Fancy dress. Love it or hate it?

You get the invite to a party and you're dying to go. But wait. It's fancy dress. If you love fancy dress, you're jumping for joy. If you hate it, you're jumping off the nearest cliff.

 

 

It's pretty much 50/50 that you either love or hate fancy dress. Naturally, if you hate dressing up you'll never host a dress up party. But if you hate wearing fancy dress and you get the invite to such a party, what can you do?

If you hate fancy dress, people who tell you it can be fun don't get that you hate it. And there are plenty of reasons why a person might hate dressing up in costume.

 

1. It's ridiculous, demeaning, silly... (insert any adjective that is the opposite of what other people consider fun).

2. Hiring a costumes cost money.

3. Making a costume at home takes talent and imagination.

3. How do you know that everyone else will dress up?

 

 

How do you know that everyone else will dress up?

 

The biggest insult to anyone dressing up for a fancy dress party is having nobody else dress up but you. Especially if you hate dressing up and you make the effort only to turn up to find that nobody else has. If you love dressing up it won't matter if you are the only one in costume. But if you hate it, what can you do?

 

Here are a few tips:

 

Stealth is necessary.

 

Dress up, but don't be the first to arrive. Well, maybe be the first to arrive but hide around the corner to make sure that you see people entering the party in costume. A perfect costume for this type of dress-up-shy person is a cat burglar or a secret agent. That way if anyone asks you what you're doing, you can get into character and tell them you're on the job.

 

Keep a normal outfit as backup.

 

If you're driving, keep a back up of normal clothes in the car. If you're getting dropped off, bring spare clothes in a bag and stash the bag in the garden. A good costume for this type of dress-up-shy person is a superhero. This way you can say you're sick of being Superman after a few hours and turn into Clark Kent. Just make sure you know your super hero character's alter ego name. Eg Wonder Woman's alter ego is Diana Prince.

 

Call the host to make sure they are dressing up.

 

This can prove helpful, unless of course the host is going to pull a "Carrie" on you and expose you to a practical joke. Not likely, but I have received a dress up invitation only to turn up to find that the host couldn't have been bothered to dress up. Why make the guests do something you're not. Anyway, call the host or even friends to make sure you're not the only one making the effort. The perfect costume for this type of dress-up-shy person is a real person such as Paris Hilton. This way you can wear whatever you want.

 

 

 

 

 

What teenagers need to know about photography

Mark Seabury is a photography with a real eye for colour. His photos are absolutely amazing. Mark lives on the Australian east coast, more specially the northern beaches of NSW, and he says on his website: “I understand that as life goes by, our most enduring treasures are our memories and I hope to capture as many of these special moments as I possibly can.” Mark has won awards and his photos feature in magazines and more recently the above photo features of "Australia's" Facebook page on their Australia Day album. It is my pleasure today to invite Mark in for a virtual coffee chat.

InterestTeen: Weddings seem to be a staple part of any photographer’s portfolio. Would you say suggest to any teenager wanting a career in photography that they should learn wedding photography?

Mark Seabury: Wedding photography is challenging and rewarding, lots of skills are needed and lots can be gained from shooting weddings. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I would recommend every photographer at least give it a go.

InterestTeen: Are there professional courses a teenager can take in order to hone a hidden talent? Or do you think it’s more the case of you either have the talent or you don’t?

Mark Seabury: There are some good workshops about. I think if you have a real passion for photography, you will be keen to learn and then your talent will evolve.

InterestTeen: Writers come in the employed and self employed varieties as I imagine photographers do too. Do you think for a starting our photographer there are better opportunities for being freelance or employed?

Mark Seabury: A good setup is to have a stable job and do photography on the side. This way you have a steady income as you build up your photography and then hopefully in the near future you make the switch and start to make a living out of doing what you love.

InterestTeen: Are there any legal issues that teenagers should know about taking photographs? How mindful of culture and privacy do they need to be?

Mark Seabury: There are lots of issues here and being mindful is a good idea, balance is the key here.

InterestTeen: A writer knows they’re ready to be published when they continually receive positive rejection letters. Is this similar to submitting photographs to magazines or websites? Do you get a lot of rejection?

