How do you really feel about my masthead?
Does the picture suggest the disgusting awesomeness that is the NYC subway system? That’s what I was going for.
Personally, I’m over it. I want a graphic that’s gritty, but aesthetic. Something less orange and yellow. Something that would look better on a business card.
I recently noticed a friend’s new blog masthead, so I inquired about it. Then I tweeted the graphic designer responsible, a nice girl just getting started. Her college loans may not have even been consolidated yet.
Then I articulated my vision. Lots of shared links. Adrian Tomine and his beautiful work for The New Yorker came up. The phrase “urban, but not at all something Jay-Z would like.” I shared a lot of ideas.
My designer, whose name shall be omitted to protect the unprofessional, said she was on board. We talked money and time frames. She was to have three mock-ups for me to choose from in a very reasonable amount of time.
She missed the deadline she set. I checked my phone in anticipation throughout the day and then received an email about a family emergency.
Then she missed the second deadline she set. When I emailed her to check the status, she never responded. It’s now been days without any news.
Thank goodness I’m following her on Twitter.
How else would I know that in the time she’s been ignoring me, the blogger who wants to pay for her services, she’s launched her own blog about World of Warcraft (don’t even get me started) and found the perfect pair of gladiator sandals?
Believe me, I know that freelancing can be a pain in the ass. I’ve thought up some pretty interesting names for people who annoy me all in a day’s work. “Douche nozzle,” for instance.
But when you gots to get paid, you gots to do your work.
I’d have been happy to give this girl a shout-out and referrals if I liked her design. Not to mention money.
But now she’ll have to settle for a blog post.
And maybe a tweet.
You want grit and NYC? How about pigeons and rats? That’s what I’d go for.
I’m confused. You’re actually PAYING someone for your image at the top of your page?? I hope you’re not paying a lot. It’s about 4 seconds worth of work. I could see if you weren’t using a blog platform like Wordpress and were launching your own site - but paying for a graphic isn’t necessary. You could go to so many free sites and find what you’re looking for, I’m sure! Please say you’re not paying a lot.
I was going to pay someone. I still would…if they’d deliver something awesome. If you know someone who can do something amazing out of the kindness of his/her heart, pass the contact information along.
If you need pigeons for your blog I know a pigeon guy.
What are you looking for? Just one large main image - a photo? Something drawn? I have a few connections. [that sounds mysterious, like I'm a drug dealer or something.]
Sherri, I think I’ll email you soon about your connections. I want something drawn. “Drawn” is code for “awesome.”