Resume Writing: Guidance for Designers

Posted on by Jonathan Silberman

Writing a resume can be a daunting task for many. What template should you use? Remembering and articulating your tasks PLUS results? Do you need to customize every resume?

But do designers have different rules than other professions? When I have partnered with Creative and Design directors to identify design talent, they have all requested that the designers have a portfolio or samples of work to supplement the resume. In fact, many have prioritized the portfolio over a resume.

This article offers two distinct perspectives on crafting powerful resumes for design roles. First, I’ll share my comprehensive resume guidance applicable to all professionals.

Next, to go beyond assumptions, I interviewed 11 design leaders in the DC and Baltimore area. They offer their unique insights on what truly catches their eye when evaluating design talent.

Clarity before Writing

Before you decide upon the formatting of your resume, spend time to self-assess and reflect on your career journey up until this point. What projects have you enjoyed contributing to? What type of work environment do you work best in? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your longer-term career goals, and what stepping stones do you need to take to get there?

By identifying where you have been and the experiences you have had, you can create a unique value proposition to market to employers. What factors could make you different?

  • The projects you have worked on
  • The industries you have helped
  • Hard skills, training, and methodologies
  • Aesthetic/style (shown in the portfolio)

Have you analyzed the job descriptions you are applying for to make sure your resume speaks to the job requirements? If the job supports government clients, a requirement may include knowledge of Section 508 compliance or the need for an active security clearance. Other requirements could include design software exposure, industry experience, or project type.

Will the ATS kick me out?

The short answer is no. First, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is the centralized software system that businesses deploy to manage the recruitment process. Typically, if you are applying to a job online there is a software system where you upload your resume and fill out open fields with your personal information. I wrote an article about the Myths of the ATS system with insights from a dozen recruiters who are the end users.

Many people believe that if your resume isn’t formatted correctly or has the right keywords, the system will boot you out and reject you for the job. Some recruiters and companies may set a job opening to screen with a knockout question, such as “are you authorized to work in the US” or “do you have X years of experience.” If the answer doesn’t align to the requirements, an automated rejection may trigger.

Otherwise, up until today, I do not know any recruiters who are fully relying on keyword match or ranking tools to move applicants on to interviews.

The one thing to be mindful of is how the content of your resume parses into the fields of the ATS system. Text boxes, columns, and images can alter the data extraction of the parsing. With the systems I have worked with, I can view PDF and Word docs as they were submitted.

General Resume Advice

Formatting:

  • Choose a chronological format, prioritizing your most recent experience.
  • Enhance readability by incorporating a fair balance of white space rather than cramming content into the document.
  • Use readable fonts and adopt a font size larger than 10. I shouldn’t have to zoom in to read your resume.
  • Avoid unnecessary visual elements, like a headshot or subjective skill graphics. While I’ve seen a huge uptick in including a headshot over the last five years, you may want to take precautions due to concerns about discrimination based on appearance.
  • Consider offering both PDF and Word document formats, although PDF documents will maintain formatting consistency.

Content:

  • Contact Information: Include relevant details like email, phone, city/state, and LinkedIn/portfolio URLs. A street address is not necessary and maintains your privacy.
  • Summary: Ditch “Objective” and use a targeted statement showcasing your value proposition. This field is a simple space where you can customize your resume to the target job.
    • Consider removing generic sentences inflated with soft skills. For example: Passionate and results-driven web designer with X years of experience crafting user-friendly and visually stunning websites
    • For more impact, you could transform it into a unique statement aligned to the job: Web designer with 5 years of experience creating high-performing websites for SaaS companies. Passionate about leveraging design to empower users and streamline financial processes in the fintech space.
  • Experience: The majority of your content should be dedicated to this field. For readability, format the sentences in a bullet-point list. Include the tasks + results, and quantify your results when you can. Examples:
    • Example: Increased website conversion rate by 15% by redesigning checkout flow using user-centered design principles and A/B testing.
    • Designed a captivating logo for tech startup, resulting in 42% increase in brand recognition within first 6 months.
  • Skills: List relevant software, technical, and language skills, possibly categorized for clarity.
  • Achievements: Consider a separate section for awards, scholarships, certifications, or honors (limit to 2-5).
  • Education: List recent degree, institution, and relevant awards/honors. Include coursework details only if you have no work experience.
  • References: Remove any mention of Reference, as this information can be provided once you convert to an interview. Plus, do you want anyone reaching out to your references without your knowledge?

Additional Tips:

  • Proofread meticulously to avoid grammatical errors or typos. If you aren’t using software tools like Grammarly, hand it off to a trusted colleague or friend to proofread.
  • Have a few copies of your resume if you are targeting different job titles. For example, if the job is for a “Content Designer” then include any project details around content design principles or methodologies. In the summary, swap out the copy “Summary” for “Content Designer.” Do you have an achievement you can highlight here that matches a job requirement?
  • Adding interests or hobbies is your personal choice.
  • Don’t keyword stuff. Instead of creating a laundry list of skills, weave the keywords into your experience section to demonstrate context.

Insights from Design Leaders

Resume advice can be subjective, as everyone has their preferences (and biases). I also wanted to seek out advice from people who are influencing and making the hiring decisions. Here are the recommendations of eleven design leaders from the DC metro area:

Jay Selway, Creative Director at Accenture Federal, prioritizes the portfolio over the resume. “If the resume isn’t nicely designed, that’s a red flag.” However, Jay admits he has seen not-so-impressive resumes from people with amazing portfolios. He said, “the work gets you in the door, and your personality and passion close the deal. The qualifications are the cherry on top.”

A Chief Creative and Founder of a DC-based boutique firm reviews both the resume and portfolio to assess design talent. For the portfolio, he looks for a consistency and sense of style across pieces, along with a sense of proportions and typography. For the resume, design is as important as the content. Seen as a self-marketing opportunity, he looks for creativity and personable branding. Specifically, “how they handle their names? Do they give themselves a logomark? Are there widows and orphans in the type?” Even the decision to use a Word document doesn’t demonstrate the full potential of a creative.

