Freelance Creative Monsters take Chicago June 23-24 2011

Last year while at the Creative Freelancer Conference in Denver I was having breakfast with some of my favorite creatives and talking about how it would be so cool to be able to sit in the airport or on the plane and spot other CFC attendees. Ilise Benun o f Marketing Mentor looked up at me and smiled. I knew exactly what she was thinking (creative minds think alike) and I quickly made a voice memo on my phone. Almost a year later she called me and reminded me of this moment and wondered of I'd still be up for the task. The task? Create a cool one-of-a-kind shirt that people who are attending the conference could wear and not only be spotted in the airport but show their support of the conference, the industry and most importantly one another.

One thing I always take with me and keeps me coming back to CFC year after year is the camaraderie. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most creative people on the planet and have made some amazing friendships because of CFC. Year after year I add a few more connections to my list and treasure each one. Although we tend to get pretty busy throughout the year and don't have time to talk much CFC has become a much need reunion for us all.

With the conference just days away there is still time to order your Freelance Creative Monster shirt to wear to CFC or at the morning netwalking hosted by Ilise Benun.

Although I won't be attending the conference this year, (We have yet another baby coming) I will be thinking of all my creative friends and hope the conference is as much fun for everyone this year as it has been for me the past three years.

Have a great conference!

Peace,

Tim Read

5 Fingers Creative

Cool goodies for the big freelance conference in Chicago!

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Creative Monsters Take Chicago!

Last year, while in Denver at the Creative Freelancer Conference, I was sitting in a restaurant with a table full of designers, illustrators, writers and marketing geniuses and someone mentioned that it would be very cool to have a way of spotting other creatives traveling to the conference while in the airport. Then someone mentioned a t-shirt. I quickly made a voice memo on my phone and continued to eat my eggs.

Needless to say I forgot all about this until Ilise Benun called to remind me. I hit the drawing board and along with the marketing genius of Ilise and Deidra we came up with this nifty shirt. I've posted it to my Zazzle shop and if you're heading to Chicago this year for CFC it's a must have.

I hope you like it...you creative monster you.

Click here to order the shirt!

Have a great conference!

Peace,

Tim

Improv Illustration! Sparking Creativity in Kids...and grown-ups too!

There's something about a room full of kids all jacked up on creativity that really gets me going! Recently I had the pleasure to spend four hours doing what I call "Improvisational Illustration".

Improv Illustration is a process where, with the help of my audience, tell a story while doing live, off the cuff humorous illustrations. Much like improv comedy or Mad Libs, as one student put it, I create a story or character based on what the audience shouts out at my request.

I like to use this program as a way to spark creativity and story telling through visualization and drawing. I believe it really gets the mind working and who doesn't need a bit of mental exercise now an then? Creativity is the one thing that kids and even adults often have trouble tapping into. We're bombarded by the media, school, work and let's face it, life. All this can really put a drain on our creative resources and I believe programs like this can really get those creative juices flowing again.

I have several bookings this summer visiting local libraries and schools but can also develop and create programs for businesses as a team building event. If there is one thing my years in corporate America has taught me, it's that creativity is a valued asset and any chance to harness it as a team can be very productive.

If you’re interested in talking about how my program can help your business, school or organization feel free to contact me at 515-451-1684 or email me at timread@5fingerscreative.com.

View the video or read the local story from the Ames Tribune: Drawing on Imagination

Keep doodling!
Peace,
Tim

Ice Cold Calling - From the Creative Freelancer Blog

Lets face it, cold calling is the one marketing task that most people really have a hard time getting done.

Read my latest blog post on the Creative Freelancer Blog.

http://www.creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/ice-cold-calling/