Graphic Designer Jordan Brantley
Photography by Amanda Lenhardt & Interview by Emily Jeffords
There is something so fascinating and inspiring about the creative process; how makers and designers go about their days and devote their time. We are honored to follow designer Jordan Brantley for a day. Jordan is a graphic designer and a brand artist. Her sketchbooks filled with ideas, studies, and drawings show the beginning and the inspiration behind each design. Jordan has the wonderful ability to turn an idea, vague and unsettled, into something defined, beautiful, and meaningful. She is a gracious soul, and gives an honest look at the joys and struggles of creativity.
This interview comes at an interesting time for me because I have recently felt like I’m seriously failing at managing my time and daily schedule well. I live the dream of being my own boss which allows me to set my own schedule everyday. However, I wish I could say I do a better job of actually sticking to the schedule I set! Time management and efficiency have been a weakness for me since jumping into the crazy world of self-employment. In an effort to get better in this area I’ve made a few schedules to keep myself on track. Here is the latest:
6:30 – 9:00 wake up, work out, shower + get ready
9:00 – 9:30 eat breakfast + read
9:30 – 11:00 plan my work week, email, social media
11:00 – 11:30 eat lunch + do “research” ( pinterest.. ha! )
11:30 – 5:00 design, blog, meeting, errands
5:00 – 6:30 cook dinner, eat, clean the kitchen
6:30 – 8:00 clean the house, do laundry, etc.
8:00-? hang out with my husband
But let’s be honest, I don’t think a single day has looked like that. This week I’ve rolled out of bed around 8:30 every day and have yet to work out. I read through emails as I ate breakfast and drank lots of coffee, easing into the day… I’m just really not a morning person. A few mornings I stopped to spend some time with God, reading His Word and praying. After that, I got ready for the day. Since cutting off my hair, getting ready isn’t the chore it used to be so I actually showered and got dressed before lunch! Yay! (This is big you guys!)
I then go to work: responding to emails, sketching out design ideas, making revisions, answering phone calls, doing some hand lettering (my fave!), etc. The only part of my afternoon that ever looks the same is stopping for lunch – and usually bringing it back to my desk to eat. This is when I can really put my head down and knock out my to-do list.
Around 6:30 I exit my design cave to head to our evening plans or start making dinner. Sometimes I have to continue working after dinner but I try to save that time for hanging out with my husband.
“Because I wear so many hats as a small business owner, everyday looks completely different but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
If I step back and look at the things that fill my time, there are only a few things I wish I could do away with. ( emails and paperwork – bleh! ) Getting to know my clients, brainstorming with other creatives, dreaming with my husband – even taking a break to wonder through an antique store – are the things that fill my inspiration tank and motivate me to keep going. My schedule will never be perfect and there are many not-so-fun surprises behind the scenes of self-employment but I am more thankful than ever that this is my daily life.