Joa’s blog

inspired by one of my uglydolls, babo. i got babo a few years ago while i was still in school. i saw it in the store window and was immediately drawn to it. i thought, what a great concept!

babo is described as follows:
Babo will protect you. Having a bad day? Someone giving you a hard time? Babo’s got your back. What Babo lacks in mind power, he makes up for in love. He’s everybody’s best friend. He will stick with you to the end and when something scary happens, he will send you a nice greeting card from wherever it is he runs away to. A very curious, mischievous creature, Babo may need some guidance and parenting, so make sure to bring him with you to as many places as possible. Leaving him at home is fine, but please put all cookies and money on the highest shelf.

to me, babo is not “real” but “the babo spirit” is very real - seeking adventure with loved ones, enjoying snacks, pure heart, and good fun. innocently always wanting to be a part of it too~

adbentuuuures~!
quickly drawn by josh

<3

one of my favorite remix artists is Pogo.

i recently read his entry about “the career conundrum.” basically, making a passion into a career – good thing? bad thing? both? it takes me back to when i was in graduate school and we talked for a few hours regarding intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivations as well as true altruism (no such thing exists to me). i would love to believe in such a purity – a pure love for one’s art and career. a happy balance is nearly impossible it seems. there will always be compromise and no, i don’t think it’s “selling out.” don’t get me wrong there.

i’ve been thinking about this for myself for a long time. photography (and packaging design) is a hobby i love. i wouldn’t mind doing it all day. but for myself. it’s very quite selfish. i love to take photos of whatever i want, whenever, however. maybe what i love is independence and the idea of freelance. but i am not at liberty just pick and choose projects. i have to take anything i can. and i will certainly do it well (self belief and hard work, yeah!!). but if i imagine myself getting regularly hired and paid for photography – meeting deadlines, fitting what i produce into the client needs, becoming “commercial” if you will – will i get burned out like a match? can i really have longevity in it without becoming bitter or somehow resentful? loving my craft comes easy, even during frustrating moments. but adding a big extrinsic motivation such as pleasing others, recognition, money, etc. will probably fade out that wonderful “intrinsic” spark…..

……..right?

sawtelle blvd., santa monica, california.

i took “engagement photos” for the lovely couple sojin and chris. rachel, sojin’s daughter, came along as well and helped yield some awesome shots!  the whole album is on my facebook.

those are just some…. <3

some new things i’ve made recently for my etsy site. they’re obviously not perfect. i wish i had a laser/die cutter. hahaha i suck at scissors, who knew, hehe. the funny part of this is that i really liked making the little strips or bands to bundle the envelopes together. i guess it’s the most “packaging design” related thing about my items.

go here to see or buy.

<3 joa

i’m so obsessed.

i fell in love with packaging design during high school because i saw a boutique shop selling single cupcakes in a homemade packaging designed box and “gift envelope”. it was a recycled paper box with a cute bow to detail it at the top. when you opened the box, you saw a lovely fresh cupcake. the cute gift envelope had a candle and pack of matches in it. a to-go birthday cupcake!? it was love at first site. cupcakes and awesome packaging design?? hollaaaa’! haha anyway, this took me back:

LOVE IT!

good details that is meaningful.

pretty much the final snapshot of my pinwheel fiasco, minus a dozen or so.
the package was sent and received by the buyer. 
she seemed to really like it and is putting it on her wall.

my goodness…. it took me longer than i had hoped.

now i want to make some for etsy….woohoo~!

yeah, i need to do something about my desk. while it serves to inspire me time to time, it is not very functional. i’m planning on getting a bed (i sleep on a mattress right now….) soon so maybe i can put frequently used items under the bed instead of in my closet. i need a little more space! just another 1-2 feet to add a book shelf or something. ::: any thoughts? i looked over a few japanese books on maximizing your room with minimal physical space…didn’t help much because i can’t afford to buy or throw away certain things. oh well, someday…… =)

finally! my little domain….
more to tweak but that’s the fun part, right? ^^

here, you will likely find a plethora of packaging design, print, pattern, graphic design, and all around art and music inspired details. they say i have an artistic temperament and i am happy to share it.

my belief is that even the most humble or seemingly puny gifts can be made extra special with the right thought and packaging.

along with all the above, i will try my best to give insight to who i am too~yay.