Hey there, fellow design enthusiasts! Let's take a fun trip down memory lane to when being a graphic designer meant wrestling with some pretty fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) pieces of technology. 

Here’s an undeniable truth: technology is advancing rapidly in all facets of our lives. Fear of our AI overlords taking over aside, these advancements are a boon for small business owners like me. Using certain apps has facilitated the branding process; they help with my efficiency and organization while working with clients. 

Recently, I had the privilege of reading Gay Hendricks's The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level for Anne LaFollette’s Creative Business Mastermind. Full disclosure: it’s a bit life-changing.

I’m proud to share that I’m a Founding Member of Anne LaFollette’s Creative Business Mastermind. I had the privilege of joining this remarkable new program from Anne, a long-time client near and dear to my heart. 

Change can be a very good thing. 

Recently, I translated Anne LaFollette’s website from version 7.0 to 7.1. The experience was less bumpy than I anticipated. This update comes equipped with fantastic new features that save time and reduce redundancies. It has really stepped up to the plate.

You’re probably at least familiar with ChatGPT and its function. You might be even more familiar with the several AI apps that have spawned over the past year, which create different themed images based on photos of you. Maybe it’ll transform you into an 18th-century painting or a fairy in a fantasy novel. All this to say, AI is on the rise in the creative space, whether we like it or not.

Super Bowl Sunday: Where the Ads Take Center Stage

Let it be known, here and now: I’m not a football person. In fact, Super Bowl Sunday is the one day of the year when I actively watch football. To be honest, it’s mainly for the ads.

Since 2010, January has been dubbed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise awareness, foster education, and prevent this heinous crime from occurring. Unfortunately, this is still a prevalent issue in the US.

When examining human trafficking rates by state in 2022, World Population Review notes that California has the highest number of human trafficking cases (1,334) while Rhode Island has the lowest (10). However, Mississippi boasts the highest rate of human trafficking per 100,000 people (6.32). To think this is a massive epidemic today is as shocking as it is infuriating and heartbreaking.