24. May 2010 by Chad.

Ken & Heather’s Place, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

A couple weekends ago I spent the day at my cousin’s farm south east of Edmonton, AB. Despite having lived in Edmonton for five years now, I have not taken the time to visit with my long-lost Alberta family as much as I should. This particular visit was inspired by an idea I had driving across the prairies to surprise my Mother at Easter. The idea is to offer my services to farmers and rural land owners (acreages, hobby farms, etc.) to document their hard work and passion and the natural beauty of the land they love.

As a city kid (raised anyway; I was born is a small Alberta cowboy town) I of course find pleasure and inspiration in the creation of man and the way we have used ingenuity and creativity to mold our environment into what we need or want. But to truly experience creativity at its height one needs to get into the places untouched by man to see the ideas the true creator had in mind. Now I understand that farms have been developed and are not the pristine wilderness of say the Rocky Mountains but they are much closer to true nature than the city.

Another part of this creative journey is inspired by an intention to live more of my life outside. I am feeling a need to get into the fresh air and enjoy the sun on my face. Life indoors is making me lazy and pale and I won’t settle for it anymore.

So if you enjoy my photographs or the philosophy behind them, please let me know. If you would like pictures taken of your own slice of nature, I would be more than willing to chat with you about prices and availability. And if you live in the city but know someone who you would like to recommend me to, please do so.

Please visit my Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio_idee/

Have a great summer,
Chad

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20. July 2009 by Chad.

HDR, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

There was a rather violent storm in Edmonton this past weekend. Trees were uprooted, cars crushed by said trees and even downtown office towers damaged. In all of this carnage I managed to take this photograph showing the awesome beauty of the storm. Inspiration is found in the strangest places, but more often than not I find it in the wonders God has created.

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12. May 2009 by Chad.

The current economic downturn has claimed another victim. The funding for the contract I was working on was being provided by the owner of a large trucking company, which has seen a considerable drop in its margins this past year. Because of this sad turn, they are unable to provide the money needed to keep me employed. This has led me to consider once again the eternal question of graphic designers: studio or freelance?

I considered the same question a year ago after graduation. I was presented with the option of working at the studio where I interned or going on my own with an amazing contract opportunity. I chose the contract. I had started freelancing in January of 2008, always assuming I would continue growing a company that would eventually stump others with these kinds of decisions. I grew up in Manitoba, the entrepreneurial capital of Canada, my dad owns several companies and my grandfather owned a market garden and a chicken farm. Obviously working for myself is in my blood, or is it? There is something incredibly appealing about having someone else search out clients, negotiate pricing, deal with billing, taxes and the sleepless nights. Read the rest of this entry »

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12. May 2009 by Chad.

A number of years ago I started a blog, which I have since forgotten all the passwords to. This may be an indication of how conscientious I have been about writing. I hope to improve on that track-record with my latest kick at the blog can.

I will be writing here about my life as a graphic designer; all of the lessons I learn, mistakes I make, current projects and inspirations. I hope you check back often to see what I am up to. Now if only I can remember the password.

Chad

P.S. Please check out my website and portfolio @ www.studioidee.com

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