We’ve experienced many changes over the past few years.
A lot has happened, and time has flown. Over the last couple of years, we’ve taken time to explore the changes we notice and experience. We brainstormed, planned, and researched.
Ultimately, we understood the need to help you as we always do and add more useful resources. You can expect up to date, relevant, and helpful resources to help with every creative need.
Don’t worry. We are still graphic and website designers. These changes will have no effect on our core service offerings. We are merely adding some spice to our offerings. We believe that extra creative resources would be more helpful.
What changes have we made?
We changed our scenery and moved.
For the first time in over a decade, we are not working in central downtown Chicago. We chose to get away from the loud noises and daily hustle and bustle.
We moved into a larger space, and although our location isn’t permanent, it has inspired us to work on projects we haven’t had time or space to do in years.
We’re improving our workflow process for website design.
We’ll provide a more natural way to work on new website projects. Staying up to date with all current advancements which have affected our industry has been a main focus. We reviewed advancements involving website development, how they’re used, and how they are coded. We intend to continue providing excellent service and realize we need to do things differently.
Web standards change so often it’s hard to keep up so resources you receive from us may have a different format. Our cost structure is changing to accommodate the industry changes, as will the way we create websites.
Our design process is the same, but we’ll work efficiently to streamline the process. If our work is cost-effective without sacrificing quality, that is a success.
Working in graphic design and web design for decades, we have always tried to stay on top of the latest industry trends and changes. However, we realized various fine art mediums are the very reason we created art, studied art in college, and started a career in the art field. The inspiration goes back to our childhood. We knew it was something to explore, no matter what medium or format.
We took a break from the usual routine.
In some sense, we have gone analog. The time spent working away from the computer significantly reduced, and we were working with our hands, again. We rolled up our sleeves, and our hands were getting dirty. We went back to our roots and thought about where we were and how far we’ve come.
Blending our fine arts background with our current work inspires us and enhances the way we work with youy as graphic and web designers, copywriters, social media managers, and more. We see more opportunity to produce quality ideas by withdrawing from the whirlwind of technology we continuously find ourselves trapped.
We changed our social media behavior.
You may have noticed we were a bit quiet on social media as we did a “social detox.” It was strange to stop interacting on social media as much as we used to.
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can quickly become a natural activity and most of us don’t even think about it. Falling into a rabbit hole is easy and before you know it, hours have passed. After stewpping back, we refocused less on technology, and more on creativity… offline.
We didn’t make a big deal about this change and didn’t publish an announcement about it. We quietly went on a social media vacation which meant less logging in, posting, commenting, and most importantly: losing time!
Don’t mistake our absence from social media as disdain or hatred for it. Instead, consider it a much-needed cleanse from the day-to-day grind staring down at our phones. One thing improved: our necks don’t hurt!
We are back and adjusting our post schedule, types of content we’ll share to provide helpful resources you can use personally or in business.
Modifications to our creative offerings.
Revisiting the various mediums worked on at the beginning of our careers has been exciting and sometimes, a bit overwhelming; but always fun. We love working with our hands.
Our background introduced power tools to create some of our creations. Knowing how to make and repair things, refinish or refurbish old items, and learn as we go has been quite a ride!
We’ve picked up more skills along the way. Our toolbox no longer fits everything! Getting our hands dirty with unconventional creative projects has allowed us to view things outside the box. Almost daily, another idea is born!
A few projects we have completed recently include:
- Refurbishing antique or damaged furniture
- Photography and image editing
- Sewing & Quilting
- Knitting and Crochet
- Organizing techniques for the home and office
- Home improvement tips and tricks on a budget
- Homemade cost-saving “green” products
- Writing, creatively and for work
- Refinishing antique collectible metal items
- Handmade gifts including cards, clothes, signs and so much more
Our project list grows constantly. We are always curious and unable to hold back from learning.
Why are you making changes?
Several times over the years, our core skills helped us evolve and work on numerous project types. We’ve worked using the skills we knew and picked up several more.
Now that we have more space to work, we created a more conducive studio environment to continue to create.
For example, as of the date of this article, we have refurbished, repaired and upcycled at least five pieces of furniture that were on their way to the dumpster. Today, they are in fantastic shape, look great and are worth far more than their original worth. These include:
- Pair of 30-year-old dressers with the finishing peeling off and cracking
- Antique Desk with a full-length split across the top, a chunk of missing wood from the drawer front, and other instability in the legs and base
- Rocking chair with a scratched patterned finish, several cracks and splits, and other imperfections
- Side Table with a drawer that couldn’t close, a horrible drawer knob, and an aging ugly veneer finish peeling off
- Rolling TV Cart with horribly tarnished and squeaky caster wheels, also with a damaged veneer finish
- We have hand-sewn an entire set of custom-made bedding including Euro shams, throw pillows, regular pillows, shams, and a duvet cover. CRAZY!
- Antique bronze, sterling silver, and pewter items tarnished horribly from years of neglect and use
All of the above items look so different from their original state, it’s hard to believe they are the same.
Also, as they say, “necessity is the mother of invention”, thus, home improvement projects have been another area of focus. We sealed a few drafty windows, sealed and secured loose baseboards and quarter trims, and cleaned a tumbled marble bathroom floor which now appears to have just been installed. The best part is that the marble floor cleaning project cost less than $3 and 30 minutes! Every day is a new adventure.
Will you be changing core services?
No way! We have been graphic and website designers for years, and do not plan to abandon these services. We are creating improved ways to work together and help you reach every goal.
Continuing to help you with all creative needs, helping streamline processes, and allow for mutually beneficial working relationships are our only objectives. Our goal is to helping improve business performance and increase success rates.
How can I be sure I am up to date with changes and new content?
Sign up for our newsletter!
You’ll be the first to find out when we have published new content. We will be sharing content on a variety of categories which include:
- Graphic design and website design/development topics
- Business resources and tips
- Tutorials for websites, and how to navigate through confusions or glitches
- How to make something using items you already have at home
- How to fix minor problems on websites and the option to hire us for additional help
- Creative tips to help with social media
- Tips for staying organized at home and the office
- Money saving tips, and so much more
We’d love to hear from you!
Please share a comment or ask any questions below. Some things you may like answered are:
- Have you made significant changes to long-standing businesses? If so, how did it go? Anything you want to share?
- Have you ever stopped using social media? If so, was it permanent or temporary? Did you love it or miss it?
- Are you trying to make changes to a business model and having a hard time deciding where to start?
- Are you starting a new business or changing career paths?
Remember: There are no stupid questions and you never know what may help someone else! We look forward to hearing from you.