Tag: designer

Why I Don’t Have A Portfolio Right Now

Anna PengLeave a comment

After years of re-tuning, re-doing, and re-freshing, I chose to scrap my design portfolio 2 months ago.

Not because I was getting so many gigs and leads left and right (because I’m not).

And definitely not because I think I’m super talented to the point where a portfolio is not needed (because it will always be needed).

I chose to scrap my portfolio because it’s not serving anybody at this point in time—not even me. So rather than hold a backlog of my experiences from 3-4 years ago in a time capsule to show to anybody who needed to see it (which is nobody, because I’m currently not seeking any design positions or opportunities), I replaced it with something more relevant and true to the present me.

While I’m not looking for creative job positions in the market, countless others are.

So I think it’s worth it to help artists and designers just like us level up in an environment where we want to do more and do better, together.

That’s the Habit Factory (where all my creative energy is going right now). We’re hosting our 14 day Portfolio Campfire workshop this February for creatives who are looking to find their next opportunity. Find the community and accountability you’re looking for, and sign up for the online program. It’s open for all creatives who need to rebuild their websites and portfolios with intent this year.

Check it out at https://www.thehabitfactory.space/

How I Let Go Of My Shy Side

Anna PengLeave a comment

I was a quiet, shy kid for the majority of my lifespan. I rarely raised my hand in class, didn’t really know how to talk to relatives or strangers, was pretty silent in many conversations, lacked the confidence in myself for a lot of topics in school, mostly STEM, because the other kids were so much better.

The only thing I knew I was pretty confident at was art (and definitely not the performing theatre kind).

On one hand, you could say that people like us “grow” out of our own shyness and general discomfort, but I think what happened instead was that I decided to go after my strengths rather than try to surround myself in an environment where I would need to work twice as hard to be in the same place as everybody else AND not enjoy the subject matter.

Letting go of my shyness and un-confidence was less of a shedding, and more of just directing my energy towards what I was actually good at instead of what I wasn’t good at.

Plans and Spontaneity

Anna PengLeave a comment

If you injured your knee and needed surgery, you’d likely want to pass on the surgeon who’s never completed or observed a knee surgery at all.

It’s the same with a soon-to-be-married couple looking to commission a baker for their special moment.

Or a business hiring a product designer on an intensive 8 month contract.

A professional is needed in all cases, versus somebody who just wants to wing it.

The difference between the two is that professionals have plans. They have processes, procedures, and routines they follow that ensure a high probability of success.

We can be spontaneous when it comes to hobbies, but if we’re looking to take a step towards becoming professionals then we’ve got to be willing to commit to a plan.

Will You?

Anna PengLeave a comment

Time is precious, we all know that. What we do with it and how we spend it is everything.

We can wait for another more better time to work on our portfolios, or to start that artist collective with our friends we’ve been talking about. There would probably be a more convenient time down the line in our lives to start a business, or a blog, or a podcast, or what have you. The question is, will you?

As grand and patient as time is, it’s also unforgiving and unstoppable. There are no exchanges or refunds when it comes to spending time. 

Of course, context matters a great deal, but if the only thing standing in the way is yourself then the answer to will you? is that you won’t. Not unless you take the leap to trust in yourself that you can.