A VP of Design from a real estate tech firm says that a resume that is easy to read and is well-organized, paired with relevant experience is the ideal recipe for an effective resume. What else catches their eye? If the applicant showcases skills needed for the job requirements, like flows, wires, research, and design systems. If you are entry-level, the coursework outweighs the academic performance (like GPA). If the resume is poorly designed with excessive fancy formatting, it negatively impacts the readability.

A VP of Creative & Design, with experience in both a corporate and global agency setting, says that the “portfolio will always be king.”, but be sure to demonstrate your process. Include your sketches, inspiration, and round builds to demonstrate your thinking and unique contribution to the project. For the resume, keep it simple, well-organized, and thoughtfully crafted. Choose a clean typeface that allows the content to be the hero.

Billy Candela, SVP Creative Director at Vox Global, believes that the resume design matters. A well-designed resume (preferably in PDF) showcases a designer’s attention to detail and reflects their overall design skills. The portfolio is a confirmation of the capabilities on the resume. Both the resume and portfolio are a first impression and an extension of your self-marketing, so make them easy to navigate and highlight your relevant experience.

A resume is the sneak peak of your design style before getting into the cool stuff in your portfolio, an AVP, Creative of an agency stated. A clean, readable layout with a bit of creative spark will stand, but it’s about how the design and information work together.

A marketing executive at a SaaS technology company believes less is more with resume writing, but keep it relevant. Crafting an impressive resume is all about telling a concise and captivating story that sets you apart. Focus on clear, tailored writing for your target job level, skip the fancy designs, and cut out the excess. Utilize solid facts and stats to prove your expertise, ditch the flowery language. Research keywords for those resume-scanning bots. Keep it to one page-ish, sync it with your LinkedIn, and add a professional pic and background. Personalize those opening letters, 100% avoid any typos(triple check), and keep it snappy. If you share a portfolio, make it straightforward and showcase your value with meaningful metrics. Your resume should tell a compelling tale of your intentions and your desired company fit. Stay flexible and realistic, avoiding both self-doubt and overconfidence.

“The creativity should not overshadow or overpower the message,” says a Creative and Marketing leader, about the criteria of a strong resume. A one-page resume is preferred, without a personal photo, and it must have clean visual design language and a hierarchy of information. They also seek a business-minded creative, so showing metrics and KPIs shows they understand the value ifor delivering results. As a leader of people, they do give weight to skills and behaviors–not just what they can do but how they do it. A portfolio is also a must-have!

The owner of a Baltimore creative agency prioritizes a strong portfolio and a compelling narrative of the thought process and context behind the work. Real-world experience trumps formal education. As for a resume? It’s not a necessity, especially if the designer has a robust LinkedIn presence.

A Sr. Creative Director from a global PR agency prioritizes 3 main sources when evaluating a design candidate: LinkedIn, a portfolio, and a resume. A LinkedIn profile provides a history of experience and education, and the portfolio showcases the designer’s skills and style. A resume is still important, as it hones in on the designer’s attention to detail. This includes typography, choices of visual hierarchy, and formatting like sentence breaks. Designers who make resumes too “designy” or branded like infographics risk being offputting and overselling their authenticity.

The design leader of a digital solution firm emphasizes the importance of targeted, clear, and visually appealing application materials to demonstrate an understanding of the job and how you can add value. With a resume, focus on clarity and relevance–help the hiring manager understand how you could apply those skills and learnings to the new role. For formatting, make it succinct and scannable. The portfolio connects the dots of the skills and experience stated in the resume. Content design matters! Treat your portfolio design with the same care you’d give client work. And if you consider a cover letter? First, ditch the generic template. Secondly, don’t focus just on your experience. Bridge the gap by showing how that experience will meet the business challenge at hand.

Wrapping up

While I’ve shared my approach to resume writing paired with the valuable insights from design leaders who are calling the shots on hiring, remember that hiring is nuanced. If anything, the perspective from the 11 is a clear example of this.

Ultimately, each interviewer brings their own unique perspective and priorities. Don’t be afraid to tailor your resume and highlight experiences that resonate with specific companies and roles. Experiment, seek feedback, and trust your instincts to craft a resume that authentically reflects your talent and aligns with your target job.

About the writer

Kelli Hrivnak

LinkedIn | Website

Kelli Hrivnak is a leader with over 15 years of experience in staffing and recruitment services. Recognizing the limitations of quantity-driven staffing models, Kelli embarked on a mission to create a forward-thinking alternative. She is founder of Knak Digital, a recruiting agency prioritizing strategy and quality over high-volume recruitment. Throughout her career, Kelli has partnered with various companies, from Fortune 500 corporations to start-ups. Her extensive background in the technology and marketing industry has provided her with valuable insights and a deep understanding of client needs.

The Power of an Optimized LinkedIn Profile

Posted on by Drew Bonsu

When I joined LinkedIn 14 years ago, the platform was known as the place where you transferred your resume and work history into an online version. LinkedIn has evolved far beyond a platform for just placeholding your digital resume, as your profile is the first impression you will make to people in and outside your network.

But a LinkedIn profile isn’t your resume–it is static, searchable, and offers more features to showcase your expertise beyond just the history of your job experience.   I’m going to touch on the impact of an optimized LinkedIn profile for designers, exploring how it can attract job opportunities, foster connections, and enhance your reputation (aka personal brand). Let’s embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of LinkedIn success in the design arena.

Where to Start?

LinkedIn provides a variety of sections for you to input information.  As a recruiter who proactively uses LinkedIn to source and identify potential prospects for job opportunities, I’ll emphasize the areas and content I seek out when scanning a profile to assess the alignment for a role.

Headliner

Your headliner is the copy that is located right below your name on the LinkedIn profile and it will be the first thing people see (along with your name).  Not only does it show on your profile page, but also when you comment, send invitations, “Who Viewed your Profile“, and in the intro section of your profile. You have a 220-character limit. A shortened version of your headliner will be visible when commenting (75 characters), sent invitation (80 characters), and in search results (82 characters).

The words in the headliner do affect the search results.  Keeping this in mind, I advise to be clear about your expertise and use keywords that a recruiter may look for when sourcing.  This may include job title, skill sets, certifications, and companies.  A Unique Value Prop (USP) is a popular choice for a headliner, like “turning ideas into visual symphony,” but I urge people that it’s not the best (SEO) option if you are in an active search.  A USP can be ambiguous and a recruiter isn’t using those keywords when searching.

