TVL Website Gets a Swift Kick in the Ass

So this new news is actually quite old, but new relevant to the amount of other stuff I've had to talk about lately. The TVL website has gotten a sexy little overhaul from yours truly, and I think it's a nice change. I've revamped the entire website to match my new-ish branding efforts, which included a complete color change, so the website now responds to that. Further, I took the layout and toned it WAY down. Super simple. I'm diggin on that these days.

Found a piece I had written as an actual cover letter once for a job at as a Video Game Design Intern. I think I'm just going to go ahead and use it from here on out. You know, just to keep it real and all.

My name is Crystal Russell and I am a [insert your favorite adjective here] designer from Denver, Colorado. Here are a few reasons you should love me [slash] be my friend [slash] ask me to help you with a design problem [slash] personal problem [slash] art project:

1. Generally stating, I'm just pretty rad.

I'm a chick with tattoos and a faux hawk. I'm super friendly, super easy-going, and the most dedicated person you'll ever meet. I'm a workaholic. I believe in honesty, humor, and that sharing is caring. I love late mornings, long lunches, loud trip-hop, and the occasional juggling performance. I really do. I work until the result is perfect, and when I realize that perfection cannot be reached, I try even harder. I've won several national design competitions, I was honored with the Sean Lockeyer Award for Design Excellence at Philadelphia University, and my writing has been published multiple times. I'm an interior designer, graphic designer, web designer, architectural designer, copywriter, and project manager. I started my own online artists' collaborative. No, seriously...check it out: http://www.Quirklust.com.
I'm working on my second Masters degree at the ripe old age of 24. My skill set is bigger than most peoples' Facebook friend list. While I tell you these things with confidence and sarcasm, I am far from arrogant. I am proud of my work and I love nothing more than joining a stellar hard-working team, but I never lose a sense of or appreciation for modesty or humility.

2. I am a huge Techie.

I spend, on average, fifteen hours per day on my computers (yes, I have two. One mac, one super-gaming/graphics capable PC named 'Goliath') and I am proud of it. I grew up hooked on video games and big books. I plan to age hunchbacked and toothless. Take me as I am. I have a pretty stellar list of software experience including, but not limited to, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, AutoCAD, 3DsMax, Sketchup, Revit, Rhino (and Rhinoscript), Office, Excel, Powerpoint, Mac and PC platforms..and more. I once the nickname 'FlashMaster' in undergrad because I wore a lanyard with seven portable flash drives on it. I'm always making new things...from body copy to digital models. I have experience with LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter, FastPitch!, WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger, and more. I own a book called "The Social Media Bible" and I have read it front to back. I love this line of work, and I believe that I'm pretty darn good at it.

3. I'm Really Fun to Work With.

If there is one thing that I am sure of, it's that I am a nice person with an awesome team attitude. I love working with other like-minded individuals, especially if we all respect one another. I have grown and benefited from every collaborative effort I have ever been a part of,  and I am always up for more.

I love fellow designers...and other people in general. I'd love to talk to you, so don't hesitate to get in touch. My deets for contact are below. Also, if you would like read more about my experience, education and skill[z], you can read my much more formal resume by following the link below.

Sass is a bit of an understatement.

XO

You're The Color In My World

Took My Breath Away Card

Say Hello to The Early Bird Press!

Hi everyone!

Starting a new little project called The Early Bird Press. Just starting out, but I'm pulling together some fun ideas for my own prints, greeting cards, etc. Stay tuned!

Blue Without You

New Piece!
Mixed Media "Blue Without You". Latex Paint, Acrylic, Ink, Charcoal, Matte Board, Metal, Expoxy, Paper.

To the Boy Who Knows Too Much About the Feeling of Endings

I wonder why the world moves by us

As a pace we cannot recognize

Why it speeds by so unapologetically

And then halts when we are the least prepared.

It is interesting, always

To count the tops of those white picket fences

Surrounding those perfect yards

Of those pretend-perfect people

And to wonder when it was

That they felt like they were falling.

It is heartbreaking sometimes

When life throws out a tapestry

Understood as a tragedy

Seen as a transparency

Left for dead somewhere.

But it’s even better when

Amongst the foggy disparity

The one we know so well

The one that we confront each night

Before we finally rest our weepy eyes.

That moonlight pushes its way in

Those windows that we thought were shut

Against a world that told us lies

And took what we held dearest.

If you pretend that I have a million arms

Then the reality will be

That I have opened them to you

Warm and welcoming always

To the side of yourself you don’t recognize.

You can stay there as long as you want

While I watch for passers-by

To smile at our true endearment

Seen as empathy

Understood as emotion

Felt as ethereal

Left for dead somewhere.

And it’s in those quiet conversations

The ones that we have with ourselves

When we learn the most about where we’ll be

When these pains are extent still.

Twenty years from now.

Fifty years from now.

Always a reality.

So while reality lingers,

Pressing us to move ahead

Why don’t we kick our shoes off

And head out someplace where we will be strangers

To others and ourselves.

And we can laugh and cry

And find solace in the disengagement

Seen as deserting

Understood as desolation

Felt as determination.

Side by side we’ll simply know

That these shoelaces meet back up

Even after they have come undone

As a result of careless tying

Or a bond that never really worked.

And as we are made still

In the beauty of our vast acquaintanceship

We feel proud

Understood as promise

Felt as purity

Seen as perseverance

Never left for dead somewhere.

Self Portrait II