Nuts and Bolts: Re-invent your Creativity – No Change, No Gain.
Now that 2020 is upon us, what are your goals to increase profitability within GCU? Do you wish to
increase your sales? Are you hoping to be rewarded for all the long hours you’ve invested in designing?
If the answer to these questions is YES, then allow me to share with you how I have turned things
around and now enjoying the monetary results of my hard work.
admit, I knew zilch about designing cards. Photography was my thing at the time so I started submitting
tons of flowers and bird photos. Popped a title on the top then waited and waited for them to sell. Then I
realized I had to be more creative in what I submitted. That’s when I started my journey with Photoshop
and began to teach myself that program. Little by little my cards became a little more interesting as I
added different elements to my cards.
have added Illustrator to my workload and am presently teaching myself new things to help make
my cards more interesting.
felt they’re getting anywhere in sales, is to stop and begin to think of ways you can REINVENT YOUR CREATIVITY.
We’ve all heard that saying, If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’ll continue to get the
same results. Think about that? That’s what I discovered. I knew I had to find ways to make my cards
more interesting and stand out.
first one I submitted I had to laugh at the reviewer’s comment which was, “Her face doesn’t match the sweetness your card speaks of, actually she looks a little naughty. Please try to make her expression look sweet.” My thoughts were, yep, she’s right but I can’t do it.
So I researched faces of graphic little girl images online and could see the error in my ways. After picking up ideas how to change her hair and eyes from observing other graphics I redesigned her
and submitted the design for the 2 nd time thinking it was a good improvement, however, the reviewer came back and said, “We’re getting there, much better but still not quite right because
she looks startled, please try again.” My thoughts were, AGAIN, I don’t think I can improve it any more but I was still determined to get it right and attempted to improve it for the 3rd time.
After carefully observing the graphic faces of little girls and getting ideas about what I could do to make them look sweeter, I went back to the drawing board for the 3rd try but this time I had a good feeling I got it right . . . she looks much sweeter and so I submitted it. The reviewer was pleased and approved the card and was very appreciative I put in the effort taking take her advice.
My simple and humble advice to those beginning and those trying to increase their sales is simply look for ways to improve your designs. Use unique fonts for titles and don’t be afraid to change fonts within the title for interest. Placement of the design on the card is huge and doesn’t always have to be centered. Get those creative juices flowing.
Strive to make your cards stand out from the others by having something in the design that grabs the attention of the consumer. It might only be a vivid color. The sky’s the limit.
Research other designs on the internet to get ideas but use your artistic abilities to make them your creation. There are plenty of tutorials and tools out there that can aid in teaching you knew things through Photoshop, Illustrator and other great programs that will help you achieve and be the best you can be in designing your cards.
Bottom line, GET OUT OF THE BOX and start learning new techniques and incorporate new ideas into your designs and you’ll be surprised by what you are capable of. Make it a point every day to learn something new because it will give new life to your designs which equal more sales. So, if you want to be successful and make all those long and hard hours you put into designing pay-off, you MUST keep learning and finding new ways to improve your designs. You can do it!
Thank you to Trudy for sharing her improvement process and not hesitating to step out of the box to
learn something new. And a big thank you for working so well with the GCU review team to make your
submissions marketable and the best that they can be.
GCU Community Manager
GCU Community 
Big thanks to Trudy for this helpful guest post!
Great advice, Trudy! I am always stepping into unknown waters and there is no better way to inspire a creative soul AND to improve skill level as an artist, than explore new territory! Bravo!
Thank you, Trudy, for sharing your experience of learning and growing your business. It is so refreshing to hear a success story from a fellow artist. How are you finding Illustrator to work with? I have been on the fence for years to try it! Thank you again!