interview: aarean jergensen

A few months ago I won an awesome giveaway on A Little Sussy. This is where I first started chatting with the VERY talented Aarean Jergensen of LaDitta Design. We hit it off and I proposed that instead of just a blog header, I wanted her to redesign my entire blog. Lots of emails back and forth and lots of fun ideas, we settled on my new look and I have to say I LOVE it! I wanted to do a little interview with Aarean {you'll learn how to say it in a second}......ladies and gents, here she is.....

Name: Aarean (i always tell people its pronounced like Arial but with an "N" on the end instead of an "L" it seems to help people say it right haha)
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Education/Background: I grew up in Southern California, I have four sisters, I am the second oldest...it was a lot of fun growing up in a house full of girls; well for the most part haha. When it came around to choosing a college to attend, BYU was my first choice and thankfully I got accepted. I studied Creative Advertising and minored in Graphic Design. It was then I really developed a love for graphic art.

What led you to graphic design? I actually NEVER even thought about graphic design until I was forced to take classes for it. Because I was in the creative track for advertising you were required to minor in graphic design. I am so glad it was a requirement, because I probably NEVER would have even given it a second thought. "graphic design?! Who does THAT for a living?!" boy did I have a lot to learn!? My senior year in college, I started working for a scrap book company part time designing their paper. After I graduated I started full time, and I began to get tired of it. I felt like I had a limit to what I could and couldn't design, and I didn't like that. So that is when I thought "I could start something myself" and I began little projects here and there, meanwhile working various advertising jobs; and slowly word got out that I freelance, (best advertising in the world is word of mouth right?!?). I started getting more work, and I thought "hm maybe my little business needs a name?!" So my husband and I brainstormed and he said "why not just call it LaDitta (la deet-ah) which means "company" in Italian. It just kind of stuck ever since.

Why this medium instead of other art forms? Funny that you ask. To be honest, I am not a pencil and paper kind of gal. I took a water painting class actually, and I was HORRIBLE. So to be honest, I guess I just choose the best form for my talent. I love working on the computer because you can manipulate the art in so many ways and there are always new things you can learn because technology is always changing.

What inspires you? Other creative people. I love learning from people. I love seeing how they use their talents, and I love seeing what other artists come up with and how they are able to really capture their own individual style. I'm in love with fabrics, stationary, letterpress, anything that has to do with shapes and paper. I could spend hours in a paper store. I know is that weird? {not at all!}
What is your design process? It all just depends. I like to get a feel for what my client likes, their personality, their style. As soon and I know what direction they want to go, I get to work. And all throughout this process, I like to get their opinion on things just to make sure I am going in the right direction. Always want a happy customer! :-)

What goals do you have for your design work? I am just so passionate about what I do. I love it. And for me, as long as I love it and I work hard at it, it will grow and expand to be something bigger that I had even imagined. My goal for LaDitta is to be that design business that has the reputation of quality work.

Describe your dream client. Haha oh lets see... tall, dark and handsome. No, no I am kidding. Gosh, I have met so many unique and wonderful people through freelancing that that's a hard person to describe. Since my designs are completely customized, I like it when I can bounce ideas off the client. To work with that person like a team member. That way the end result is exactly, if not more, then what they even expected!

What software and equipment do you use? I actually just upgraded from CS3 to Adobe Creative Suite 4. I got it for Christmas from my very thoughtful hubs and I LOVE IT!

Is graphic design too saturated? Are there too many designers out there? How does this affect your business? Yes, there is a lot of competition out there, you just have to find your niche that sets you apart. I have come to appreciate the "competition" though, because it makes me want to be a better designer. I just try to be the best ME...and that is all I can do.
Are you most interested in paper, blogs, websites, logos, advertising or something else? I love doing all these but I especially enjoy logos and blogs. I guess its just b/c these two things are so individualized, and I love creating things for people that help them show their true selves.

What advice would you give to someone starting out or interested in graphic design? I would say be true to YOURSELF, as cliche as that sounds. But, what I mean by that is create things according to YOUR style. People appreciate authenticity. And also, that you're not going to learn everything at once. Graphic Design is something you learn as time goes on. I am still learning. I hope that never stops. Its the beauty of the occupation.

Thanks so much Aarean! Great answers!!

If you are interested in working with LaDitta Design you can contact Aarean HERE. Let her know you saw her interview on {people.places.things}!