i turned 25 last week
step by step poster about growing up
₊˚⊹Hello, Hello!
I am back with my bi-weekly newsletter. This one is a little different.
My original idea for my bi-weekly newsletter is to go out in the world and find inspiration that’s not on the internet.
Which, I still did. But this time, I am writing my thought process of making a poster instead of why I like a cool design at an antique store.
The idea for the poster is about growing up, following my dreams, and being optimistic.
I’m 25 now. In 5 years, I will be 30. 5 years ago I was 20. Sometimes I wish to be a kid again. But, I also look forward to growing old, sitting on my front porch step in a rocking chair with a cat in my lap, reminiscing my 20’s.
₊˚⊹Step 1
In the spirit of being a 25 year old young lady. I want to start my process for this poster with a picture of my birthday cake that I decorated with the help from my mom, who made the cake and all the frosting. I decorated the cake. I used cherries, blackberries, blueberries and peaches. The frosting is a lavender color from pouring in some homemade black currant syrup to the frosting. :)
₊˚⊹Step 2
Taking inspiration from my birthday cake, I’m going to draw it on my iPad using Procreate. I’m using this image (above) that I found on rawpixel as inspiration for my own drawing (below). I used the True Grit Texture Supply free brush pack.
As I was drawing and coloring it all in. I was thinking of what I would have for the text in this poster. In my head, I’m thinking:
“I’m not afraid of aging”
“Experiencing life is exciting!”
“What’s better than twenty-four? twenty-fiiiiive”
₊˚⊹Step 3
I transfer my drawing from Procreate to Photoshop and continue thinking what to write for the text.
Coming up with text is the hardest part when making posters. I write whatever comes to mind about aging and growing up to get my brain to work. So I write:
“I miss being a kid. I love being able to grow up. I can’t wait to get old. Life is hard. Life is beautiful.”
Although I do connect with what what I wrote because it’s how I feel, it’s not what I wanted for the poster.
I keep going till I figure it out.
₊˚⊹Step Four
Because I started making this poster inspired by my own birthday and growing up. I had the idea to scan in some old photos of when I was a kid.
I liked the idea of tying in my 25th birthday cake with older photos of myself. Kind of like a reminder that she is still a part of me 20+ years later
I didn’t like how this was turning out though. But in the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to incorporate this.
₊˚⊹Step 5
I went back to trying to figure out the text. That’s when I turn to song lyrics. Lyrics are poetic and can be interpreted differently by each person. And it’s fun to add the song when posting on Inst*gram…
I was thinking of songs like “A Place in this World”, “Nothing New” and “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift. I thought of “Diane Young” and “Harmony Hall” by Vampire Weekend. I thought of “Rewind” and “I think about it all the time” by Charli xcx.
But then I came across “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self” by Laufey.
Keep on going with your silly dream.
Life is prettier than it may seem
These lyrics were exactly what I was looking for. To me, these lyrics tell me to continue with pursuing my dreams. I have a whole life ahead of me and it is prettier than it may seem, especially in times like these.
It calls out to the audience as well, making the theme of the poster more accessible and relatable. The feeling of trying to figure things out in your 20’s and trying to be optimistic about it is a universal experience.
₊˚⊹Step 6
I went into Procreate again and added some bows, stars and squiggly doodles. I think it ties in perfectly with the artist Laufey and of course her song, “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self”. Bows to make it more girly and stars to wish upon to make silly dreams come true.
For some finishing touches, I added texture to the text and drawing using a free downloadable Photoshop action from Hoodzpah called Subtle Grit Texture.
Then, I used a texture overlay from Texturelabs.
I really liked this final version of the poster. But, I wanted to try bringing back the squared in photos from when I was a kid.
This version is more personal to me (obviously) and I love how it turned out. In this version with the lyrics and pictures of me as a kid—it feels like I’m telling my younger self that I am living my silly dream. I get to make art! I get to be a graphic designer and help others with their creative needs. I make posters and stickers with my art. I get to write this newsletter to all of you and talk about it.
As a kid, I wanted to be an art teacher, a photographer or a children’s book illustrator. Then I discovered graphic design in high school and didn’t look back.
I am so thankful that I get to do this even when it’s difficult or when things are in a bit of a lull. It’s worth it. It’s worth protecting. I love what I do. I love that I get to share it with you.
Thank you for supporting me and reading along!
₊˚⊹♡Happy quarter century to me!♡⊹˚₊
I plan to keep this newsletter free, but if you want to support my writing journey or wish me a belated happy birthday, the best way is buying me a coffee (or buying from my shop)જ⁀➴