10.08.2008

The Cobblers Children...

I have been blogging for over a year now. I started designing blogs in January. I'm going to tell you a little story without getting too specific...
I started blogging first and foremost because I was being a SAHM and I was losing my Photoshop skills. By blogging, I opened Photoshop every day (just to edit photos and do a custom header, but I was doing it). I went to Istockphoto like many other folks and bought a superwoman image. I had it in my head that a SAHM is a superwoman. There are days where I think if I could fly, things would get done a lot faster. Soooo, there I was with my little blog, and my little Istockphoto character.
I can't remember how long it took, months maybe, but someone else had the same character. Ugly emails were traded. I was accused on my blog of stealing my idea from this blogger. It was all ridiculous, and it is so in the past. My point is...THAT was the moment I decided to learn Illustrator.
Soon after I decided to throw my hat in the blog design arena. I was shocked how fast Illustrator came to me. Check out my stuff...I really enjoy it, can you tell:)
Here's my current dilema...I didn't draw the Napwarden character you see in my header:o I know, crazy, right? When I was accused of stealing my Istock character, I went right to Istock and bought a different superwoman, changed the whole look of my blog in one night, and kept on trucking. Now, I feel like my NW Superwoman is my brand. It's on my blog, my design blog, my MySpace page, my Twitter page, my Plurk page, my Create Buzz page...you get the picture.
Now that I know how to illustrate, it kind of drives me crazy that I didn't draw my own character! I have just always felt a bit of the cobblers children having no shoes ya know?
Here's what I'm thinking...What if I change the pose of this character? Get it? I keep the same character, put her in a totally different pose. That way, I haven't changed my brand, and I don't have to change all my other pages. I will then have the piece of mind of my own drawing being on my blog. What do you think? Am I just crazy?

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27 comments:

  1. oooooh.
    I dunno.

    You can do it. I know you can. I think if it's bothering you, then you should do it.

    You can do it. you amaze me daily with your designs and ideas. you're a rockstar.
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  2. I think you should give her a new look. I love her just the way she is, but I've seen enough of your work to know that if you started from scratch, you would ROCK IT.
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  3. I think you can find (make) a new image that picks up enough of the cues from the existing one that people won't not recognize the brand. Go for it.
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  4. Very hawt. (Sorry, I was just over at Tranny Head's blog.) But still. Your designs are hawt.

    I shall call upon you once day, professionally.
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  5. Oh, and to answer YOUR question, which is why I went to the comments and then got sidetracked . . .

    Embrace change. I say this because I know it is good, but I admit to giant suckage in the change department in my own life.

    I like your idea of changing the pose, but keeping the brand, etc. I like that a lot.
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  6. Sounds like a good compromise between keeping what you have and doing something new.
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  7. Do I even need to say anything??? Really . . .

    You are awesome.

    If you want, have a little fun with it and do it up. Or leave it . . .regardless, we love you here, there, or anywhere--in a dress, with a cape, a different pose, a rock star shape . . . (sorry to get all Dr. Suess on ya).
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  8. go for it, hon. make her your own.
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  9. Can you fix it?

    YES, YOU CAN!

    Sorry. We're been Bob the Builder crazed over here. That's been stuck in my head all day, but hey! it applies :-)
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  10. If you have the talent and it is really bothering you then you should switch it up.

    I can't wait to see what you come up with.
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  11. If it's bugging you, then go for it! I'm sure whatever you come up with will look great!
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  13. I think you should draw your own character. You're good and it would look fantastic.
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  14. I think you can do it in such a way that you maintain the integrity of your brand. Go for it! You'll feel better.

    Because I like change so much, I keep changing my header, but I keep the coffee and the handbags. It doesn't look the same, but hopefully those elements maintain the integrity of my brand, kwim?

    It bugs me that DCR Design does not in any way resemble Musings. I wonder if I should change it, but is it too late?

    I feel your pain.
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  15. I think you should. It will be fun and you can impress us with your awesome skills. We'll still be here for those words and stuff.
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  16. I'm amazed by your talent by doing designing, and I love your image. It reminds me of super hero cartoon except an extra ordinary mom. Which you are...really girl all that running.. Ok so if you change it .. I think it should be like she is running..I know typical, but it would fit.. I know what every you decide... it will be great..
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  18. Whatever floats yer boat! ;-) Definitely don't change her too much or you'll lose that brand. But I think you know that...
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  19. you should do it!!! i have been wondering what tool you would use to draw your own characters. i too love this stuff. guess i will have to get my hands on illustrator!
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  20. You totally rock! I'd love to see her in flight or flexing some NW muscle.
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  21. She is cute the way she is, but one glance at your own designs and I know that you could totally do better either on your own or just with a rework of what you've got. You're very talented!
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  22. I think you can do whatever you feel like doing. You are not stealing anything from anyone. That is just insane that people get all clingy over blogs - istockphoto is used for everything - of course it will be repeated. Even if you made a new character completley, it would rock. I'm sure of it.
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  23. Yes, you are awesome -- I totally love what you did for me and am always getting compliments on it. So, I think you should totally make a superwoman that is yours and yours alone. It'll look awesome!
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  24. Although I can understand wanting to draw her... she is your look. Oh, well it'll be good no matter what you do.
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  25. I think that is a perfect solution! Do it!
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  26. anglophilefootballfanatic.comOct 9, 2008 06:45 PM
    I think she's you wumman. I love her as she is - but if you feel like she needs some changes, go for it.
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  27. I think you should go for it! Question...is Illustrator hard to use? I have been designing stationery with publisher but it isn't really intended for that. I was looking for a new program and thought about Illustrator. Do you think it is worth it? Do you literally draw the person on the computer using your mouse or how does that work? Love your blog by the way...I can't believe the running story! I ran a small race in the rain and thought I would die so I can't imagine what you were feeling!!
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