A support group for partners of designers

I'm feeling a little bad for my husband. Over the weekend we hung some shelves. And if we were a "regular" couple, it wouldn't be a big deal. But I'm a designer. And while my focus is on communication design, it doesn't stop there. Design seeps into every aspect of my life. And for some of us, it's a way of life. I can't go to the Shedd Aquarium and not be inspired by the color palettes of the Jellies. Or go for a walk and take pictures of the trees. I'm drawn to colors found in nature, but also textures, patterns, and shapes. Which leads me back to the shelves. They needed to be hung just so, with the objects placed in collections of 3s. Displayed with intention. Cluttered and organized is unacceptable. Because for some of us, it's the details in the details. We see things a certain way. Does it make it right? Maybe not always. But it does keep things interesting. And the shelves hung perfectly.

Devauling your brand

I admit it, I love the Gap. Most people are surprised that I shop there so much, but for basics, quality and price, they're great. So great that I actually have a Gap charge. Usually I hate those things, but they do have extra deals for us regulars. The thing is, they offer so many specials, that it's bordering on obnoxious. How many times do they send an email out that says "Last change to save 30%". Last chance until....tomorrow. When they do something else. So the other day I went into a store (unusual since I prefer to shop online.) And went to buy a pair of shorts. Yes, I know it's not short weather, but they are cute, and I know by the time it's warm enough to wear them, they'll be out or carrying fall merchandise. The thing is, the sale was over. So I said, forget it. And sure enough, a couple of days later, I got another email with the same offer. And bought them online.

So am I writing this to tell you that I like to save money? Who doesn't? The issue is, that I've been conditioned by that company that everything is always going to be less. Sure, I know they mark the prices up to mark them down, but I can't imagine paying full retail anymore. The value of that brand isn't there. They've reduced themselves in my eyes.

And it's not just them. The Groupons, wedeals, and other daily sites that show the original value of a product or service, then 90% off, I have to wonder a few things: 1. Were they so overpriced to begin with or 2: Are they going out of business, and this is their last chance to get an influx of new clients or they're desperate for the cash. Either way, I think it's a lesson that needs to be learned. Because once you start to put a lower value on what you offer, it's hard to change perception.

Boundaries

I'm on Linkedin. And I'm a little torn with the social media site lately. While I try to keep all my connections professional, I find some spillage from my person life. And then there's the endorsements. Please don't endorse me if you've never worked directly with me. Even if you know me, and like me, it's not helping. And then there's the issue of previous bosses. Do they want me to endorse their skills? And my graduate professors, who I've never worked with directly but admire quite a bit. What's happening now with social media? I find that despite having a business page on facebook, that I'm getting tagged personally when it comes to work. Then potential clients are contacting me through facebook at all hours. Then there's texting. I'm getting texts from clients instead of calls and emails. All this interaction lately is making me reconsider something I did 8 years ago: I got rid of my land-line. Now I'm thinking of getting one for my office. How are you dealing with the 24/7 cycle of accessibility? Tips welcome.