Mark Seabury: Yes rejection is a reality. Use it to your advantage, it's a good way of seeing what's in demand, what works and what doesn't. Keep plugging away and stay positive.

InterestTeen: Is there one thing in particular you would tell your teenage self about photography?

Mark Seabury: Read lots of photography magazines, look at influential photographs past and present, understand your camera, understand the rules of photography and know when to break them, travel, get out and shoot. Enjoy!

Want to learn more?:
For those budding photogrpahers who live in Sydney, Mark Seabury also runs a workshop comprising of two sessions:

Session one - a location shoot learning camera settings and shooting techniques.

Session two - Back at the studio learning all about downloading, software, editing and then printing and matting one of your photos to take home.


Contact details:
Mark Seabury Photography
enquiries@markseabury.com.au  
www.markseabury.com

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Just a reminder that these photos are subject to copyright. They are available to purchase or to licence by contacing Mark Seabury.

Active holiday vs Laid back holiday

No matter where or how you spend your holidays, you can always find a way to make it as active or as laid back as you like. Everywhere you go, there is always something to do. Some of these activities don't even cost a cent. Here are just a few examples of things you can do, and if the place you're visiting doesn't have these options, you can always write about your holiday.

AT THE BEACH

 

 

ACTIVE

Learn to surf

Hire a kayak or canoe

Play beach volleyball

Catch a wave and body surf

Run the length of the beach

 

LAID BACK

Photograph the sun setting or rising

Read a book

Take photos of shells and birdlife

Soak up the sun

Watch for whales

 

 

ON THE RIVERS AND LAKES

 

ACTIVE

Go water skiing

Go fishing

Hire a jet ski

Take a canoe or kayak up river

Snorkel in the shallows

 

LAID BACK

Have a picnic on the banks

Take a guided cruise

Walk along the river banks

Listen to the birdlife

 

IN THE CITY

 

ACTIVE

Go non-stop shopping

Hunt down a game zone

See a live band

Most cities are on the water so take a jet boat ride

 

LAID BACK

See a movie

Sit in a cafe

Stroll through a museum

Get a makeover

Take photos of the building

 

IN THE HINTERLAND AND PARKS

 

ACTIVE

Go abseiling

Go horse riding

Take a 4WD tour

Hire a bicycle, 4 wheel bike

Go for a long hike

 

LAID BACK

Photograph the scenery

Watch the birdlife

Have a picnic

Read a book under a tree

 

AT THE SKI FIELDS

 

ACTIVE

Hit the slopes on skis

Slide through powder on a snowboard

Master the skills area, downhill runs and pipes

Hire a snow mobile

Go ice skating

 

LAID BACK

Enjoy a gondola ride

Sip hot chocolate and watch the view

Walk through the snow

Go dog sledding

Catch snowflakes on your tongue

 

 

STUCK AT HOME

ACTIVE

Trim hedges and rake leaves

Help fix things around the house

Wash the car

Wash the dog

Go for a jog

Go to the sports fields 

Chop wood

Play old fashioned games like hide and seek or charades

 

LAID BACK

Read a book

Watch DVDs

Bake cakes and biscuits

Listen to music

Go for walks

Tell stories

 

 

WIN THIS BOOK - The Bird With The Broken Wing

WIN THIS BOOK. Author D L Richardson is holding a giveaway on Goodreads where one lucky reader will will a print copy of The Bird With The Broken Wing. 1 copy only up for grabs. Ends Feb 25, 2013. Will it be you? It might be, but only if you enter.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Bird with the Broken Wing

by D.L. Richardson

Giveaway ends February 25, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Top 50 quotes to be the best teen you can be

We can't help but look to quotes for inspiration, and it's likely this is because quotes inspire us to keep going when we feel as if we can't take anouther step. So here's a list of the top 50 quotes to motivate you to follow your dreams. to keep going when you think you can't, or to gain some perspective when you need it most. And who knows, you may find that becoming the best person you can be is all the inspiration you need to succeed and enjoy life.

I truly hope you like these quotes and that you refer back to them if you need a pick me up.


