Making a Media Kit For my Blog

Creating a media kit for my blog has been at the back of my mind for quite some time now. I think it's such a useful document to have, not only for brands, but for yourself as well. I consider it a record as much as I consider it a resume. I found it really enjoyable, compiling all my blog's info and then displaying it on a page. It was a great opportunity for me to really nail down my blog's profile as well as get an idea for my where my strengths lay and where my areas for improvement were. 

The first step I took in creating my media kit was scrolling through existing designs on Pinterest. Once I had found a couple of layouts/compositions that stood out to me, I was able to go on to Photoshop and get straight into making my own. Something that I probably should of done before actually starting the design process, was figure out what kind of information I was wanting to include. I realised, halfway into making my media kit, that I was trying to cram way too much info onto the one page. And a majority of the stuff I was wanting to add wasn't even that necessary anyway. I was basically just reiterating what I had already mentioned/ written about. If I were to make another media kit, I would make sure that I properly plan out the information side of things. 

Since I'm such a visual person, I was really keen to incorporate both photos and graphics into my media kit. It was definitely a balancing act making sure the ratio of writing to imagery was even but I think I managed to achieve a good in between. Overall, I'm quite pleased with how my first ever media kit turned out. Here's the final product! 

Thanks for reading! Do you have a media kit for your blog? Or if not, are you thinking about making one?

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How to Have an Instagram Theme

Bloggers have the most inspiring Instagram feeds. Whether it be a mouth watering food pic, a breath taking landscape shot or a beautifully arranged flay lay, Instagram is a gold mine for photo inspiration. It's so easy to lose yourself in the scrolling and sometimes I get so immersed in the app, I find it near impossible to exit out. For today's post, I thought I'd focus on how to create your very own Instagram theme. Obviously having an Instagram theme isn't for everyone but if you are keen on the idea and just don't know where to start, hopefully you'll find this post helpful in some way! 

Establish a Colour Scheme
In most Instagram themes, colour is what brings the feed together. Settling on an appropriate colour scheme is, in my point of view, the most important part of creating your Instagram theme. If you're wanting to work with a group of colours, you want to make sure that you have a strong understanding of the colour wheel. Complimentary colours will create a much stronger visual effect especially when they're in such close proximity. If you're choosing to focus on one colour, make sure you're passionate enough about it so it doesn't become restrictive. 

Plan Before Uploading
Photo planning apps are a lifesaver when it comes to finding your perfect arrangement. The fact that you can shuffle your images around before uploading them is a great tool to have. Especially because it can give you an indication of when or if you should post an image. The order of photos can really affect the way your feed looks as a whole. It's so easy to post a picture that throws off your entire theme. Photo planning apps just allow you to make sure you know what you're getting into before putting it out into the world. 

Reuse Props
Finding new things to photograph can be tricky, especially if you're having to consider how it will match your feed. Having a common photo subject can make your life a whole lot easier. Don't be afraid to reuse certain photo props. Especially if they work well your theme. It can unify your photos in a completely new way. 

Be Consistent With Editing
If you like to edit your photos, you should try stick with the same settings each and every time. Filters can really change the feel of an image. If you're not really into colour schemes, filters are a great alternative. Depending on what kind of theme you're hoping to achieve, you want to make sure you're using filters appropriately. It's okay to experiment a little bit, just don't stray don't far from what you're used to. In order to have a cohesive feed, it's important all your photos give off the same feel. 

Thanks for reading! Do you have an Instagram theme?

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What Type of Designer Could You be? - Quiz

This week I went to talk to a designer about design in the workplace. After my session with him, it hit me just how much I wanted to be doing the things he was doing one day. It was such a cool realisation to have. I think everyone has what it takes to be a designer and that's what I'm wanting to prove in this week's quiz. Based on what you enjoy and your current perception of designers, I'm going to see whether or not I can guess what type of design job would suit you best. Hope you enjoy! 

1. The two hobbies I wouldn't mind making a career out of are...
A) Blogging and photography. 
B) Sewing and knitting.
C) Tidying and organisation.
D) Sketching and journalling.

2. To me, a good designer...
A) Is always wanting to develop on what they already know.
B) Isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd. 
C) Is constantly looking for new ways to be inspired.
D) Is empathetic and understand's the client's needs well.

