My Side Gig

I don't talk about my work in detail much in this space, partially because I try to keep a small modicum of anonymity for the random crazies that might stumble upon KittyMarie, and partially because I have read too many horror stories about folks getting sacked over their personal writing. So, I will continue to avoid the topic of my day job and what happens there, for better or worse. But you can't fire someone who is self-employed.

In my free time I like to play with design. I might even call myself a "graphic designer," very quietly, lest the Real Professional Designers hear me and smite me for daring to place myself in their midst. I have taken all of one real design class in my life, in which my biggest project of the semester was plagiarized (as in, someone else plagiarized my work). I'm still a little bitter.

For the most part, I am self-taught. I got my start on old PageMaker software as a junior and senior in high school while helping design our yearbook. That's when I fell in love.

Though I went to college for writing, I was able to incorporate design often; I re-designed my college's newspaper (in addition to acting as co-editor) and served as the designer of the College's literary magazine my final year.

My work is certainly not as exciting or innovative as the premiere, full time designers out there, but I look at every project as a challenge to learn a new program skill, a new technique, to create something more interesting, eye-catching, communicative, and to please my customer. The majority of my paid freelance work is through my alma mater, and I am so grateful for their business, which has given me the opportunity to grow my skill set and portfolio.

Recently, I began designing their alumni magazine, a design template that I hope will continue to evolve as issues progress. Here is the electronic version of my first issue:

http://www.saintjoe.edu/news/contact/pdf/Contact_2010_Winter_Web.pdf#view=Fit

I also recently created a blog header for my dear friend, Philboy. He asked for something comic book-esque, and I hope he is happy with the result:

http://philwrighthouse.blogspot.com/

My design work brings a few extra dollars into my household, but mostly it supports my creative spirit. I am so lucky to have found something I love. I hope you have something you love, too.