Alisa Wismer
Alisa Wismer
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Bucks County, PA
www.alisawismer.com
instagram @awismerdesign
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a designer, illustrator and paper goods fanatic.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
A lot of learning by doing. I actually went into my college program without ever using an Adobe design program (ever) and 4 years later found myself pretty proficient thanks to the selfless help of my professors and countless hours on YouTube researching how to mask photos and convert drawings to vectors.
Also, a lot of where I am today is due to the people I’ve met along the way. Friends and business connections are one of the most valuable assets and privileges you can ever have in life, and they’re crucial to anyone’s career or entrepreneurial journey.
How do you stand out in your field?
I follow my instincts! Jumping on trends might be an easy win at the time, but when they fade away, all you’re left with is an outdated pair of bell bottom jeans (that’s a terrible example since they’re #trending right now, but you get the point...)
I used to doubt my style and sensibilities if they weren’t “on trend” or like what a majority of the design community was into at the time, but I’ve learned that if you can voice your creative inclinations in your work, it will automatically stand out among the rest!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m working on a few new holiday card designs for my online shop, some marketing promotions for my self-published kid’s book, as well as a sweet branding project for a new local business that’s coming soon!
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is a little bold, a little whimsical, a little snarky. I love color and cute things with faces, and puns… so I’d like to think it’s a melded version of all of those things. My stationery is probably the best representation of that.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I would love to focus more on the digital realm of design more. I’m pretty well-versed in the print world, and love me some paper, but we’re ultimately living in a digital age, so it’s good to keep up with it in those terms.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
How social media has become so congested and ad-centric. It used to be a fun way to show my work and meet other creatives, but it’s been a little disheartening lately with all the ways you must “show up” daily to even be seen.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Update all of my pricing, templates and forms everywhere-- google drive, dropbox, my website, hard drives… have fun! 🤣
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I’d go back to when I was a weird, awkward teenager with awful straight bangs and tell her not to worry about the future. You’re going to mess up, and that’s part of life. You’re not (ever) going to have it all figured out, and that’s ok! You’re also going to do some cool stuff, so just enjoy the ride.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I’d love to talk to a business expert! I have zero background in anything business-related, and I think it’d be great insight for freelancing, but also just to have for my personal finances!
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Branding & Identity design, logo design, illustration, publishing & children’s book illustration, and mural design & painting.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Someone who hires me because they trust my ability and vision to carry out their project. Someone who isn’t too serious, but someone who loves what they do, and wants to share that with the world. Someone open to a design-eye, but someone who knows their end goal.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It depends on the project of course. I offer a few different packages for branding, logo and web design projects as well as a few options for smaller, one-off projects. You can email me at alisawismer16@gmail.com for package details and pricing. I do require half of the project cost at booking date to secure your project’s spot on the calendar.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
They could email me at alisawismer16@gmail.com with a brief description of their project/needs, and I'll get back to you pretty quickly!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Explore often, read more, talk to people and don’t get buried in your own work.
This member profile was originally published in September 2019.