Free Download: Creative Resources
It’s here!
After months of compiling, double-checking, and learning enough Canva to make a document I could have made much easier in Illustrator or InDesign, I’m excited to bring you my 2022 Creative Resources Guide.
We all create in different ways, and in this guide, I really focused on tools that I personally use in my day-to-day. That means scheduling, organizing, writing, editing, producing, reading, listening, learning, and more. There are plenty of things you can do with Canva, for instance, that don’t have to be related to what you do for a living. My sister, for instance, uses it to plan projects in her home.
Many years ago, I downloaded a resource list very similar to this. It was aimed at graphic designers, but I found that having even a basic understanding of graphic design and where graphic designers go for inspiration, helped me better learn how to illustrate my concepts and design pitch presentations. I consider guides like these to be invaluable, and I hope its an asset to you. The PDF is fully linked, so click around and see what interests you.
What you won’t find on this list are physical tools and equipment I use in my office, or books, pdfs, downloads, and the like. One reason is - I already have a nook for creative and business books I recommend. It’s a woefully underserved part of my website and as I add additional content, expect that section to expand as well. Another reason, I’m still building out my office space in my house. During the pandemic, we moved from a condo to a house. I temporarily set up my office space in a cozy spot in a guest room, but we’ve since decided the office needs a room of its own.
The cozy office (2020)
IS THIS RELEVANT TO PEOPLE IN NON-CREATIVE FIELDS?
YES!
A few years ago, I wasn’t spending much time on YouTube (sigh, I know). I knew people were doing cool things with video, but — my algorithm must have been off because I wasn’t getting, and didn’t know how to search for, good content. Now, I know different. A lot of folks, from regular content creators to computer-savvy people in any industry, have really great video set-ups and because they can monetize their knowledge on YouTube, are sharing really quality videos, reviews, tutorials, and so much more. Don’t sleep on recommendations from places you don’t normally go. I’m an elder millennial, and even I have a TikTok account. Yes, I just typed account.
If you don’t have a space online for yourself, I highly recommend it. More than ever, it just makes sense to claim yourself online. Don’t let the only thing prospective employers and clients see when they search for you (and they will) be social media posts and a lackluster LinkedIn profile. We all know a résumé isn’t the full story of who we are, so don’t be reduced to it. There are so many tools available (many of them free!) to make simple, eye-catching websites that will give people a more well-rounded view of who you are.
Image via The Creative Library @ A Fabulous Fete
IS THIS RELEVANT TO FREELANCERS?
If you’re a freelancer and you’re looking at this - I hope you see it as a goldmine. That’s how I felt as I was putting it together. When I first started working on freelance projects in 2018, I had an idea of how things would work. I understood I would be working for myself, but I hadn’t totally wrapped my head around the idea of essentially being a business owner.
When you lose the social circle of a typical office, you should be creating a virtual social circle with other freelancers. There is so much Freelance Wisdom out there, and even more talented folks out there dispensing it in blog posts just like these. You just have to know where to look. I have done the research, and I’m always looking to people, communities, and other freelancers for inspiration, new tools and ways of doing business, and support. There’s room for all of us at the table, and my hope is that this guide is a starting point.