1. "I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." - Benjamin Franklin

2. "I am only young once, who cares if I'm a goofball." - Ashton Kutcher

3. "Even the longest day has its end." - Irish saying

4. "Music isn't for the eyes, it's for the ears." - Adele

5. "As soon as you stop wanting something, you get it." - Andy Warhol

6. "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says it. 'I'm possible'. " - Audrey Hepburn

7. "Don’t break your shin on a stool that is not in your way." - Irish saying

8. "Maybe my fairy tale has a different ending than I dreamed it would. But that's OK."- Kim Kardashian

9. "You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough." - Mae West

10. "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Sir Winston Churchill

11. "The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it." - Chinese proverb

12.  "If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it." - Mary Engelbreit

13. "Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching. and live like it’s heaven on earth." - Mark Twain

14. "Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well." - Josh Billings

15. "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
 - Maria Robinson

16. "To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it." - Confucius

17. "In three words I can sum up what I’ve learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

18. "Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for example." - John Ruskin

19. "An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." - Buddha

20. "Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." unknown author

21.  "I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical." unknown suthor

22. "Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there."- Will Rogers

23. "A smile doesn't always mean a person is happy. Sometimes it means they are strong enough to face their problems." - unknown author

24. "I don't have time to hate people who hate me, because I'm too busy loving people who love me." - unknown author

25.  "An ounce of emotion is equal to a ton of facts."- John Junor

26. "If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed." - Chinese proverb

27. "If you have a roving eye, it’s no use having the other one fixed on Heaven." - Irish saying

28. "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." - Bob Marley

29. "A man for me is the cherry on the pie. But I'm the pie and my pie is good all by itself, even if I don't have a cherry." - Halle Berry

30. "Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you."- author unknown

31. "Falling in love and having a relationship are two different things."- Keanu Reeves

32. "If you want things to be different, perhaps the answer is to become different yourself."- Norman Vincent Peale

33. "How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours."- Wayne Dyer

34. "Realize that everything connects to everything else."- Leonardo DaVinci

35. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."- Eleanor Roosevelt

36. "Just because you know my name, doesn’t mean you know me." - unknown author

37. "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."- Charles A. Beard

38. "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William A. Ward

39. "If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one." - Russian Proverb

40. "Why wait for the weekend to have fun?" - Loesje

41. "I prefer an ugly truth to a pretty lie. If someone is telling me the truth that is when I will give my heart."-  Shakira

42. "So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground." - Oprah Winfrey

43. "If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace." - John Lennon

44. "Do what you feel in your heart to be right. You’ll be criticized anyway." - Eleanor Roosevelt

45. "Don’t criticize what you don’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes." - Elvis Presley

46. "Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent." - L. Coleman

47. "If your love does not work with that person, it just means that someone else loves you more." - unknown author

48. "Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened." - Dr Seuss

49. "Giving up doesn’t always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go." - unknown author

50. "To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are." - unknown author

What if it was the end of the world?

It's January 2013 so obviously the end of the world came and went. Here's a list of a few  things you would have missed if it really was the end of the world.

TV and Film
If it really was the end of the world they're be no more Sam, Dean and Cas saving humans from demons in Supernatural. There would be no more seasons of Once Upon A Time. And let's not forget those reality shows - Idol, Dance, etc.

If it really was the end we wouldn't have to sit through 9 hours of The Hobbit. The book is only 240 odd pages long. It takes less than 9 hours to read. Personally, I don't get it.

New Years Eve
If it really was the end of the world they're be no more spectacular fireworks. Dubai was top of the list this 2012/2013 for their effort of swirling fireworks and laser display.

If it really was the end of the world there would be no more new year's resolutions.

Shopping and Technology
If it really was the end of the world there would be no Boxing Day sales.

If it really was the end of the world Apple customers would not have reached more than 40 billion download of apps since July 2008, the company said on Monday, and that doesn't include re-downloads or updates.

Celebrity
If it really was the end of the world Australia wouldn't get the Ellen Degeneres show.

Space
NASA plans to send a ship to the moon in 2019. Why? Apparently it's been too long between visits. Sounds to me like is a case of a nagging relative putting the guilt trip on.

