I took my portfolio site down awhile ago and set a date for a relaunch. “April 1st,” I thought. It seemed far enough away. So much time to get super awesome clients and photograph my work professionally…maybe even get pictures taken of myself so I look really cool and pretty?!

April Fools Day, ME. I had no idea the irony behind my little relaunch date. Future me was playing a joke and I’ll admit, it’s kind of funny.

Am I proud of what I’m showcasing at www.allisonlehman.com? Yes of course. Did I work hard? You bet. Is it everything I hoped it would be and is this portfolio complete? Not a chance.

But isn’t that the beauty in the process? That as an artist, my portfolio will never be finished? I’ll never have that moment where I say, “I will love this body of work forever and now I can retire and play golf.” (Golf? No, I meant get spa treatments.)

So my hope is that you can take a look at my work today and appreciate it and maybe visit again down the road and see it evolve.

Through this process, I’ve also realized that not only do I want to share gorgeous and handsome things here on my blog…but I also want to share my more of my random thoughts. Thoughts on freelance clients, finding your style, trying not to be EVERYONE’s designer, and how it’s okay to just have hobbies. Those posts will be coming very soon.

As for now, take a peek at my process and let me know what you think.

Recent loveliness that has caught my eye.

[Ligatures found on Flickr, Edge Painted Letterpress Business Cards, Two other business cards found on Graphic-Exchange, Graphic found on Flickr, and Custom type found on We Love Typography.]

Work is pouring in, I hardly have a moment to remember to sit up straight (finally seeing a chiropractor next week) but I’m staying inspired. I like making lists so here is my current, random list:

1. Only take creative clients.

2. It’s okay to say no.

3. CTRL+S OFTEN. No, CONSTANTLY.

4. Spend more time outside. It’s getting warmer.

5. Stay surrounded by your real friends and talented individuals.

The work above is by Mucca Design, found on Show Us Your Type, found on Graphic Exchange, Jessica Hische.

Oh yes. I’ve given myself a deadline. On April 1st, Allison Lehman Design will be re-launching. Let the countdown begin!

Found type. From top to bottom: Avant Garde 8 Sold, Star Wars typographic posters, Type variations, GT, Herb Lubalin, Fortune Favors the Brave.

*DROOL* Do you love type now too?

Thought I’d share some of Charles Bergquist‘s work. I really love his style.

I stumbled across Andreas Neophytou‘s personal work the other day and I could not stop admiring every piece of work.

- Gorgeous photo by Harry Bloom.

- A great interview with Simone Harouche over on Rifle‘s blog. My favorite part of the interview was:

What’s the best advice you’ve received and the greatest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?

Greatest advice was from my agent and friend Margaret Maldonado, “If you work at what it is you want to do every day, it just gets better and better.
 Every day you get closer to where you want to be. When people talk about what they want to do but they don’t show up, they get stalled. Just do it. If you want to be a painter, make sure you paint every day.

Greatest lesson: And this one I had to learn personally- Always take valuables out of the car. No matter how tired you are, or how long your day has been.”

The Image is Found. I love their work, their style, and their website.

The work of It’s Not What I Thought, a graphic design and media production based out of Sacramento, California.