Designer Spotlight: Andrea Blankenship
Location: Omaha, NE
Education: Associates of Occupational Studies, Graphic Arts and Design
Employment: Omaha Performing Arts – Graphic Design
Website: www.sheishandmade.com
I spent my childhood in a small farm town, Earling IA. Once I graduated High School, I moved to Omaha. Hung out for quite some time going to school here and there, I ran around with friends being creative, having fun and enjoying youth. I also lived in San Diego for a brief moment, enjoying most of my time at the beach. When I came back to Omaha, I realized what I wanted to do and started studying more seriously and made my career my focus.
How did you realize you wanted to be an graphic/web designer?
There was this one moment when I was on the computer, maybe adjusting my myspace wall with HTML or something like that, and just like that it dawned on me, I should be a graphic designer. I realized it was time to grow up and get a job. I had always been into art and design and had recently found new love for computers and web design.
How would you describe your style or approach to work?
I guess freestyle. I just do things naturally. Sometimes I am inspired by trash outside my apartment and other times I try to imitate some fancy car commercial or something nice and sleek like that. It’s whatever I am feeling. Although, my approach is somewhat serious, if I have an idea or a job to do, I work really hard to get it done with the results I envisioned.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Advice is always present. Sometimes the best advice isn’t advice at all. It’s a comment, a conversation, or something visually inspiring. My family, friends, teachers and bosses have given me loads of advice. all is really great, you know, mostly like keep going, doing a great job, and of course, constructive criticism. But I think the best advice was given to me without ever really knowing it.
What is your best way to break out of a creative rut?
Get out and go away for a while. Get together with friends and do something fun. I think it’s really important to have a balanced work life so you don’t get in those creative ruts to begin with.
What do you feel is the most important skill for a designer to have?
Passion is important to have in any job you are doing. In regard to design, I think that you have to be a good salesperson to sell your vision and instill confidence in your abilities If you want to have some creative freedom in the project, otherwise people will try to influence you and make you design things you don’t feel passionate about.
