There is always going to be someone better than you…
I remember clicking the tweet button on my first entry to One Minute Briefs. It was nerve-wracking putting my idea out there into the world. Was it good enough? What would people think of me? But I didn’t need to be worried. I got a couple of likes and some lovely welcoming messages from the ombles. And from there I was hooked…
It’s taken a lot for me to put my ideas out there. Back when I was at university studying graphic design I always thought my ideas weren’t good enough. There was always someone who was better than me and I found it tougher as each year passed. I started keeping any ideas to myself and didn’t ask for help when it was there. I was overwhelmed. I was surrounded by really talented people and didn’t know how I was going to survive in that industry. I got my degree but left university having fallen out of love with design.
I took a full-time job at an opticians and stayed for four years. I needed that time to figure out what I wanted to do. In the evenings I did a couple of photography and web design courses and worked at a college in the marketing department on my day off.
As I was enjoying being creative again I found an opportunity at a charity, which gave me chance to use my design skills and knowledge. I joined the communications team, where I am currently the editor of the magazine and create marketing materials as well as develop the website. It was there I was introduced to One Minute Briefs by my manager, John. He knew of my creative background and encouraged me to get involved. Not only has it helped gain my confidence, it has had a positive affect at work too – I freely share ideas in discussions and the daily training means I come up with ideas quicker. Most importantly, it has made me fall back in love with design again.
My first most memorable win was winning the Egg Cup brief. I got 12 likes for a quick sketch and was so eggcited (sorry!) The idea I did for Halloween Sweets is my most memorable win to date. I got a lot of likes and some great feedback. More recently, I won some shoes for the Mahabis prize brief with a quick mock up of my idea. Each win I still get that excited feeling as if it was my first. Sometimes I think I have a good idea and it gets hardly any engagement. I’ve learnt a lot from that too and instead of getting down about it anymore, I tell myself I can just try again tomorrow.
The ombles community is the most welcoming community on Twitter I have ever come across. It’s the only reason I have Twitter! Everyone is so supportive of each other and encouraging. My first OMB Live back in 2018 was a real eye-opener. An event which brought all the ombles together was amazing and such great fun. I could put faces to Twitter handles and found ombles are just as nice in real life as they are behind the screen. I can’t wait to go to more events like this in the future.
I know now that there is always someone going to be better than me. There is always going to be someone better than you. But rather than hiding away from it, I’m now embracing it. Anyone can have a great idea, you don’t have to be in the industry, which is why I love One Minute Briefs so much. There’s no judgement, no hierarchy, just real people who want to share their idea with the world.
Love to all the ombles. Thank you for being you and inspiring me every day.
Julia / @JuliaGodridge
xxx