Your first CT gig....feelings and advice

[scrappinnewbie]

I was wondering about your personal experience from your first CT job. Please no names...but more about you. How did you feel? Was it a good experience? Did you enjoy it? Were you nervous? Didn't think you were "good enough"? Did you struggle to meet the guidelines? Best decision ever? Hooked? Advice for others?

That kinda thing. Just wanted to get your thoughts on being on a CT.

So tell me about your first experience......

Thanks!

Melinda

[Tracyfish]

My first experience was for an individual designer. It was a great experience. I think in the long run it made me a better scrapper because I was able to talk to the other scrappers on the team about techniques they did. I loved having a deadline (I'm a structure kind of person) and loved using kits that made me step out of my comfort zone (theme-wise).

Overall...great time and just made me want to be a part of more CTs.

[MamaBee]

Hmm... My first CT was for an individual designer... I've forgotten how many teams I applied for and got the "no" answer... but I kept trying, it's not personal, my style is not what they were looking for at that time... and I true believe this. When I finally got my break, I was so excited!! Since I only apply for designers that I am totally in love with and know I can rock their kits, I wasn't nervous about not being good enough... the designer must think I rock, or I wouldn't have been invited, right?

It's the best decision for me... with leaving a corporate environment, I miss the team aspect so this helped fill the void for me. And I guess you can say I was hooked... at my highest point (this spring) I was apart of 16 teams. I believe that being on CTs pushed me to scrap better and faster... I really want the designer to shine on release day and I know it's my job to pull out my best for them every week. And like Tracy, it also helped me push my creative side with kits that I wouldn't have normally tried... like say, using pink and princess elements on a boy page...

Still to this day, I treasure all the teams I have been apart of and have the great honor of being on today... when the time comes to say goodbye to a designer, that is defiantly the hardest part of being on a CT.

[mrshobbes]

My first CT was a guest gig with an individual designer--and I met my closest digi-friend there! To this day I'll always be grateful for that gig. It got me excited to try out for other teams and flex my scrapping "muscles" so to speak. I'm also a wee bit chattier in CT forums because just like offline, I prefer smaller groups.

Like Rebecca I think being on CTs helps me scrap better and faster. Often, I think if not for CT assignments I would never get many of my photos scrapped!

Being on a CT exposes me to a whole range of scrapping styles AND designer aesthetics. I LOVE working with designers on how to market their kit or even have a hand in giving suggestions in making them. I love looking at team layouts--it's so awesome to see different takes on the same kit. I have a set of scrapping friends I am very close to, and I would never have "found" them if not for getting to "meet" them in the various CTs I've been a part of/am a part of

[cardinalskate]

What the other ladies said is very similar for me, too. I was so excited to get my first gig and it was really inspiring to me, creatively, because I really wanted the kits (or templates or whatever they were/are) to shine. I WISH it had made me a faster scrapper, but so far it hasn't LOL. I think I'm the world's slowest scrapper.

The team aspect is also great. Some CTs are closer than others and more chatty. Like what the ladies' said, it's SO IMPORTANT to only CT for designers whose designs you love. It's really hard to scrap with something that you just don't feel is inspiring.

[HeatherKS]

I was lucky in that my first few CT gigs were for designers that noticed my layouts in the galleries and asked me to join their teams. I was honestly so astounded at being asked that saying that I was excited seems like an understatement. I felt at home with them from the beginning because I felt like if they liked my layouts enough to notice them in the gallery, I must be doing something right with their products already!

One of those teams was not a good fit style-wise for me, and that was a tough gig. I struggled creating layouts each week and I said goodbye pretty quickly. The other two are teams that I am currently still on and those were great fits for me. For me, being on a CT is only fun if the product really inspires you and is something you would buy if you saw it in the store. If it's not, it becomes a job, and that's not what scrapping is all about for me.

The deadlines work for me since I'm one of those people who works better under a little bit of pressure. Of course, life sometimes gets in the way of those deadlines but I've always found that designers are very accommodating as long as you keep them informed about what's going on and why you're MIA.

It is definitely hard to open yourself up for the rejection of applying for a CT gig - no one wants to be told "no." But even those rejections can help you grow as a scrapper and strive to learn more. My biggest advice would be to find your own style, nurture it, hone it, and love it before you start applying for CT's. That way you know you're scrapping for you and not just for the outcome.

[joelsgirl]

I got a guest gig that turned into a full time gig after I'd been scrapping for a couple of years. I was never in a hurry to get on a CT because I knew I wouldn't want to settle as far as quality went, and I knew I wasn't good enough for any of the designers I loved. I wanted to be on a team that inspired me.

I agree that my CT gigs push me to be more creative because there is more "pressure" to turn out a great page. I find that a minimal amount of teams is best for me so that I can really enjoy what I create and enjoy the process. After all, I can afford to buy the kits I really love, so being on teams isn't necessary for me to scrap. I just love being a part of what some awesome designers are doing and being able to promote something I truly love! {ok, and yes, I love the rush of a new kit in a CT forum, too, lol}

[scrappurple]

Mine was for an individual designer. I was soooo surprised she took me because looking back I really wasn't that good. She was super sweet and I learned a TON of information not just scrapping, but with computers. I don't think I have ever had a "bad" CT. It is usually one CT member that makes it bad. Not the designer. Becoming a CT member made me a better scrapper. Even trying out and being rejected made me try harder and improve techniques. I am still not where I want to be, but having to give my best every week to a designer pushes me there.

