Monday, August 04, 2014

The Not-So-Accidental Blog Tourist Hop




A huge thanks to C. Lee McKenzie for selecting me to participate in this hop! 

As you guys know, I did a version of this hop back in April on my writing career. This time, I thought I'd use my graphic design work as the basis for each question. :)


1.What am I currently working on?
 
Whew! Let's see... five book covers, a trailer, a few web graphics, a logo, and some print pieces.
*passes out* 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

 

A few examples:

- I don't do the cookie-cutter thing. If every other person in your category/genre is using selective color, two fonts mashed together, and an almost-kiss, you can bet I'm going to find a way to spin it.

- I'm a perfectionist and will let you know when I think something isn't working. 

Then again, I'll also let you know when I think something is awesome and wish it were my own. LOL

- While other designers may use fancy tools for swapping things out, I prefer to (digitally) "hand paint" details as necessary.

- I sometimes write ridiculous and/or inappropriate comments as text placeholders in friends' mock-ups... *cough*

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

 

I love the challenge. Photomanipulations are my favorite, because every  experience teaches me something—making my next piece all the more real!

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I usually send my clients a questionnaire to get a feel for their project, and then... I stalk them. :D 

Okay, that sounds a little creepy. What I mean is, I check out their web presence—colors they gravitate toward, themes they're repeatedly drawn to, etc. If I can, I try to work some of that into the design (which is usually hashed out on a scrap sheet).

After that, it's time to create a few digital mock-ups and send them over. We discuss what we like and don't like, and then I make the necessary adjustments. Lather, rinse, repeat...

Finally, we have a finished piece of art, ready to share with the world!

I tag these two writers/creators for next week/whenever, if they're up for it:

Joylene, Métis, has been writing her entire life. She began her first novel in 1983 to honour the passing of her father. Today she and her husband live in the home they built with their own hands on Cluculz Lake. Her first novel Dead Witness was a finalist in the 2012 Global eBook Awards. Her suspense thriller Broken But Not Dead won the 2012 IPPY Silver Medal for Canada West. Her newest novel Break Time, the steampunk anthology is now available on Kindle and in print. Joylene is currently applying final touches to two suspense thrillers. 


By day, Loni writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don’t let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human. That’s part of being an epic ninja—blending in.

She makes her home in Idaho with her sadistically clever—yet often thwarted—husband, two frighteningly brilliant children, and three sneaky little shibas. Thanmir War, her first book, was published through Stoneword Press in December 2013. Be sure to check it out!

27 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Somebody's stalking me...
You put a lot of effort into your creations and it shows.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Captain! I appreciate that. :D

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds like you've got lots of projects to work on. Awesome!

Jay Noel said...

You are super busy! That's a good thing. I love your graphics, and we all can tell that you work hard on your craft.

Loni Townsend said...

Ah! You tagged me! Um... I'm going to have to think about this one. :)

I really like your work with graphics. Each new project impresses me more. It sounds like you're really busy. Guess that's the cost of being amazing.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Ah, Cheryl, thanks for tagging me. I am honoured and will try to do your tagging justice. That doesn't make sense. What I mean is I'll do right by your choosing me. You, my lovely friend, are an inspiration to many. Thanks for proving we can achieve our dreams if we work hard and do our best. Never settle.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Congratulations, Loni! Well deserved.

Melissa said...

You're awesome, and--stalking aside--so talented, it's creepy. :)

JeffO said...

It's always fun to hear about the creative process--thanks for sharing!

Mark said...

Cool interview with C. Lee! Wow, it looks like you've got lots of great stuff going on:)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Carrie,

Que in creepy music here. MAN, do we work similarly in creating a cover. LOL. Now wonder we get along so well!

Glad to hear that you are SUPER BUSY! YAY. I was last month with three cover designs! Such fun!

Crystal Collier said...

I'm a fan of your work, Carrie and have recommended you in several instances. If I didn't have an epic designer in my publisher's corner, I'd totally be hitting you up. Here's to epic art work!

cleemckenzie said...

You are one multi-talented gal!

Mason T. Matchak said...

I have to say it's great to see *anyone* going against the "almost kissing pose" thing. O_o I've seen that far too often on far too many cover reveals. Kudos. ^_^

DMS said...

What a great post! I liv that you take extra time to create unique covers. Sounds like fun- but also like a lot of work. :). Thanks for sharing.
~Jess

Carrie Butler said...

You know what they say about great minds! LOL

That's awesome. I can't wait to see them! :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Mason! I think that's what has me so turned off by the pose. It's so over-done that it detracts from stories' unique aspects.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Jess! I appreciate that. :)

Most of my interests are equal parts fun and work. I suck at leisure. LOL

Carrie Butler said...

We have a wonderful, supportive community! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you so much, Jay! :D

Carrie Butler said...

That's okay! If you want to ignore it, I'll pretend I tagged Lori Townsand. ;)

Thank you! I think my face just turned red. LOL

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, my friend! I can't wait to see what you have to say. :D

Carrie Butler said...

D'aww... thanks, Melissa! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you for stopping by! :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Mark! :)

Carrie Butler said...

You made my night, Crystal! Thank you so much for that. I genuinely appreciate it. :)

Carrie Butler said...

D'aww... thanks, Lee! :D