Melody Elizabeth x The Designer Scrapbook

Careers in the artistic industry can be a struggle financially, but it doesn’t have to be. 💗 As creative people, we have the capability to create something out of LITERALLY nothing! A pen and paper can turn into a beautiful sketch, and a blank document can turn into a beautiful illustration, and so on. We can utilize our creativity to set ourselves up for success. 💪 Let’s discuss how we as graphic designers can optimize our skills to earn a little extra cash! 1. Vector Files Turning your simple illustrations into SVG or ESP files to be sold on platforms like Etsy or Creative Market can be life-changing when done properly. Keep in mind that people who use these files are usually crafty and most commonly have a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo. So, it’s wise to avoid details in your artwork that might be too small to cut! Struggling to come up with vector file ideas that sell? Check out the Top 10 Digital Vector Files to Sell in 2024  blog for some great starting ...

Are you a designer looking for some extra income? If so, keep reading. If you’re anything like me, you are CONSTANTLY looking for new ways to use your knowledge and resources to create passive income. Let’s face it, in this day and age, every dollar counts.   To all graphic designers and creative individuals out there who just need a few sellable vector ideas, look no further. 🙌   1.      Generationally Funny and Sarcastic Quotes Funny and sarcastic quotes seem to be maintaining their popularity among the Etsy community. I’m not talkin’ about those cheesy sign quotes that you see on Pinterest. Instead, target specific age generations and use the appropriate humour to drive your quotes and you’ve hit a GOLD MINE. 💪    2.     Faceless Characters There are countless communities obsessing around specific TV shows and movie series. Tap into those popular markets with faceless characters and you WILL see results. 🤩   3.    ...

If your social media isn’t branded, let me convince you why should start NOW. 🏃‍ When I say to ‘brand’ your social media, you may be thinking of large corporate accounts with over 100k followers. 🧐 But did you know that a micro-influencer with 5k followers is also branded? Or even your local coffee shop with 1K followers?? Anyone trying to sell a product or service NEEDS to have a brand! And here’s why. 👇 1.    Increases Brand Awareness I feel like this goes without saying but your brand visibility is essential to success and achieving your business goals (which is ultimately making money, am I wrong??). 👀 Your target audience can TELL when you are putting effort into your branded content, and when you’re not. Effort is a respectable practice. 🙃 We want people to stay and engage in order for the algorithm to push our content out further!!! Thus, increasing familiarity with your brand. 🥳 2.    Improves Recognizability Having a consistent style that you apply acr...

Alrighty, let’s talk graphic design and how you should approach the design process to optimize your creative potential. Easy, right? 😅 First of all, and I may start some arguments by saying this, anyone can be a graphic designer. I say this as a comfort to you who may know little, or nothing, about design. Everyone has to start somewhere! Your process and how you even approach starting your design project can be the difference between a mediocre (or even bad) design and a freakin’ solid design that communicates precisely what you want. There are numerous rules and general design practices that you’ll want to follow to create a jaw-dropping design piece, but let’s approach this branding project for The Sweet Retreat as beginner designers and discuss 5 good practices. 1. Finding Inspiration Before you even THINK of starting your design project, you need to find inspiration. Okay, ‘need’ might be a tad excessive, but it could be the difference between an okay design and the design of the...

  If you're starting to develop your brand on social media, you may be wondering what kind of personality and content style you should adapt.  Should you be educational? Funny? Sarcastic? 🤔 Deciding how to portray your brand to your audience is important for consistency  and  attracting your target audience. Plus, it makes it  1000  times easier to come up with content! Let's take a deep dive into 3 'unhinged' social media brands! 👇 1. Duolingo There's a 50/50 chance that you've come across this brand on social media or at least heard of it.  That's because Duolingo does an INCREDIBLE job at utilizing their platform to reach a huge audience. It's no wonder that they've gone viral on  TikTok  for their unhinged, and  perhaps  dark, content. People often comment 'Duolingo I extended my streak, please give my family back.' Or 'I finished my lesson, but I still see a green owl outside my bedroom window.' Duolingo embraces the outspoke...

Welcome to The Designer Scrapbook; a blog where I spill all the secrets of graphic design and give you an insider's perspective of the industry. 👀 Now, before we get into the tea-spilling and need-to-know's that is this blog, you should probably know who I am and what this blog is. 🤔 What is The Designer Scrapbook all about? This blog is really going to be about anything and everything graphic design! It's a true inside look at life as a young graphic designer who, let's face it, has a lot to learn BUT also a ton to share. It's all in the name, The Designer  Scrapbook . I'll be sharing all my genuine thoughts, ideas, insights, and personal experiences under the wide umbrella that is design.  If you are interested in learning about my personal experience of studying graphic design for three years, are a graphic designer who wants to utilize their skills and make extra income, are a business that needs some advice on how to implement their branding on social med...