Sport
If it really was the end of the world millions of Americans would not get to watch the NFL Super Bowl. All those packets of potato chips would go uneaten.


For those who like to watch the end of the world, here is list of films to get you prepared:
 
10 Apocolyptic Films:
 
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
28 Weeks Later (2007)
On the Beach (1959)
12 Monkeys (1995)
The Quiet Earth (1985)
Donnie Darko (2001)
The Terminator (1984)
The Omega Man (1971)
2012 (2009)
 
For those who'd rather read about the end of the world, here is a list of books you need to survive:
 
10 Apocolytpic Books
 
The Road (Cormac Macarthy)
Cell (Stephen King) (most of you would think The Stand, but I think Cell is a better book)
I Am Legend (Richard Matheson)
The Day of the Triffids (John Wyndham)
On The Beach (Nevil Shute)
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
When The Wind Blows (Raymond Briggs)
How I Live Now (Meg Rosoff)
Childhood's End (Arthur C Clark)
Grey Dogs: Zombie Survival (Ian DG Sandusky)
 
And for those who like to listen to the end of the world, here is a list of 10 songs to play:
 
10 Apocolyptic Songs

End of the world (The Cure)
Eve of destruction (Barry McGuire)
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine (REM)
Judgement day (Van Halen)
Last night on Earth (Green Day)
Skyfall (Adele)
Stop the world (The Clash)
The last day on Earth (Marilyn Manson)
The final countrdown (Europe)
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades (Timbuk 3)

Stay safe kiddies until the next apocolypse.

What's left or right about it?

Left handed, right handed, or even ambidextrous, there's no left or right about it. It just is. Studies reveal that 10 to 12 per cent of the general population is left handed. Why isn't this a higher percentage, considering that the odds should be 50 percent that a person with two arms would either write with their left or their right hand?

There are many sports where being left handed has the advantage. In boxing, the opponent is expecting jabs from the right, not from the left. Left handed boxers and baseballers are called 'southpaws'. The term Southpaw stems from baseball though it is most often herard in reference to boxing. Sylvester Stallone really put 'southpaws' on the map with his Rocky movies becuase the actor is left handed. Many cricketers bowl left handed and this adds a different spin to the ball, often critical in getting the batter out. Baseball is another sport where left handed pitching and batting causes a different shift in the way the ball swings. Babe Ruth is just one of hundereds of left handed baseballers. Fencing is also another sport where the opponent isn't used to playing against someone left handed.

It hasn't always been okay to be left handed. There has often been a fear against people who used their left hand, many were accused of withcraft. Centuries ago, the Catholic Church declared that left hand people were servants of the devil. And in some societies, eating with the left hand is considered a sin, or making a toast with the wine glass in the left hand will bring bad luck.

Left handed people get a rough deal when it comes to superstitions. Perhaps one superstition which goes a long way to explaining what scientists can't is the superstition that if a baby is nursed in the left arm of the mother, the baby will grow up right handed, and if a baby is nursed in the right arm, then it'll be left handed. Twins, Gloria and Glenn, are respectively left handed and right handed. Their father, Frank, was left handed growing up, but the nuns at his school used a ruler on him every time he wrote with his left hand so he learned to write with his right hand instead.

Some famous left handed people are Leonardo Di Vinci (though supposedly Da Vinci wrote with his left and right hand and sometimes simultaneously), Tom Cruise, Pierce Brosnan, David Bowie, Eminem, Neil Armstrong, Albert Einstein, and Prince William. The largest collective group of famous people who are left handed are actors, which leads credence to the theory that many left handed people are more creative, because they utilize the right side - the creative side - of the brain.

Most lefties are ambidextrous - they need to be because so many gadgets are designed and built for right handed people. Yet not all right handed people can use their left hand as capably as their right.

Kids who are left handed can suffer greatly in school because of right handed desks, scissors, and even the act of writing. Most languages are written from left to write, so left handed kids have to twist their hands and write in what is called a 'crab' style. Pens, pencil sharpeners, even the computer mouse which is on the right side of the computer...all these things can hinder a child's education, yet because the number of lefties is so small, 10 to 12 percent of the the general population, they slip through the cracks.

