Design Teams 101 {Pt . 3}
Happy Monday!
So now that you’ve read a little bit about what companies are looking for, tips for applying and the benefits of being on a team, I wanted to address some of the other tidbits about a design team. This week I won’t have feedback from the lovely contributors, but I’ll bring them back again next week!
Today I wanted to answer some of the questions that you all have asked during this series. It was so fun to read your questions! If I didn’t answer your question in this post, I’ll do another round up of questions at the end of this series!
Today’s topics: does a team hinder creativity, how to handle DT rejection and being on multiple design teams and time commitment.
This is such a great question! For me personally, when I was previously on a design team, it was initially hard to get into the routine of creating- especially when a specific stamp set/ product was chosen. If you’re on a team for a company, it’s always good to do a little research to see if their style/ brand is something you would buy yourself. If you aren’t crazy about their products and wouldn’t buy them yourself, this probably isn’t going to be a good fit for you as a designer. Companies want people who are EXCITED about their products; it shows in your posts and projects.
I will state that every once in a while, you might find yourself needing to work with a product that exactly your favorite- that’s okay! Not every product has to be your favorite, but if you can make it fit into YOUR style or crafting and be creative with it, that’s what us (as companies) are looking for.
As far as deadlines, I will state that I typically am one that works well under pressure. If I know I need to have a specific theme or product showcased, this is a great starting point. Each team is different in their assignments and deadlines, but I know that some of them you have to create as soon as you receive the product. I’ll admit that there were a few times as a guest designer where I needed to do this and it DID hinder creativity working under an extreme deadline. As a designer you want to make your projects beautiful (as you should since they are attached to your name and brand), but typically, being on a team should enhance your creativity and not do the opposite.
This question is one I remember all too well. While I can’t say that I’ve ever been rejected from a team I really wanted to be on, I can relate in correlation to wanting my cards to be published. I was fortunate and got the very first thing I submitted published and then it was a long, dry spell.
After being published so quickly, I proceeded to apply to multiple publications, only to be rejected time and time again. It was hard and I know you all know the feeling. I will admit that I did shed tears after not getting emails from an editor (that I truly thought I would receive). It was hard the first time, but then not hearing back the second, third, fourth…. time was even harder. I started taking it personally and almost wanted to stop crafting all together. I then had to step back and realize that I was putting way too much pressure on myself and I was taking the JOY out of crafting. I stopped submitting and fell in love with crafting all over again.
When I took a step back, I not only developed a love for crafting again, but my love for blogging came back as well. All of the time and effort I had put into submitting, I refocused into other areas and then a whole bunch of other opportunities came after that. Isn’t it funny how that happens?
Before I answer this question, I must note that each company has different policies. Some will say that you must work exclusively for their company during your term, others may note you cannot be on conflicting teams (one that has similar styles or products) and some teams may not have any kind of clause at all.
For the PPP team, I do not mind at all that my designers are on other teams. In fact, I love that they are! Each of my designers have a unique style and come from different crafting backgrounds; many of which have been molded by the teams they have been on previously. I love when they can mix the stamp companies they work with and showcase them with PPP products. This crafting world has so many wonderful companies and I have always been an advocate of bringing companies together.
With that being said, I do try my best not to have designers who overlap with other companies who sell predominately sequins and other embellishments.
There really is not set answer for this. As mentioned above, each time will have different assignments and requirements, and each designer has their own style. For one person a card may typically take an hour and another person could take 20 minutes.
I do want to mention that being on a design team is so much more than creating a card for an assignment. You’ll also need to photograph and edit the project, type up the post, add in the necessary info…. some teams may ask that you also post on social media to promote the assignment, or upload to Flickr, Pinterest, Facebook. My biggest tip in all of this: STAY ORGANIZED. A calendar dedicated to your assignments, or a spreadsheet of some sort will 1) keep you from falling behind deadlines 2) keep you sane 3) be a world of difference to the design team coordinator/ company owner.
More on that in the last segment of this series….
Have a specific question you want answered? Leave it here and I’ll try to answer it before this series ends.
If you are new to blogging, or want some info on how to make your blog stand out and be “design team ready”, I created a five part series last year that you may enjoy. Just click the graphic above!
I hope that you all have been learning and enjoying this series- it truly was created for YOU. I can’t wait to share the remaining info I have from the contributors next week- they have so much great feedback to share! If you have found this series helpful, be sure to tell a friend!