A simple format I suggest is:

Job title + Company + (skill sets, results/achievements, awards) + (fun add about personality or USP).

If your current job title is vague or you are making a career pivot, the headliner is an alternative field to sub in your target job title.  Example:  Your job title is “creative specialist” which doesn’t encompass your expertise in design.  Use “Graphic designer” in your headliner instead.

Photo

Is there a greater chance of receiving outreach when you include a photo on your profile? Discrimination is real, unfortunately, and I’ve talked to people who strategically omit or strengthen their privacy settings by design to hide their headshots on their profiles. Make decisions based on your comfort level.

If you opt for a photo, a DIY iphone session can quickly produce a credible headshot Here is an article with some helpful tips!

 

Location

If a company is looking to hire a local candidate within commuting distance,  they could be using a radius search by location.  Users can search by by Region or Postal Code. The latter option enables a nuanced radius search, allowing users to filter results within 5, 10, 25, 35, 50, 75, and 100 miles.

To enhance your discoverability, consider selecting a broader metro area rather than specifying your exact city. For instance, instead of “Baltimore,” use “Washington DC-Baltimore” to increase your inclusion in wider-radius searches.   If you are in the midst or open to relocation, set the targeted location as your geography so your visibility will be amplified in those geographical searches.

Industry

Companies could be prioritizing their search by industry experience.  While you can include vertical exposure in your About and Experience section, you can choose an industry sector in your account settings.  LinkedIn expanded their industry codes from 24 core functions to sub categories, likely expanding to over 400+ soon.  Pick one most important to you, and again–you can mention others in other areas.

Keywords

Before I cover the About and Experience section, I encourage everyone to conduct keyword research to identify what skills and keywords are associated with your current job and target.  Wordtracker and Google Keyword Planner are excellent tools, but what works on Google won’t be a replica on LinkedIn.   ChatGPT can generate a list of associated words too.

 

Review the words and think about how you can integrate these words into the content of your profile. For example, instead of listing out a bullet-pointed list of keywords like “Storyboarding,” “campaign development,” and “advertising,”  try weaving them into the story of your experience and about section.

 

Consider the keywords you prefer not to be associated with on your LinkedIn profile. While retaining your work history is advisable, it’s beneficial to eliminate skills or keywords that hold no relevance to your future career aspirations.  Unfortunately, some recruiters are lazy and will mass message anyone who possesses a keyword they are searching for–regardless of context.  Proactively removing skills or titles misaligned with your target job can potentially curtail unwarranted outreach.

 

Scope out your competition.  Run a keyword search on job titles (like “Art Director” or “Sr. Graphic Designer) and pay particular attention to the initial pages of search results.  How does the algorithm prioritize profiles related to content?

 

About Section

This is your canvas to craft a narrative of your career journey and an opportunity to reveal more information beyond the facts of your experience.  Did you make a career pivot or your path has been non-linear?  Has design been your passion since you were a child? How did this path become your “why”?

What’s your opening hook?  Keep the mobile user in mind, as they’ll likely encounter the initial 90 to 150 characters of this section before having to click down. Desktop viewers may extend to around 300 characters.

As you share your story, consider incorporating a call to action (CTA) to encourage recruiters to engage further. This could involve providing a link to your portfolio, sharing your email address, or including a phone number (consider using Google Voice for added privacy). Embrace the first-person perspective to infuse authenticity into your narrative (a third-person narrative may be more suitable for fields like legal or finance.)

Reinforce your expertise.  Don’t forget to enhance your visibility by strategically integrating those relevant keywords and skills into the narrative.  You also have the option to add your top 5 skills that will be promoted in this section.

 

Experience Section

I’ll argue that this section is the most significant in your profile. While other sections can represent your branding, the experience section unveils the application of your keyword skills and the outcomes achieved. It provides the crucial context to assess your qualification for a role.

In each job experience, include details on project work, tasks, results, industry exposure, management roles, certifications, specific software proficiency, training, and promotions. Adopting a format with bulleted points or well-structured sentences enhances readability.

Utilize LinkedIn’s feature to add skills to each experience entry, showcasing your expertise aligned with each job title and company.  If you used Adobe XD in your current job but only Indesign at your prior, you can distinguish how recent you were exposed to tools here.  In addition to hard skills, consider adding other tasks like project management, motion design, business development, etc

 

Featured Section:

Designers, do not overlook this section!  This space is your place to add content, from articles, videos, URLS, podcasts, photos, and presentations.  Most importantly, if you have an online portfolio, include the link.  This is the visual “highlight real” of your achievements.

Contact Information

Ensure your email is up to date to efficiently receive timely notifications. If anyone is using Inmails, messages, or general invitations, your notifications will go to this email. If you using your work email domain, keep this in mind (especially if you fear that your employer is monitoring your emails). This article will show you how to adjust the visibility of your email. Consider a pseudo email strictly for LinkedIn outreach and messaging.

Along with the Featured section, you can include your portfolio link here. If you were assigned a generic URL, you can explore custom options.  If there is a custom domain that is available and aligned with your personal branding, snatch it up.

What else should you consider?

A background photo, which is the large image behind your profile picture, is customizable.  I usually recommend Canva as a tool to create a unique banner that highlights your brand or expertise, however I recognize an audience of designers will have the skills and other tools to execute this task at a higher level.  The dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels and accepts PNG, JPG, and GIF files.

Should you use the Open to Work Banner?  My opinion is mine alone, but I do not hold a bias against anyone who is actively in a job search and chooses the visual cue of the banner.  My objective, as a recruiter, is to identify a candidate who is motivated and qualified to make a job move.  Some others may discriminate against people unemployed, so you need to make the best choice for yourself.  If your job search is confidential, I would encourage you to use the Recruiters Only option.  The Recruiters Only option is limited to users who subscribe to the Premium Recruiter seat, so that isn’t limited to recruiters only but to those who pay for that level of service.

A LinkedIn Allstar Status increases your visibility. While the meter is no longer on display in your profile, reference this link on how to access your level. Hint: Look for the “Suggested for you” prompt.

What qualifies as an Allstar Status?  Complete all of the following sections.

