They understand why you are working at midnight on the day after Christmas
Some fellow designers and I lamented the fact that very few people understand our jobs or our schedules. They don’t understand why we work late, or on weekend and holidays. They also don’t understand that this is something we chose to do.  Being a designer is similar to being a doctor in the sense that you don’t leave the job at the end of the day. You are on call, you revolve around deadlines, and you wake up at 3am worrying about spot colors and trim sizes. While other people will be angry at your boss and the terrible injustices you suffer, another designer will understand that this isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle.

They will say I love you in the most attractive ways
Sure the message of the card is important, but really, the stock and design are more important. When something says “I love you”, it’s nice to know that someone checked the kerning as much as you will. Die cuts? Embossing? Interesting stock?! It’s the stuff of true romance.
*Bonus: You will have awesome wedding invitations.*

They will join you when you geek out
There are very few people who will let you talk about screens, fonts, and programs as much as another designer will. A few minutes into a conversation about the latest Apple offering and you can actually see someone’s eyes glaze over. They will pretend they can’t hear you talk, in detail, about the logo or typeface that catches your eye while you’re walking down the street. Start talking about upgrades or techniques in Photoshop and might actually kill a non-designer. Designers, on the other hand, will geek out just as much if not more than you. Instead of being a side topic, the shortcomings of the menu design can actually be the main topic of conversation (and they won’t think that is sad).

They come with a great music collection
I have met very, very few designers that didn’t have a totally killer music collection. When we work we listen to music, and we are constantly looking for new music to fill the hours. I know quite a few designers who design by day and are involved in music  at night. When you aren’t geeking out about design, you get to geek out about music to your hearts’ content.

They have passion
Designers are passionate about what they do. If they aren’t, they’re in the wrong field. Most of the designers I know have a constant stream of side projects that keep them entertained and exploring new ideas. It’s rare to hear a designer talk about how boring their job is because their job will most likely never get boring. This is a win for both people because you can share your side projects and interests and continue to learn and grow together. And passion in a relationship is usually a pretty good thing.

January 29: Burglar
I haven’t seen these guys live, but they promise to put on a good show. Channeling the days of dark cabarets and burlesque shows, and with some real local talent, I’m really excited to finally catch them!

February 9: Jemina Pearl
I wasn’t a fan until I saw her live, but wow was she fun. I may not ever listen to her in my car, but the girl knows how to rock. I’m guessing that this will be great to see in one of my favorite dive bars.

February 20: St. Vincent

St. Vincent is one of those artist that I just can’t help but like. Even if I didn’t like her, I would still probably try. Maybe it’s the whole vintage style, or maybe it’s just her eclectic style in general. She’ll be playing at a local goth bar, so even if the show disappoints, the venue will not.

March 4: Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s

I was devastated to learn that this band had been in town only one day before I found their music. I fell for them immediately and now, a year later, I can’t wait to see them live. Check out their single A Children’s Crusade on Acid and you will understand completely. Or just watch the clip above and swoon.

March 26: Temper Trap
Temper Trap is on regular rotation (once a day, at least) in our studio and it never seems to get old. Just announced today, the group will swing by Columbus for a CD101 Low Dough Show ($5!). This makes me, once again, thankful for a station that brings such awesome music our way!

March 29: Joanna Newsom

The high ticket price for this show (after Ticketmaster robs you with fees, about $50/ticket) has me doubting I’ll be there, but I’m sure it’s going to be great. While this is one artist that not everyone can appreciate, I find that her lyrics more than make up for her unusual voice. And hey, kudos for making it big by playing a harp.

March 30: Tegan + Sara
They were on the list, then off the list, and now they’re back on the list again. It’s taken a while, but I think I’ve finally come to terms with the new sound on their latest album. Plus, I’ve always wanted to see them live and I’ve missed the last three or four shows they played in town.

March 30 – Thursday, April 1:
Cincinnati’s MusicNOW Festival
Okay, Cincinnati: who has a music festival in the middle of the week?! I would absolutely hand over the the mere $50 to see St. Vincent, Joanna Newsom AND Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) but alas, I am normal and work during the week. To top off the awesomeness of this event, all of the shows will be held in the historic Memorial Hall. So, if you’re closer to Cincinnati than I am or have the freedom to just not work, please go and enjoy this for me.

