This is where we create, experiment, and share what’s working (and what’s not). Think of The Lab as your creative playground — a space to explore ideas, test new tools, and trade insights with other creators who get it. Here’s how to use this space: 1. Share what you’re working on Post a screenshot, a design concept, a short video, or even a draft idea. You don’t need to have it all figured out — this is where rough ideas turn into real projects. 2. Ask for feedback Need a second opinion on a logo, thumbnail, workflow, or caption? Drop it here and tag it as Feedback Wanted. You’ll get honest, helpful input from people who’ve been there. 3. Share what’s working for you Found a new creative tool, workflow hack, or piece of gear that’s made your process better? Share it — The Lab is all about experimenting and helping others grow too. 4. Document your experiments Try something new this week — a new editing style, an AI tool, a posting strategy — and share your results. Win or fail, we all learn faster together. 💬 Your turn: What’s one creative experiment or idea you’re testing this week? Drop it below or start a new post inside The Lab to share what you’re learning.

I'm excited to announce that I just turned on the Classroom tab up above 👆. Check it out! Currently, there are a couple of great Logo Design courses. I'll be adding a few more courses over the next couple weeks as well about web design and a few other creative topics, so stay tuned! Let me know if there is a specific topic you are interested in as I continue to flesh out this community. Have a great weekend! 👉 https://www.skool.com/pixelab/classroom

1️⃣ A Notepad + Pen — My Analog Brain Before I ever open a computer, I jot ideas down on paper. Sketching out a quick layout, outlining a video, or brainstorming a project helps me slow down and think clearly. 💡 Pro tip: Keep a small notepad nearby during creative work — sometimes the best ideas hit when you’re not staring at a screen. Also, by keeping it small, it forces me to focus on what's most important. 2️⃣ Adobe Creative Cloud — My Creative Playground Photoshop and Illustrator are still the backbone of my creative process. I design, edit, and package all my visuals here — from brand projects to social content. 💡 Pro tip: Use Creative Cloud Libraries to keep your brand colors, fonts, and assets synced across apps. 3️⃣ ScreenFlow / Ecamm Live / Loom — My Content Creation Trio These are my go-to tools for recording tutorials, courses, and client walkthroughs. - ScreenFlow for high-quality screen and camera capture. - Ecamm Live for multi-cam setups, live sessions, and podcasts. - Loom for quick client feedback videos or team updates. 💡 Pro tip: Record in both horizontal and vertical formats when possible so you can repurpose easily for YouTube, TikTok, or Skool. 4️⃣ Dropbox — My File Vault Every finished project, exported video, and client delivery lives here. Dropbox keeps things secure, organized, and synced across all my devices — whether I’m at the office or traveling. 💡 Pro tip: Use “Smart Sync” to keep older files in the cloud but still searchable locally. This helps keep your computer running smoothly without filling up your hard drive. 5️⃣ ChatGPT — My Creative Assistant From brainstorming ideas to drafting scripts (like this one 😉), this tool helps me move faster and think clearer. It’s part writing partner, part creative collaborator. 💬 Your Turn: What are your top 3 tools you can’t live without right now? Comment below — I’m always looking for new favorites to test and share with the community.

Getting paid for your creative work isn’t about luck — it’s about clarity, confidence, and consistent action. Here are three simple (but powerful) steps to help you land that first paid project, even if you’re just starting out. 1️⃣ Pick One Clear Offer You don’t need a dozen services — you need one offer that’s easy to understand. Ask yourself: - What do I enjoy doing most? - What results can I deliver quickly for someone else? Examples: - “I design simple, clean logos for startups.” - “I edit short-form videos for personal brands.” - “I build one-page websites for small businesses.” 💡 Pro tip: Clarity beats complexity. When people know what you do, they can hire or refer you faster. 2️⃣ Reach Out, Don’t Wait Your first few clients probably won’t come from ads or SEO — they’ll come from conversations. Start with people you already know or communities you’re part of. Ideas: - DM five business owners or creators you follow and offer to help with something specific. - Post on your personal socials saying you’re opening 3–5 spots for your new service. - Ask friends or past coworkers if they know anyone who needs your skill. 💡 Pro tip: Keep it short and casual — “Hey, I’m building my portfolio and helping a few people with [service]. Want me to send you some ideas?” 3️⃣ Deliver Value That Feels Worth 10x Once someone says yes — overdeliver. Communicate clearly, hit deadlines, and make them feel like hiring you was the best decision they made this week. This not only earns you great testimonials and referrals — it builds your confidence for pricing your next project higher. 💡 Pro tip: Ask for a testimonial right after delivering — “If you’re happy with the result, could you share a short sentence about your experience?” Most people will say yes. 💬 Your Turn: What kind of paid work are you trying to get right now — design, video, content, something else? Drop it below and we'll help you brainstorm how to position your first offer or outreach message.

Your portfolio is your creative storefront — it’s often the first (and only) impression potential clients or collaborators get. Here are three quick ways to make yours stand out — no massive redesign required. 1️⃣ Simplify What You Show Quality > quantity. Show 3–5 of your best pieces that represent what you want to get hired for. If you have older or unrelated work that doesn’t reflect where you’re headed — archive it. 💡 Pro tip: Ask yourself, “Would I be proud if this project brought me 10 more just like it?” If not, remove it. 2️⃣ Tell the Story Behind the Work Don’t just show the end result — show your process. Include short captions that explain: - What problem you were solving - Your creative or technical approach - The result or outcome 💡 Pro tip: Clients and followers love transformation stories. Add a single before/after image or describe the challenge you overcame — that context builds trust and credibility fast. 3️⃣ Make It Easy to Contact You You’d be surprised how many great portfolios have no clear “next step.” Make sure your email or contact form is visible on every page. Better yet, add a clear call-to-action: “Want something like this for your brand? Let’s work together.” 💡 Pro tip: If you’re on social, link your portfolio in your bio and your pinned post. Make it effortless for people to find and hire you. 💬 Your Turn: Drop your portfolio link in the comments below if you’d like some feedback — or share what you’re currently working on to include next. Let’s help each other improve and grow.