Lesson #3 - Make Friends Part 1

If you're in derby, I highly suggest you make as many graphic designer friends as possible. You will never regret it and they'll save your ass more times than not.

Two bonuses to having these connections:

1.) You get stunning work from the heart. They know you and your personality. As long as you're not a complete raunch, chances are their friendship with you and passion for graphic designing will translate into the result.

2.) You get it for free =) Graphic designers are pricey, but as long as you compensate them after in some way, they're more than happy to do it. For example I made sure I had extra vinyls printed off for my friend Eric to see his artwork in action.

But absolutely remember, even though these folks are your friends, this is still their profession. NEVER EVER IN A ZILLION YEARS  be a graphic design bitch-zilla. Sure a correction here or there is fine and even welcomed, but nit picking every little thing will only result in friendship resentment. Also never put them on a strict time-frame. If a paying job comes up, they have mouths that need fed, which may require putting your project off until their free-time (all the more reason to constantly thank them).

Whenever you get a chance, plug their designer name too! They deserve it and any other projects you might bring their way.

Check out the designs below some of my good buds have done for me. And who knows, maybe even contact them for a quote on some stunning work of your very own.

My VLEO Logo.

Eric Lewis (a friend from my old band promotion days) did this one for me from scratch. I had giant vinyl decals made with this that now adorn both sides of my helmet; and I get compliments on them all the time.

TEAM USA International T-Shirt Logo

My friend Morgan Jones from highschool drew this diddy up for Team USA while he was living the dream in Hawaii. You can actually still purchase these alternative tees online and help fund Team USA's travel to the world cup in a few weeks!

Awesome portrait.

This little beauty actually just made it's way to me today. A fellow derby enthusiast Sean Ball penned this awesome likeness of me from some of my old facebook derby photos. It's supposed to be a belated part of my Trickeration Award present from our recently passed end of season banquet.


*If you would like to reach any of these designers,please email me and I'll put you in touch: katiemaepeters@gmail.com

*Also if you would like to purchase posters or stickers of my logo or portrait Sean did email me as well. All proceeds go to funding my derby career (specifically my travel to Toronto in three weeks for the roller derby world cup. YAY!).