lauratu.art

05/06/2022

Happy Friday, friends! ☺️

Who else is working like a mad person in life/their career and needs a weekend getaway? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Where would you go?
➖Joshua Tree to relax in a hot tub
➖Vegas to send a lantern in the sky
➖Miami to splash in the beach

Yeah, it’s true I’ve done each of these destinations in three-day trips. 😅 Sometimes, I make my friends do some crazy things, or vice-versa. But this life is getting shorter and shorter, so make those connections, keep in touch with your friends, send them that text you’ve been meaning to. 💓

-LTW

04/19/2022

Hello, remember me? I’m Laura, a professional graphic designer and a comedian (JK). This was the best slogan I could come up with: Your personal in-house graphic designer but outside your house and better. 🥹☺️🫣🙋🏻‍♀️🤭

1st Qtr of 2022 Highlights:
✦ I can’t seem to finish any of the online classes I start. Trying to take it down a notch and complete something… ANYTING!!! before the end of the year!

✦ I have been doing less and less freelance work as I’ve had so many life changes. You freakin’ missed so many episodes buttt it’s my fault for not posting. I will try to do better.

✦ I’m trying to figure out what to do with my side biz since there has been no traction since 2020. 🤷🏻‍♀️Maybe turn it into a in-progress office decor/organization page. (Thinkin’ out loud here. Huge Home Edit and Marie Kondo fan).
Which brings me to my next highlight.

✦ I moved! I mean not too far but not that close either. But that means I have space for a new home office!! Moving was so tough, getting packed for months and finally in my new place. Not even a full two weeks yet. There tons to do and so much to share if I just press that dang share button!

✦ (This is not a joke) I got married in March!!! Annnnd I’m adding a new last name. 👰🏻‍♀️💕 More details later but you can already see I changed my name here on ig! Hehe. So many self-branding changes to go thru but it’s about time, right?! I don’t know what the rules are anymore but I know, I better get with it if I’m gonna try to show you I’m a professional.

✦ What happened to .to ? I like drop the f* ’ ball there. I need to think more about this or close it down. 🥺

✦ I’m scared as f* of posting now. Whyyy?! I’m still tryna figure that one out. 👀

✦ I have come to terms that I am a long-form writer (with somewhat of a potty mouth.) You’re just have to deal with it or keep swiping because I’m in my late 30s and give zero fs now!

Anyways, Happy Day-After Taxes Tuesday!🗓 I remembered because it was due yesterday. So, it was on my to-do list yesterday. 🥁🥁🥁🫠

What’s new with you??!

12/01/2021

Hi beautiful people, if you don't know... I updated my website.✨

Link in bio 🌎 https://.lauratu.com

You can now check out my detailed bio, my updated portfolio, articles I've been featured in, and more info on my passion projects and side-businesses.

I've been working very quietly behind the scenes on a new look... again!

Over the years, I've changed my title/category numerous times but never changed my username. I am contemplating changing "lauratu.art" to "lauratu.design" YAY or NAY?🤔

This is the evolution of my titles thus far. So many, right?!
Tattoo Apprentice > Graphic Artist > Graphic Designer > Mentor > Design Agency Business Partner > Creative Director > Entrepreneur

✦ My NEW category: It's only fitting now that I switched it once again, to En·tre·pre·neur - "a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so." Because gosh darn it, I'm always taking some kind of freakin' risk!

✦ My NEW tagline: I help mid-size businesses market their brand, products and services.

✦ NOTICE: My prices will be increasing in 2022. Reach out before Dec 31st to lock in my current rates.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to change my username soon. If you're curious what else I've been doing. Click on all my linktr.ee links. lol.

My buddy Vee shoots all my photos, mosey over to his page to spy on his stuff!
📷:

🗃SAVE MY POST - to refer back to me when you're ready for some serious help with your business sh*t.😅😉👍

Peace Out!✌️
- LT

06/05/2021

Time-Off. Re-energize, reconnect, rejuvenate.

This past week I took time off. Time-off for my grandfather’s Buddhist temple memorial and funeral service, time-off to spend time with family I haven’t seen in over a year and time-off to completely turn-off.