There are many shops these days that cater exclusively for left handed people. The most famous is the fictional store The Leftorium that Ned Flanders opened up during the third episode of The Simpsons. The reason it went out of business was due to a wish that Homer made, but there really are successful stores dedicated to providing products for lefties.

New Adult fiction - what is it and why is it here?

New adult fiction is the latest genre doing the rounds at the moment. What is New Adult fiction and why is it here?

Believe it or not, there was no such things as "teenagers" until the term appeared in a 1941 issue of Readers Digest. It's believed the phrase "teen age" was around for a few decades before that, though only loosely referred to. The earliest reference seems to be from the 1920s when the word "teen age" was used to describe clothes and activities for children 13 to 19. Even right into the 1930s, there were only two stages of life - childhood and adulthood. You were a child until around 13 or 14, and then you were old enough to work.  

Around the 1940s, during the second world war, the government distanced the gap between childhood and adulthood by pushing out the length of school, and shipping home 15 year olds who'd lied about their age to serve in the war. No doubt this reform came about because it wasn't right to send children off to war, so the age when a child became an adult was pushed out to the age of 20 - after the "teen age" years were over.

Now that there was a new age group, there was a new culture. This culture skyrocketed during the 1950s and 1960 with - you guessed it - the invention of rock and roll. The Beatles and Elvis Presley are two of the most notable musical acts responsible for ramming home that wedge between childhood and adulthood. Whether these acts intended to target this middle market or not is irrelevant. Culture takes a life of its own.

And now another new culture seems to be growing. Hang on a minute! If we've already split the distinction between childhood and adulthood, why then do we need to make up yet another age group? It's simple really. whatever this age group will be called in the general world, in the publishing world it's called New Adult.

So hoiw did New Adult come about? Well, the "young adult" market has grown up. They've moved through the Harry Potter stage, through the Twilight stage, and walked right into the adult fiction market. The books in this market are all about divorce, marriage, work, crime, despression... Blek. How utterly droll and irrelevant to the energetic, often cashed-up and sometimes rambunctious group of 20 - 25 year olds.

InterestTeen is lucky to have interviewed a rising star in the New Adult market. Ally Shields is the author of the Guardian Witch series, published through Etopia Press and widely available in ebook and print at all online retailers.

  

Book one in this series is Awakening the Fire. 

Synopsis:

Ari faces her first big challenge as a supernatural cop when a young human girl is brutally murdered. That's bad enough, but when a virtual reality drug hits the streets and foreign werewolves come to town, Ari joins forces with a human cop and an intriguing vampire in a race to prevent an Otherworld war.

ISBN: 9781937976828

Buy Links:Amazon US Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks

 

 

 

 

 

InterstTeen asks: Writers are often asked if they have total control over their character’s behaviors. Is this the case with your characters? Do you aim to have some of them ‘play nicely’ but then their personalities take over and they just wanna fight? Can you explain how your characters take on a life of their own.

Ally replies:  Don't I wish! Since I'm what's known as a 'pantser' (as in writing by the seat of) or in more polite circles a 'discovery writer,' my characters tell their own story, and I'm along for the ride and the "prettying up.'  My witch Ari, in particular, has many more fights with Andreas (the vampire) than I intended. She just can't keep quiet, when she often should. But then that would ruin the fun. :-D

InterstTeen asks: As a writer of fiction, have you started getting into other areas of multi-media. I know you have a book trailer, and urban fantasy makes for great interactive games. If money was no object, do you dream of doing something like that? Or do you have other multi-media ideas like video interviews, video readings?

Ally replies: Not so far. I really am a fan of the written word. In fact, I still like print books. Gasp! Yes, I know, very antiquated. I didn't own a kindle until two years ago, now I own two. I do love my book trailer and will do more of those as each book comes out. I should have one for book two very soon. Of course, I'd be delighted if television or Hollywood came calling! <grin>

InterstTeen asks: What is the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?