  • Industry/Location
  • 3 positions (including current). If you don’t have 3 job experiences, consider volunteering, freelance, or gap options.
  • Education
  • Skills (3 minimum)
  • Profile Photo
  • 50 Connections

In today’s competitive job market, having a well-optimized LinkedIn profile is more important than ever. This is a passive, one-stop effort that can generate inbound leads and increase your chances of being discovered by recruiters and potential employers.

About the writer

Kelli Hrivnak

LinkedIn | Website

Kelli Hrivnak is a leader with over 15 years of experience in staffing and recruitment services.  Recognizing the limitations of quantity-driven staffing models, Kelli embarked on a mission to create a forward-thinking alternative.  She is founder of Knak Digital, a recruiting agency prioritizing strategy and quality over high-volume recruitment. Throughout her career, Kelli has partnered with various companies, from Fortune 500 corporations to start-ups.  Her extensive background in the technology and marketing industry has provided her with valuable insights and a deep understanding of client needs.

5 DMV Experts Weigh In: How to Start Your Creative Career

Posted on by Krystal Carpintieri

On Saturday April 23rd, 2022, AIGA Baltimore held a virtual panel discussion for Ink & Pixels, “From Portfolio to Offer: The Art of Getting Hired”. The discussion featured a fantastic group of established professionals while talking about how to rethink and refine your approach to getting hired in the creative industry. There was lots of insight on the dos and don’ts of resumes, portfolios, and interviews as well as the other things to keep in mind that Google doesn’t tell you.

The panel included Nate Brubaker, Owner & Executive Producer at Rock Shore Media;  Jordan Watts, Director of Design at Fearless; Amy Quarles, Creative Director at Visit Baltimore; and Hilliary Turnipseed, Director of Recruitment & DEI at Subject Matter and Founder of Hill Street Strategies, and was moderated by Nhu Nguyen, Vice President at AIGA Baltimore and AVP, Creative Director at Fenton.

Career Values

What do you value? If you don’t know, start thinking about it. What do you value in your career? Some of our panelists noted that experience, respect, and a mission you can stand behind, is very important when looking for a career. Don’t forget to think about values in your personal life—especially a good work life balance. Workplace culture shouldn’t be stagnant. Just like the field of design is always changing, your workplace should be full of people who are also willing to change.

HR Advice

When applying for a job, be prepared and know where you are applying. We suggest having a document of when and where you applied and know about all of them. If you aren’t excited for the job application or if it doesn’t interest you, don’t apply! The interviewer will know if you don’t care or aren’t familiar with the company. Don’t hit apply if you wouldn’t be excited to get a call back.

When you graduate from college, you might not have the career experience you are looking for, but you should have some job experience. 

Think about it:

  • Have you had a job anywhere? Starbucks or anything at all?
  • Have you done any passion projects? These make you stand out from the crowd. 
  • Have you completed an internship?
  • Have you had a career shift? HR calls these nontraditional backgrounds with transferable skills. Talk about what underlying skills you have that will make you effective in this new role. 

Make sure you are being seen, heard, and valued. If an offer comes in and it seems insulting—it is insulting. Negotiate and believe in your worth.

What happens if you miss the job application deadline? If the job is still posted online (such as Indeed or LinkedIn), just apply and go for it. Be sure to look for contact information and email the person hiring to let them know you have applied to the job. 

Embrace the Change: Seize the Opportunities. 

Hillary embraced that you don’t have to explain your career gap in a global pandemic! If the employer asks about your gap, that may be a potential red flag. If you do want to explain—it’s ok to be your authentic self. Nhu noted, “feel free to be authentic. If you need to take time off for family, or for yourself, you can say this.”

Sometimes it’s okay to fake it until you make it. If you are learning something new like photography, just keep welcoming new opportunities (school project, client project, etc.). This is how you can bring your ideas to the table.

Networking

There are lots of ways to network and create connections—make connections in real life at events or online via LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.! Always be in conversation, always be there to support people. Create GENUINE connections. There might not be an immediate benefit, but it can come back around. Connect with them because you share a commonality.

Cover Letters & Resumes

When you are creating your cover letter, make it personal so you can stand out. Make sure to show yourself in your cover letter with your passions, personality, and values. Go deeper into what you have learned and how it applies to the specific company. Go through each of your resume bullet points and see how it can apply to the job. Don’t forget  to address the cover letter correctly, including the right person and the correct company. 

Each of these pieces (cover letter, resume, portfolio) are just one piece of the puzzle. Some employers will look holistically at the candidate, look at the outcomes, and look beyond their title. As Jordan explained, “The cover letter is a great place to explain your “why” and have a personal letter to your hiring manager.” 

When designing your resume, don’t overthink it or overdesign it—assigning a percentage to a certain skill or software is often not recommended (for example, 56% in Adobe Photoshop is confusing). Instead, keep it simple and add your skills/software in bullet points. We also recommend having a PDF copy as well as a simple Microsoft Word copy—sometimes the PDF won’t work on certain applications when you have to apply online. Make sure your resume can be printed, no tie dye backgrounds or lots of color in the background, keep it simple!

Portfolios

A few things to consider when deciding your portfolio platform: What is the cost? How easy will it be to update over time? For you, this might be a PowerPoint presentation, or it might be a website. 

There are lots of ways to present your work (printed portfolio, website, Behance, slide deck/PDF) but you want to showcase your work in a simple and organized way. Make sure you present in a way that is efficient, effective, and clean. When presenting, have something that is ready to go and doesn’t require WiFi. If you’re an animator, don’t have a print portfolio. If you are creating a portfolio with Google Slides/Keynote/PowerPoint, make sure to save and send as a PDF for a more professional look.

If your portfolio is on a website, make sure it’s mobile friendly (you never know what device the employer is using!). The moment a recruiter or hiring manager is faced with a difficulty (such as a website not loading or doesn’t have the PowerPoint software to open your .ppt presentation), they will more than likely move on to the next candidate. 

If it’s a team project, make sure to specify what you were responsible for. Keep in mind that most people assessing your projects are likely not to spend more than 5 minutes looking at a specific project—be sure to be prepared to talk about each project. 

You can find more information about the number of projects, and what to include (don’t forget process and sketches!), in this blog: Best Practices for Creating a Design Portfolio & Preparing for Interviews in 2022.

