I work for The Window.

  

On Left: Cover Page of Nov Issue
On Right: For The Love of Marriage by Will Balogh, Artwork by Caroline Teng.

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So today I finally get to show you who and what I work for: The Window.

The Window is a publication of New College, which is part of the University of Toronto, which is where I’m studying. For those who might not know the college system, it’s basically like having a house in secondary school except at the university level the system actually helps with administration.

What do I do for The Window? I’m a staff artist. I produce creative visual material to accompany writers’ articles.

So far, this has been a challenging experience – writers asking me to draw things I never thought I’d ever have to draw; meeting deadlines, usually a week and a half for two to three pieces of artworks and, perhaps one of the hardest things to face: myself and my expectations and fears.

Having no official artistic education except what we all learnt in Sec 1/2 about sketching or painting, I’m generally insecure about the skill set and knowledge I have with relation to more experienced artists and illustrators. This is the same for photography. I love so much of what other people do and like very little about what I produce. We are our worst critics. Nonetheless, I think I’m learning and that’s important.

We’re working on the third issue for December and I’m excited to see it turn out. The release of each issue has been a suprise for me because after I’m done with my artwork I generally return to my daily life. I don’t read the writers’ pieces or see how the layout editors have arranged the text on the page until the release of the issue. But mostly, it’s an exciting suprise.

The Window also has a tumblr for The Window Washer, the magazine’s advice columnist. Feel free to leave a question about anything at all and your question might feature in the next issue!(:

I might post jpegs of my work in the future so you can see it in greater detail. It’s just that I appreciate the layout designers’ work as well because it makes so much of an impact on the reading experience. I also can’t post it right now because I’m isolated in a secret location without my handy external hard drive (heh).

So yes, that is who I’m working for currently. It’s been an interesting ride and we’re slowly improving across the issues. I’m excited to see where it will take me.

200 calories and children’s books

From Bailey’s Irish Cream to Puffed Wheat Cereal, WiseGeek did a post on what 200 calories looks like. It’s almost winter here and I find myself constantly eating to keep warm (or so I tell myself) and this post really puts into perspective what I’m eating. Half a muffin is 200 calories!? I’m probably better off eating a bag of carrots!

Also a friend recently showed me this amazing illustrated book called Walk This World by Graphic designer and Illustrator, Lotta Nieminen. Walk This World is a children’s book with amazing illustration and little pull outs. I also love how the book covers vastly different parts of the world and provides a visual representation of each one with it’s little quirks, like the woman and chicken on the bus in Africa and the classic red telephone booth of London. I think I might buy my children these books instead of literary classics or prizewinning ones that my mum always bought (and still buys) for me. 

It’s hitting essay season here right about now so I’ve been busy and might potentially forget next week’s post. It’s also getting colder and colder and.. colder! Hopefully I’ll find something awesome to share with you guys next time round. Take care!