Tagged: Liebster Award

There's a phenomenon called 'tagging' in this online world. It's a form of virtual, social round robin. Most people are already familiar with this, but I suppose a brief explanation is appropriate for anyone new here who are unfamiliar. A tag usually comes in a set of questions. These questions are set by a person who created the tag or receives a tag. When someone is tagged by another, they are expected to answer the questions given and tag another group of people by setting new questions for them (depending on the rules of the tag). Eventually, the tag is repeated and passed on to an infinite network of bloggers.

A month ago, I was tagged by Elsa who was previously from Crafty Hands and Pretty Nails for the Liebster Award, and over the past month, Elsa has since changed her blog to Totally Elsa. I really appreciate her nomination. At the same time, I had been busy with personal matters so I didn't manage to complete it. In this tag, I was given eleven questions to answer. :) The word 'liebster' was completely indistinguishable to me. And being curious to know what it meant, I did a little research, eventually finding that it's actually a German word for 'dearest'. Usually used in the beginning of letters, 'liebster' is a way to address to a very intimate person. :)

To be honest, I've expressed my reluctance previously when responding to 'tags'. As a reserved person, I tend to avoid discussing topics of my pesonal life online. This might explain why I haven't been active on other social networks. I do realise that this sounds silly because being open and gregarious is in fact some of the attributes or functions of bloggers. Refraining from being this might be a setback, since blogging is undeniably a form of social networking - personal blogs are created so people will know who bloggers are, what their lives are about. Yet this wasn't my agenda in my initial venture.

I wanted this space to inspire others. A large amount of readership would just be a plus point because the more readers, the greater number of people my lettering work manages to reach, and the greater number of people it will eventually inspire. As long as people felt motivated with the lettering quotes, pinning them or sharing them, the message has been understood, and there was already a triumphant sense of achievement. :)

The Challenge

I made a decision that instead of the usual way of answering questions from these tags directly, I'd explore a different way to approach it. I've taken some photographs displaying all the answers to the questions given by Elsa in her nomination/tag with hand lettering + illustrations. It's a neat new game I'd like to propose and give as a challenge. The answers shown are not direct, some are just doodles, and it's up to the reader to  interpret it. It'll be an interesting to see if you can match the answers to the questions in the photographs and test your deductive/visual skills. Some are pretty straight forward and relatively easy. Remember, every clue in the photograph counts - whether it was the person who said the quote or the content of the lettering. It's all in the details. :)

Questions from Elsa

01. Where would you like to travel to most?
02. What is your favourite food?
03. What is your favourite colour?
04. Do you like your first name or would you like to change it if you could?
05. What is your dream pet? (It can be anything.)
06. Do you have siblings and how well do you get along with them?
07. What are your favourite blogs/
08. What is your favourite TV series?
09. Talking or texting?
10. What is your worst fear?
11. What is your favourite activity?

Answers 
You may match the answers in the lettering + illustrations to the questions. (The photographs can be enlarged for zooming in with a click.) 

If you do try this challenge out and you'd like to see the individual lettering work from the photographs and the answers, the individual lettering work + their descriptions can be found here. (How many right answers did you manage to match?) This was made in the hope that people can put their deductive skills to the test instead of reading this tags in the usual manner, and be inspired by these quotes too. :)

And, as part of the rules of this tag, another eleven bloggers are meant to be tagged too. :)

Neal // Daily Diaries
Kanra // The Lunar Descent
Bryleigh // A Little Yarn Blossom
Envy // Picking Up The Pieces
Fatima // That Delete Button
Gina // Life and Lights
Kathie // A Sea Change
Imogen // Gossiping with Dragons
Amy // Little Moon Elephant
Olivia // Life As A Young Lady
Eve // Eve of Womanhood

The questions required to be answered for this tag are as follows. (The photograph can be enlarged for zooming in with a click.) 

I do realise that some of these bloggers have already completed this tag, but I have an exhaustive list of bloggers I am acquainted with, so it's completely optional if you intend to repeat the tag. Besides, these tags are just meant to be a virtual round robin, so if you don't wish to complete it, it's understandable because you can choose not to. :) I also intended to tag a few other bloggers I know of because I'm appreciative of their support, but the number of followers they have exceeds 200, and unfortunately, they didn't qualify to be nominated. 

My sister taught me this once - someone's personality can be sieved into their work and ultimately be inferred by others, whether it was their writing or any other form of expression, like lettering. It doesn't need to be explicitly shown. I'd also like to think it helps a person stay genuine - his work and life open to interpretation, and I do very much prefer being elusive.

This is not to say that I despise these 'tags' either, it's a great way to get to know others, and others to know myself. :) I'm also very much sincerely appreciative of the nomination from Elsa. I'd just like to make a confession that I'm not very good at these things. I prefer to be a little like a mystery, not the one that teases and leads people on, but one that isn't so vulnerable with private things. Someone whose motives are pure and obvious, but everything-else is something to discover. Apologies for this extremely long post. 

Until next time ♥

Lettering + Photos by me

Click here for the direct answers to the tag. + Update: I've created a new collection called The Minimalist Collection where I've round up some of the best minimal and simple lettering pieces including some from this post. You may also find it in the Work tab on the menu. Will update the collection occasionally with more lettering work based on simplicity and minimal graphics. :)

I'm finally back from my break, it's so refreshing just to dust off this little space and do a little spring cleaning. Glad to be back and hear + catch up with everyone. + Let me know what you think of this way of completing tags as well by leaving a comment, I'd love to hear any constructive feedback. Thank you. :)

Completed Project: Sophie Smith

Working together with a person from another part of the world is an interesting experience. Mutual respect and understanding is extremely important when we work on projects because it ensures that the process runs smoothly and the outcome is well-received and satisfied by both parties. I'd hoped to maintain a healthy relationship with everyone, and taking any collaborations with anyone new was a bold step for myself. 

