Sunday, January 13, 2008

Branding

A few things going on professionally this year as I will finally be attending the SCBWI (Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators) winter conference in February. What took me so long? After all, I live in NY and can conveniently attend, without worrying about hotels and traveling. To be honest, I was worried if I was "good enough" to attend. But, this January marks the beginning of my third year as a working freelance illustrator. That counts for something, right? I'm excited to meet those of you who are attending. Come up to me and say "cluck cluck!"

Other news, My agent, formerly HK Portfolio, is now MB Artists. Same great agent, just under a different name!

To prepare for the conference, first things up- some new business cards.
I wasn't crazy about the old design. I wanted to take the emphasis off of the big text that read Chickengirl Design, and more of my actual name and style. I won't abandon the chicken branding anytime soon, it has worked well for me. But as I get older, I wonder, is it too immature for me to be "chickengirl?" Anyways, the new design suits me, for now!

By the way, there is a nice little deal going on now over at psprint where you can get 50 business cards for $4.95 plus shipping. (the offer ends 1/31!). 50 cards are plenty for me, so thats where I will be getting them done!

28 comments:

Danielle McDonald said...

Lucky thing! Those of us who can't make the trip are relying on you to give us all of the gory details on the conference! Sounds like quite a group of you meeting up too! Enjoy.
I love you new business card by the way! Good luck with everything.

zime said...

You're ready girl!!!! You're very professional and a talent illustrator, you're ready for everything you propose!!!
By de way your bussines card looks great!! More mature ;) jeje
Good luck!! (^v^)

PaMdora said...

Love the new card -- looks like you're really going places! I hope you post about the conference. I just joined that organization last fall, but am no where ready to attend a conference. I'd just like to watch from the sidelines.

Gina Perry said...

the new card looks great - good changes with making 'chickengirl' more subtle, but still fun!

i'm going to the nyc conference for the first time as well - i'll definitely come say hello. are you going to friday's intensive?

Rachelle Anne Miller said...

Beautiful business card! Thanks for the printer link... I may have to look into this :) Good luck at the conference - hope you post about all the details!

roz said...

You're never too old to be a chickengirl!
Love the new look and have a blast at the conference.

Unknown said...

Hi Jannie...

congrats on heading to the SCBWI...great to hear...

Love the new Business cards...very creative and colourful!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers,
Diana

Natascha Rosenberg said...

Oh! I wish I could go to this SCBWI Conference. I'm sure it will be great. And please, don't think you're no enough good.... I think your work is great. I love it very much!!
Ah! The new cards are great!!

Unknown said...

Love the look of the new card, really compliments you. As far as the Chickengirl name, I think its perfect. Don't change who you are, its what will help separate you from the others, that and last time I checked Dr. Suess was silly too and you know how successful he was.

Nina Seven N7 said...

I love your new card! You are sooo ready to go to the conference. I never would have guessed that you have only be at this for 3 years!Good luck and be sure to post about it when you get back.

travis king said...

Love the card! You better keep chickengirl... It certainly fits your work and it makes people want to know more about you. Thanks for your post the other day to my blog... I am in the process of re-doing it. I put a link on my blog to your site, hope that's cool. keep inspiring.

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

Thanks everyone and for ALL of your encouragement!!! I'll be sure to go and report back here with all the gory details!

Gina-I look forward to meeting you...yay!

Zari said...

I'm sure you are ready to achive anything want...you are so talented and professional...and deserve the best!

Chickengirl is a very interesting name...it must be a keeper ;)
Love the new card...it's just perfect!

-I sent you a little package yesterday, as it's certified it must get there safe and sound...so sorry for the delay..hope you like it ;)

Debbie Meyer said...

Chickengirl . . . you are way more than ready to take the SCBWI conference by storm. You're amazing! (Could it be, you were just being a little chicken?) I love both business cards, actually, but I do like the emphasis on your name so everyone will remember exactly who you are. Think of how far you've come in 3 years. You've accomplished many goals, made a place for yourself in the children's publishing world and have inspired others too (me, for instance). Anyone that serious about illustration definitely deserves a trip to the NY conference! Now pack your chicken duds and get ready for a spectacular experience. I'm sure you'll have a super terrific time. You've earned it!! Bawk! Bawk! GOOOOOOO Chickengirl! (And no, you shouldn't stop being Chickengirl. It's way too fun!)

Anonymous said...

woohoo, chickengirl! you are going to the BIG one! good for you! of course, you are ready, you silly chicken!

as for the chickengirl branding, you and i have chatted about this before. in your heart, you know you are a chickengirl forEVAH, so go with it! :) every time i get that nagging feeling that i am not really a princess and should name myself more "appropriately", i am quickly reminded that while that is true, i am AM a princessttomato- girl, so i don't see me changing anytime soon, either.

I LOVE your new card design. it's POIFECT!

xoxo
teri-tomato

Unknown said...

Hi Jannie....Pop in for a chocolate donut with sprinkles and a peek at one of my 2008 dresses...

Have a great day!
Cheers,
Diana

Bearuh said...

chickengirl is not immature! I loooove the name!! It makes it fun! Awesome new card... Hope you have alot of fun.

sketched out said...

How exciting, you're going to the SCBWI conference. You will kick butt! Your stuff is awesome!

Love your card. Really liked the old one too, but feel you made the right decision for the right reasons.

Oh, and you're never to old to be Chickengirl. Stay young at heart! Good for biz and the soul.

Anonymous said...

that's great!!! and you are more than ready to go there! I have been thinking and do the same thing, I have been thinking but have same thoughts you had before, will I be good enough to attend?
and the bz cards, so cute! thanks for sharing...hum, want to create new ones.
BIG HUG AND MUCH LOVE ALWAYS my friend :)
-Marjorie

Diandra Mae said...

I have to say that the new card design is much better. The focus is more on your design. I like the fact that there is still a chicken, though.

I've been to the NY conference twice now, and I know you will have a blast! (Did you sign up for the portfolio contest?) The networking alone makes it worthwhile. Be sure to bring a sketch/notebook so you can write down all of the juicy bits!

I hope to go to NY again, but for now I'll be saving up and working hard in order to go to the LA conference next year. Have fun! ( and be sure to wear layers. Some of those rooms are freezing and others are sweltering. ;))

iSew said...

I'm only a seamstress, but I can't imagine your work not being good enough for anything. Enjoy!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

Thank you all! I'll be chickengirl forever :-)

Gina and Dee: Yes, I will be going to the friday intensive in which there will be some sort of portfolio competition. I better get on that!

Thank you for all your advice, Dee! Much appreciated!

mike r baker said...

Go, girl! And if you have any respect for me at all as an artist (and I think you do) then you can take it from me - you are MORE than "good enough"! You are awesome!!!

The new b-card design works perfectly! :)

Zari said...

Hello again!

I got the book!!!!! thank you so much! you are the best! the book is amazing! i can read it over and over! love the postcards too!
-hope my package is there soon...sorry for the delay...thanks!!!!!!

belula said...

Beautiful blog!, and great ilustrations.

Dee said...

HEy, the new card design looks great! Have fun and good luck at the conference! I'm sure you will get some great connections. I hope to go to the one in LA this year too. Maybe one day I will see you in the NYC one. Anyways, keep up the amazing work!
Cheers!

TrishaLyn said...

Hi! We've extended our $4.95 business card sale! You can still get this great deal at http://www.psprint.com/addunit/index2.asp.

-Trisha @ PsPrint

Paola said...

Hi Jen, just feel a little nostalgia here!
lot of love!!
Pao