I’m a self-employed digital designer (and web developer). I’m based in Cyprus, but not a native. Can’t live without frappé, though… 😅
Even though I’m a Computer Science undergrad, I’ve always had an affinity towards art and design. From a young age, I was (and still am) generally creative.
I’ve built this blog to share my digital art and designs, thoughts, and experiences. My intention is to use it as a resource of some sort, not for myself, but also for other digital artists and designers.
What’s in the name?
Several years ago, when the .ninja domain became available, I began hunting for a domain.
After a couple of tries, and fails, I finally settled on sleepless.ninja. It’s a nice play on words, don’t you think? 😏
I’ve always wanted to have my own blog, and I thought of making it about web design and development. The name does fit the stereotype of a coder.
As time went on, I realized that it also suits for a digital art or design blog. After all, aren’t we all sleepless ninjas?
What changed my mind?
While it’s still creative work, and it’s a lot of fun being a digital designer and coder, but it can be all consuming. The last thing I want to do is write more about it. 🤷♂️
Web related topics will be part of this site, of course, as web design alone has a creative element to it. While a Computer Science discipline, it also sits right in digital design. I will offer some helpful tips to other creatives that want to market online, but not always.
Plus, I have other passions to pursue.
To explain, let’s go back in time a bit…
More like a few decades! When I was a teenager, I couldn’t stand a blank paper. I doodled. A lot! My school books, as hard as I tried not to, were victims to my doodling.
I wasn’t great at it but still enjoyed it…
A couple of traditional pencil drawings from my teenage years (not art class related work – those are in storage somewhere).
A couple more drawings … it got weird at times.
Around the age of 14 (or 15), I got my first computer and, of course, I did try to delve into graphic design. As the internet was not as accessible as it is today, it wasn’t easy to find all the necessary information.
Computing did pique my interest. I opted to study Computer Science instead of tackling a degree in Art or Design. It was an odd decision, I admit.
In my last year in college, I was teaching myself Photoshop, Freehand (now Illustrator), Flash, and so on.
I knew I wanted to be a designer and a web developer.
From vector to 3D with a dash of photo-manipulation and some help of a cheapo tablet digitizer. Not what you’d expect a web designer to focus on… but I did.
From vector to 3D with a dash of photo-manipulation and some help of a cheapo tablet digitizer. Not what you’d expect a web designer to focus on… but I did.
All it took was experiencing the World Wide Web. I became fascinated with all the tech involved, especially web design and development. For my degree’s thesis, I wrote about long distance education in real-time. With quite an apt title, “Asynchronous Delivery of Long Distance Education.” 🤓
Kill me now 😅.
I actually didn’t stick to that route for no other reason than due to the jobs that were available. So, I ended up working more in IT and, at times, did some kind of design or web related work. Be it for the business I was working for or on the side.
Fast-forward to 2019…
It’s been 10 years since I went solo and became a self-employed digital designer and coder. A story of its own, but I did take that bold jump!
Early years were great! I got to work on different kinds of projects and learned a lot about doing business solo.
The latter years, not so much. There were a lot of issues with work, (and getting work) which was a downer.
There was one point during that time that afforded me a whole new permanent hat to wear with pride – I became a dad! 👶
2019! Right! Sorry!
At this point, in my early 40s, I figured out how to move forward with my business. I also had a few years in as a parent, and was getting distracted. I was doodling again, creating digital art or designing for creativity’s sake.
To give credit where credit is due, my wife, on occasion, would encourage me to draw or do something creative. That year, not only did I listen, but did more of it.
Since I was so invested in it, it became clear to me that it was time to create that break. That side distraction that I needed. I started an Instagram account.
Early digital art creations. I explored a lot! Still do…
Like all digital artists starting out on social media, I was having fun. Trying to grow with organic reach, and all that. I admit that it wasn’t all serious work, but still. Posting my digital art and design work online, did give me a sense of accomplishing something.
Now, being a web designer, I’ve experienced playing the social marketing game. I can’t deny that the organic growth pains did get me beyond frustrated at times. Still, I knew my endgame was to have a personal site for my digital art and designs. Not only social.
So, is this site going to be about my digital art and design work?!
Kinda! 🙃
I’ve been doing this for a while now. I’ve developed a better understanding of the digital art and design community, and I see a need.
That need is information. The right kind of information, which I can source for digital artists and designers of all levels. After all, I’m seeking that information, too!
While it is a personal blog, I hope that it will also become a resource for other digital artists and designers.
🤞
PS: If you managed to read this all the way through… you’re awesome! 🙌
