Jill Darrow

💥 Here are the top 5 things I would tell my younger designer/illustrator self. I wouldn't change anything about my past because I wouldn't have learned any of it without the experience. Would love for anyone to add to my list, even if your advice isn't specifically for creatives. 1. Always pursue creative projects outside of work; this ironically prevents me from burnout. You may never get your creative “fix” completely fulfilled at your job, at least in my own experience. Picking and choosing the right freelance clients is also a good move and could make a great career when you’re ready. Oh, and make sure you have a contract, get % upfront, and be on the lookout for 🚩 I’ll do another post about this another time. 2. Design is not always glamorous, but beautiful design is simply communicating a message. In fact, I’d argue design isn’t art unless that is the intention of the design itself. Rather, art is one of the avenues you can use to communicate a message through design. 3. Design and illustration can also be subjective and should be; you’re communicating to a target market who have different values, beliefs, and needs. But the fundamentals are the solid ground. And good design principles are objective. Learn the rules and then know how to break them. 4. Function should be allowed to come before form in design [unless you’re going for an art piece, mentioned above]. If that bothers you, you can flip the script in illustration 😜 Study your audience. Sketch out your ideas; you’ll find inspiration in unexpected ways. 5. Think of yourself as a problem solver; clients love this. Branding and Brand Identity are not the same thing. Tune into Marty Neumeier TheFutur and Chris Do content/books. They explain this better that I can. I’ll leave you with this. 🔥 Create more than you consume. Listen more than you speak. Give more than you take. Plant more than you destroy. Let me know your thoughts and add your advice. *Artwork is an unused client sketch created a couple years back. #CreativeAdvice #GraphicDesignTips #IllustratorLife #DesignInspiration #CreativeJourney #FreelanceTips #DesignPrinciples #ArtAndDesign

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Fact: The creatives of the world are the tip of the spear when it comes to crafting and maintaining culture. Case in point: It’s why we see real-estate developers following them into neighborhoods they make popular, only to then take them over, thus pushing them out. The same thing happens in the social media landscape. Enter Instagram (stage right). When I joined Instagram in 2010, there were less than 1,000 users. I watched it grow and flourish into a voice for creatives. When recently asked about what Instagram means to them now, 75% responded that Instagram’s algorithms (and paid content) has made it virtually unusable. They have very little reach, with no way to grow. I am eager to see where we creatives look next to find a new platform that gives us our voice back.

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Many times a layout requires multiple headshots for an about page, annual report or article listing important people. The problem: designers will get a variety of submitted headshots, some wonderful editorial-style images, some standard year-book style, some low resolution, and even selfies. Trying to create a professional, cohesive look, becomes a challenge with differences in photograph lighting and colors. The solution: A popular go-to remedy is the “make them all black and white” technique, but when dealing with low resolution issues, the solution has to be, “hire an illustrator.” As an in-house designer with a limited or no budget, I created this fun graphic style and found it an excellent solution to an ongoing problem. When you need something a little more artsy and out of the box, be bold! And it works well in both black and white and color! #artlover #digitalart #artmarketing #corporateportraits #portraits #illustration #illustrator #popart

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How I Package Deliverables for a Client ________________________________________ Being a graphic designer isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about being a problem-solver for our clients. Our work isn’t just about making things look cool; it’s about translating their ideas into tangible solutions. The way we package our deliverables is like a roadmap for our clients, guiding them not just in what they’re buying, but how to use it effectively.

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My 50 cents for a someone looking for a career in the visual communication and design space at a top studio. Don't reach out for internships until you know the basics. Your chances of getting into a top studio are very lean. Let's say you know the basics, do 2-3 awesome passion projects. Go beyond just the branding and identity (maybe some basic UI for the website). Make a 10 page deck, not 50. Make sure the 10 pages are the best ones you have designed in your life. This is your learning curve too. Don't export it until you are happy and feel proud about yourself. Compare your work with the ones uploaded in the agencies portfolio and your gut feeling will give you the answer on if you should apply to that agency or not. Your skill and hard work is going to define your career like any other quantum of life. #careerindesign

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We love our clients ❤️🥹🙏🏿! And they seem to be pretty fond of us too 😊. Check out some feedback from some of the folks that we’ve had an opportunity to serve this year! Have we had the privilege of partnering with you in the past? We’d love to hear about your experience. Be sure to leave us a review - https://lnkd.in/eDq8AzXV #pddesign #atlantagraphicdesigner #graphicdesign #brandidentity #brand #branding #visualbranding #eventbranding #socialmediagraphics #visualdesign #logo #logodesign #webdesign #printcollateral #printdesign #flyers #banners #signs #signage #apparel #blackownedbusiness #atlantasmallbusiness #freelance #freelancing

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Mechs. So many mechs and so many styles. I started exploring --sref again looking for additional good graphic novel/comic book styles. In my testing, I would bounce from mechs to some of my weird west prompts to see how it handles humans and creatures. Some work great for both, some not so much. #aiart #aiartwork #aicc #aicccreators #midjourney #midjourneyart #midjourneyai #illustration #nijijourney #NIJI #characterdesign #characterart #generativeart #generativeai

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What’s your problem? This is the question every designer should be asking at the start of any project with a client. Businesses hire a designer because there is some problem they are trying to solve. Start every project by asking questions until you figure out what those challenges are. Then scope the project based on what they need, not what you want to design.