[heathergw]

my first was a guest gig for an individual designer... I had just received a rejection letter from her the month before and she shared the things she looks for in a creative team... so I took what she said and worked my tail off to impress her during that guest gig, hoping that she would ask me on full-time. I also worked hard to get myself the guest gig in the first place... I really wanted to be on her team!!! LOL She did ask me on full-time and that push really helped me to improve my scrapping and find my style. She is pretty fast paced and the deadlines helped me to learn how to scrap quickly. I love being on her team and the relationship I've made with that designer.

[tanyiadeskins]

I hate to say this but I do not think I remember who my first designer was that I CTed for. Eeeep.

In the beginning I CTed for the sake of CTing, got a little caught up in the fun of it, etc. That is definitely a bad approach to take I later learned. Now I only apply for a CT if I truly love what the designer makes because I take the time to help spread my love about them and their products. I love being in a team though for the ability to not only see behind the scenes but have a smaller group, work with deadlines which help keep my scrapping on track, learn tons of things, see so many different styles and be inspired! I do have to say though after beind turned down for an eternity in the beginning I have a bit of a complex and frequently worry if my stuff is good enough for some of the teams I am on. But that has helped me grow I think and keep wanting to be better, but better to my own standards. That is one reason I love commenting and receiving comments on LOs

so, definitely CT, but only for a product you are willing to stand behind and sell because that is what you are doing, and be willing to recognize it takes a commitment and work is involved

[Leontine78]

Well, I am in the middle of excitement about my first CT at the moment. It's for an individual designer too.

I have applied for two or three CT's the last few months. Only for Ct's from which I really loved the kits or templates....and I was really disappointed that I wasn't chosen. But in the end, there are a lot of people applying, so the chance is not so big. I even was angry at a few names I saw coming back in announcements. Pure jealousy of course.

Now that I am chosen it kinda overwhelmed me at first. Where could I find everything. What is it exactly that's expected of me....etc. This week my first designlayout will be released with the new kit.....I am excited!

[luckyme]

Originally Posted by scrappinnewbie

I was wondering about your personal experience from your first CT job. Please no names...but more about you. How did you feel? Was it a good experience? Did you enjoy it? Were you nervous? Didn't think you were "good enough"? Did you struggle to meet the guidelines? Best decision ever? Hooked? Advice for others?

That kinda thing. Just wanted to get your thoughts on being on a CT.

So tell me about your first experience......

Thanks!

Melinda

My first CT was a store and the owner asked me to be on the team, so no, I wasn't nervous, lol! To be honest, it is a store I loved and where I participated in the blog, comments and gallery. I felt very much a part of the community and then to be on the CT was just a dream come true because I really respect the owner and her vision.

[Leah]

My very first CT was for a site CT and it was amazing. There were some really big(ger) named designers there at first and I really loved it. A lot of those designers moved on to other places very shortly after that and then the drama began and that's when I left. I just can't deal with drama.

Now, I am so very fortunate to CT for some of my absolute most favorite designers in all of digi-land. I love the designers themselves, not just for their designs, but as people too. I adore my fellow-CT'ers and I love scrapping for them because it fits in scrapping for myself as well. I love that being on a creative team motivates me to scrap more and the deadline just means that I'm going to get those pages done. All of those pages mean more in my album, more stories and memories to share with my family.

[g8rbeckie]

You've gotten lots of great responses, but I wanted to add that - most importantly - don't lose site of scrapping for YOU (just like Tara said!). I got a bit caught up in worrying that all my pages were "good enough" for my designer that scrapping became not fun for me for a while, particularly when I had multiple CTs going on.

The other issue I had was that some of my first CTs were for designers whom I didn't love every single kit they produced, and using the ones I didn't love was very hard for me.

The designer you CT for, and her team, need to fit you like a glove. You have to love all her stuff, she has to love your style and your personality, and the girls on the team all have to get along. (oh, the drama sometimes, LOL!).

So my advice - don't rush it. Take time to figure out what your style is, find those designers whom you love the most, and focus on creating layouts to fill your gallery that represent YOU.

good luck!!

[Ginger_79]

Well, I only ever went for template CTs, so I'm not sure my experiences are 100% comparable. While you sometimes do struggle with a template, you have way more freedom which photos to scrap.

I got into my first CT by doing a challenge of that template designer. She liked my layout and edged me on to apply in her going on CT call. LOL I felt super duper flattered. I haven't been scrapping long then and it was only my second time with a template. Man, I thought I had real talent, getting asked so quickly.

Well, one of the most gracious and talented scrappers that time was on the team. I had one look at her first CT layout and went into a slight panic. Thinking I had no talent at all!
But it all balanced out quickly. I still love seeing people from that team around digi world and the designer became a good friend. She actually set me up with my BF and we visited her just this summer. So for me it has been a great experience!

I agree with everyone else. Work for people you love. And not just their work, but their personality as well. If you think a CT call announcement sounds super strict and snobby, then most likely the designer isn't a very laid back person. Apply to be with people you are drawn to. Forget the rest.

[scrapweaver]

I havent ever been on a CT (or tried for that matter LOL) but love reading about everyone's experiences!! Maybe one day I will get organised enough to try it