This post came from my second Kickstarter Campaign — and I’m giving it a permanent home here — enjoy!
I've been working in the design industry for years. Everything from production to branding and packaging to running my own freelance business. Ironically, I actually didn't study graphic design in college because I didn't want to get stuck behind a computer all day. Ha! So, I double-majored in Art and Spanish — and dumped my time into photography and printmaking.
But during my senior year, I lived in Puerto Rico for six months — to complete a thesis project, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and gain fluency in Spanish. While I was there, Habitat had a need for someone to rework design materials. From college, I knew just enough to be dangerous on creative software, so I decided on the spot to teach myself. And I did.
It turned out I loved graphic design. The way that design put work boots on what otherwise could be lofty, conceptual artistic ideas — and was able to get those ideas in front of the masses. I loved the way that design pushed me to do more with less — to walk a tight rope between simplicity of form and complexity of function. The only problem was that I only had one semester of school to go and I wasn't game for switching majors at the last second.
So, I started doing enough pro bono projects to pull together a portfolio and land me a job at an ad agency in Metro Detroit — but only doing production work. Those years hard-wired into me a keen eye for detail and design consistency and, for an art major, less exciting, but super-important, things like managing deadlines and people. The job was very time-intensive and the creative side of me was dying. I remember trying to pitch myself to Creative Directors and having them look at my book and say "Bethany you know we love working with you, but this isn't really going to work. I'm not sure you are an designer. Clearly photography is your greatest strength." Stuff like that.
I believed I had it in me though, and just kept pouring over books, taking on side jobs and building my book until I landed another job as a Designer / Art Director working on branding and packaging. And it fit like a glove.
I'll spare the details, but this pattern of others (or even my own self!) questioning if I had what it took repeated itself — every time I went to take a leap to add another tool into my arsenal:
From Photography to Design
From Design to Illustration
From Working for Others to Working for Myself
From Illustration to Writing
From Writing to Creating Videos
From Being an Internet Hermit to Launching a Kickstarter — hahaha
Our kids sometimes get frustrated when they’re trying to draw something new and will say something like “Forget it! I can never draw a lizard like you mom!” Of course, that doesn't fly around me and I encourage them to correct it — “No, the right thing to say is ‘I need more practice at drawing a lizard.” They roll their eyes but it’s the stinkin’ truth. My path has been super non-linear and the school of hard knocks is slow and tough. But, at every turn I kept practicing. Because I believe practice makes pathways.
I was asked recently how long Lulu's project has taken me. I guess the question caught me off-guard. I sputtered and rambled my way back through time — and I didn't even fully land the plane with an answer! Later when I thought more about it, I realized it's maybe in the realm of an embarrassingly long nearly 2.5 year range (from storyboards > writing > re-writing > illustrating > re-illustrating > starting a self-publishing company > producing initial samples > learning how to shoot/edit videos > editing the manuscript with a couple of editors > to launching a Kickstarter that didn’t go > re-launching this Kickstarter > today :) ).
I share all of that because over the last couple of days, I’ve found myself so full of gratitude. Over the last couple of years, I’ve struggled with feeling like I’m super ridiculous for pouring this much time and life into this little story and this little beaver — just hoping she can connect someday with kids. But I can’t tell you enough how each day when I see there’s been another person here or there that has backed the project that it has really meant the world to me. The truth is, I’ve needed all of you to help bring this dream to life.
I know this is a long one, but wanted you to know how much I appreciate you, and wanted to share a bit of amazing news before I hop off. Because Lulu is officially on her way to being published, it’s enabled me to get the ball rolling! So far, I’ve been invited to two schools to share Lulu’s story — and to do creative projects with younger kids and a character design workshop with some older kids! Thank you for believing in Lulu and what she has to share. I hope she’s used to spark a ton of hope and encouragement in many kids’ lives. I can’t thank you enough.
We’re amazingly only a few book bundles away from hitting that next stretch goal and adding those drawing prompt pages to the activity book — if there’s a friend, coach, parent, teacher, artist, writer or anyone else that comes to mind who you think might enjoy Lulu, I’d be grateful for you to pass her along. We still have about two and a half days to go!
P.S. This is a segment from my original video last spring that shares part of this story — it was cut because the entire video was way too long!