The Nebraska Clean Cities Coalition came to us for a new brand and web presence. The NEC3 is part of the Midwest Region Alternative Fuels Project and is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Milo Mumgaard, Senior Policy Aide for Sustainability at the City of Lincoln Mayor’s Office, heads up the project.
A new portfolio site. A little for you, a little for me.
Mark this day as the official launch of the new Justin Kemerling Design Co portfolio site. What’s new you ask? An updated Work section for one. Each project is beautifully displayed in a single column without any distraction. And there’s a new Words section. A blog for me to post my thoughts on design and collaboration. You can, of course, still “meet me,” get a sense for the Midwest and connect in a host of ways.
Why did I spend time on a new site when there’s so much going on with clients and projects? 1) To celebrate the work in a more showcased format, front and center. This aligns philosophically with how I think the Web should be. 2) A place for writing. I’m at a point where I’m less head down, work-work-work. I’m thinking more about the why, the how, the who for. And I want to share those thoughts, with bigger, better typography. 3) This is just a Squarespace template. But it does feel like an online home. A timeline of the career I’m trying to build.
Newer projects appear at the top of the Work section. Scroll down to chronologically see the variety of projects over the years. Some super solid, some just sort of ’eh, but all fit together into a design point-of-view I’m continuing to hone.
This new site is for you, if you’re looking for a designer with a particular set of skills. But it’s also for me. So I can see where I’ve been and inform where I want to go.
Welcome to JKDC. It’s design, it’s activism and it’s collaboration. Enjoy your visit. Any questions, hit me up.
The Cost of an Accountant
On a call with my accountant the other day, we were sorting out how much a certain service he provides would cost. He gave me a pretty broad range. There was the base cost of paying for his expertise to fulfill the service. It was more than the insurance guy who does accountant work on the side and more than an online accountant service. I prefer the expert accountant in the matter. He’s very thoughtful and I appreciate his understanding of nuance, connectedness and problem solving. Why there was a range depended on me being organized. The more I was, the less of the accountant’s time would be needed to execute the service. If I was less organized, he’d need to spend more time, address lots of changes with more rounds of review and thus the cost would go up. That seems very fair and keeps me on my game.
Now, you be me. And substitute designer for accountant.
Teachable Moment: When Things End Badly
A general filing of future do’s and don’ts. Here goes: Do more of what you love. Never compromise principles. Do more truly collaborative projects. Never make decisions because of money. Do more community-focused projects. Never assume things will change for the better. Do more experimenting. Never assume because it is new that it will be better. Do more that risks failure and be okay with that. Never change course because of something you read on Medium or Wired or Fast Company, etc. Do more of what you can’t do very well. Never forget some people are really just jerks. Do more with people who are the wild ones. Yes, the wild ones. Because if you ask me, those are the only people who make things that really matter.
Feedback: The Worst & The Best
Every project has rounds of review and feedback built into the process. Designs are sent to the client with rationale and explanations, that’s part one. Part two is when the client sends back their thoughts, revisions or approval. The round-and-round that ensues varies from quick and painless to quite challenging in its length and uncertainty. And everything in between. I’m familiar with pretty much all degrees along this spectrum. When it comes to the worst feedback I’ve gotten, that boils down to one little phrase: “we want you to let your creative juices flow.” Nothing is more condescending. If you’re a client, try to avoid such statements. When it comes to the best feedback received, well that would be a hug. If you’re a client, more of those please. Even though my wife will be the first to say I’m not a hugger, when it comes to work getting approved, I’m all in for more hugs.
Four Years Is Not A Sprint
In my independent design practice, working with a particular type of client has been an integral part of my success. Coming up on my four year anniversary since leaving the comfortable agency life, let me take a moment to reflect on that particular type of client relationship—the startup.
It’s a Poster. But for the Web.
The poster needs to be arresting. Within a split second of you passing it on the street, it needs to stop you in your tracks. And stick with you. That’s how it serves its purpose. While it tinkers with your brain, pulling strings and activating signals, it allows magic to happen in how you think about things. It changes, or reinforces, your worldview. It’s that powerful, when done correctly.
