Introducing "The Yolk"
Greetings, loved ones!
I am beyond excited to finally unveil a project that has been in works for several years and is finally here… my DESIGN BLOG!
Design has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. Perhaps even earlier. I’m constantly observing, processing, and actively expanding my knowledge of design. It. Is. EVERYWHERE. Literally! Design shapes our entire human experience! From the clothes we wear and houses we live in to the everyday objects, signs, products, and media that we consume every minute of every day, design is truly EVERYWHERE.
And I think that it is because of the role of the designer in our everyday existence that I have become so fascinated by how we — the ARTIST — shape everyone’s lives and experiences. When we become aware of the role of the artist, of the influence of creativity in our lives, and how much power we, as creative beings, have in shaping our own worlds, everything… changes.
This is also why, several years ago, I created a mantra for myself: Design the Life You Want to Live.
This came about through my understanding of branding. Yes, as in brand design, as in marketing. Hang with me!
I was introduced to the concept of Personal Branding (although it was never so succinctly phrased that way) in college. It was explained how an artist has the power to create their own external perception through what we now call branding. The professor talked about this in regard to a logo project. They casually mentioned that through actions, visuals, presentation, and design, we can control the image we project to the world, and then returned to listing the requirements of the assignment. It was such a brief moment, that I’m not even sure my classmates registered how truly profound that information was.
You see, I now knew the power of design. And, I was hooked.
It took many years, but I am finally close to fulfilling the life I have been designing for myself. All of the pieces of the puzzle have been falling in place and part of that big picture is this blog.
For me, blogging about art and design is not just sharing Graphic Design tidbits and processes (although, we’ll have plenty of that!). It is about the role of the designer in our shared human experience. The designer I believe is in each of us. It is about how the nuances of a design can influence our moods, habits, emotions, and actions. And about how my life, and yours, is richly steeped in creativity. This blog is an amalgamation of all that I love about design, why we need it, and how to use it. So, without further ado…
Welcome to
So, what is The Yolk all about?
Well, I’m glad you asked.
First things first, the name. Naming a blog is kind of a big deal. I wanted something unique, yet easy to remember, and of course, related to my brand. I love puns and play on words so I started with some egg-related names to tie in with my logo and the story behind Hatch (more on that another day). Ultimately, I chose The Yolk because, as with an actual egg, it’s where all the good stuff is!
Next, this blog wouldn’t be possible without the help of my intern! Bre started working with me in March 2020 and has brought so much to the table. In addition to being a talented designer and illustrator in her own right, Bre is also able to execute my visions flawlessly, which has been integral in bringing this blog concept to life. All of the graphics for The Yolk have been either Bre’s original work or created in collaboration. We have been working on so many great topics together including color stories, font pairings, social media marketing, and more. (Check out our new Meet the Team page to learn more about Bre!)
We have big plans for this blog! One of my favorite features will be our Color Stories. Each month we will unveil a new color paired with themed palettes and inspiration images with an open invitation to submit your own design or illustration featuring that color. I seriously can not wait to reveal our first one!
Other post topics will cover branding, marketing, social media, design trends, typography, and great info for small businesses and all creative professionals. I will also be sharing student work from my classes at Kendall College of Art & Design, some of the fun DIY projects and crafts I create, plus behind-the-scenes looks into my own design practice.
Thanks for checking out our first post and please stay tuned for so much more!
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