I kept my plans very minimum. I did not check my work email or messaging and let my days play out organically instead of sticking to my very strict calendar. Out of the blue, I went to see my friend, Judy , reconnected and caught up on life. For the first time, I set up a little picnic for Teddo and me in front of my apartment to re-energize. Laid out, ate sliced marble loaf cake, splurged on Starbuck's NEW Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso, and pulled out my dusty 4th gen Kindle to reread by Sophia Amoruso. I took the time to release the pressure I put on myself, to want to be the best at everything, and honestly just ignore all obligations that I’ve placed on myself for a whole week. It was a spaless rejuvanation.

If losing a relative has taught me anything at all, moving forward I will say to myself to stop stressin' it. We're all rushing down the freeway to get to our destination but it's ok to take the foot off the gas a bit. (IRL, I drive on the far right most times, lol). I know I am getting old. I haven't had kids yet or traveled much. I don't own a house and am barely scratching the surface of what greatness lays ahead of me business-wise. I am financially focused and am not greedy. I am rushing to reach my goals but when does it end? Never! So since I am never giving up on my dreams and I am never losing hope in you or me, I might as well slow it down and enjoy the ride.

Reminder: Take the time off.

To join the ride and keep updated with my endeavors, follow, like, share and signup for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hq1NXn

05/14/2021

Hi Friends,

I admit it, I have a hard time keeping up with Facebook. A few fun things are happening lately.

I started taking a couple classes online and have shut-down the business temporarily for a bit to focus on learning. The first class is Google's UX Design through Coursera and the second is Sophia Amoruso's Business Class, where I'm learning how to start and grow a business (the real kind). Both are super exciting and can't wait to level up in my career and business.

You'll find me on all the platforms, especially on Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or Clubhouse. But if you want to get in on the real scoop before anyone else, subscribe to my newsletter. I want to start a email list of those of you who are interested in learning more about what I am doing, what I'm launching and when, free design tips & freebies and general news, ya heard.

Sign-up and I promise I won't sell your info.
http://eepurl.com/hq1NXn

😽
xoxo,
Laura Tu

Oh hi, and BTW I'm featured here below in Shoutout LA magazine. It's about the lessons I've learned in my career and business life. And how I stay productive, positive and still sparkly.

Thanks a bunch to my family, friends, mentor (Michael Mondragon) and design geek community (TypeThursdayLA & AIGA Los Angeles).

Click below to read all about it!

📷 Image Credit: Vee C Photography (Vee Chim)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Tu and we've shared our conversation below. Hi Laura, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you? Hi, I'm Laura, a marketing graphic designer by day, an artist at heart, and a builder of brands for small businesses by nig

10/21/2020

This week has been a series of sad news or memories of them from friends around me but I will try to keep my spirits up. And I will be there for you if you need me to be. 📞💕

Sometimes we lose someone special to us, but we will never forget them, never. That's why this week, my typography pals and I from have worked together to start fundraising for the memory of Michael Stinson and his donated collection of Annual Reports to the . The funds raised will help support the work needed to archive and maintain his precious collection for future educational purposes.

A little under one year ago, we lost one of the greatest design legends of our time. Michael was a huge influence on myself as a young designer and the entire west coast design community from LA to SF. He was my employer, my mentor, my instructor and a dear friend. Those memories are one of the best and most exciting from my budding career. He was also a beloved husband to the beautiful Rachel Elnar, a father, an uncle, and an inspiration to so, so many.

Here's a sneak peak of some t-shirt art and I will be releasing this Thursday at our typography monthly meet-up. We're going to be Livestream on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7 PM PDT.

Please come hang with us!

Thanks to our amazing sponsors:




My team rocks 🗻:







916





@ Michelle Compton.omg there’s more.. sorry if I forgot to tag you!!

Special Thanks to our TypeThursday Founder, Thomas Jockin for letting us thrive together globally:


To attend this virtual event or to learn more on how to support this cause click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/type-thursday-la-los-angeles-1-typography-meetup-tickets-124953793159?ref=eios

02/06/2020

I make posting wayyy to hard on myself. 🤦🏻‍♀️

02/06/2020

Custom Hand-Lettering for Wedding Collateral and Poster Printing, available from

Ask me anything about custom signage!

10/14/2019

October Highlights:

▶️ I started a Facebook support group for portfolio building and self-promotion for creatives, ask me about it!

