Tuesday 15 May 2018

Creative report: Lauren Goodland (interviewee)

LAUREN GOODLAND (DORKFEATURES) IS A NEWPORT-BASED GRAPHIC DESIGNER AT PARADE DESIGN, GREETING CARD DESIGNER & GENERAL 'CREATIVE HUMAN BEING'.

In 2016 Lauren somehow bagged herself a degree in BA Graphic Communication. Now, when she's not watching Netflix, she dabbles in illustration and creates greeting cards & things by night which are published by Whale & Bird. Lauren hopes to do good things that will help people and the world, and does so by trying to be as pro-active and responsive as possible, whether this is sharing a creative response to controversial situations, or simply sharing her views.

LAUREN ALSO DOESN'T LIKE TALKING ABOUT HERSELF IN THIRD PERSON (CRINGE)






HANNAH

Hiya Lauren, 

I know it is only a couple of years since you have graduated but you already have such a vibrant online presence. I am really keen to start a blog alongside the designing and would love to find out a little bit more about your process over the years. 

Q:
Is there anything in particular that you have been doing whilst still at uni that has really helped you to get to where you are today?

Q:
What were the first few steps you took to create an identity as a Graphic Designer? 

Q:
When did you start up your blog and how did you promote it?

Q: 
Content wise did you start with a theme for posts, or has it always been very much based on your creative interests?

Q:
I have read your interview with lecture in progress which was really interesting, how did this come about Did you approach them or them you? 

Q: 
One last question, do you have any tips or interesting places to get inspiration from?

Answers in any shape, form r length would be so awesome, loook forward to hearing back!

Many thanks, 

Hannah Rice


LAUREN

Hi Hannah! Finally managed to get around to answering these in a reasonable amount of time!  
Hope these are ok. Some might be really sloppy as I'm a bit sleepy haha
xx



Q:
Is there anything in particular that you have been doing whilst still at uni that has really helped you to get to where you are today?


I had my first work experience in the summer between finishing college and starting my Art Foundation diploma, and I'd say this gave me a really good initial understanding of graphic design (even if the stuff I look back on is really crap now). I definitely got lots of other skills from my first work experience placement and no doubt it also helped me get future opportunities. I also did a work experience placement at my current place of work (Parade Design) back in the summer of my second year at uni, and building that relationship is what got me the job I'm in now! Basically work work work, you'll learn lots and make important connections. 


Q:
What were the first few steps you took to create an identity as a Graphic Designer?


This was a module we had in university but I had always had some kind of identity I guess, looking back. I used to have my own blog which was also called 'dorkfeatures'. The branding developed over the years of me having the blog, and definitely influenced my identity now as a graphic designer/creative person (or whatever the hell I am!). I think branding yourself is the hardest thing a creative can do though, I am my own worst client and even now, when I'm creating a relaunch for my card business I find that a week later I'm not happy with it. I always think this is a positive though, as it means you're growing and improving as a person and ideas are developing naturally. 


Q:
When did you start up your blog and how did you promote it?


I wouldn't say I blog as such anymore, but I probably started 'blogging' first back in about 2011 or maybe even earlier?! When I did have my blog I used social media to promote it, and also at the time blogging was a lot more popular and I got followers on BlogLovin (I feel like YouTube has kind of killed off blogs a little bit).  I did really used to enjoy it, but now find it difficult to find the time. Weirdly I find writing the easiest part, it's creating the visual bits to go along with the words that I don't have time for. It's a real shame as I have loads of draft posts waiting to go out, and I set up a new blog kind of more recently called 'thoughtfeatures'. I think it's really important to avoid thinking "Oh, I'm creative, I don't need to write things." Because writing can be creative, you also never know when it's going to come in handy - maybe in the future you'll write a creative book!  I recently had a really successful response from a piece I wrote on sexual assault over on Medium and it was really rewarding, writing is definitely something I want to do more of!

https://medium.com/@Dorkfeatures/sexual-ass-ault-4eab8d68821c. 

Q: 
Content wise did you start with a theme for posts, or has it always been very much based on your creative interests?


Things have always just come naturally. Whether it's with writing or creating something more artsy, if I push myself to do something that hasn't come naturally it just doesn't work, or it does but not as well. I love nothing better than having an idea, and being so excited to write about it/create it that you just keep on going, it's an amazing energy. I always love the look of those 100 day challenges and things like that, but they're just not for me. I'm so bad at sticking to things.


Q:
I have read your interview with lecture in progress which was really interesting, how did this come about Did you approach them or them you?


They approached me, probably after seeing my Twitter/Instagram from another follower. This is where I go back to stressing that it's really important to make/keep connections, everything almost always happens through word of mouth or because someone has recommended you. I feel a little bit lucky because I've never had to do any approaching (yet). I think maybe it's because I put myself out there a lot on social media. I'm very grateful for all of these opportunities! 


Q: 
One last question, do you have any tips or interesting places to get inspiration from?


I was just having a little read of a book in my new armchair (It's my new favourite thing), and I kept stopping reading and going on my phone. Every time I went on my phone I felt like I had stifled the creativity and motivation I had built up from reading a very inspiring book (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1444794493/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). As inspiring as the internet can be, I think it can sometimes do the opposite. Sure, Pinterest's great and is full of inspiration, but it's so easy to get lost in that and forget what you actually went on the website to do - create something yourself. It's also very easy to get caught up in other people's lives on things like Instagram and compare yourself to other people, so I'd say try and get inspiration from places that aren't online as much as you can. I really like having lots of creative books. If I'm ever feeling a bit down in the dumps about my creative stuff I'll pop onto Amazon and order myself some new books, they don't have to be creative! If you don't fancy spending anything TedTalks are also great. Likewise with books, these don't have to be creative - in fact sometimes I think the best ones are ones that get you thinking about a totally different subject all together. 

Here are my favourites:

https://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off
https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity
https://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20 ( this one's a little bit depressing!)
https://www.ted.com/talks/takaharu_tezuka_the_best_kindergarten_you_ve_ever_seen

I find I always refer to these talks! Obviously they struck a chord!

Lauren Goodland
(Dorkfeatures)

Blog
www.dorkfeatures.co.uk

Tweet tweet
www.twitter.com/dorkfeatures


HANNAH

Hi Lauren, 

Thank you so much for the reply, really appreciate it!

I have ordered the book you recommended so looking forward to having a read. 😊 

Hopefully I will have a blog post or two soon!!

Many thanks,

Hannah🌟



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