2011 has been an immense year for three29design. Here’s why:

The Full Metal Jacket piece I created was chosen to feature in the digital Stanley Kubrick exhibition which ran alongside the Paris Exhibition. I also had several posters I created picked up by The Picmix Store and sold.

Locally, three29design has gained exposure, seeing as we did things the other way round by concurring overseas before the local area. I also was asked to work with my local Peugeot garage – this happened via twitter, so lets all bow to the mighty twitter and it’s powers.

Popularity: 6% [?]

The South Cheshire Chamber Business Awards were held at Crewe Hall, a truly amazing venue. I had never been to a black tie before, so to be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. The night started with me feeling quite socially awkward as the room filled up with faces I didn’t know, and dressed up looking glitzy.

After finishing the 3 course meal the awards started. I was slightly nervous… After seeing who I was up against I honestly thought I had no chance, after seeing a name on that list I thought they had it in the bag. As I started to hear Jo from Bentley speak about the winner, that oddly enough sounded like me, I was in a bit of shock… did, not, expect, that. After that everything is a blur lol. I went up on stage, collected my award and did a speech from the top of my head in front of 200+ business owners, had a few pictures and sat back down, still in shock. The nerves had gone but I was still shaking like crazy! After the awards were over, it was all go, pictures, interviews, networking, buying mum glasses of wine, the lot!

Well done to all those who won this year, including CTC Physiotherapy who I shared a table with, such a great bunch of people (we had the lucky table!). And to all those who were nominated, as Dr. Gav said to me before, you have already won by being in the book that so many business owners read through. There’s always next year

It’s a great feeling to have this type of recognition for my business. I did things the odd way round and started my business by working with clients overseas, mostly in America. However, I’m now trying to work locally, to make local businesses and individuals look awesome, in person and in pixel. This award will definitely kick start that!

I have a lot of people to thank, for giving me support and believing in me to get the job done. Firstly to all the clients who chose to work with me and trusted me with their hard earned cash – especially those who have worked with me from the start, throughout the price rises! Thank you to my parents and friends for backing me up and supporting me throughout. Redshift radio and the hub for getting me into the local offline networking that I hadn’t been involved with before. And finally to Jo and all the Judges from Bentley Motors, I’ll see you in five years to collect my Bentley GT

Liv

x

Popularity: 1% [?]

I will be on Redshift Radio on Tuesday 22nd November at 11am on the Business Day-to-Day show and this time I’ll be talking about social media.

I don’t claim to be one of these social media experts. I don’t study it, but I have used it since I was quite young… back when Hi5 was the big one. Who remembers that? Hi5 then Myspace then Bebo then Facebook then Twitter. What’s next? Okay.. I did use it just for fun back then but I started my business due to social media and built a loyal client base on Myspace which continued through Facebook and Twitter. I made money through these social networks, like many of us do, however too many people overlook them and that’s where I’ll come in. I just want to help more local individuals and businesses get online.

So if you’re yet to get on Twitter, or still don’t have a clue how to use it to your advantage it may be worth tuning in.

You can listen on 87.7 FM in Crewe and the surrounding areas. For everyone else, listening online is available via www.redshiftradio.co.uk

Popularity: 1% [?]

I’ve been working on some artwork for the Heatwave Festival which takes place around Australia in Febuary with Tech N9ne, D12, Obie Trice and others on the line up which I can’t yet speak of. Anyway, recently I did a vinyl wrap design for the VIP bus. Here’s some work in progress pictures for you. Somethings had to be moved around by the printers, as I’m so far away and no exact template of the bus was available.

Tech N9ne himself shall grace this bus with his presence.

Popularity: 2% [?]

For those of you who managed to get your hands on my Halloween giveaway of printed postcards (taken from the simply horror series), your packs are on there way to you! >:) Sorry to those who emailed just a fraction too late. All gone sorry… But be sure to follow 329 on Twitter and like us on Facebook as there will be more giveaways in the future!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Today, September 4th, marks the second birthday of Three29Design which I set up after finishing college and deciding to take the plunge by starting my own business instead of going to university (I couldn’t handle any more sitting in a classroom) or finding work. So far so good!

I never planned to start my own business, or to work in design at all. It just kind of happened. I had always wanted to join the Army, go to Sandhurst to train as an officer in the Royal Artillery. Unfortunately things don’t always work out the way you planned, but when one door shuts another opens.

I had done odd jobs during college but it was just a small amount of money made. It’s all thanks to Myspace really, it may be forgotten and dead now but it did have it’s golden years, where artists would pay huge amounts to some of the designers I looked up to (like C-Le GFX who I was able to work with a few years later) and those artists would be getting noticed by the record labels. Just think about how many people learned to use photoshop and the basics of HTML & CSS because of myspace allowing you to customize your profile.

I still love working with recording artists, producers, DJ’s and labels, some of my favorite projects are music based, but within the past two years I have moved away from just doing music based design and have worked with businesses, both local and international along with other individuals like social media guru’s, motor companies and authors. I like to be versatile and have all sorts of different projects coming in – the same thing over and over again just ends up burning you out. The type of clients who aren’t afraid to try new things are the best. Whether they’re business owners or recording artists. The ones who don’t want to blend into the crowd with there overly done mixtape covers or traditionally boring marketing material. Those guys and gals are cool and great fun to work with You know who you are!

Over the past year I’ve met a lot of awesome people through the job, from other local business owners via Redshift Radio (the local radio station) – which I also appeared on as a guest, to art exhibitions, and other local businesses. I aim to carry on networking locally so I can do more work around my area as well as 1000s of miles away.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me. Whether you’re a client who chose to work with me instead of 100s of other options, or another creative who gave me valuable feedback on my work and portfolio or someone close to me who supported me when I needed it. I really, really appreciate it.

For the future I hope to get a nice office somewhere local and maybe employ a couple of awesome people to help build up my business. I’m also aiming to send off my CV to agency’s incase they need a freelancer to help out when they’re busy, and try to build up my name from there. But hey, let’s just go with the flow and see what the future holds because there’s a long road ahead of me. Just remember, take every opportunity that’s handed to you – but also make opportunities for yourself, don’t always rely on others.

Roll on year three!

- Liv

Popularity: 1% [?]