Interview Tips

When you are being interviewed, it’s not just the employer interviewing you—you’re also interviewing them. You want to make sure that they are a good fit for you. Always ask questions—especially questions about the company’s culture. Don’t forget to do some research on the company! Always be prepared.

What happens if you need special accommodations for your interview? For example, if you are deaf, you might prefer to meet in-person or on a video call. You can ask for accommodations in the comment section of the application or when they email you back. If you can’t find an email or if there is no place to add comments, try looking the company up on LinkedIn and see if you can message anyone. Again, it is totally reasonable to ask for the accommodations you need in order to have a productive interview—whether that is a permanent or temporary condition.

Our panelists shared their top advice for job applicants:

  • Be genuine and authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality. Employers want to make sure you will be a good cultural fit. 
  • Know about the company: Show that you’ve done your research on the company you’re interviewing for and show a genuine interest in what their goals are and how you can contribute to their success.
  • Your portfolio isn’t everything: Don’t just “let the work speak for itself.” Your portfolio is only half the battle. Make sure you are articulating your skills outside of your portfolio as well. How well do you work in a team? What leadership skills do you have? Are you good at managing multiple project deadlines?

5 Key Takeaways from Our Panelists

Nate Brubaker
Seize opportunities! When hiring, we’re not just looking for a degree. Looking for the person who took advantage of all the opportunities available. 

Jordan Watts
Look for whether a company is willing to change and embraces change. Recognize imposter syndrome. From his colleague Kelsey Johnston—“if you think you’re 80% qualified, you are 100% qualified.” That remaining 20% is the room for growth, and learning on-the-job is expected.

Amy Quarles
For your portfolio: Think about what you learned from each job/project. Even if the design output wasn’t completely newsworthy, your hiring manager will be looking at it in the context.

Hillary Turnipseed
Only apply for as many jobs/interviews as you can show up for 100%. The interviewer will know if you don’t care or aren’t familiar with the company. Don’t hit apply if you wouldn’t be excited to get a call back. Rejection is Redirection.

Nhu Nguyen
Fight through the fear. Don’t let imposter’s syndrome hold you back. The best opportunities come from taking risks!

 

Meet the Panelists 

Nate Brubaker

Owner & Executive Producer @ Rock Shore Media
Nate developed a passion for entrepreneurship and the creative industry at a young age. According to Nate, the most rewarding part of creating Rock Shore so far has been the ability to grow his team and see them prosper.

Jordan Watts

Director of Design @ Fearless
Jordan has spent his career working to rebuild trust in government and public institutions. As the Director of Design at Fearless he leads a multidisciplinary design practice to help people deliver and get better government services.

Amy Quarles

Creative Director @ Visit Baltimore
Amy began her career as an in-house graphic designer at a labor union in Washington, D.C., and moved to the leisure and tourism marketing space in 2007 where she has been ever since. She works with one full-time, in-house graphic designer and marketing managers in a small group of freelance creatives—photographers, illustrators, stylists, and videographers.

Hilliary Turnipseed

Director of Recruitment & DEI @ Subject Matter
Founder @ Hill Street Strategies
Hilliary is a DMV area-based talent acquisition executive, with a rich background in early-stage technology startups, media and social impact organizations. She seamlessly integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies into her work, with an emphasis on advocating for underrepresented/underestimated candidates and creating two-way interviewing experiences.

About the Moderator:

Nhu Nguyen

Vice President @ AIGA Baltimore
AVP, Creative Director @ Fenton
Nhu brings over 12 years of comprehensive experience within the multimedia, interactive, and traditional design space and creative industry to develop effective and impactful campaigns. She leads the creative team at Fenton, integrating strategy, effective design, and compelling storytelling to create memorable solutions that help grow brands and leave lasting impressions. Nhu has worked in a variety of different industries and is passionate about amplifying voices that are underrepresented.

Thank you to Kristin Kosmides, Nhu Nguyen, and Frances Miller for your help on this blog.

Finding Your Creative Communities

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

National and Local Professional Organizations

 

AIGA The Professional Association for Design logo
AIGA: The Professional Association for Design | National
AIGA Baltimore | @aigabaltimore
AIGA advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. As the largest community of design advocates, we bring together practitioners, enthusiasts, and patrons to amplify the voice of design and create the vision for a collective future. We define global standards and ethical practices, guide design education, enhance professional development, and make powerful tools and resources accessible to all.

AAFB: American Advertising Federation Baltimore logo
AAF: American Advertising Federation | National
AAF Baltimore | @aafbaltimore
The American Advertising Federation of Baltimore (AAFB) traces its roots back to 1918, originally established as the women’s auxiliary to the men’s Advertising Club. In 1920, the women formed their own organization, naming it the Women’s Advertising Club of Baltimore. It was affiliated with the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, the predecessor to the modern-day American Advertising Federation.

AGI Alliance Graphique Internationale
AGI: Alliance Graphique Internationale | @agigraphic
Alliance Graphique Internationale [AGI] is, as its name suggests, a member-based association of professionals, united by working in the field of graphic design and drawn from across the globe.

AMA American Marketing Association logo
AMA: American Marketing Association | National
AMA Baltimore | @amabaltimore
The American Marketing Association Baltimore Chapter is Maryland’s leading provider of networking, educational programming, and resources for marketing professionals. AMA Baltimore provides extensive opportunities for marketers to expand their networks, grow professionally, and learn about current industry trends.

Creative Mornings logo
Creative Mornings | National
Creative Mornings Baltimore | @CreativeMorningsBaltimore
CreativeMornings/Baltimore is a FREE monthly breakfast lecture series based on the two core principles that everyone is creative and everyone is invited. CM/Bal is one of over 200 chapters around the world meeting each month. Every month, all chapters organize talks based on the same theme. CreativeMornings is fueled by an engine of generosity and is 100% volunteer-run, partnering with great local businesses and organizations. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete this form.

Baltimore Creative Community

BOPA: Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts
@promoandarts
As Baltimore City’s arts council, The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts provides resources and opportunities to artists and artist organizations to continue to make Baltimore a city for the arts.

BCAN
@baltimorecreates
The Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network (BCAN) is a 10-year, city-wide initiative providing both strategic and as-needed, just-in-time entrepreneurship support for Baltimore creatives of all disciplines and backgrounds. At BCAN, we define artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs the same way: visionaries who create something new from raw and often limited resources.

