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Yep.. it's official.. Times are indeed tough, that's why I want to create an easier option for those who are struggling. 

If you join up and subscribe you'll get any of the merch for 50% off.
What's not to love about a deal!

These products are quality and I will stand by them, as I have tried other options and they've pretty much deteriorated my designs over-time, but these products on Fourthwall will last!

So please, show your support, even if you become a free tier member I'll be eternally greatful.

https://thinkoutsidetheoctopus-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters/perks

-all my love, Jack

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Hey Guys!!
Friend in the Sky
is the Alien merch drop you conspiracy nuts have been yerning for. Check it out!  FRIEND IN THE SKY TEE

Want more? I'm open to feedback, suggestions and collabs.

Here it is as awesome swim wear!! FRIEND IN THE SKY BOARDSHORTS

I do love illustrating little characters with larger than life personalities. I'd like to imagine this guy is squishy so, wherever you end up swimming, skateboarding or running around, he'll take the blunt of a fall haha.

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Using my skills in graphic design I use Adobe Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop to achieve the formats needed to print and showcase.

Pen and paper is where the illustration starts. There will not be a utilization of AI to achieve what's needed. What's happening is bright colours, use of space and the imagery and themes that repeat to create a sense of recognition.
This brand is ultimately THINKOUTSIDETHEOCTOPUS. It stands for honest work, dedication and fun.


Whether you support me or not, this is my journey and I won't stop. I'll take that constructive critisism and shove it right back at the public with improvements (and a positive outlook of course).

I want to see my brand evolve, with a spot amongst others and a sense of accomplishment.
There is comfort in knowing the little things that we achieve along the way and I'm very greatful I can have the space to venture.

Please follow me, give me constructive feedback and have a conversation with me and I'll continue my creative journey. 

Cheers,

Jack

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Do not overlook the fact that you've got one great graphic designer here at your fingertips!

Have just finished up with a client and I'm looking for freelance work.

Jack de Graaf Designs Banner

Do you need posters, logos, social media help or streaming assets. I'm your guy!

JACK DE GRAAF DESIGNS

You might even need a rebrand, I specialize in that too. 
From anything like a fitness company to a dentist office, I offer packages to help revitalize your look.

I have a contract, design brief and planning worked out so that we won't have to do too much of the heavy lifting to get started.
Here's an example.

Got any questions or just up for a chat? well my door is always open.

Thanks for visiting my site as well!! 
Have a happy week!
-Jack

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The brand is T.O.T.O. or THINK OUTSIDE THE OCTOPUS which has started from a small place of ideas and late-night friendship banter. This brand is my pride and joy and grows with every advertisement and creation I design, it starts to develop a form and identity of its own, a voice that carries and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Grateful for the space, on Fourthwall I am able to utilize a webspace and showcase the different evolutionary stages. 

Since the earlier days of Etsy, when I was selling a supply of printed shirts of mine, they were generating an audience for me, this was before AI took over algorithms and I was able to sell 2 shirts a week. I made a much better sales profit using the Etsy platform but with the current Fourthwall platform I need to generate my own audience for made to order products.

I don't stream online or scream from the rooftops about myself so I guess it has been a bumpy journey and no one really wants to go out of their way to find me here, so if you're reading this I thank you!
Fans of my work or not, I'm so proud of myself with the progresses I have made and am really impressed with the quality of material that Fourthwall provides, I only want the best for the things I wish for people to get from my work. 

I really wish I could prove to people my work is good enough some day or the product is of excellent quality. I also know that these days, anyone can make a shirt and anyone can think they can do what I do, but I'm not going to put any less value on myself and what I do, I will continue through thick and thin!

Not everyone will stick to a graphic design career path, I need to constantly prove to the industry and to clients I'm good enough for them, every day it wears me down, I don't want to be what someone else expects me to be. I'm going to improve not to impress others but to make my own progress, my own way.

I think next process may be to purchase more sample products and create shorts video adverts.

Stay tuned!


Jack of THINKOUTSIDETHEOCTOPUS.

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There are many times in our career journey when the world and your location takes on crazy ideologies and the circumstances change, we can feel hopeless if we lose what we had or find ourselves moving into something new and scary. 

We can't give up though, even through the hard times. Today, (personally at least) job opportunities seem out of reach due to an overflooding of applicants in our field or the talk of AI rising up and making us obsolete.

Some find luck and chance at the right time, others find upskilling a solution, your time will come, you just have to be in the right place at the right time, nothing is handed to you. It takes motivation which for some, comes naturally.

I am struggling to take on new freelance clients and get my name out there but that's just at the moment. The old Facebook and Instagram posting just isn't cutting it anymore. I find myself getting tired of these tactics anyway. Though there are many things that can still be done, like finding new goals, new activities to attempt. I am learning new skills in the trade, branching out and keeping myself busy.

Everyone's in different stages of their life, going through different things, don't compare yourself to someone and put yourself down for it. 

Things that play a part in our struggle might be skill level vs job title, experience and opportunities and living situation.

Something like moving and living situations not being ideal can be a big obsticle in motivation. You can't let these things consume you. There are things you can still do to set up motivation, like exercise and planning for what's in reach. The small goals vs future goals.

No, all is not lost. Through positive affirmation and reaching out in social groups of similar interests, we can find a community of good people. 

Finding friendships and connections, we can keep on moving, because what better thing to do than to uplift others in their journey while they uplift you too.

If you find yourself in a rut and feeling comfortable their, try your hardest to break out of it gradually. Small examples might be to try small trips to parks, places you haven't visited or read something at a library.

We may have to be our own motivators and break out of the "I can't do this because....." otherwise we won't get anywhere. If you can't do something because of a setback, find a solution that can work. It might not be ideal but I always say to do anything at all that gets you closer to your goal, is better than doing nothing at all.


Keep trying friends, all is not lost.
You are doing your best; you are doing something great!

From THINKOUTSIDETHEOCTOPUS

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Hope everyone is having a very merry holiday!! Stuff yourself silly with all the christmas foods and have a lot of fun!!

Lots of love
& thank you for your support!

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Hey guys!
I recently started a digital art Discord server. It’s for artists to chat about their journey and to also promote my own digital illustration journey into artist markets.

The goal is to help each other with motivation, feedback and share progress together. It’s for people of all levels of talent and for casual chats (SFW stuff of course).

Join if you're a lover of art and want to hang out with other like-minded creatives.

https://discord.com/invite/nhuDjzBMGS

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