bloghttp://alikamp.com/blog/en-US2012-02-23T09:20:12ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Tattoo artist?http://alikamp.com/blog/2011/12/14/tattoo-artist.htmlali kamp2011-12-14T20:48:27ZMy family has a tendency to ask me to make them a variety of things, ranging from paintings and drawings to necklaces and flower hair pins. Every once in awhile, something truly unique pops up and surprises me. My most recent request (not the first I might add) has been to design a tattoo. This came from my mother, which absolutely delighted me, especially after her response to my tattoos that I got a few years ago. So I asked her what she had in mind to which she replied "A flower..or a vine...or whatever you think would look good. Maybe a rose?" I shook my head, asked her if she was sure she wanted to do this, and went to work researching and sketching. Fortunately, she did continue to call and further narrow down what she wanted and where she wanted it. Here's the fourth (wahoo!) design in my "tattoo portfolio."

]]>dave zagar trio album design!http://alikamp.com/blog/2011/6/14/dave-zagar-trio-album-design.htmlali kamp2011-06-14T14:25:00ZWell, I finally finished it so I was actually able to post something relavant. I have yet to take pictures of the entire album but I figured it wouldn't hurt to begin posting since I haven't written anything since January. All of the elements on the album were created using colored pencil, then scanned into Photoshop for minor modifications. Visit davezagar.com to buy and listen to his album!

]]>Yes, another painting...http://alikamp.com/blog/2011/1/27/yes-another-painting.htmlali kamp2011-01-27T16:55:22ZBe sure to check out the new paintings I've recently posted! They are located in 'A Little Extra.' I added a John Lennon piece along with a black and white painting of a forest. I swear, the next one will have color...

]]>Save the Date.http://alikamp.com/blog/2011/1/26/save-the-date.htmlali kamp2011-01-27T04:15:19ZA good friend of mine is currently engaged to be married this summer and asked if I would not only be her maid of honor (gasp!) but also help out with her wedding invitations, save the dates and other design aspects. Naturally, I agreed. Yesterday I recieved the first of my designs... the save the date postcards! Needless to say, I ripped open the envelope she so kindly placed it in, to protect from wear and tear, like a kid on Christmas morning. Here's the result!

(my apologies for the terrible photography... I was really excited to post these..)

]]>Spare Time.http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/11/15/spare-time.htmlali kamp2010-11-15T16:27:52ZA friend, Dave Zagar, recently asked me to paint him something after seeing a piece I did for my boyfriend not too long ago. As I have had some down time, clearly not enough to actually muster the will to write interesting posts, I jumped at the chance. Upon me asking Dave what he would like me to paint, he responded "I'd love it if you painted me something to do with music. Anything really." So, after much deliberation (actually, I knew what I wanted to paint for him almost immediately) I chose to complete a rendition of the Beatles. Below are the stages of the painting which I documented along the way.

On another note, Dave is also a very talented musician himself so be sure to check out his website: www.davezagar.com.

]]>Here's to the Crazy Ones.http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/10/20/heres-to-the-crazy-ones.htmlali kamp2010-10-20T13:59:32ZI recently stumbled upon a video clip of Steve Jobs introducing the 'Think Different' campaign that Apple introduced in 1997. He talks about how brands need to remain simple and let the products and services speak for themselves. People with the passion and motivation (the 'Crazy Ones') to change the world, will. Very inspirational. You can view the video here.

]]>j-o-b.http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/10/14/j-o-b.htmlali kamp2010-10-14T12:17:46Zwell, i did it. i finally landed a job. yesterday was my first full day and, i must say, i am more than satisfied. the company is called designvox and is located here in grand rapids. i cannot explain how happy i am to be back in an atmosphere filled with creative energy. this is exactly what i want to be doing. bring on the long hours, the tight deadlines, and the excessive amounts of coffee...

]]>farewell my friend!http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/9/29/farewell-my-friend.htmlali kamp2010-09-29T17:28:57Zone of my good friends, zack, is taking off tomorrow on an adventure that will lead him to seattle where he will be pursuing a career as a guide for spey fishing trips. he started a company called 'PNW Spey Guides' and will be guiding trips for steelhead on washington's olympic peninsula. before he left, he asked me to come up with some business cards, something i was more than happy to do (you can see them below). if you happen to be in the washington area in the upcoming months and are itching for a guided fishing tour, look him up! his website is set to go live soon: www.pnwspey.com. good luck zack! you will be missed.

]]>staying sane, holding onto my soul.http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/9/23/staying-sane-holding-onto-my-soul.htmlali kamp2010-09-24T03:14:02Zwhile i was in school, we were asked to read a book that involved the business of graphic design. i chose 'how to be a graphic designer, without losing your soul' by adrian shaughnessy (the book was actually later added to the required textbooks list come to find out). i rediscovered this gem during my move and decided to read it again as i remembered how, at times, i was laughing out loud at the authors wit and humor.

so my second conquest has begun and i am thoroughly enjoying the read. i am taking my time, highlighting sentences and phrases that really speak to me. the book was "written by a designer for designers" and works to bring light to all aspects of the design business, mainly dealing with the "less glamourous and knottier problems" we tend to face. the author writes that it is "a book for those who believe that we become graphic designers because we are attracted to the act of personal creation." this truly speaks to me and what is, in fact, what drew me into this occupation in the first place. whether it be designing a logo for a client, painting a picture for a friend, building a wooden bar with my dad (true.. and it is beautiful) or making dinner for four: i love the act of creation.

shaughnessy goes on to state that, as designers, we generally put a little bit of our soul into everything we create and it will not be "removed without a fight." we are passionate about our work because we know it has a cultural and aesthetic dimension that is further enhanced by personal expression. of course, there are times where we must ignore our "mule-like instinct" and design for practical and utilitarian reasons (shaughnessy references road signs, medical packaging, and technical data) but we still hope to execute them in a way that we deem fit. self-centered and obsessive? perhaps...but i'll never admit it.

ultimately, this book works to answer questions that students and young designers often ask. it is a "practical and philosophical guide for students emerging, or about to emerge, from higher education and for working designers in the early stages of their careers." i would say it is currently keeping me a little more sane, reassuring me in my decision to be a graphic designer. although the business is not always easy and fun (or visually appealing for that matter), it is something that continues to influence and shape our world and i am absolutely ecstatic to play my part.

]]>vacation.http://alikamp.com/blog/2010/9/6/vacation.htmlali kamp2010-09-07T02:19:35Zsince i have been out of work for a little over a week, i have anxiously awaited the end labor day weekend, a time that most look forward to. sure, i have enjoyed time off but i'm ready to be put to work. my little vacation allowed me to search for apartments in grand rapids (eventually finding one and signing my lease), make the six hour drive back home to see loved ones, work on some side projects of my own, and of course catch up on much needed sleep. although the weather was not perfect over the weekend, i still managed to enjoy the outdoors. while up north, my father and i picked about three bushels of apples off our farm which i have begun distributing amongst friends as well as spending hours googling new recipes that involve apples. my boyfriend (kyle) is pretty excited for the apple crisp i have become skilled at making over the years.

this week will be dedicated to finishing up at curro, rankin & williams during the day and going through my belongings at night, deciding what i can and cannot live without. come september 14th i will be living in grand rapids!

(lake michigan's east bay, about 10 miles north of elk rapids)

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