Until next time…
Hi Paulina,
You did a great job on this third installment of the series, it reflects my own experiences. If it’s ok, I’d like to share some of those here for your readers:
I got rejected from a couple of design teams I applied to and was just as devastated as everyone would be and I had the same experience as you: I took a step back and evaluated my work and realized I had been way too focused on creating stuff that would match those teams and companies, but wasn’t really my own style. Naturally, the work that I delivered wasn’t the best it could be and that’s why I got rejected.
After I realized that, I started creating for myself and for the people receiving my cards. Not only did I enjoy that process much more, but I’ve been invited to two design teams without even applying. The people in charge saw my photos, read my blog posts, watched my videos and I think it transpired how much I love creating. Otherwise I don’t think they’d have asked me to come on board. So, having fun with what you are doing is, in my mind, super important and can’t be stressed enough.
Sometimes, I do feel challenged, especially if the theme of the DT turns to something I haven’t tried before. But I love that – it forces me to think outside of my comfort zone and come up with new and creative solutions. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have stretched my creative muscles as far and wouldn’t have grown as much as a crafter, hadn’t it been for my commitments to the teams I’m a part of. So, to me the DT wasn’t a constraint but something that helped me grow.
As for the time requirements: creating the cards does take time, so does good photography, editing the photos, writing good and engaging blog posts. And for me, often times there are videos that need editing and narrating. Plus visiting participants of challenges to leave comments (not canned responses).
Despite the expectations and the time commitment, I’m still doing what I enjoy. I love crafting, so creating projects for the DT goes right along with that. I love the vibe in the crafting community, so I enjoy leaving comments (and receiving them :) ). But I’ve also intentionally not applied to some design team calls in the recent past because I realized that while I liked their products, I wasn’t crazy about them and then a DT membership would have turned into a chore, not a pleasant experience.
So, to echo you, Paulina: do what you like and love and the rest will simply fall into place.
Another awesome installment; I am not only learning a lot about design teams, but just creating in general. The bit on handling rejection…we could all use that advice!
Fantastic Part 3 Paulina! Although I have not made it onto a DT yet, a good start is submitting for Guest Designer gigs :) I have been invited to be a Guest DT member a few times now, and it’s a SUPER exciting way to get your feet wet. Also, when submitting your creations to your fav crafting magazines, don’t fret about not seeing your designs right away! The way I see it–The editors receive hundreds if not thousands of samples a month and some publications are only quarterly produced (I have a background in publishing), so, give yourself some time. Even if you aren’t published with the first round of goodies that you submit, keep trying! That doesn’t mean that your creations weren’t liked, so take it easy on yourself. I pretty much tell myself–I don’t expect to see my cards in magazines, BUT, I will keep trying anyway and keep submitting–You’ve gotta be in it, to win it! Happy Monday everyone and keep on crafting!! It’s worth it!! XOXO-Shari T.
Another very helpful post. Thanks!
Great answers to these questions, Paulina! I especially loved your feedback on rejection. Instead of letting rejection shut you down, you used it to turn your direction and found your niche. <3
Loved this post! Especially the part about handling rejection! You inspired me to talk about my own story of dealing with rejection in the crafting world. Will write up a blog post sometime soon!
Thank you Paulina. This has been a very interesting and informative series. I also checked out your Blogging 101 too. I don’t have a blog and am still a bit tentative to start, but you have given me ‘food for thought’.
thank you so much for doing this series.. I’m very much interested in joining DTs…. this will help me a lot..
-Berina
Moxie Craftie
Excellent article again. Really enjoying these.
Hi Paulina,
I have a question. There are so many stamping companies out there, that I am finding new stamps that I love all the time.
My wallet doesn’t agree with me buying everything . If I wanted to start desgining with a new stamp comany but could only afford one or two stamp sets/ products. What type of stamp set would you recommend we start off with? Images? Words?
Also what do companies like to see when your using thier product on your card (how often you use their product on one card?)
Thanks :)
xoxo
Hi Tina!
Great questions. If you can only afford two stamp sets from a company, I would recommend choosing ones that have versatility. Generally, a sentiment set is good and maybe one of their popular image sets. Companies are looking for unique and creative uses of their stamps- so if you showcase their sets in a way they have never seen before, that’s really going to stand out. :)
I have loved and enjoyed all three parts of your series. So much information that is helpful in crafting goals but also in life. I don’t ever remember seeing anyone doing a series like this. I appreciate your time and research in putting this together. Thanks Paulina!!!
Paulina, Thank you so much for taking your time to share these valuable lessons. I am very grateful to have all of this great information for reference and learning. Lots of great information that I would never know to think about – especially around your own personal brand. Thank you!