Happy Monday! Here again, I'd like to introduce the workspace of the very creative, Ann-Marie Morris. I came across Ann-Marie's work on none other than instagram! She is always posting perfect images that are filled with design and scrapbooking, all styled beautifully. So it's no surprise that her workspace is equally beautiful! One thing I've picked up on recently (like Ann-Marie's), from sharing these with you, are how everyone's workspaces even have their own color palates! Enjoy!
Tell us about yourself as a creative.
My name is Ann-Marie Morris and I am a 26 year old designer living in Southern California. At any given time, I have my hand in a number of creative endeavors, including freelance graphic design projects, photography, scrapbooking at events on behalf of Amy Tangerine, and running a rubber stamp shop called Ann-Marie Loves Paper. My formal training is in graphic design, but I am also a crafting fiend with a penchant for paper crafts, knitting, and interior design. I recently got engaged and am having a blast dreaming up all the DIY details I want to include at my wedding!
Describe your creative journey.
As far back as I can remember, I've always been a major crafter. Whether it was making friendship bracelets at Girl Scout camp, drawing and illustrating little stories that I made up, or taking photos of anything and everything, I've always had an insatiable appetite for creating.
In 2009, I graduated from San Diego State University with a BFA in Multimedia Design. At the time, the economy had just tanked and I struggled to find work in ANY field, let alone something applicable to my degree. I ended up taking on random jobs that taught me so much about myself and what I did not want to do with my life - ha! In May 2010, I applied for an In-House Product Designer / Scrapbooker position at American Crafts on a whim (not expecting anything to come of it), and within a month, I was living in Orem, Utah. Working at American Crafts was a dream job. I spent my days collaborating with a supremely talented team, designing scrapbooking products and creating projects for print and trade shows. However, in 2012, my department was cut and I was out of a job. As devastating as it was in that moment, it allowed me to move back to California and try my hand at working for myself (something I had been considering for quite some time). Being my own boss has been a crazy adventure: it's equal parts thrilling + terrifying, but I can't imagine life any other way!
There are still so many other creative avenues I would love to explore in the near future including visual merchandising, prop styling, and designing a line of office supplies, just to name a few. My ultimate life goal is to keep learning + evolving as a designer as long as I possibly can!
Share a little bit about your space.
My desk plays so many roles depending upon the projects I'm working on at the time. I always have basic, often-used supplies (pens, scissors, adhesive, stamp pads) out in the open for easy access and the less commonly-used products are either kept in cigar boxes (labeled with washi tape) or in drawers under my desk. The shelves above my workspace allow me to rotate art and photos, just to keep things visually interesting. I'm a big fan of color, so I'm always on the lookout for fun palettes and patterns to decorate my space with. When I'm working, you can guarantee that I'm listening to a podcast (Joy the Baker, After the Jump, Radiolab and Here's the Thing are my faves) and drinking coffee out of a favorite mug. I try to keep my workspace as inspiring as possible so I'm more likely to sit down and get things done!
What's your favorite thing about your space?
I love all the natural light! After working a few jobs with windowless cubicles + fluorescent lighting, there's something to be said about good old sunshine!
What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?
A foolproof organizational system. I'll be the first to admit that I let things pile up and overwhelm my space until I have absolutely have to clean off my desk, but it's a vicious cycle that I am determined to break this year! There's nothing quite like a well-organized space with everything in it's proper place. Not only does it look good, but it feels amazing as well!
Thanks Ann-Marie!
PS -- Ann-Marie just got engaged!! Wohoo! Congrats!
