DeesignGeek brand, Graphic design, Illustrating and Photography, it means learning a lot of new skills it will be worth it to ensure I'm creating a truly unique and original brand.

I have learnt to be honest with myself about what I want, the courage to go after it and to see mistakes as opportunities to learn.

2013 was all about learning but 2014 will be all about action, I can't wait!

Have a fabulous New Year! X

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

There we were busily updating our Etsy shop when we saw a little "Happy Birthday" message pop up. We had been so busy that we nearly forgot our own birthday!

The last two years have been so much fun and have seen DeesignGeek grow from Carbon Designs (this name nearly made it because carbon is found everywhere - even in skin and diamonds and I wanted to create designs that would feature everywhere but it just didn't feel right) to eventually settling on DeesignGeek.

It's easy to forget all the things you have achieved so we decided to write down a list of the top 10 things to happen to us so far.

1. Awarded a start up grant

2. Designed and developed our website

3. Started Facebook and Twitter business accounts

4. Started a design Blog

5. Opened an Etsy shop

6. Organised a 50's inspired photoshoot for our portfolio LookBook

7. A company based in the Netherlands was one of our first clients

8. Met some lovely people networking.

9. Organised the layout and feature designs for the first issues of TLG magazine that is now stocked in WHSmith.

10. We are in the process of creating a packaging design which will feature in Boots stores 

The first year was definitely a learning experience and a lot of it was spent creating an online presence to allow people to find DeesignGeek pages, get in touch and to view previous work online. As well as tweaking the DeesignGeek brand and message that we wanted to get across. In the second year we created seasonal direct marketing items to send to specific businesses we would love to work with and got lots of great feedback, we also focused on increasing our client base.

We are so excited to start our 3rd year and are planning to focus on wholesale opportunities for a specially designed range of TShirts, Tote Bags and Paper goods such as posters, cards and postcards.
See you same time next year!

HELLO 2013

Well 2012 is officially over and we are at the start of a brand you new year.
I hope everyone had a fabulous time whatever you got up to.

I spent New Year at a Wedding in Glasgow, this was the first year where I haven't been in a club or a house party for "the Bells" and it was absolutely fantastic. Spending time with friends and family all wishing a single couple love and luck not only for the year but for their future put me in thee best mood.

I love the start of a fresh year, full of reflection of what has been and full of expectation of what might come. I found myself thinking about all the things that happened to me that I would never have guessed I would be doing at the start of the year;
- Visit Dublin
- Drive around the Scottish highlands after 6 years NOT driving
- Survive T in the Park 2012, the most waterlogged and muddy it has ever been... and love it!
- Visit a medium who asked if I was planning a trip to New York (I wasn't)
- Visit New York (3 months later!)
- Bump into friend who I hadn't seen for about 5 years and pick back up where we left off
- Read "The Secret" and for it to have a massive positive influence in changing my outlook on life
  (I'd always thought of myself as a positive person anyway)
- Join a running club (and meet the loveliest bunch of people)

I have already started thinking about all the things I want to achieve and do this year but for now I will simply sit here feeling very lucky and grateful for the opportunities and support I was given to do the ton of stuff in 2012.

Happy New Year!!!

DEESIGNGEEK IS ONE!

Happy Birthday to us
Happy Birthday to us
Happy Birthday to DeesignGeek
Happy Birthday to us

This time last year we opened the DeesignGeek studio's and we can't believe how fast it's gone. On the 31st January 2011 we had a Business Plan. 

On the 31st January 2012 we have a client base that consists of Hello Costmetics, a Bath & Body care company in The Netherlands, a Glasgow based magazine TLG,a family run cake company Lynda Jane Cakes (who very kindly dropped some birthday cupcakes over to us)  Have worked on TShirt designs for two fashion labels. Have a website. Have an online shop. Have filed our first Tax return. Have big plans for 2012!

It's been a lot of hard work but I wouldn't change any of it and I.m looking forward to seeing what this year brings.