Through our Programs—Founder Fellowship, Connect, Help Desk, Mobile, and Pilot (launching in 2020), we’re on a mission to foster a stronger, more equitable creative ecosystem and economy in Baltimore by empowering artists as entrepreneurs!

bfc: Baltimore Freelancers Collective
IG: @bmore_freelancers
FB: @baltimorefreelancers
Whether you own your own business, freelance on the side, work remotely for a large company, or just want to learn more about entrepreneurship—we would love for you to join us at our next event.

Elevate & Cultivate with Illiah
@elevate.cultivate
Nothing combats fear or intimidation like bravery and empathy, so reach out to your competition, ask for a chat—it could change your life! Also, pay attention to when inspiration hits you like a truck, it could be your next big thing. And finally, keep a list of competitors, not to watch, but to reach out to invite them to be your friends and join our community.

The Bmore Creatives
@thebmorecreatives
Hi, welcome to The Bmore Creatives! We are a community platform and a social media brand that celebrates the creatives, the makers, the get sh*t done-ers, the people that make Charm City charming! We promote and connect local artists, small businesses, and avid IGers throughout the city. We want to prove that everyone can be creative when they are open to being inspired by everyday life in our city.

Ladies, Wine & Design
Ladies, Wine and Design Baltimore holds monthly events which are limited to eight creative ladies. We’ll have drinks and casual conversations on a wide variety of topics relating to creativity, business, and life. If you’re a female student or creative and would like to join, please email us. It’s free and reservations are first-come, first-serve. You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and if you’d like to host us in your space, teach a workshop, or lead a discussion, please do get in touch.

Made With Love In Baltimore
If you want your product or organization listed, drop a “Made with ♥ in Baltimore” link on your site, and send us an email to hello@madewithloveinbaltimore.org.

Open Works
@open_works_bmore
Our mission is to make tools, technology, and the knowledge to use them accessible to all. We connect you to manufacturing equipment, space, education, and Baltimore’s largest community of maker professionals. With programs for ages eight and up, we can help you make just about anything!

Production Club of Baltimore
@ProductionClub
THE PCB PRINT, PAPER & PRODUCTION SHOW 2020 (Scheduled for October 1)
Join the Production Club of Baltimore, along with hundreds of other local creative and marketing professionals, for an evening of networking and fresh production ideas from the mid-atlantic’s very best printers, paper suppliers, image producers, and technologists. Grow your swatch book collection and samples library. Cultivate new vendor partnerships. Seed your future project timelines with new media. Dig into deeper relationships with fellow creatives by face-to-face networking. This is a time to flourish! Register now!

SoDA | Society of Design Arts
@sodabaltimore
The Society of Design Arts (SoDA) presents a monthly program in Baltimore, Maryland to further attendees’ knowledge of the history of the design arts including graphic design, illustration, architecture, book arts, and photography. Programs are free and open to anyone.

SoDA consists of a planning committee that meets quarterly to discuss future programs. Formerly known as Society for History and Graphics (SHAG), the all-volunteer group has been active since 2007 providing more than 100 programs which have explored such diverse subjects as Bauhaus methodology and practice, Patent Medicine labels, The Real Mad Men of Advertising, Science Fiction illustration, and many others.

Baltimore Cake & Whiskey
Fresh, authentic, purposeful networking events for the modern businesswoman.

Baltimore Graphic Designers
This group is for Baltimore area based graphic designers to create community, ask questions, get advice, share jobs, and plan meet-ups.

Monument Women’s Creative Alliance
@monumentwomen
Our mission is to support women creatives by cultivating a community that enables connection, inspiration, and education.

Baltimore Tech Community

Baltimore Women Techmakers
Calling all Baltimore women that use tech! Whether you are a Product Manager, Designer, Developer, or a tech hobbyist, this group welcomes you! This is the local chapter of Google’s Women Techmakers.

Baltimore Womxn in Tech
@BmoreWomenTech
Through networking, mentorship, and collaboration, we aim to empower womxn in our community. No matter your role in our ecosystem, we want you to thrive.

Baltimore UX Meetup
@BaltimoreUX
Calling all those who create excellent user experiences for sites, systems, applications, software, and hardware! From the startup to the enterprise. From user research to implementation. If you’re designing and building great experiences in the Baltimore area, please join us.

Code for Baltimore
@CodeForBaltimore
We are a community of volunteers who develop open-source projects as a Code for America Brigade by focusing on open government, open data, great design, and social good in Baltimore.

Code in the Schools
@CodeintheSchool
We empower Baltimore City youth to thrive in the 21st-century economy by expanding access to quality computer science education and building pathways from school to jobs and higher education. By focusing on youth traditionally under-represented in technology fields, we work to eliminate structural barriers and inequities in education and industry.

Hack Baltimore
@hack Baltimore
Baltimore is a unique and vibrant city, and though there are many reasons why we’re called Charm City, we tend to make the news for our flaws rather than our strengths. And hackathons are a great way to engage the broader community to explore technology as a way to help solve them.

Technical.ly Baltimore
@TechnicallyBMR
Technical.ly Baltimore is a local technology news organization dedicated to how innovation is impacting the region.

Creative Job Boards

AIGA
designjobs.aiga.org

Creative Hot List
www.creativehotlist.com

The Creative Group (TLC) | A Robert Half Company
www.roberthalf.com/employers/creativegroup

Creative Mornings
creativemornings.com/jobs

Working Not Working
workingnotworking.com/search/jobs

Behance
www.behance.net/joblist

If You Could
ifyoucouldjobs.com

Krop
www.krop.com

Talent Zoo
www.talentzoo.com

Media Bistro
www.mediabistro.com

Authentic
authenticjobs.com

Coroflot
www.coroflot.com

Smash
jobs.smashingmagazine.com/jobs

Ink & Pixels 2020: Going Virtual!

Posted on by Bryan Burke

Ink & Pixels Goes Virtual!