▶️ This month marks the third month since I hired my first design intern for my side business... we met on LinkedIn and she’s amazingly awesome! And guess what?! Intern #2 who I met from volunteering at TypeThursday is starting next week!

▶️ Extra juicy gossip: In the midst of creating my side business, I starting a design & marketing agency with an unexpected business partner who’ve turn out to be an unexpected pleasure to work with. I mean the moves we’re making are unbelievable! We’re both excited to share more, while we work on our branding and identity. So stay tune for more updates!

▶️ Reminder quote from my communications coach (Yess, I have one!): “Done is better than perfect, the same way moving is better than standing still. It's an unattainable ideal and if you try to be perfect in something you do, then you will never do it and you will never move (with your business, your life, career, whatever).” - unknown

Questions or comments about what’s up with lauratu.art, just ask below!

08/07/2019

Monday, August 12th at 7pm. Attending this one if anyone wants to join me.

Is your spend focused on digital? It should be, but the platforms are changing fast. Learn about the landscape from a pro in this free workshop.

07/31/2019

TypeThursdayLA is the meeting place for people who love letterforms.

We just hit our two year anniversary in Los Angeles and we are growing! We're seeking additional help with photography to assist our communications team. You will spend about 5-6 hours a month working on shooting/editing and sharing images online.

Job Title: Photographer

Salary: This is an unpaid volunteer position.

Responsibilities:
- Attend monthly events before start time (Usually 6-9:30 PM).
- Own your own photography equipment.
- Must have own transportation.
- Collaborate and work alongside Photography & Communication Leads.
- Responsible for editing images.
- Provide edited and resized images within the lead time.

Preferred Experience:
- In-Door Low Light Photography
- Photo Editing with Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC
- Knowledge of Google Drive and Slack

Ideal Candidate:
- Able to take direction
- Self-motivated and driven
- Positive team player
- Efficient with time management

The Benefit of Volunteering:
- Network with a global community of artists and designers.
- Any volunteer is welcome to show their own work for critique.
- Gain confidence.
- Get to practice your craft with little pressure.
- Be part of something bigger than yourself!
- Have fun with like-minded individuals!

Locations: 90% Downtown/Little Tokyo, 8% Pasadena and occasionally 2% Santa Monica.

When applying, please write a brief statement of why you think you would be our ideal candidate. Make sure to include your resume and a link to your portfolio, if you have one.

For more info, check us out at:
https://www.typethursday.org/los-angeles
https://www.instagram.com/typethursdayla/
https://twitter.com/typethursdayla

TTLA, sponsored by the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography, General Assembly & AIGA LA.

07/26/2019

The Brush 🖌

In college, I kept telling myself that I'm an artist first and designer second. My entire life up until college was all about drawing & painting. My professor would ask me, "Why did you put the title "Artist" before "Designer" on your business card assignment?" and "Why is it even on there when you're studying to be a designer?" As a student, I never knew the right answers but it's okay, we shouldn't know at that stage in our young careers. In front of the whole class, all I could say was "Uhhh because I LIKE to draw?" In my mind, I thought that must've been the dumbest answer! At that moment, scared and nervous, I began to question myself. Am I an artist? Do I truly want to be a designer? What or who am I? Wait, should I go get a White Chocolate Mocha first?

I had so many questions and I still do every day. Much less about who I am but now more about what's next?! What now? I'm usually in deep thought and constantly planning my next move. It's funny how the mind works. And I've always been like this with my mind running a hundred miles an hour leaving my body and face looking and feeling like a worn-out old lady. 👵

However, for your enjoyment, here are some answers:

Who am I? I'm Laura.

What do I do? I'm a Marketing Graphic Designer.

Where is this story going? Wait for it...

Why does my "lauratu.art" profile only show personal fine arts projects when I am a Graphic Designer by trade? I was holding on to a dream which I enjoyed very much but was not successful in selling.

And why am I telling you this story? In contrast, as a thriving digital in-house creative, I've chosen to tell the world today that I'm working toward closing down this side of my career to focus on all digital marketing design. Something new is coming and with all the brushing up on the basics that I've been doing, the only smart thing to do is to fully focus all my energy on this new venture.

Also because I have this drawing I did a long time ago and I needed some copy to go with this post!

If you have any questions about this transition, ask me below!