March 31: Passion Pit

The song Sleepyhead was probably somewhere in my favorite songs of 2009 list. While I passed on their last stop in town, I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys this time around. There were talks of glow sticks and frenzy, and who doesn’t like that?

April 5: The XX

One of my favorite new bands of 2009, I was more than happy to find out that The XX would be stopping in Columbus. There might have even been a shriek of joy involved. While I’m not expecting a thrilling show (just watch the video), there is something undeniably addicting about their music that will still give me a concert buzz.

What shows are you most excited to see?

*READER ADDITIONS*
I have it on good authority that Langhorne Slim will be at The Summit on February 13. I have been informed that I will be there.

Also, Cracker will be performing an acoustic set at The Basement on February 12. It’s worth going for the song Low alone.

Cage the Elephant have had quite a bit of airtime this past year and will be playing at Newport on March 14.

I also teach yoga. I target shoot (give me a 9mm. and I’ll be happy). I go to as many live concerts as possible. The mere sight of Sephora makes me giddy (and glittery, by the end of a visit). I love winding around back roads with the windows down. Last night, I joined a fight club.

None of these things really go together, and they definitely don’t fit into my design world. That’s the point. If all I did was design all day and night, I would be facing a quick and recurring burn out. With the deadlines, fatigue, meetings, and business aspect of freelancing, I need to be able to step away and let my mind relax now and then. Even though my brain is saying to keep working, some of my best ideas come from these times away from my computer. Staring at a design for hours doesn’t usually help me, the design, or the client.

Another benefit of being involved in so many different things is that I learn to see a variety of aesthetics and environments. Want to know how design for people? Get to know people. The inner city gym guys, my fashionista single ladies, moms of all ages, and my flower loving hippie friends all offer me new ways of looking at the world around me. They give me color palettes I would never use on my own (I just used yellow for the first time in a design) and they have information that would take me hours to research. I am challenged in new ways and stretched as a person and as a designer.

Whether you design or not, I would encourage you to do something completely unexpected and new. Get away from your desk, your work, and maybe even your friends for a while. Talk to a stranger next to you at a show, join a fitness class, or go to an unusual event. Learn how to cook, draw, or throw a mean punch. I can guarantee that you’ll meet some interesting people and possibly learn more than you expect. I’d love to hear about the experiences you have!

Some places to start:
Wild Goose Creative
Ohio Fight Club
Junctionview Studios
Justice Gardens

*Photo via Ffffound.

Have a few favorites of your own? Send them my way!

While Mr. Roat showed an impressive portfolio, and Armin gave the most entertaining presentation, my favorite speaker of the event was Mike Janda of Jandaco. His name was last on the bill, and I had no idea who he was before that day. Out of everyone that spoke that day, his information has been the most memorable and helpful as I have gone out on my own.

He spent years going through a cycle of being hired and laid off as the economy and design field shifted. Finally, tired of the cycle, he started his own company. He started out in his basement and eventually hired his first employee: a neighborhood high school kid. In 2008, his company was named the 17th fastest growing company in the Utah Valley.

His presentation was a list of  practical points that have proven to be helpful. He talked about how to design better, work better, and manage better. He kept going back to the fact that “it’s all about relationships”. He emphasized that no one can afford relationship arrogance. The girl who made copies for him eventually turned into an art director who hired him. The high school student he hired helped launch what is now a thriving company. Some of his best contacts came from the most unexpected people.

I’m fortunate to be a part of a great creative community. I have talented designers, programmers, photographers, and writers a phone call away. Some of them work in offices and wear heels every day. Some of them work outside and in coffee shops. Some of them have been my supervisors and some of them have been interns in offices where I’ve worked. We learn and grow by sharing clients, projects, and resources.

Social networking on sites like Twitter and Facebook has been an amazing tool in all of this. That said, there is no substitute for meeting people in person. Go to networking events, conferences, and mixers. Talk to people, get to know them, and learn about what they do. Eat lunch with strangers at information sessions. If all of those sound intimidating or overwhelming (we were not all born extroverts, after all), just be nice to the people you interact with on a daily basis. Even if it never leads to a big job, you’ll probably get to meet some really great people.