Drawing Business Buzzwords -- Celebrate!

Good morning! 

This is a very exciting email, because I get to share a proud moment with you all...

The Larimer County Open Space Story explainer video is a National 1st Place Award Winner!

The award was given by NATOA, an organization that supports local communities' communication efforts, was presented to my talented colleagues over at Cable 14 who filmed and edited the video. Here's a link to the press release, and a direct link to the hand drawn whiteboard-style video.

This week I'm thinking about how important it is to celebrate your wins! No matter how large or small they might seem, showing appreciation and acknowledging the work of team members or employees can do amazing things for motivation, collaboration, and creativity. 

Even though I'm working as a solopreneur, I still make sure to take time to thank people I work with or who help me out, and feel really special myself when I get something like a hand-written note in the mail. 

For this this week's drawing tip, I'm teaching you how to draw some folks celebrating!

As you're drawing, play with the size and angle of your people, especially the body and the head. How can you infuse emotion into these little pictures without giving them faces by tliting a head, pointing feet in a certain direction or angling a body? Sometimes simple changes can communicate a complex thought or feeling and help you get that idea across to your team!

Do you have your eye on the prize but are feeling overwhelmed by a complex project? Here's a post I wrote about how to take a bite out of that overwhelm stress with tips on how to draw out complexity so you can go for the win! 
 
(Hint: click on the image below to make it larger)
 

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Now I want to hear from you!

What wins have you had recently? How did you celebrate? Have you ever been recognized, even in a small way, that's made you feel great about the work you're doing? 

Upload your experiences and Sketches in the comments section below to share your unique style and inspire the community! And of course, any questions, epiphanies, and requests for future ConverSKETCHes!

If you liked this tip, please share this with friends you think should celebrate the excellent work they're doing!

Thanks for tuning in! Keep doodling and making your authentic mark on this world!

Cheers, Karina



Have a company or product you're proud of and want to share with the world? Get in touch with me to talk about a high-quality, custom video to explain your ideas and move your audience to action!

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This graphic recording is from a wonderful and interactive presentation by Nathaniel Quintana last week. Remember, there's only ONE you, so the authentic value you add to this world is completely unique!

What Could You Do With A New Beginning, and New Additions on the Farm

Happy September y'all!

This time of year in Colorado is beautiful, crisp and full of abundance (read: we finally have tomatoes in the garden!).

It's also a time of changes -- I've noticed the typical cooler mornings and gradually shorter days, and the garden and flowers are soaking up the end of the summer and putting on a lovely show. Businesses are starting to kick it back into high gear after summer vacations and I'm excited to be working on a few Explainer Videos this month.

Then there have been the less common fall changes...or should I say visitors? 

On Friday night we helped deliver and welcome 8 piglets to the world as Bubbles the pig had her second litter of the year. And we had the pleasure of watching a Monarch Butterfly as it emerged from its chrysalis by the front door...the inspiration for this week's drawing tip. You can see videos of both the Monarch and the piggies on my Instagram account. 

These have turned my thoughts toward how glad I am for seasonal changes throughout the year because they provide a reminder that I can reset and start fresh, as an individual and a business owner. 

Nothing is ever stagnant when you own a business, which is exhilarating, or exhausting (or both) depending on your frame of mind. When the seasons change, it is a reminder that I can decide how I want to respond to the uncertainties of life and business, I can decide if the change ends up as loss or if it becomes something beautiful, like the transformation of a Monarch Butterfly. 

Now, here’s this week's drawing tip:

When you're drawing, notice how little changes can make a big difference in how something looks, like stretching out circles to ovals as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Experiment and see how curving or straightening a line effects the feeling or motion of your drawing.

And speaking of observation, I wrote about how I get fired up to create high-quality, one-of-a-kind work like animated videos on a previous post.
 
Ready to give it a go?           (Hint: click on the image below to make it larger)

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What changes are you noticing in yourself or your business this time of year? What are your favorite strategies to harness the power of change?

Share your Sketch or thoughts in the comments section below to show your unique style and inspire others! And of course, any questions, epiphanies, and requests for future ConverSKETCHes!

If you liked this tip, please sign up for my emails and if you'd like, and share this with friends you think might like a reminder to take a moment to reset and refocus as the season changes.

Thanks for reading, keep drawing YOUR inspiration, whatever that looks like for you to make your unique, positive difference in the world!

Cheers, Karina




Is your organization going through change? Get in touch to talk about how graphic recording can help clarify the complex and inspire action to move forward toward your goals. 
 

Where In The World Is ConverSketch?

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This is a graphic recording I did over a couple of hours with City of Brighton. We asked citizens what they thought about the future of their city - see the sticky notes - and I illustrated it. Really working on those people and buildings!