Here’s my story in a nutshell.
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Now for the longer version…
Hi! I am Artiatesia – self-proclaimed geek girl; in love will all things creative and techie. I’m the Founder and Creative Principal of ArtDeal Designs, a boutique web design studio servicing Bloggers to Solopreneurs with their web design needs.
I got my start in web design back in 1999 with my first web page on AOL Hometown. In my earlier years on the web I was what we called a webmistresss (a female webmaster) of several web pages before making the jump to full-blown websites. It was around that time I taught myself how to code HTML and CSS by hand. A skill that still comes in handy today with building and maintaining sites, along with customizing blogs. Soon my passion for coding would grow way beyond just being a hobby.
I was more interested in learning the code of the web than about DNA. See, I entered college as a Biology Major but computers kept calling my name. As a result I decided to chance course and pursuer a career in the web design field. I now hold an Associates Degree in Digital Media Communications and a Bachelor Degree in Information Systems Management. My real education came from working in the field. I completed an internship at truTV (formerly known as Court TV), which led to my last job as Junior Production Artist.
My Freelance Life
I enjoyed my time at truTV, working my way up from Intern to Junior Production Artist. It was the best educational experience a budding designer could ask for. It gave me the foundation for the next phase of my life: freelancing. I never envisioned myself being where I am at today – starting my own business. My only concern was securing employment before graduation (which did happen) but all that changed with the downturn of the economy (in 2008). When I lost my job, I thought I wouldn’t be unemployed for long. I just knew I was going to find something.
Then I woke up and realize two things. I wasn’t alone in feeling the effects of the bad economy and it might time to step out of my own. So I took to social media, decided to start blogging under my own name, and look for ways to start networking with others. Nothing happens overnight and some days (and months) are harder than others, but I know for sure that this is what I want to do.
My Blogging Story
When I am not doing web/graphic work or playing with my tech gadgets, I’m doing that other thing I love – blogging. I got my start with blogging the same way I did with web design, doing it all by hand. When that became too much of a hassle, I moved on to blogging platforms such Greymatter, Blogger, and Movable Type. I even tried creating my own by learning PHP before the switching to WordPress.
Blogging has affordable some great opportunities. I was apart of the NAACP Image Award winning site Pepsi We Inspire, a refreshing lifestyle community blog for African American Women sharing stories of inspirations. Check out a few of my posts below.
In 2010, I attended my very first conference ever – Blogging While Brown. The conference was created to give Bloggers of Color an opportunity to meet, discuss current issues, and learn about the latest technology. I was interviewed during one of the breaks (starts at 1:28) & made it into the Highlight Reel.
I can’t forget to mention all of the wonderful people I have connected with both on & offline. I had pleasure of learning from some great mentors who inspire me to keep pushing and follow through with my goals and dreams.
Conferences I attended:
Blogging While Brown 2010, June 18-19th Washington, D.C
BlogHer 2010, August 6-7th New York City
Blogging While Brown 2011, July 8-9th Los Angeles
Blogalicious 2011, October 21-23th Washington, D.C
10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
#10 I don’t mind being referred to as a Geek or Nerd. It’s who I am.
#9 Nerds are actually my favorite candy.
#8 My favorite color is red.
#7 Favorite genre of music is R&B and I tend to listen to a lot of old school (90s and prior)
#6 I prefer to wear contacts to my glasses. Especially when it rains or snows.
#5 Love action movies or those that have some type of CGI (computer generated imagery) in them
#4 I am addicted to my gadgets (computers, phone, wii)
#3 I am totally addicted to cop/crime scene related shows – Law & Order (Original, SVU, CI), CSI (Original and NY), NCIS (Original and LA), Bones, Blue Bloods, Leverage, and Rizzoli & Isles.
#2 Absolutely loved reading The Babysitters Club, Sweet Vally High and Nancy Drew series growing up.
#1 I’m really shy until you get to know me.
About this blog
ArtiatesiaDeal.com was launched November 2008 as a design blog where I could showcase my web/graphic design work. Since then is has grown into so much more. Three years later it is now a freelance blog, where I share my experiences as freelancer and my journey in building a business. My mission is to help others, whether it’s through designing or showing them how to embrace their inner freelancer.
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I am always coming cross great tips and resources, that sometimes don’t make it to the blog. So I decided to gather all of the information in and put it into a newsletter. In addition you will be the first to know about contests, discounts, and new product releases. No worries, I won’t spam your inbox as this newsletter will come out every two weeks.
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