Designer Focus::MadiLu Designs

What is your favorite product that you have in the store?

Currently it’s my Senior Starter Kit. It’s the season when the new seniors start rolling in and it’s fun to see all of the different styles.

How long have you been designing?
I’ve been designing for about 12 years. Some at the end of college and then ever since I graduated.

Where does the name ‘MadiLu Designs’ come from?
My daughters. I have a Madison and a Lucy and wanted to find something that sounded more “fun” than my regular corporate design business. I also have two boys, but JackSam didn’t really sound that great and I’m pretty sure SamuelJackson would have gotten me into trouble

Messy or clean workspace?
I wish, wish, wish I could say clean, but I usually have so much going that it’s difficult to see the top of my desk. Somehow, I know exactly where everything is.

Why do you love being a designer?
I love being a designer because I do different projects every day. It’s never boring and I enjoy when I get to come up with an idea that will help someone else’s business. It’s great when a piece comes together and even better to get something back from the printer.

Describe your style-
I tend to gravitate to simple, clean and eye-catching. However, I love working with swirls, scrolls and vintage … I also have an addiction to polka dots that I like to incorporate when it’s appropriate.

When you aren’t designing, what else are you usually doing?
Hanging out with my family. Looking forward to the spring and summer weather when we can be outside. Our goal is to plant a pizza garden this summer. We’ll see what happens! Also volunteer at the kids’ school and when possible, try to visit w/friends.

If you had an extra $100, what would you spend it on?
Shoes or a big, chunky ring in a dream world … diapers in reality.

Go here to check out all of Kim’s fabulous designs.

Designer Focus- Traci Murphy

This month’s Designer Focus is on Traci Murphy! I asked Traci a few questions and here were her responses…..

What is your favorite product that you have in the store? Definitely my textures – do I have to pick just one? LOL

How long have you been designing? I began designing in late 2007

Messy or clean workspace? It’s only clean because I work on my laptop and my couch – but my actual desk is a total wreck, I have so many ideas, so many projects that I never get anything put away.

Why do you love being a designer/photographer? There are definitely days that designing isn’t my love, but I’m in a wave right now where creating something is such a wonderful creative release, totally relaxing and it almost seems to “clear” my head in a way. I’ve just started as a photographer this past year, so really I love absolutely everything about it that I’ve learned so far!

Describe your style? I always choke on this question – bright and grungy is best I can describe it, it really all depends on my mood.

What’s one place you’ve always wanted to travel? And if you were only allowed to bring one suitcase with you, what would you pack in it other than clothes? Australia! Goodness that accent just makes me swoon…I’d pack suntan lotion so that I could just hang on the beach, gaze upon the hot lifeguards and listen to them talk. You thought I was going to say camera, didn’t you?

Wednesday’s Focus on a Designer- Holly McCaig

This weeks focus on a designer is on our very own Holly McCaig! I asked Holly a few questions and here were answers….

What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?
My business postcard – I’m working on new marketing pieces for 2009 and really just enjoy doing those the most!

What is your favorite older product in the store?
My eye sparkle action. The one thing I use all the time. LOVE what it does to help me enhance eyes.

How long have you been designing?
I think I’ve lost count! I went to school for design and print management so, probably officially since 1997 in some form or fashion.

Messy or clean workspace?
Messy is an understatement. Pit, hell hole, wreck. You name it!

Why do you love being a designer/photographer?
Because it allows me to do what I love and be creative as well as know that I can support myself all on my own now. I worked hard to get to this place in life. No one helped me. Something I feel accomplished for.

Describe your style?
In design, it’s definitely a shabby/worn feel. I love textures and depth. Colors are important to me too. They have to be just the right combination and I have to love it.

What’s the one place that you’ve always wanted to travel too to photograph that you haven’t yet?

Never underestimate what you can do. It’s hard to make it in this world and when you find what it is that you love, perfect it. Go for it. Live your life and your dreams!

