Jenna O'Flaherty

What freelancers really get up to -- far too much admin and email! Realness courtesy of @freelancingfemales https://www.instagram.com/p/Bue0nJGgGO7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ra1g9oqjf7ih

A set of icons I drew for an upcoming project. #illustration #digitalart #digitaldoodle #autodesksketchbook #graphicdesign #yegartist #yegdesign #yeggraphicdesign #icondesign #drawing https://www.instagram.com/p/BuP87sLAhIW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w3vc3q04j6og

A while back I worked with Curitus to design a t-shirt logo for The Joyful Project -- and it's so cool to see people wearing it! @rachel.callan took these gorgeous photos. . #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #yegdesign #yegfreelance #yegartist #logodesign #screenprinting #tshirtdesign #portrait #portraitphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/BtoLcznAZZF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bmjg2d7a3j7i

Hey creatives, where are you on this chart? I've been thinking a lot about exposure -- maybe because it's 30 below outside? -- and sketched up my thoughts on "exposure" as payment for creative services. It seems logical that more exposure = more business, so I don't blame people for thinking that it's worth something to creatives. However, it totally depends on the industry and what the artist is creating! I took my best guess for the different types of artists on here -- do I have the right idea? Exposure is most helpful if YOU are the product. It is less helpful if you are providing a service, least helpful if it's a specialized sevice. I'm not saying don't advertise! I'm saying don't accept exposure or shoutouts as payment. An exception would be if you are being exposed to an audience of employers who are actively seeking your exact services and who trust the person promoting you. What looks similar to exposure but is actually extremely effective? Genuine, sincere referrals-- aka, Word of Mouth. It's the best and most valuable form of advertising anyone can get. And it comes from treating clients well, such that they provide free, priceless, targeted advertising because you're a good person who did a good job. Exposure is the knockoff, the fool's gold to Word of Mouth. What are your thoughts on work for exposure? Would love to know what it's like in your industry. #graphicdesign #yegbusiness #yegfreelance #yeggraphicdesign #artistsofinstagram #business #freelance #exposure #exposurebucks https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZW6EsgjjW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l7wdrj9bd9ob

Wild and beautiful art installations all over the @yegcanoevolant. New favourite festival! Mark your calendars and support this unreal event next year. #yegevents #flyingcanoevolant #yegplaces #yegart #yegculture #frenchcanadian #metis https://www.instagram.com/p/BtaPO30AnTI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8c09zv9tnz8v

Merry Christmas, friends. You know what to do with that 'nog. #sketch #doodle #christmassketch #sketchbook #instaart #yegartist #moleskine #drawing #fineliner #christmas #eggnog #rumandeggnog https://www.instagram.com/p/BrtRIRZgr2Z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dkz2dmro7jvm

It's a treat to stare at vibrant colors during a #yeg winter! For this event poster I wanted to capture the excitement and heat of New Orleans. And if you dont have your New Year's plans yet, this party is definitely where you wanna be. #yegdesign #yegfreelance #yeggraphicdesign #yegdesigner #yegartist #yegevents #yegnewyears #printdesign #advertising #graphicdesign #posterdesign #marketing https://www.instagram.com/p/BrN9b1nATz8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=igg99y7gck3b

Gift-giving times are upon us and so are lots of deals! I made this cute postcard for Alberta's Credit Union to promote their seasonal Skip the Payment offering. I proposed a whimsical reindeer skipping over a monthly loan payment, which is what the credit union's members can sometimes do to make the holidays a little easier. #yegdesign #yegbusiness #yegfreelance #yeggraphicdesign #yegartist #advertising #graphicdesign #branding #marketing #printdesign #postcard #postcarddesign #printadvertising #holidaydesign https://www.instagram.com/p/BrBssg_gFem/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1csvhjnn5g4v1

Honoured to have my artwork featured on the companion blog for the film Sans Maman ("Unmothered"). Your can check out Marie's writings and work at sansmaman.com. #yegart #yegartist #canadianfilm #canadianfilmmaker #drawing #documentary #canadiandocumentary https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq8hQrvATcA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f7z5pq4sb47i

The Salvation Army is channeling old-world aesthetics in their fresh business card, a design collaboration I enjoyed with Curitus.org. The client wanted a vintage-looking design that honoured SA's roots; Kraft paper helped complete the look. #yegdesign #yegbusiness #yegfreelance #yeggraphicdesign #yegartist #advertising #graphicdesign #branding #marketing #printdesign #printing #businesscard #businesscarddesign https://www.instagram.com/p/BqY4auTgvYi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f2wlp3kw77ye

Drawstring backpacks are the swag this year for Lindy Harvest! Always fun to try a new item. They're perfect for toting your shoes to a swing dance or snacks on a casual stroll through the woods. #yegdesign #yeggraphicdesign #screenprint #screenprinting #printdesign #graphicdesign #yegartist #marketing #eventpromotion #freelance #freelancedesigner #yegfreelance https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZT--zjkz7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=91bx7279sn0j

Shiny ink with a shiny new dance floor #sketch #sketchbook #metallicink #pentouch #blackpaper #silverink #doodle #yegartist #catscradle https://www.instagram.com/p/BnR_6syDbLx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5cjuyvnjgu9m

In this ad for Beaumont Credit Union, we opted for some hand-drawn doodles to create a youthful look. BCU was looking to advertise its no-fee student bank account, which is meant to help young people get started on their financial future. As they look out at the hand drawn landscape, each hiker sees a different "adventure" -- post-secondary, moving out, buying a car, travel, etc. We felt that illustration helped convey the idea of dreaming about the future. It was a very collaborative process and I love how it turned out! #yegdesign #yegbusiness #yegfreelance #yeggraphicdesign #yegartist #advertising #graphicdesign #branding #marketing #creditunion #beaumontab

Meeting those neighborhood cats. One let me do a belly rub. #sketch #doodlesofinstagram #doodle #digitalsketch #digitaldoodle #visualjournal #visualdiary #yegartist #artistsoninstagram #autodesksketchbook #digitalart

Gussied up my Moleskine with a paint pen, I think I'll stop here. #moleskine #sketchbook #paintpen #posca #sketch #doodle #drawing #silverink #coverdesign #bookcover #sketchbookart #sketchbookcover #yegartist

What's in my big purse? Now you know! #yegartist #yegbusiness #freelance #yegfreelance #yegdesign #freelancedesigner #yeggraphicdesign #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #sketch #digitaldoodle #digitalsketch #artist #arttablet #autodesksketchbook

I can explain those crazy price quotes for your logo design -- link in the description to my latest article! #logodesign #branding #brandingdesign #freelance #designbusiness #startups #entrepreneur #marketing #marketingbusiness #yegbusiness #yegdesigner #yegartist #newbusiness #ownbusiness