Take The Next Step Towards Your Design Career

Thinking about the job market during these uncertain times can be daunting for designers at all levels of experience.  Whether you want to make a good impression in interviews, need a new perspective on your portfolio, or want fresh eyes on a current project, we’re here to help. Ink & Pixels is one of AIGA Baltimore’s largest events focused on helping designers prepare for a career or career shift. Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and our current Stay-At-Home mandate, AIGA is transitioning our in-person event, (originally scheduled to be held at Morgan State University on April 18) online! Now more than ever, we believe in the importance of finding alternative ways to come together in the community and share the knowledge and resources we have with each other. All events are free to attend!

Virtual Ink and Pixels (VIP) is now a series of events hosted online:

1. If I Knew Then What I Knew Now – Designer Panel

Saturday, April 18, 12:30–1:30pm

Join us via Zoom for an informative virtual discussion between AIGA Baltimore’s programming chair, Vaibhav Sharma (moderator), The Creative Group (TCG), and two experienced designers representing different aspects of the design field.

Our panelists include: 

Alexander Reynolds, Senior Creative Recruiter at TCG

Perry Sweeper, Design Strategist

Emilee Beeson, Designer and Illustrator

→ Register Today

2. Roundtable Workshops

Saturday, May 2, 10am–12pm

Here’s your chance to get (virtual) face-to-face answers to those questions you’ve been Googling. Join our Zoom roundtable discussions with experts on a variety of topics such as Freelancer Finance, Finding Your Creative Community, How to Get Hired, and Building Your Social Media Following.

→ Register Today

3. Portfolio Reviews

Portfolio reviews are designed to give you advice and insight that will improve the way you present yourself and your work. AIGA Baltimore will match you with three reviewers and provide contact information so you can meet virtually on your own time for portfolio critiques. Practice your interview skills and receive honest feedback about your work and resumé through Google Chat, Zoom, or whatever online platform you choose. More details will be coming soon!

Q&A With Charlotte James: Comms Specialist, Creative Entrepreneur, Baltimore Badass

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Charlotte James is a digital communications strategist and entrepreneur originally from Philadelphia. She came to Baltimore to study at Johns Hopkins University and decided to stay! And we’re so glad she’s here.

She currently serves as the Director of Outreach and Communications for Common Curriculum, a local ed-tech startup. She is a former Baltimore Corps Fellow and current Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network Founder Fellow with her nail art business, Power Decals.

Charlotte James Baltimore

Where do you draw inspiration from?
My business partner – she’s an incredible designer and helps me hone my aesthetic.

Favorite creative hobby, outside of design?
A friend recently got me back into sculpey clay so probably going to keep playing around with that.

What advice would you give to your 20-something self?
I’m still in my 20’s so if anyone has any advice, hook a sister up! Just kidding but for real, I always tell anyone younger than me that it’s totally cool to not know exactly what you want to do or who you want to be, as long as you’re always hustling towards something.

it’s totally cool to not know exactly what you want to do or who you want to be, as long as you’re always hustling towards something.

Charlotte James is the Co-Owner of Power Decals

Power Decals is a line of vibrant, statement-making nail decals that celebrate culture and powerful women. The Baltimore business is shaking up your handshake, as seen in Baltimore Magazine. But founders Charlotte and her partner Valentina Fiamma Ziino Colanino want more than amazing nail art. They create their decal designs based culturally diverse patterns and even feature inspiring women throughout history.

Meet Charlotte at AIGA Baltimore’s Ink & Pixels 2018

Join us at Ink & Pixels on September 29th to get to know her in person! Charlotte will be moderating the panel and town hall discussions on issues relevant to the emerging designer.

Register for Ink & Pixels – 9/29/2018

Bmore Inspired: 5 Spots to Get Inspired in Baltimore

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Inspiration can be found everywhere in Baltimore, whether out in the open or lurking around the corner, but it can be easy to miss if you’re not looking. Here are a few of our favorite places and events in Baltimore that are sure to get the creative juices flowing, for visiting and local designers alike.

American Visionary Art Museum

AS72-CITY-ARTS2-B
The American Visionary Art Museum’s (AVAM) main building glimmers in the afternoon sun

The AVAM is dedicated to displaying and preserving outsider art. Both its temporary and permanent exhibits make it a must-visit place for art that you might not see anywhere else.

Station North Arts District

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In the heart of city, Station North is the first state-designated Arts and Entertainment district in Baltimore.

With its myriad projects, installations, galleries, and cafes, everyone should be able to find some inspiration in Station North.

Bromo Tower Arts District

Artist at work in studio space
Artist at work in studio space

Home to the historic Emerson Bromo Seltzer Tower, this district is one of Baltimore’s newest art-centric neighborhoods. The numerous galleries and performance spaces make it easy to spend an entire day just in this small but thriving area.

Painted Ladies of Charles Village

Credit: Wikipedia
Some of the vividly painted row houses of Charles Village

Even the houses in Baltimore show the city’s dedication to the arts. This collection of colorful row homes is a perfect example of how the city’s residents exemplify the name Charm City.

Baltimore Events

Tom6602BeesTrophy
In 2016, the 18th Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race took place with The Bees’ Knees of Washington, DC taking home the trophy

Baltimore’s locations aren’t the only places to find inspiration. The city is host to tons of art-centric events that have become important traditions. We’ve highlighted a few that are sure to interest both visiting and local designers.

Image Credits: Ashley Phillips, American Style, Station North, Baltimore Arts, Wikipedia, and Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race

Mitch is a volunteer copywriter for AIGA Baltimore. In the real world, he’s usually indulging in gaming of some kind, controller or dice in hand. Find him on Twitter at @mc_mittens.

Shannon Crabill is an HTML Email Developer at T. Rowe Price. Outside of the Internet you can find her riding her motorcycle and binge-watching home improvement shows on HGTV. Tweet her at @shannon_crabill.

A recent transplant from Texas by way of NYC, Andrea Chen is happy to call Baltimore her home. She’s a graphic designer at T. Rowe Price, owns her own company the codex club, and loves to knit, cook, and garden. Tweet her @andreachen3d.

BMORE Inspired by The Painted Ladies of Charles Village

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

When you hear the term “painted ladies”, do you think of Baltimore architecture? Inspired by the brightly colored homes of San Francisco, the Victorian style row homes of Baltimore’s own Charles Village neighborhood certainly live up to the name.