Last January, I had the privilege to work with a blogger from Australia, Sophie, who originally owned Catcus Blog (some might have heard of this interesting blog). This being my first collaboration, I was pretty excited. 

Sophie had contacted me and asked to help in creating a blog header with my hand lettering for her new self-titled blog, Sophie Smith. This wonderful lifestyle blog shares beautiful photos with content like the DIY, fashion and travel videos. I must say that the highlight of her blog (for myself at least), is her photography and travel posts with videos. I have difficulties compiling the best scenes from my own travel videos because there's too many scenes to pick out, but Sophie makes these really beautiful travel video montages that summarises her entire trip. 

If you would look at Sophie's Instagram, you'll find she has a clean, bright, simple style, so we aimed to incorporate similar elements in the header. I loved the pastel orange and yellow colour palette she fancied, and made a little moodboard with my lettering and some of her favourite colours and photos from her Instagram.

yellow flower in hand / sunset / picnic / orange potted plant / (Sophie's Instagram)

picnic lettering / sun doodle / watercolour / done by myself

With a bubbly and bright lifestyle blog, the hand lettering for the header had to have an edgy, unique personal touch too. So I chose to use a brush with a drier and rougher texture and offered a simple contrasting addition to the lettering, a stroke of orange watercolour. Here's some of the headers explored during the process, where afterwards, some of them were shortlisted.

This is also my first attempt at creating an inspiration/design board, (I wouldn't call it a brand board because this is a really small project). The board below depicts a finalised version of the project, including design elements. I made the simple orange water colour splashes and strokes for design elements like her Favicon or submark to add a homely and personal feel to the whole style. I'd like to stress that I'm no professional, and I'm still learning. I do realise that it is not the best, so I'm happy to receive any blows and criticisms gladly. :)

Inspiration photos on design board from Sophie's Instagram

A photo posted by sophie smith (@sophiesmithblog) on Mar 30, 2015 at 8:11pm PDT

Sophie has amazing photography skills, and I'll definitely recommend following her on Instagram because her feed is really consistent and beautiful. :)

During the process, I also gave Sophie suggestions and ideas to the design elements of the blog that would fit with the header I created. She also gave her ideas and I honestly couldn't have completed this project without her ideas too. Sophie was really sweet and polite, and I think these factors made our collaboration a really pleasant one. :)

I must profess I didn't actually offer services like designing blog headers or graphics. In fact, I had some initial reservations on taking up this project. But when Sophie approached me, I decided working with someone new was an adventure in itself, and I love adventures. Besides, it would be a great way to get my work out there as well. I looked up if I should make a contract, think about the whole design process. Then l realised that I was just starting, and it was nothing too serious, so it wasn't necessary, although we did lay out some simple regulations on both our parts. 

I just treat hand lettering this as a hobby, something I do for leisure time, so it's completely non-profit and I enjoyed myself creating it. Sophie's enthusiasm and amiability made working with her a fruitful journey. Her openness to ideas and constructive feedback had made the collaboration end on a happy note as well, and it was such a pleasure to work with her. 

This project made me realise the importance of cooperation and keeping healthy rapport through collaborations or any other relationships for that matter. They didn't just need mutual respect, they need honest, direct communication. When both people feel comfortable expressing their needs and concerns, trust and bonds are strengthened. :)

Until next time! ♥

Design elements + lettering by me, inspiration photos  from Sophie Smith's Instagram

On another note, just to clarify, I'm not exactly back from my break yet, this is just a temporary return to showcase my completed project back in January. I will return posting regularly somewhere in April. Happy Tuesday. :)

Breaking Away

Some might have realised my absence in this space for several weeks. I've mentioned previously on my about page that I started this little space to fill up my three-month hiatus while waiting for my results. Last week, that day had finally come, and everything had returned to the busy state as it were three months ago. 

Admittedly, I was fearful and worried of what was to become of this space. Would readers stick around? I didn't want to lose the beat this was building. I do realise that letting this space sit idle for a month can be brutal on readers and traffic. It's bounce rate was already increasing slightly after two weeks, and while traffic mostly came from Pinterest, it was still losing it's momentum. Yet, it was time to step away from the screen, and set new priorities.

The more important realisation was that I needed a break (as much as everyone has to sometimes) to focus on crucial university applications and other administrative matters. I'm going to embark on a new phase in my life. There isn't time for everything, and I didn't want to abandon this space completely. A poet, Nayyirah Waheed, had mentioned this quote above, reminding us that sometimes we just need to take a breath, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start over when we're ready again.

I suppose it'd be courteous to explain my future disappearances or infrequencies in posting something as well. It'll probably be a month or so before I finally manage to get back up on my feet again. I'd just like to state the reason to this temporary pause concisely, and give a time frame for my expected return. I want to ensure that readers are informed and (hopefully) look forward for future posts. 

Apologies for the long wait and this short post. I may check in once in a while, and I'll be looking forward to your updates as well. Finally, a blog is nothing without its readers. I'm grateful for all. I'm so appreciative of all the support that has been given, and I'd like to thank God and everyone for having this creative part of my life. 

Until next time ♥

Lettering + Photo by me