Ally replies: I always try the local cuisine when I travel, so I've eaten some odd things. Most were not particularly memorable but the water buffalo in Egypt stands out. It was tough, stringy and tasted like shoe-leather. It was inedible, and afterward our group searched  Cairo for a McDonald's. Found one too!

InterstTeen asks: I take it your fans will be eagerly waiting the print release. How do you think having the books in print will change or help you as a writer?

Ally replies: It will help tremendously. I know a lot of people who don't use readers, so the print version will make it available to a larger direct group of readers, but the biggest advantages will be getting it to libraries, local bookstores and reviewers who only accept print copies. I'm really looking forward to holding that first book. :)

InterstTeen asks: What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and there really were vampires and werewolves running around? Do you think you’d know more about their characteristics than your neighbor, or do you think they’d surprise you. (ie you’d feel safe or you’d run for the hills)?

Ally replies: Oh, wow, it would probably depend on whose vampires and werewolves showed up! There are many variations among the different writers. If my vampires showed up along with Ari and Andreas, I don't think I'd be too worried. I'd just write them into submission! :) If they were like Bram Stoker's Dracula, I'd run for the hills.

InterstTeen asks:  Book Two is released in December. Will this one be the last book, and if not how any do you envisage?

Ally replies: The story arc for the series is currently written for seven. I have number four ready for submission to my editor later this month and have already started on number five. We'll begin edits in early 2013 on number three for a release in the Spring.

InterstTeen asks: Is there anything else you want to tell the readers? Tips on writing, being good to your parents, animal rescue, absolutely anything you want to contribute is welcomed.

Ally replies: I think I'll stick to writing, since it's a safer subject than many, and I have a super easy tip! Writing is like anything else in life, it is based on your total experiences. So my tip is - make the most of every day, beginning now. Absorb ideas, experience other points of view, listen to what others have to say, study the people and places around you. The more you understand your world, the more you'll excel in your writing or any other career you choose.

InterestTeen says: Thanks so much for sharing your story.
 

Ally replies: Thanks so much for having me! It's been awesome.

You can follow the Guardian Witch series and Ally shields here:

http://allyshields.com

http://twitter.com/ShieldsAlly

http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthor

Reader Girls Blog: Feedback Blog Tour: excerpt

Thank you to the Reader Girls, Laurie, Caitlin and Meg for taking the time to feature Feedback. I hope you girls get a chance to read it one day.
Best wishes
D L Richardson xoxo


Reader Girls Blog: Feedback Blog Tour: excerpt: Title: Feedback Author: D L Richardson Genre: YA Paranormal Publisher: Etopia Press Ebook Words: 65,000 Release Dat...

Things teens should know about a career in graphic design

 

Today we explore the world of graphic design through the eyes of Irish artist Eithne Ni Anluain.
 
Firstly, what is a graphic designer? A graphic designer is a creative individual who combines technical knowledge and artistic talent to meet the needs of clients. Just like there are many forms of writing - fiction, travel articles, training manuals, there are also many branches of graphic design, such as book covers, magazine ads, video games.
 
Graphic designer Eithne Ni Anluain has this to say of the different branches. "I think in today's industry there is a graphic design for just about everything, from tea bags to creating matte paintings for movies. There are just so many to name. Everything we see advertised is a form of graphic design, even in a weird way what we wear is a form of design. Fashion designers draw their new collections then they are made, so it all begins with a scrawled concept on a piece of paper. Book covers are exactly the same, we 'scrawl'  2-3 concepts and let the client choose." 

Training towards a career in graphic design can begin in high school, with the student completing courses in art and design. In college there are formal qualifications the student can undertake. But just as there are many novel writers who undertake no formal training whatsoever, there are graphic designers who are also self taught.

Eithne is self taught so the process from leaving school to now was different to her. "I have honestly no idea where students can go straight after school. I'm self taught coming from a science background into a world completely foreign. From reading and talking to people if you do a course and get your B.Arts then you do have 'some' advantage over self taught people. However I'm saying this very warily because in my opinion it's the work and the portfolio that gets the job. You could have degrees coming out your ears, but still are not able to follow art direction. It really depends on what you want to do. If you want to do game art straight out of school and want to work for Massive Black then your portfolio has to be outstanding. If you eventually want to work for Massive Black then looking for a internship in smaller companies while you work on your portfolio is the way to go. Not all of us make it straight away and there's a lot of hard work to be done."


