Freelance Week 13

On Life

Walking through this tax season was a bit unnerving, to say the least, but I feel victorious now on the other side. I think the hardest part for me through this whole tax thing was just starting. Something I've come to learn about myself is that I'm always super hesitant to enter new territory. I learn best by watching others show me how, so when I'm faced with teaching myself I am always really slow to get started. But hey! At least I'm learning.

On Faith

Nothing in life is free except for one thing, forgiveness. As we have freely received it, we are free to give it. It costs us nothing to forgive someone. It costs us dearly to hold it back.

On Work

Freelancing is like the ocean. High tides. Low tides. And all the moments in between. It can be a breathtaking view as the sun sets, or it can be a ferocious site as the storm approaches. But everything has its reason. Working for myself so far this year has already taught me so much. I'm looking forward to what the next 8 months have in store.

Trend Setters

As creative people we live and breath in an environment all our own. Sometimes I like to imagine it's like that awesome 90's flick, Bio-Dome, where everything is green and lush and beautiful. But the reality is it's just a bubble. And there's a whole big world outside our tiny, albeit beautiful, little design world. There is a point to this post, I promise. Today I came across another instance where the little guy gets stepped on by the big corporate bully. Okay, maybe not that harsh, but it was a clear case of stealing someones work without any attribution. And what's worse, is the big corporations can get away with this (for the most part) because everyone else in this world who doesn't live in our tiny design bubble doesn't have a clue they're ripping anyone off. Sad, I know.

So let's put on our big boy (and girl) pants and accept our roles in society. We, as creative people, have a job of creating new trends, whether we know it or not. And sometimes that can turn around and bite us in the ass. As in the example I saw today, and have seen a growing number of times over the past couple years, people were outraged at what they saw. But let's not waste our time raging against the system, because the system is far too entrenched in it's own stench to change now. Instead let's educate ourselves about how to obtain patents and trademarks for the work we create.

If we're only ever pumping work out into the vast web-o-sphere then we have no one to blame but ourselves when it's ripped off. And unless we're willing to risk our work being copied without any compensation, then I suggest we start to learn what the big corporate dummies already know, and that is how to legally trademark and copyright our work.

But this is just a thought. My two cents if you will. Take it or leave it.

Charting my course

Finding ones own voice in the midst of a million other people is not an easy task. There are many mountains to climb and many valleys to walk through. But I don't think anything compares to that voice inside your head that makes you think you're not any good. It's the doubt that stands in the way for all of us most of the time. We have that "blank page" fear of starting something new. But if we never made the first mark then how would we know it's any good? Like riding a bike, so has it been for drawing in my life. As a child I loved to draw all the time, but growing up I found other things to keep me busy. So I didn't draw as much. Starting a journal was the best I could do at times. Making doodles on the edges of the paper. And not until a few years ago did I finally wake up to the reality that I am most comfortable with a pen in my hand. Just like riding a bike, it came back so natural for me.

My recent redesign of my website, kylesteed.com, is more about who I am as a person than what I do as a designer.  I wanted/needed it to reflect who I am and still showcase the work I have done. But, for me, the work is secondary. My biggest challenge was making sure the work reflected who I am and not the other way around. Thus is the challenge in all things I do.

I feel like this is a major milestone in my journey as a designer. One that I will look back on 10 years from now with a smile on my face. It feels like I've climbed a mountain and now I can look out over the valleys below, catch my breath, and take in the beautiful sight. Surely I would be a fool to think this is the highest peak along my journey, I know harder and more rewarding challenges await, but for now I am happy with where my feet are standing.

Why I quit shooting

I know that title has a few different connotations, but I will be sticking to the topic of dribbble for this blog post. So if you were hoping for a story about why I stopped shooting heroin or playing some b-ball then feel free to go grab a root beer and enjoy the rest of your day. But if you're actually interested in reading why I've stopped posting my designs to dribbble then by all means you've found the right place on the internet. So welcome. It all started a couple months ago when I was preparing for a worship retreat in Colorado and I made a vow, for one week, to sit in silence any time I sat down to draw or design and see what happened without any auditory influence. What I found has now shifted my whole paradigm. And I know it's been there all along, whispering in my ear, pulling on my heartstrings. But not until I shut off the music could I really listen. The still small voice was speaking to me about my identity and where, or rather where not, to find it.

I know dribbble wasn't created to be a place where people find validation but it sure seemed to be heading that direction last I checked. And who could stop it from happening? With so many good design(er)s out there all coming together a popularity contest was bound to happen. Throw in the comments and you're sure to start a war of words. Throw in the ability to like something and there you go puffing up people's egos. I'm not being cynical, I'm just being honest, whether you agree with me or not.

So I packed my bags and headed home. I still love the design community though, please understand that. I believe that no man is an island and I need others around me just like you do. But I want the work I do to reflect who I am through and through, not by others comments and likes. It's tough though. And a process. I'm still walking it out day by day.

It's been over 2 months since I last posted anything to dribbble and I'm still breathing. I don't hope to influence you one way or another. Just wanted to share some of my life with you. Thanks for reading.

Typeface

I Love this Film

I really want to get people excited about this film. I just watched it for the first time and have to say it's truly inspiring. The art of cutting and setting type by hand is practically extinct. There are few people left that know how to do it, and do it well.

The film focuses on the history of the Hamilton Wood Type company in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. But it also branches off to tell the story of some young design students as well as a letterpress printing/design company in Chicago.

What really grabbed my attention though was the history of the Hamilton wood type company. It was established in 1880 and printed all the way up until 1985. Now it exists as a museum, but there is hope. There are type enthusiast out there that believe in this part of our heritage and are fighting to keep it alive.

What You Can Do

One of the easiest ways you can help is purchasing the film. You can order it here from the Typeface film website.

Another way you can help is by requesting a screening. You can make your request here. Or if you live in Dallas, I am hosting a screening in my home on Friday, September 17. Would love to have you join us.

Lastly, for all you big ballers out there, you can purchase prints directly from the Hamilton Wood Type museum. All sales go to support the museum.

Meditate

This is my first time making a screencast. But I wanted to show how I go from analog to digital. The process is something I get asked about a lot. I posted this design on dribbble yesterday and got a wonderful response. The word "meditate" comes from Psalm 119:15 and is part of my one19 project. So after seeing how much people enjoyed these I wanted to follow through and make these available.

You can now order the meditate button from my shop for only $5. Check out the shop here.

Making the Web by Hand

Attending SXSW 2010 was one of the best decisions for my professional career, to date. I was stoked to meet so many people that I had only ever talked to online as well as meet some real heroes of mine. And even better, my site/font was featured in the Get Stoked on Web Typography panel by Samantha Warren. The whole experience really solidified my belief that the only value of the internet is the relationships we build with people. I am going to come right out and say it. You need to vote for my panel, Making the Web by Hand, for SXSWi 2011 if you know what's good for you. Seriously though, I am excited at the possibility of being able to share my passion of making things by hand with a group of my peers in hopes that it will inspire innovation and awesome hand-drawn uniqueness. Please try and get your vote in before they close on August 27. Thank you.