In the late 90s, the neighborhood of Charles Village had a contest, challenging residents to paint and decorate the fronts of their rowhomes in order to revitalize and show pride in their neighborhood. With cash prizes for best door, porch and front facade, residents took the challenge and ran with it. With an array of colors and styles ranging from vibrant pinks, greens, and yellows, stripes and solids, even almost 20 years later these rowhomes show how bold and spunky the city of Baltimore can be. Although the last contest took place in 2003, some of the houses have been repainted in the past few years, and there are efforts to bring back the competition. For a taste of some true Baltimore charm, the painted ladies of Charles Village are well worth driving—or walking—by to see.

Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/question_everything/">Let Ideas Compete</a>
Credit: Let Ideas Compete
Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guilford.jpg">Wikipedia</a>
Credit: Wikipedia
Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sidereal/">Jack Lyons</a>
Credit: Jack Lyons
Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ms_sarahbgibson/">cinderellasg</a>
Credit: cinderellasg

This post is part 5 of our “Bmore Inspired in Baltimore” series. See part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 here.

Image Credit: Zack Weinberg

Shannon Crabill is an HTML Email Developer at T. Rowe Price. Outside of the Internet you can find her riding her motorcycle and binge-watching home improvement shows on HGTV. Tweet her at @shannon_crabill.

BMORE Inspired at Bromo-Seltzer Tower & Arts District

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

Many of Baltimore’s neighborhoods make great places for designers to visit. The Bromo Tower Arts District is a relatively new addition to Baltimore. Established in 2012, Bromo Tower Arts District occupies a space just north of the Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower for which it was named. The district was established as a way for the area to become a fully realized downtown arts neighborhood. The area contains a plethora of venues to entice the artistically minded visitor, from numerous galleries to performance spaces and theaters.

Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ebmorse/">Brandon Morse</a>
Credit: Brandon Morse

The Bromo Tower Arts District is home to almost too many organizations and venues to name, but there’s something for just about everyone there. Notable galleries include Gallery Four, which encourages artists to create large-scale works and installations; Arte Factory, which features many pieces made from discarded and recycled objects and materials; and XOL, which is dedicated to providing a place for young Middle Eastern artists to create and display their work. The district contains several performance spaces, including the Annex Theater, Everyman Theatre, and even the historic Hippodrome Theatre. If you’re looking for historical inspiration, the Maryland Historical Society can be found here. Even the shops in the Bromo Tower Arts District lean towards the artistic, such as Neighborhood Fiber Co. yarn shop, AT Jones & Sons Costume Shop, and Pipes Dreamz Clothing.

The district’s namesake, the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, is itself an iconic Baltimore landmark. The tower was constructed in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by Captain Isaac Emerson, inventor of Bromo Seltzer, it was modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The tower’s most distinguishing feature, and most recognizable sight in the district, is the still-functioning tower clock, which shows the words BROMO SELTZER instead of numbers. In 2007, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts began renovations on the tower, turning the 15-story building into 33 artists’ studios. The tower regularly holds open houses of the studios for visitors.

Whether you’re looking for art galleries or theaters, shops or historic landmarks, the Bromo Arts Tower District has something for everyone!

 

This post is part 4 of our “Bmore Inspired in Baltimore” series. See part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.

Image Credit: BKL

Mitch is a volunteer copywriter for AIGA Baltimore. In the real world, he’s usually indulging in
gaming of some kind, controller or dice in hand. Find him on Twitter at @mc_mittens.

BMORE Inspired at Station North Arts District

Posted on by AIGA Baltimore

If you’re looking for an art-centric destination that is more than a one-stop shop then consider spending your day in the Station North Arts District. Located in the heart of the city, Station North has something for everyone—even the non-designer in your life.

Founded in 2002, Station North is the home of the first State designated Arts & Entertainment District in Baltimore. One of 22 in the State of Maryland, the five block radius that is Station North is home to dozens of projects, installations, local galleries and cafes. While it’s hard to pick just one, here are a few of the highlights.

Open Walls
For the street art fan, the neighborhood is scattered with large, vibrant wall murals as part of the Open Walls project. Kicking off in 2012, Station North joined forces with local artist Gaia to produce the project, which features nearly two dozen murals and art installations.

Tapping the talents of local and global artists of all backgrounds and nationalities, the project succeeded at and surpassed its goal of invigorating the city and bringing art into a community that would otherwise have just another exposed brick wall. Over two months, Open Walls earned several “Best Of” awards from the Baltimore City Paper as well as features in the Washington Post and New York Times.

Credit: <a href="http://stationnorth.org/" target="_blank">stationnorth.org</a>
Credit: stationnorth.org

More than three years after its inception, the murals can still be found and admired by the public. Spanning several blocks surrounding North Avenue, Open Walls makes for a great self-guided tour. A catalog of the project is also available from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) bookstore.

The Charles
For the movie fan, consider seeing a show at The Charles Theater. The 1150-seat historic, multi-screen theater shows new releases as well as classics, as part of its revival series. The building itself was designed in 1892 by architect Jackson C. Gott and went through many purposes in its life, including a streetcar barn, library and ballroom. Even through its 100+ year lifespan, the integrity of the main auditorium remains mostly untouched since it was originally dubbed the Times Theatre in 1939. The Charles is also home to family friendly anime and movie nights.

Credit: <a href="http://thecharles.com/">The Charles</a>
Credit: The Charles

Red Emma’s
The Station North Arts District is also home to several local eateries too. If you are in the mood for house roasted coffee and an all vegetarian menu, consider stopping by Red Emma’s.

Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicknormal/">Nick Normal</a>
Credit: Nick Normal

On the corner of Maryland and North Avenues, Red Emma is not just a coffee shop. Owned by its employees, Red Emma’s houses a bookshop, complete with radical, small press books, as well as regular schedule of community fueled talks, workshops and author events. Promoting a “no-hate, everyone is welcome” environment as one of their core values, Red Emma’s makes for a relaxing stop within the Arts District.

This post is part 3 of our “Bmore Inspired in Baltimore” series. See part 1 and part 2 here.

Image Credit: stationnorth.org

Shannon Crabill is an HTML Email Developer at T. Rowe Price. Outside of the Internet you can find her riding her motorcycle and binge-watching home improvement shows on HGTV. Tweet her at @shannon_crabill.