Method to the Mayhem

Calvin Lee, Principal and Creative Director of Mayhem Studios, a small award-winning design studio located in Los Angeles, was interviewed by the FreelanceSwitch website written by Kristen Fischer, Self-Promotion Made Easy: An Interview With Calvin Lee. The interview discusses self-promotion and spec work with the designer.

The Studio would like to also thank Jeff Fisher, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives for writing about the Studios FreelanceSwitch interview on his blog, Identity Crisis. It's very much appreciated!

About FreelanceSwitch
FreelanceSwitch is a site for freelancers. Whether you’ve been freelancing for years, have just started or are considering making the switch, this is the place to get all the information and support you need.

About Kristen Fischer
Kristen Fischer is a freelance writer living at the Jersey Shore. She began writing Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs during 2004, after experiencing many trials and triumphs while forming her copywriting business. She released her second book, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life in Spring 2007.

Labels: Calvin Lee, Design, Design Competition, Design-Awards, Freelance, FreelanceSwitch, Interview, Jeff Fisher, Kristen Fischer, Marketing, Mayhem Studios, Self-Promotion, Spec Work

Posted by Calvin Lee at Monday, May 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mayhem Studios is among one of the creatively self-employed contributors interviewed in Home Business Magazine, "How Young Artists, Writers and Other Creative Types Embrace Self-Employment," written by Kristen Fischer, author of "Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs."

It’s inspiring when you hear about people making their dreams a reality. Even more so when they’re doing it before they even turn 40.

You can also download the article HERE (3.91 mb).

When Fischer was promoting her book, "Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs," she found that most interviewers were more amazed by her than the 65+ creatives she interviewed. They seemed stunned when Fischer told them that she was 28 when the book was released, and started working on it at 25. She didn’t think it was a big deal at first, but  then realized what a profound thing she had done by writing that book—and how astonishing it was because she hadn’t even hit 30 yet.
 
This led her to become intrigued by others around her age who are doing extraordinary things. It’s hard enough to do it as a mid-lifer, but to do it just out of college or with only a few years of experience in the traditional working world? That is really awe-inspiring! So, how do they do it? And are more people considering this career platform?

For more information, please visit Kristen Fischer's website at www.creativelyselfemployed.com.

About Kristen Fischer
Kristen Fischer is a freelance writer who specializes in creating marketing collateral for a wide array of businesses. After more than three years of working 9-to-5 jobs, she started her copywriting business in 2003. She has contributed to Men's Health magazine, Philadelphia magazine, Skope magazine and College Bound magazine. She lives in Manasquan, New Jersey.

Labels: Creatively Self-Employed, Design, Home Business Magazine, Kristen Fischer, Marketing, Mayhem Studios, Writing

Posted by Calvin Lee at Friday, September 14, 2007 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mayhem Studios received a little mention in the May/June, west coast issue of Create Magazine, Scoops section. Regarding the Studios' works published in David E. Carter's, Creativity Annual Awards 36 and being featured in Kristen Fischer's new book, Creatively Self-Employed.

Labels: Buisness, Business of Design, Create Magazine, Creatively Self-Employed, Creativity Annual Awards, David E. Carter, Kristen Fischer, Maketing, Promotion

Posted by Calvin Lee at Sunday, May 20, 2007 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Los Angeles, Calif. - November 3, 2006 - Mayhem Studios, award-winning design firm featured in Kristen Fischer's new book, Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs, published by iUniverse is expected to be released in December of 2006.

The Studio is featured among the 65 real-life stories of how designers, writers, and artist deal with the good and bad of living off their talents, dealing with rejection, building a support system, growing your business and even dealing with the independent contractor loneliness. It offers practical business advice for dealing with unique situations that creatives often find themselves in.

Kristen Fischer, Author of Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs, gives high praises for the Studio’s contributions.

"This book exposes what life is like after people have the guts to go into business based on their talents. With more than 65 creatives speaking out about issues such as rejection and isolationism, it's refreshing to have a book like this on the market.

I am pleased to have Calvin Lee, Mayhem Studios contribute, as he had a lot to say about being creatively self-employed. His honesty helped make the book so relatable."

Fischer is a freelance writer who specializes in creating marketing collateral for a wide array of businesses. After more than three years of working 9-to-5 jobs, she started her writing business in 2003. She has contributed to Men's Health magazine, Philadelphia magazine, Skope magazine and College Bound magazine. She lives in Manasquan, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.creativelyselfemployed.com.

Lee serves as a member of the Platt College Advisory Board for the Visual Communications Department and on the NO!SPEC Committee. Lee is also the organizer and president of the Los Angeles Designers Association.

Mayhem Studios is a small award-winning design firm located in Los Angeles. Developing identity and brand recognition for the business sector across the nation. The Studio uses strategic and creative design with effective messages targeted to the client’s specific audiences to produce identity and branded collateral pieces, annual reports, brochures, logo design, advertising & interactive web sites. Additional information may be found at the Studios' web site, www.mayhemstudios.com.

Labels: Business of Design, Creatively Self-Employed, Design, Graphic Design, Kristen Fischer

Posted by Calvin Lee at Friday, November 03, 2006 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Blogs is a very useful tool for self-promotion and educating the public. I have experienced the power of what a blog can do for self-promotion. In one of my blog posts, "I've been Tagged!" It's a fun little post about listing your favorite things in fours. In turn, you would tag another person that would list their favorites and so. I was originally tagged by a friend of mine Jeff Fisher from his blog, bLog-oMotives

In my "I've been Tagged!" posting it listed "The Greatest American Hero TV Show" as one of my favorite shows. Which was read by M80, a marketing firm working with Anchor Bay Entertainment on releasing "The Greatest American Hero TV Show DVD Limited Edition Box Set." I recently received an email from M80. They offered me a free "The Greatest American Hero TV Show DVD" in exchange for a review of the the TV show on my blog to help create an on-line marketing presence for the dvd.

I agree to the review, since it's one of my favorite shows and a free dvd. How can you beat that? So where are the MacGyver TV show people at?

"The Greatest American Hero TV Show" is a fun show that aired in the 1980s staring William Kat, Robet Culp and Connie Selleca. It's a show about, what if you have a super powered suit with exordinary powers, which is given to you by aliens from outer space, you lose all the instructions on what powers you may have and how to use them. Resulting in a hilariously funny buddy buddy, action comedy and super hero spoof.

It's fun watching the characters Ralph Hanley (William Katt), Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) and Pam Davidson (Connie Selleca) interact with each other in every episode. Discovering how to fly without crashing into walls, buildings or trees in his tight red suit. The fun part is his discovery of his new found powers and his clumsy crime fighting skills.

This show would be enjoyed by young and old. A great gift for the holiday season.

Labels: Business of Design, Creatively Self-Employed, Design, Graphic Design, Kristen Fischer

Posted by Calvin Lee at Thursday, November 02, 2006 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post