I am happy to announce the arrival of my new Snarph products!
These are just my proofs, but was too excited not to share. I still have some kinks and details I want to workout on the actual print. But for a first round, I believe they have turned out very well! I will be setting up a store so you’ll be able to purchase totes, pins, T-shirts and more merchandise. If you want to see more pictures, you can go to my Snarph Gallery.

So who’s interested in some cute totes?!
P.S You should follow @snarphs for updates!

• No More Banding 
  Jeff Broderick released an awesome Photoshop action that allows you to get rid of banding on images. Be aware that it will enlarge the size of your PSD and the image you export greatly. You’ll also need to copy and merge your PSD into an 8-bit document. Doing so will retain the perfect gradient and keep the original size of your file.

• This is How Design Works
  This is a great compilation of different types of design, their names and meaning. It’s also very eye opening to people who are not designers. It’s important that start-ups understand how critical design is to their success. Their customer’s user experience with their product goes hand in hand with what the product actually is/does.

• Origami Typeface
  Super cool article about a typeface made out of origami.  Also, check out my friend Robert Padbury’s origami initials.

• Smart Dot 
  I am a nerd when it comes to cool electronics. Especially ones that go with my iPhone or iPad. Check out this laser pointer pen that also turns into a stylus. It has other features too, such as having an application for presentations.

Please comment below to share other cool links about design!

It’s finally happening! My first order of merchandise with Snarphs is on it’s way. Launching a store on my site has been on my mind for awhile. It will also feel great to be able to have giveaways as well. These characters were born two years ago and I am happy to start launching them again, as products. I’ll also be opening an Etsty shop soon so  you’ll be able to see all the cute things that I’ll be selling! The children’s book is still in the works and is a much larger project than I had first anticipated. But I still want to get it done.

Do you have anything in mind that you would like to see Snarphs on?  Please let me know. I am excited to launch this and see where it goes!

It was a lovely weekend in LA and Derek and I spent all day Sunday in Malibu. We visited Pepperdine (Derek studied there for a summer) and looked at the incredible views from the top of the hill. At first I was super confused as to why Derek was insisting on taking me to look at a college campus. But once we started driving up the hill it was apparent why it was so hyped up, it was breath taking. The view from the top of the university to even the layout of the campus was stunning. Needless to say we had a ton of fun, enjoyed great seafood, took photos and played in the sea.

Floral top from Forever 21 & cream wrap sweater from H&M

We were taking more serious shots here. But certainly have a ton of cheesy ones too!

View from Pepperdine University

Sandals from Forever 21

More to come later!

It’s almost like design has become stagnate to me. I look around and see all these talented designers, artists and I look at myself and feel that I am not growing. That everyone is swirling around with me with talent and knowledge yet I feel I know nothing. I start thinking to myself: when was the last time I really made something I loved? Not simply enjoying the design process, but also enjoyed the end result. I am my worst critic and I feel like I need to improve both in self esteem and have that urge to improve. For me it’s almost like seeing incredible talent stumps me. Instead of it making me feel more motivated, it makes me shrug back and think “I could never make that”. It’s a bad way of looking at things and I am working so hard to improve such a negative outlook. I fight with my inner self all the time. My mind is constantly at war with my heart. I know that I am a talented creative in my heart, but my mind chimes in and starts to discourage me. It’s almost as if my heart is the dreamer and my mind only thinks logically and cannot be creative. I am still young in my career and have so much room to grow. Yet I have seen myself grow so quickly since I’ve moved to SF. So I do know that I can make things happen. But sometimes I truly do struggle with myself. So what do I do about it?

• I fight it. After moping around for a day or two, I get out of my slump and ask people I admire on how they create things. I am only going to get better with practice and by learning from the best.
• I suck it up. Getting over myself and looking forward is so hard to do!
• I think about my dreams. Focusing on the future and my ambitions gets me out of the pity party rut and keeps me moving forward.
• I surround myself with people who encourage me. I hang out with people who encourage me. I avoid those people who try to bring me down on every little thing that I do. I spend my time with people who have the same dreams and ambitions as me and lead a healthy and beautiful life. Being surrounded by people like this makes me want to live a life like that and lead by example.
• I start my own projects. I have one project in the works right now that I have been enjoying working on. It’s been slow moving but I hope to release it this summer. Fingers crossed! Hint: Fashion & iOS

I’m far from perfect. I make mistakes everyday. But life is about battling inner demons and learning to grow and get better at the challenges that I face. I love life and I love people. Conquering this inner enemy will pull me closer to the dreams and missions that I have in my life.

What do you struggle with when designing? Do you find yourself battling the inner negative voice that says what you can’t do? If so, how do you rise above it?

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