Multitasking has been the order of the day; audiobooks and online streaming on multiple devices are great ways of packing in more into my brain whilst I work.
So, I’ve read (or rather listened to) The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. I saw that it was about London and murders, had a nice cover and a 5-star rating so I jumped right in without reading the blurb. I’m so glad this happened, because if I’d seen that it was about wizards and vampires and the spirits of Londontown I know I’d never have read it. Which would have been a tragedy as it’s incredible in so many ways, not least the amazing narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith who I am in love with and who can do ALL THE VOICES. Seriously, if nothing else, listen to the audio sample.
I love Skillshare, have you seen it? It’s a fab idea – lots of great quality, online video classes that you can join in with and learn all sorts of creative and inspiring stuff. My favourites so far have been Jessica Hische’s Lettering for Designers: One Drop Cap Letterform at a Time and Trashhand’s Street Photography: Capture the Life of Your City. And best of all, you can get a FREE month of premium membership right here.
Sometimes though, there’s nothing quite like unplugging and tuning-out. I’ve been getting back to basics by using pens and paper to create new designs. They end up on the computer in the end but it’s felt so good to do things by hand (although it felt really clumsy and rubbish to start with). Going analogue definitely changes my approach to an idea – there’s no ‘undo’ and once you pick a colour you have to stick to it or start all over again!
I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far with the design work I’ve been doing – thousands of people now have something I’ve created on their walls (that does my head in a bit when I think of it like that)! I need to now steer this ‘oil tanker’ into a new channel though, one that sees me doing more designing and ‘engaging’ (i.e. the bits I really love) and less of the production and admin. More on these plans in a later post.
Chinese new year is next week. As it’ll be the year of the goat, here is the perfect Instagram account to ring in the new.
If this really works like it does in this video then I’m having egg sarnies for the rest of the week my life! (It’s weird seeing eggs with white shells – we only have brown eggs, sometimes blue if you get the posh ones from Waitrose).
Lena has some great advice | these fridge magnets | tortillas; can they really be this easy? I’ll let you know.
NOT on the list of things I am loving – Cadbury’s Creme Eggs which are now made with ear wax*. And smaller. Not cool, Cadbury’s!
*possibly an exaggeration.
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