Design Jones

Inspired by the usual new year’s resolution type conversations, I’ve decided to share with you my top ten goals for this coming year. Far from being resolutions that come and go I’ve tried to keep these as measurable as possible and by sharing them here I’m expecting to be held accountable and celebrate meeting these goals as the year progresses. Elliot Jay Stocks recently did this on his blog HERE, I hope I can report so positively this time next year. There’s another article over at six revisions that gives a dozen good new year’s resolutions for designer to take up, you can read it HERE.

If you’re trying to make positive changes to some old habits, there is some useful advice HERE on how to ingrain a new behaviour!

Goal 1: Get Out More!
Seems all to easy when working hard from a home office to forget to venture out. I’m going to make the effort to book in time at the gym at least twice a week and make sure I take a real lunch break away from my desk.

Goal 2: Focus!
I know I work at my best when I’m focused – because of this I am trying to ’single-task’. I’m limiting the number of projects on the go at any one time and structuring my day in a way that promotes this. Things like only checking email at 10am, 1pm and 4pm allow me to devote my full attention to whatever task is in front of me without distraction.

Goal 3: Finish ‘The Book’
I’ve been working on an illustrated book for the last few years. I’ve never really devoted any good blocks of time to it and as such it’s still not finished. This year I have scheduled a number of hours each week to work on it and get it published. It’s a real joy to work on so I can’t wait and really hope it’s a success!

Goal 4: Website v2
I love the Design Jones site (big thanks to Tim for all his hard work) and hope to build on it this year. I’d like to add a download/shop section, capacity for advertising and a few other minor additions and of course add some of our latest work to the portfolio section.

Goal 5: Create More Content
With the new shop and downloads section I’d like to create some of my own fonts, illustrations and screen-printed t-shirts.

Goal 6: Collaborate Even More!
In 2009 I really enjoyed working with some really talented people in the areas of motion graphics and web development. I’d love to push myself in the sorts of projects I take on this year and find more great people to help deliver them.

Goal 7: Personal Development
I am looking to grow in confidence with my photography and have been looking into some residential courses to go on as well as scheduling in time to get out there a lot more this year and shoot. I’ve also dug out a fresh sketchbook/journal to carry with me at all times – I really need to get back into the habit of drawing and visualising. Stay tuned to the blog for the results!

Goal 8: Awards
I’m trying to decide which project to enter into the D&AD wards this year (time is running out) but I’d also like to enter a couple of others this year. I’m not in this industry solely for recognition and awards but it would be lovely to see how the work we’ve been doing is recieved.

Goal 9: Conferences
Continuing my own personal dvelopment I’d like to make the effort to attend a realy good and valuable conference this year. I’m looking into HOW, SXSW and 99% at the moment but if anyone has a good suggestion I’d love to hear it.

Goal 10: Onwards & Upwards
I’d love to continue the fortunate trend of find great clients that I really love to work with over the next year. If that sounds like you or someone you know please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can emails us at hello@designjones.co.uk