When asked how many years should a school leaver should spend before being qualified as a graphic artist, Eithne has this to say.
"It depends on the course you do. In Ireland and the UK it's 3 - 4  years if you do a basic art degree with a specification. Most then branch into different categories and specialize more. The benefit of a college is the lecturers usually have contacts that can get you in quicker."

Writers also come in the employed and self employed varieties. Employed writers might work in newspapers and magazines, work in organizations writing training manuals, so for anyone wanting to enter this area they might be wondering if there is better opportunity for freelance or employed graphic artists.
Eithne Ni Anluain says, "Freelance simply means you work for yourself and not a company. Is it better? Depends on who you talk to. A artist may hate working for their company and dream of freelance work where they can pick and choose. Whereas a freelance artist might crave the solid paycheck a company provides and less hassle. Opportunities differ in the same way. You just have to make sure all your online portfolios and networking sites are up to date and are ready for a adventure!"


Writers need to be people watchers. They need to be able to describe how a person walks, how they scratch their nose. They also (whether they admit it or not) keep a close eye on what other writers are doing. Designers do this to an extent as well.

"To be honest," Eithne says, "I just worry about myself and making sure I'm doing the best I can. Worrying or looking at what others do can give you doubts and make you question yourself and lowers your self esteem. 'Oh look XYZ got a contract for Orion UK' and youre eating beans on toast because you can't afford anything'. It can be a bit deflating alright. But a thick skin is wonder bar! Now I will clarify I do look at what others do to keep on trend, do I want to copy it? No! I want to do better.

The most famous person Eithne has ever done work for?

"Its hard to tell who's the most famous as they are all in the same bracket! Deborah Cooke, Nalini Singh, Marjorie M Liu, Lara Adrian…would just LOVE to do covers for Maria M Snyder or any of the big fantasy writers like Ian M Banks, Raymond E Fiest, Robin Hobb…..I could go on and on! Just so many and so little time!


Recommended reading is the Muddy Colors blog : http://muddycolors.blogspot.ie/2011/05/life-after-art-school-five-years-to.htmlIt is well worth a read.

Eithne Ni Anluain's portfolio can be viewed on her website www.nianluain.com

Her social media links are:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nianluain

Twitter https://twitter.com/Ni_Anluain

She has a blog at http://nianluain.blogspot.ie/

Join the December blog hop

 

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Some Random Things About Graphic Design
1. Claude Garamond, publisher and legendary type designer responsible for designing the letterforms that led to some of the most widely used typefaces throughout history, died in poverty at age eighty-one.
2. The Michelin man has a name, Monsieur Bibendum. He’s also a century old.
3. The Nike swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971, while she was a student at Portland State University. She was paid $35.
4. Woody Allen uses the same typeface in the titles and credits of nearly all of his movies. The typeface is Windsor.
5. Peretz Rosenbaum is one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century. He is responsible for the IBM logo, the old and arguably most recognizable UPS logo, the Westinghouse logo, and many other design icons. You know him as Paul Rand.
6. According to Salary.com, the median salary for a graphic designer in the United States is $45,704.
7. The worlds first website (as we know them today) was launched in 1992. You can still visit the URL here.
8. What we now call sans-serif typefaces were once known by a number of names: Egyptian, Antique, Grotesque, Doric, Heiti, Lineale, and Simplices. I think sans-serif works just fine, thank you.
9. Georgia, another typeface designed by Matthew Carter, is named after a tabloid headline which reads “Alien heads found in Georgia.”
10. The Coca-Cola logo was made using a style of hand lettering called Spencerian Script.
11. The Great Seal of the United States was designed in the 1770’s by the then secretary of congress, Charles Thomson.
12. The Red Cross is known as The Red Crescent in Muslim countries. Its logo also changes from a cross to a crescent.
13. Facebook uses a modified version of the typeface Klavika for its logo.