Back in the old days, when 56K modem was popular I started to get addicted to the internet. I was addicted in search engines, and especially fascinated by Google.com back then when Yahoo/Exite was still the leaders of SE (hey! not sucking up). Then I started to learn HTML on my own and created some amateur websites of celebrities and info. access hosted by Geocitie, the good old free hosting days, though full of popping advertisements, and thats where the market & trend of online marketing begins.
When I was a kid I have always determined to be either an artist or a computer programmer. Fortunity I am neither, but I am partial of both.
Towards the end of my 2nd year in University, I started to seek for methods to earn money through the internet. Of course in earlier days, we have all tried "click per pay" ads, for every click you clicked, you gain a few cents. Those are the glories of the online ad period, which was over in a short-time. However, I really did receive my $48 USD cheque from one of those ad companies.
2004 May, digging old items in the basement to sell on ebay.com, and helping enormous forums like uwants.com to improve layouts & graphics... There must be better ways to earn money and to do what I enjoy to do (arts, designs, web developement) at the same time. Then I came across a Logo competition invitation on a Charity website, I took an attempt on it and did not win. However, I was returned with a warm certificate by mail in surprise "United Way's Logo design contributer". Ever since, I got addicted in Logo competitions. From Sitepoint to Designpost to 99designs.
Back in the old days, logo competition 'rewards' are only in range from $20-60USD. Now, some are even rewarding as much as $700USD. The talent and mind juice in these design competition forums are extraordinary. We compete each other, we learn from each other and we gain experience though hundreds of competitions. Some gave up, some became reputable and sucessful designers. Even if you don't win in a competition, you still gain the experience and the process of designing is a practice. Plus, if you draw nice stuffs, some clients do look at your portfolio and ask for your service out side of the competition ring.
As I gain more skills in 'drawing' with computer, and accumulated more pieces as portfolio. I started to send out resumes and became contractors/freelancers for various companies. ichistudio.com was found ever since - as my business name registered in Canada.
2006 Oct, After graduated from I.T Management degree majoring in Telecommunication, I changed my route in seeing my future and decided to move to Hong Kong. Then I worked as an I.T officier to I.T Supervisor, it still doesn't satisfy me in the career element of life. I dislike computer itself without arts, then I know I am missing my artistic side.
2008, I started to do Logo competitions on 99designs.com when I have extra time, after working full time, I find that it is hard to have the energy and brain power to also do freelances. Then, a logo competition that I have won triggered my motivation again, the passionate in graphics & Web then has been stirred up on fire again. This is also when a very high & energetic friend, Anne Yeung suggested to start a graphic & web design business together, not to let the talent to be wasted, not to let our passions to be abandoned and there we let our creative minds unfolded - Cranes Media Co. was founded.
It is not an easy step to start from zero here in Hong Kong, where the market is extremely competitive, especially in this field. Hong Kongese are fast pase, widdy and creative. To be able to enjoy the combination of arts & computers once again in another part of the world is totally another experience, a great experience.
Crystal Jane Wong
designer, director, most-in-one! ;)
www.cranesmedia.com
