[flickr id=”9168999211″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”original” group=”” align=”none”] After the epic road trip, I arrived back in Chicago to find the city firmly in summer mode. Without sounding cliche, one of my favorite things about living here is the summer. The city really does come alive–beaches, cycling, swimming, food, drink, festivals, parties–we have it all. It makes the post-college life seem that much less daunting! With summer giving me that extra boost, I am using the next few months to try get a number of projects started.

1. My first project is to get my design business off the ground. I have been consistently freelancing for a while and I am ready to take the next step and launch my business properly. The only catch is finding the time. I need to get all my business documents in order, rebuild my website, oh, and actually come up with a whole new brand identity! I’m looking forward to getting it all done and working on other people’s projects. I can’t wait for the day that I am holding my brand new business cards. It will happen. Soon.
2. My next project is working on a start-up my friend is putting together. I am very fortunate to be one of the core team members and I am really excited to help push the business forward. We are already working with our first client (I wish I could elaborate but I can’t quite yet) and once that project is done we aim to replicate our (fingers crossed) success with the next one and grow from there. All I can really say is that I am using my AEMM skills to the max, as well as my eye for design.
3. My third project is launching my musical endeavors. These are twofold–the band and the songwriting partnership. The first is finally gaining momentum. We have the members, we just need the tunes! The second is still in the early stages but I am looking forward to trying to get some tunes used for sync placements!
4. My last project is to finally build the shelving unit for my stereo, records, and miscellaneous entertainment stuff that I wrote about back in February. I now have all the tools I need to get going but the thought of sanding and staining all that wood is daunting. Well, not so much daunting as less appealing than other summer activities like drinks on the beach.

That is about all I have on the docket for the summer. Well, that, and working at Columbia. There is that too!