An international move brings about many life changes, one of which happens to be the way a country approaches design. Even the untrained eye can determine the differences in branding in a foreign country, and I can say with certainty that the way Amsterdam approaches design is vastly different from Austin, Texas. Yes, I know it's obvious. However, these affect me as a graphic designer in that my catalog stands in contrast to what can be found around the city. As I've taken clients here in Europe, I've been a lot more receptive and aware of the branding I see everyday and have been better in keeping my designs aligned to a more European perspective.

I didn't look Amsterdam and immediately decide to move. It was something that happened, something that wasn't pre-meditated.

My advice is to stay open and take notes if you're a designer traveling. Whether you're vacationing in Japan, visiting family on the East Coast, or seeing Iceland for the first time--you never know, you one day might end up somewhere you never thought you'd be. Will you be ready?

Kind Regards,
Alisa Longoria