You can check out all of Holly’s great products by going into her store here at Pink Ink Studios as well as her digital scrapbook designs by heading here!

Wednesday’s Focus on a Designer

This weeks focus is on our very own Andie Smith. I asked Andie a few questions and here were her answers….

What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?
20×20 Photo Transfer Storyboard. I have plans for more with the same look.

What is your favorite older product in the store?
20×20 Island Storyboard. I am building more on this style too!

How long have you been designing?
I have lost count. 4-5 years?

Messy or clean workspace?
Messy!!! I clean my desk every other day but with in a couple minutes it is a disaster again. I think I have a paper moving fairy on my desk.

Why do you love being a designer/photographer?
A designer: being creative.
A photographer: showing the world how I see the world.

Describe your style?
clean and classic. I love Holly’s shabby chic style but i can’t create it.

What’s the one place that you’ve always wanted to travel too to photograph that you haven’t yet?
If you had asked me a couple months ago I would have said Route 66 but I have now…mmm…New England in the fall….Carrie do you want company next fall? lol!

-from Carrie- Come on up!!!! New England in the fall rocks!!!

If you could photograph one famous person (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
This is hard, i don’t shoot a lot of portraits, mmmm… maybe Neal McDonough because he has pretty eyes.

You can check out all of Andie’s cool products in the store here and her website here.

On a side note from me, I wanted to thank Andie. I took her photography 101 class when I was a designer at My Digital Muse and I never could have imagined that I’d be where I am today professionally. I still have a lot of growing and learning to do, but it’s with the help of her and Holly that I am where I am and I’ll forever be grateful to the both of them!

Wednesday’s Focus on Designer

Today, we’re focusing on Amy Kant who is one of the newest designers here at Pink Ink Studios! I asked Amy a few questions and here were answers….

What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?

How long have you been designing?

Messy or clean workspace?

Why do you love being a designer?

Describe your style?

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet?

I am always on the hunt for inspiration or product ideas, so feel free to drop me a line or stop by my Web site. I will always respond!

Focus on designer- Tara Sroka

This weeks focus is on Tara who we all know creates some pretty cool products here at Pink Ink. I asked Tara a few questions and here are her answers….

What is your favorite newer product that you designed in the store?
I really love my So Boho Album Backs. I think the colors and patterns are fun especially the green circle one. I love green and circles. =)
http://pinkinkstudios.com/store/product.php?productid=589&cat=0&page=1

What is your favorite older product that you designed in the store?
I adored my Valentines Cards that I did this past year. I used elements from my digital scrapbook kit, Love Muffin and I thought they were cute and perfect for the holiday. It was fun to see my family and hubby in the previews too.
http://pinkinkstudios.com/store/product.php?productid=275&cat=0&page=2

How long have you been designing?
I’ve been designing for a few years now but officially started in 2006 selling digital scrapbooking products at My Digital Muse.

Messy or clean workspace?
Since my workspace is also my dining room it’s a tight space but I’ve created my own little nock, which I try to keep clean with a little mess.

Why do you love being a designer?
My 9-5 job is as a graphic designer in corporate America. While I love to create I’m limited in what I can design for work. So designing products at PIS gives me the freedom to express myself and share my creativity with others in the ways I want to. There is no “boss” to tell me what is right and to make changes. LOL! I’m always thinking of something creative or what to create next. I wish I had more hours in the day to design everything I think of. Designing keeps me going.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
My dream trip is to visit Australia. It looks and sounds like an amazing place to see. Hopefully someday when I win the lotto and can afford it I’ll head there

So be sure to go check out all of Tara’s great products here at Pink Ink Studios!

Wednesday’s Focus on a Designer

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope that everyone’s week is going well! Today we’re going to start a new feature at Pink Ink where each week, we’ll focus on one of the designers here at Pink Ink! Today’s focus is on Heather Green. You can check out all of Heather’s GREAT products here at Pink Ink. I asked Heather a few questions today and thought I’d share with everyone!