Happy New Years!

Happy New Years! I'm quite excited for this year. I brought in 2013 with the amazing company of my boyfriend and his family in San Diego, which was a nice treat since I rarely get to see them. I'm also excited because for the first time I made New Years resolutions/goals! Now don't get me wrong I have always had the thought in my head to do goals, but never got around to writing them down. Since 2012 was such a big year for me with many changes I feel like 2013 is really starting out fresh.

As much as I'd like to share all my goals for this year (the bigger the support system the more likely you are to accomplish them, right?) I doubt you'd want to hear all my cliché ones that are on everyone's list (lose weight anyone?). So here are a few of my design goals that I am really looking forward to accomplishing this year:

1. Get Organized

I am the most disorganized person I know. I don't even know where to start with organizing my design life. These past 6 months I have been researching (and designing) a lot of planner sheets for home/life binders and I'm excited to see how those will be integrated into my design life. It's a start but I'm hoping with those printables (which I'm looking forward to sharing with you), my iPhone, laptop, and 2 calendars I will get more organized. Or at least see which way is best for me.

2. Build my Brand

In the next couple weeks I will be launching my portfolio website and printing out business cards. I also just did a complete redesign of my logo, so I have to go through the motion of redesigning my stationary package. Also, I am looking to redesign my blog so that it fits me and the design work I do.

3. Challenge Myself

This year I really want to learn HTML/CSS at least some basics. I used to know how to do it pretty well in high school, but it's been years since I've written code let alone learned all the new things that have come out. I also got a Bamboo tablet, so I want to learn how to integrate that more into my designs. Either way, I just want to get out of my shell and push myself to learn new things. Which brings me to my next goal

4. Keep Learning!

It is really easy for me to get lazy and stop researching and stay on Pinterest all day. I should be using the internet to learn about the new things that are going on and how to network and all that jazz. But also I need to pick up books again. In college I used to have to read a ton of design books and I have kind of avoided them since, but I'm excited to start learning from books again.

and finally,

5. Be Confident

Plain and simple, I need to gain confidence in my work and what I do. If I don't have confidence none of my goals will even begin to get accomplished nor will I get anywhere in the design world.

So those are my some of my new years goals, what are yours?

-Diana