{a quick interview with Ahoy Graphics + giveaway}

Kristen of Ahoy Graphics is a sponsor to the Gussy Sews community and is helping us welcome March with a fun, 5-question interview about herself and her design services.

Ahoy Graphics offers three types of services: Etsy shop design, printable design, or social media design, to help you make your shop or business perdy. I’ll let Kristen take it from here :]

The Interview ~

1. Share with us a little bit about yourself, your family & your handmade shop.
I’m a bookbinder, graphic designer, painter, art educator, owner of two Jack Russell Terriers and a Navy wife. We’re originally from Tennessee, in the outer Nashville area, and are currently stationed in an oh-so-sunny San Diego. I’ve enjoyed several years of freelance design work in the midst of teaching art and my bookbinding love affair.

2. How do you keep yourself inspired?
I’m constantly reading and exploring new sites but I find that my clients’ businesses prove to be the best inspiration for my work! I’m also a dog walker, I’ll use this personal time away from the desk to think through any “designer block” that I have.

3. What does a typical workday look like?
My typical workday is pretty streamlined, I wake around 8am and do all my house chores. By 10am, I’ll check in with my design consulting job. By noon, I’ll start my day at Ahoy by emailing design consultations and edit confirmations. Then I’ll quickly do some activity on my social media sites before heading into my part-time job as a dog-walker.

By around 2pm, I’m ready to design. I use “Get It Done” to keep all my jobs and deadlines organized. I always keep that and my email open throughout the day. I work with around 8-12 clients each day with many more with pending orders. I organize my workflow on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, working my way down the list. If I’m waiting on feedback for a project, I will skip over them and keep working until I hear back.

By 6pm-7pm, I’m finished sending out new drafts and notices to my clients. Over night, I will receive their feedback. If my husband is deployed or if I’m working with more than 8 clients in a day, you will find me designing well to midnight. I’m naturally a night-owl so this is the perfect time for me to design.

4. What are some recent business accomplishments you are most proud of?
When I’m given the opportunity for an amazing project, I have only my clients to thank! Recently, I’ve been uber excited over designing Rosamandola’s new branding suite, Assistly.com‘s new PR Kit Campaign, and the Hudson Public Library’s submission to the MLA PR Awards that will go inside one my hand-bound folios.

5. What are a few of your favorite handmade shops?
Ooh Pretty Shiny, Chicago Honey Co-op, Have It Sweet, Lemon Bird, Annie’s Sweatshop, Lime Green Modern, Yorktown Road, Byrd & Belle, Extra Seed, Lirola

Want to win $40 shop credit with Ahoy Graphics?

Leave a comment sharing how you’d use Kristen’s design skillz for your blog, shop, or business.

Giveaway ends Wednesday morning (3/9) and is open to the US only. For extra entries: blog tweet or facebook this {leave an extra comment for each}.