Tracy Perkins

Graphic Design and Brand Development

Main navigation

design

Downsize and Minimize

Lately I’ve found myself increasingly interested in the concept of living minimally and creating more room for what really matters in life. I’ve specifically been drawn to the idea of having a “designed” lifestyle that blends aesthetics and functionality. 
This concept appeals to me as a designer since the blend of aesthetic and function is the basis for what I do. I’ve also been finding my environment has a chaotic nature that tends to get in the way of my focus and creativity. I’ve known for years that your work ethic is influenced by your surroundings and that a messy space can cause you to focus on that rather than projects and creative endeavors, but I’ve made little effort to combat my situation. 
With our move and the fact that we went from a two bedroom apartment to a single room, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to downsize and embracing some minimalist principles. We really don’t need everything that we have and most of what we own doesn’t add value to our lives. We also place a lot of emphasis on keeping things as they are attached to a memory or have placed an artificial value on. Yet these items tend to make up the bulk of our belongings, which seems to be the opposite of how possessions should play a role in our lives.
I want to focus on my design and art, not the chaotic nature of my house. A calm environment promotes a calm mind, thus making it easier to relax and find my creative inspiration.

Portfolio Revamp: The Story So Far

Screen shot of an updated spread from my portfolio

Progress has been coming along on my portfolio update. One of the biggest challenges has been locating and consolidating all of the works I’m linking into my In Design file. My more recent work is all conveniently located in a local folder on my laptop’s hard drive, but some of the older pieces are scattered around. Fixing all of my broken links and locating my original files has also forced me to do something I should have done a long time ago: clean up and consolidate my external hard drives.

External storage clean up and consolidation is something many creative professionals and anyone who does all of their work on a computer most likely has to deal with from time to time. I have to say a it’s a little bittersweet knowing that I’m in the process of essentially retiring my old backup drive that saw me through all of my college projects and first design jobs. But I know that not only is it for the better, it’s practical as my old external hard drive uses firewire and my current MacBook Pro does not have a firewire port.

The decluttering of my digital life is taking much longer than I would prefer, but having all of my files consolidated in one spot is super convenient. It’s a great activity for a cold blustery day such as today and has helped me weed through my catalog of work and isolate the best pieces to include in my updated portfolio. Let me know if you have any tips or tricks for keeping your catalog of work digitally organized!

The Big Project: Portfolio Revamp

I’m deciding to just jump in head first and tackle that project of all projects that we all put off: the major overhaul of my design portfolio.

So much rides on your portfolio. It’s your first major calling card perspective employers and clients see. It’s how they get to know you before you even meet them. A portfolio can make or break an interview before you step foot in the room.

That being said, I’m a little scared of this project. The last time I subjected my portfolio to a major overhaul was back in 2007. My tastes and experience have changed a bit since then and my portfolio should reflect that.

I’ll keep you updated as work progresses.

Forging Ahead

About a month ago I quit my job as a sign maker for Whole Foods Market and decided to try my hand at the freelance market again. WFM was a great place to learn, but after a year I realized that I spent the entire time redressing templates with new graphics that came from a toolkit I did not create. Sure, the technicalities of implementing the toolkits taught me a new way working within Illustrator, but I wanted more. I wanted to learn new workflows and new programs—AfterEffects, motion graphics, digital painting—all things that never happened at WFM.

In the month since I have spent a great deal of time getting back to root of what inspires me as a designer and creative professional. I had lost touch with this aspect of myself while working at WFM, which was a huge factor in my decision to go freelance again. My rediscovery of my inspiration goes hand in hand with my yearning to do what I am passionate about, which is something that is a bit hazy to me. However, that’s the fun part—discovering what your passions are.

So Far, So Good

I feel like I finally made it. I don’t have the highest paid, most prestigious job ever, but I’m finally working the field of study that my degree is in. Normally this seems to be a moot point that isn’t the most important thing, but as a design major it is. Mainly due tot he fact that I spent all those years learning those different programs and work flows for a certain type of industry. And it feels so good to be a part of it. On top of it I have fairly set hours at somewhat “standard” times of the day. (Most days I’m a 9-5er, with the exception of Wednesdays and Fridays for changeover and one day sales.)

And training this week has been a most awesome experience, mostly because I’m being trained by my old Unitrans Marketing Assistant, André. He’s just a fierce as always and has really given me a good grasp on what I’m getting into, since he knows what my design background and experience are like.

So far the only downside has been that I’m having to commute to San Francisco during the bridge closure.

My first glass writing.



Signs of the Times

Sometimes waiting and hoping and not giving up is worth it. I finally got a full-time job as a visual artist. I’m going to be the Store Artist and Sign Maker for the new Fremont location of Whole Foods.

I’m both scared and excited about it all at the same time. I haven’t done much design work in the last few years as I had almost given up hope. But applying on a whim, a few production mock ups, and the realization that my printed portfolio is the only version of that file that exists I somehow got the job. They said I had the right energy in the interview that they were looking for and I do feel like I handled every question thrown my way went very well.

I’m still waiting find out when my first day will be. I’m assuming it’s going to be sooner rather than later since my new Team Leader, Lisa Marie, said that regional wanted to get my training up to speed since I haven’t worked with the Sign Maker at my current store. The plus side, is my new Assistant Store Team Leader (yay Whole Foods titles!) wants me to train with my friend Andre, who I used to work with back at Unitrans as part of my Marketing staff. So exciting things ahead!