Jun
- George Santayana.
I don’t do alot of design work in my current role, which is understandable. I wasn’t hired as a designer, and I have zero design training (my degree was all about the technical implementation side, and about usability) so that’s kind of understandable.
But I like web design. Creating cute websites, or wordpress themes or whatever. And while I’m not working on any big projects I put aside a little time each day to make something cute. Refine a logo, or a create theme overview, or some colour swatches or something. Just little things to refine my eye, bolster my design skills. And a friend of mine suggested that I DO something with these little pieces of practice.
So, I started an etsy store (rargBanners.etsy.com). It’s kind of ordinary, actually. I sell one-off premade banner packages, which is actually an okay format for my little doodles and whatever. The problem is, now that I have a store, I kinda hoped that I’d manage to actually sell something.
It appears that I’ve entered into an already saturated market. It doesn’t matter that my designs are prettier that alot of whats out there (though, I’m a little biased. I also recognise that there are some that kick my behind quite nicely), it appears that I’m not going to sell anything via the etsy search engine unless some one stumbles over it head first.
It also appears, that if I’d like to sell something I need to pimp it, and well. I’m kinda adverse to pimping something that started off as a daily design exercise, you know? My main goal wasn’t really to sell anything. Unfortunately etsy has (very small but still existent) listing prices so I’d at least like to make that cost back.
Anyway, I figured pimping could almost be excused if I used it as a critiquing exercise. So, here are a couple of the banners I’ve created. Let me know what you think? What you like, what you don’t like? What seems ridiculous, what’s really cute, what I should and shouldn’t have done?
These ones are all animal themed. I thought they were kind of cute.
Anyway, let me know what you think?
They are cute! I want to get my crap together and put up an Etsy shop so I can sell some baby bibs. So far production has, um, stalled, but when I get going I’m going to need a banner…
@JJ – Oh! I’ll design you one, if you like! If your not into the premade ones, and would like a custom designed one, I can do that too! :) Let me know if/when your keen and I’ll make a listing in the store for you!
I think they’re very cute, especially the elephant =) I’m a sucker for elephants.
That and birds. I love the bird one too. When I was a kid, my dad had (well, still has) homing pigeons. I used to race them with him, which was SO FLIPPING COOL, although it appears that doing so has ruined me for life. I have a sick fascination with birds now =P
P.S. I’m in JJ’s booth. I haven’t set up my Etsy page, although it exists, but I will be doing so at some point in the next few months. When I get it going, I’ll let you know because the banner has been that one thing that makes me cringe to design. I’m not very good at that sort of thing!
@Sarah – The bird and elephant ones are my favourites too :) And that’d be awesome! And again, if you don’t like the the pre-made ones, I’m happy to make custom ones! :)
i love all of them! the elephant is my favourite :) if i were to ever need a banner, i would have to ask you for one of them, haha. they are very…soothing and almost seemingly interactive.
@Lys – aww, thanks! I like them too – I’m hoping that I’ll sometime at some point! :)