3. I believe the aesthetic of a design...
A) Should coincide with the function.
B) Is good to think about sometimes but not all the time.
C) Is the most important aspect.
D) Shouldn't be a priority at all.

4. If I were to create something, my dream would be seeing it...
A) On a billboard.
B) In a store.
C) In a magazine.
D) On TV.

5. I think it is important a designer knows how to...
A) Overcome creative block.
B) Deal with plagiarism.
C) Handle criticism.
D) Communicate their ideas.

6. I've always been interested in...
A) The hidden messages behind different company logos.
B) Where my clothes have come from.
C) The different design eras and time periods. 
D) Famous inventions and how they came about.

7. I think a designer should do what they do because...
A) It makes them happy.
B) They love creating things.
C) It showcases what they're good at.
D) They want to make a change.

8. If I were to sum up design in one word it would probably be...
A) Collaborative.  
B) Empowering.
C) Satisfying.
D) Influential. 

9. I find I'm always losing my...
A) USB stick.
B) Socks. 
C) Home key. 
D) Eraser.

10. If I could work at any workplace in the world, it would probably be...
A) Google.
B) Vogue.
C) Dezeen.
D) IDEO.

You Could be a.......

(Mostly A's)
Graphic Designer
You're a tech savvy. You have a strong understanding for all things digital. When people have a problem with their device, you're the first person they'll go to for help. Your experience with technology will allow you to go far as a graphic designer.  

(Mostly B's)
Fashion Designer
You're a fashionista at heart. You love shopping for clothes and being experimental with different patterns and materials. In your eyes, putting together an outfit is like creating a work of art. The fashion industry could really use someone like you. 

(Mostly C's)
Interior Designer
You're obsessed with spaces. You love going to homeware stores and paint shops, finding unique decor and picking up colour swatches. Your eye for layout and colour matching would make you a perfect fit for this role. 

(Mostly D's)
Product Designer
You're constantly questioning the world around you. You have a strong appreciation for the smaller things in life. The things most people take for granted. Your curiosity and ability to think outside the box would make you an incredible product designer. 

Thanks for taking the quiz! 

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Tips For Organising Your Phone

I think I'm a pretty organised person. Efficiency is really important to me so in order to keep things running smoothly, I'll try to keep the mess and clutter to a minimal. My phone is definitely a good example of this. For me, I think keeping your phone tidy actually improves the functionality of this device. Not only does it speed up the phone's reaction time, it also makes it easier to find the things that you need when you need them. Let me know if you found this post helpful in the comment section below! I'd love to hear what you think!

Transfer Photos to Computer

It's always a good idea to regularly check the status of your storage as this will give you a good starting point for your decluttering. When it comes to a certain app weighing down your phone, the gallery is a common culprit. Photos are so easy to accumulate, It's understandable to overlook the amount of storage these photos are actually taking up. While it's okay to keep your favourite photos at easy reach, it doesn't hurt to transfer the rest. Making it a regular ritual will also make sure that you're not losing out on any of that valuable storage space. 

Use Folders to Group Apps

I don't like having too many pages on my phone because it can make it really difficult to locate a specific app in a short amount of time. At the moment, I've limited my page number to two only. The way I achieved this was by grouping my apps in folders. Categorising your apps is a really useful thing to do. I have several themed folders including a "Social Media" one, a "Photography" one and a "Games" one. Especially with the apps you don't often use but still need, folders are a good way to keep them in one place and off to the side a little bit.

Go Through Notes

I love using notes. If I don't have a pen and paper, the notes app is the next best thing. Most of the time, I use notes to write down any thoughts or ideas I have on the go. I used to keep my notes for ages. Most of the time, these notes didn't need to be there anymore. Either I had executed the task or recorded it somewhere else. I think it's nice to go through your notes every once in a while. You can delete any unnecessary ones as well as check for any ones you may have forgotten about. 

Check Your Recents

I'm always conscious of my recent apps. I used to make a habit of clearing them to save battery power until I heard it has absolutely no affect on the lifespan of your phone. Nowadays I like to keep the recents of my favourite apps so I'm not having to restart them every time I use them. I'll still discard tabs, just not all of them. Even though it doesn't really make a difference to your phone, it's still a good idea to keep your recents under control. 

Thanks for reading! 

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