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My personal view of career progression for designers and creatives: Junior: Learn the tools Mid: Learn the tools some more, learn agency process Senior: Learn how to manage/lead 1 project while working on it ACD: Manage multiple projects (while working on them) CD: Manage multiple projects and a few people (still hands on) SCD/Deputy ECD: Manage lots of people and projects (much less hands on) ECD: Mainly managing people, processes and project setups (hands off) Top Tips: - Work under at least 5 CD's before you become a CD, learn what you do and don't like about the CD's you work under, taking what you like, ditching what you don't, before becoming one yourself. - Give yourself at least 15 years to get to CD level, you need that time to experience and master all the good and bad situations, so you always have a solution for your team when the tough times come.

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*Shudders in creative* Some tips when giving feedback to creatives: 1. Communicate the broader problem. ❌ "Make this larger, and this smaller, move this here, and then place that over there." ✅ "These elements are competing and the callouts are getting lost. Here's the hierarchy we should strive for:..." 2. Always make a written list to deliver. ❌ Don't brain dump and expect them to remember every detail of what was said in a long review session. ✅ Come to the table with a simple bulleted list of your thoughts. It's super helpful. 3. Avoid "I'll know what I like when I see it." ❌ "This isn't working. Just come up with new options to see." "I don't know why I don't like it, I just don't. Do it over." ✅ 1. Feedback should come from the lens of your audience. Do they like it? And 2. Language like this might indicate you need a clearer creative brief.

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A valuable lesson for any designer looking to choose a niche or specific target client type. “ If you want to make more money, be more useful, to people who have more money. “ – Codie A. Sanchez Find the people who need what you have and are willing to pay top dollar for what you can do for them and their business — that they can’t do for themselves.

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The Bento Scape Series. A series of abstract landscapes, plus a little typography (in some), drawn into a bento grid. The series is meant to be ironic because this grid is not typically used in this way. To see the process behind many of these illustrations/typography, check out my Instagram. I learned a lot exploring illustration within these little rounded rectangle grid compositions. Let me know if you have a favorite! Create more than you consume today, everyone! Swipe through below to see the sketches, details, and the final pieces. #BentoGrid #AbstractArt #DigitalArt #Illustration #Typography #CreativeProcess #ArtSeries #GridArt #DesignInspiration #ArtCommunity #CreativeJourney #DigitalIllustration #InstaArt #ArtisticProcess #ArtExploration #NatureInspiredArt #ProcreateArt #Sketches #ArtDetails #ArtLovers

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One of my favorite techniques for creating compelling logo marks involves utilizing narrative to ignite the imagination. Each mark is designed with a layered approach to construct a dynamic scene, typically featuring three distinct sections: foreground, middle ground, and background. This method not only enhances visual depth but also enriches the storytelling aspect of the design. These storytelling marks are the ones I'm most proud of, and the one that make me feel the most nostalgic. #logo #logodesign #minimallogo #narrative #storytelling #minimal #modernism #abstractlogo #branddesign #branding #identity #minimalism

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I stumbled upon a quote today: "If you hate everything you’ve ever made, congrats. You’re a designer." It gave me pause—not because it’s demoralizing, but because it encapsulates the perfectionist streak in me that I've come to recognize as a hallmark of my profession. I mean, who else but us designers would spend hours tweaking a design only to scrap it and start over? 😅 It's not about hating the work—it's about loving it enough to keep pushing for something even better. Looking back at my old projects is like reading an old diary. A little cringey sometimes, sure, but also a clear sign of how much I've learned and grown. Every project I’ve ever doubted has been a stepping stone towards greater skill and deeper understanding. And each piece I look back on critically is a reminder of how far I've journeyed—and how much further I am excited to go. #DesignLife #CreativeProcess #GrowthMindset #DesignExcellence Quote credit: Tobias van Schneider

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Consistent failure is the path to success, right lol? Check out some of our past logo designs that just didn’t make the cut 😬✂️❌ #pddesign #brandidentity #brand #branding #visualbranding #brandidentity #graphicdesign #visualdesign #logo #logodesign #atlantagraphicdesigner #graphicdesign #apparel #smallbusiness #atlantasmallbusiness

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Ever wonder how top brands create a cohesive visual identity that speaks volumes? I've got a behind-the-scenes peek that'll make your designer heart skip a beat! 👀 Just analyzed a stellar brand guide for Crdwebdesign, and let me tell you, it's a masterclass in intentional design. Here's what caught my eye: 1. Logo with purpose: Their chain-link design isn't just pretty – it symbolizes unity and reliability. Plus, that chat bubble 'R'? Genius way to highlight communication! 2. Color psychology in action: Purple for creativity, green for growth, teal for trust. Every hue tells part of their story. 3. Font pairing that pops: Cobe for modern professionalism, Eurostile for that futuristic edge. Typography that works as hard as they do! 4. Mission alignment: Every visual choice reinforces their commitment to empowering businesses and communities. The takeaway? Your brand identity isn't just about looking good – it's about strategically communicating your values at every touchpoint. What's your favorite element of a strong brand guide? Drop your thoughts below! #BrandIdentity #DesignStrategy #VisualCommunication P.S. Want to level up your own brand's visual game? Let's chat! I've got some tricks up my sleeve that could transform your business's look and feel.

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Guys, I still can't make page numbers in illustrator! Adobe Illustrator - Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials -- how do I make page numbers? lol I am not using inDesign because I need the final file to be illustrator (plus, because no one else on my team uses indesign) #adobe #helpmeoutplz #usererror #pagenumbers #featurerequest

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What's a logotype? It's the visual essence of your brand. Let's create one that stands out: #Logotype #LogoDesign #Branding #GraphicDesign #StandOut https://lnkd.in/gi39tE-u

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