DCTH

Highlight of the Week: Number 5: Kimberly Beaven

Every week we at DCTH are picking a #DCTH user at random to highlight. This is a easy way to give back to the community for being so supportive in DCTH and a way to bring more people together and learn who is behind the avatar.

Week Five is Kimberly Beaven

Give everybody a brief summary of what you do:

I am the Creative Director and Innovation Navigator for BlueWave Media, in London, ON Canada. We develop media, marketing, web design and marketing strategies for our clients. I started out airbrushing designs on trucks and signs when I was 16 and then transitioned into a more formal graphic design work about 18 years ago. As a deeply driven geek, I started doing web design about 10 years ago. I have been doing fulltime web design about 6 years. Although not the mainstay of my business, I also still do branding and identity for my clients. I also run a blog called Geek and Gadgets as well as consult for businesses for software, hardware and mobile productivity integrations. I am also a MAC consultant. BlueWave Media has a podcast that has been running since October 2005 called BlueWave Media Café, which led to doing a lot of podcast production work, audio and video creation, editing and post-productions as well as original music development. Gee, I think I sound like I have ADD. Really I don’t ? — I just love technology, well and coffee too.

What brought you to DCTH?

Community is very important for me — I believe that we learn best in a shared environment. Someone had mentioned that DCTH was on Thursday nights and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet other like-minded folks and to learn from great designers from around the world. Of course, I try to get at DCTH every week I can because it is a blast.

What brought you to twitter?

In May of 2008, when I was checking it out (a colleague had mentioned it to me) I was blown away by the possibilities Twitter would eventually bring forth. It seemed very quiet in the beginning. The people I have “met” both in person and just online there have proven to be the best time investment for learning and growing as a designer.

How vital is connecting with others in this field?

The ability to connect, share, learn and develop skills is vital, hands-down. We sometimes work in a bit of a vacuum, coding, meeting client needs, working with staff, eat while we are at our desks and forget to “feed” ourselves. I firmly believe that those you surround yourself with will be the influencers to where you will go in the future. Connecting with talented, innovative and inspiring people keeps it real, and keeps you sane. This should be done in person as well as using social media. Getting out of the office to actually have lunch, blow off some steam, flip through a design magazine while sipping on your Caramel Cappuccino is the insurance of your longevity in a creative field. Whatever works for you or is considered your “feeding” method, just do it. Your brain and your family will thank you.

Why Design/Developing?

Design and Web Development just seemed to be such a natural progression for me, especially my geeky side. I could employ both the art and technology needs within myself, and make a living doing it. It also allowed me to participate in a community – both in design but also in business – helping others get more in control of their own business through great marketing and design.

What are some lessons you learned the hard way?

I didn’t attend post-secondary for graphic design or web design. Interestingly enough, my education centered around biology and chemistry. With this being said, I learned some very tough lessons early on about communication, expectations and being true to myself. Early on in my design career, I had a haphazard, non-descriptive contract with a client which left lots of loop hole which unfortunately the client took full advantage of and I ended up losing so much money on that project that I almost thought I might be better suited for another career. Since then, I have developed much better contracts, sign-offs and clearer communications with clients. Another lesson I learned was that no matter what you have to be true to yourself. That means your capabilities, your willingness to interrupt family time and how much stamina you physically have. Do not take things to the wire on your health. I worked for weeks, 17 hour days or more and, yes completed the project, but it took me a couple of months to feel like myself again and my productivity suffered during the recovery. Never worth it..

Freelance or Full-time?

I’m full-time, sometimes having to remind myself that a work-family balance is the goal.

Where can you be found in the social media realm? (twitter, facebook, blog… shameless self promo ? )

twitter
flickr
del.icio.us
youtube
backtype
linkedin
friendfeed
facebook
12seconds.tv
http://www.bluewavemedia.ca
http://www.geekandgadgets.ca
google.com/profiles/kimberlybeaven
picasaweb.google.com/kimberlybeaven

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Well, my 5 year plan includes developing more online communities and projects that allow me to travel a bit more, both for business and personally. I also want to get back to the teaching aspect that I used to do and feed into the next generation of designers. I am also working on a book and hopefully will have it completed by then, Fingers crossed.

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