![\"Michelle](\"http:\/\/0.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e195ae45320d9202eaa01c9f1d31a416?s=500&d=http%3A%2F%2F0.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D250&r=G\")
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Michelle Schulp\u00a0is an independent graphic designer based in Chicagoland (and soon to be relocating to Minneapolis). She was on the WordCamp Chicago organizing committee in 2012 and 2013, and lead organizer in 2014. She was formally schooled in many aspects of design including print, branding, packaging, etc., as well as Psychology and Sociology, all tying together in a love of How To Solve Problems. She is a lover of WordCamps and the WordPress community. You may have seen her work on the\u00a0WordPress Template Hierarchy<\/a>\u00a0or her\u00a0Git-Themed<\/a>\u00a0poetry. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n Michelle\u00a0will be presenting\u00a0Design Is In The Details: How Decisions Shape Communication<\/a>.<\/p>\n I started using WordPress because someone told me that it was easy for designers to learn. And at the beginning, it was kinda easy but kinda hard and scary\u2026 and then I discovered the WordPress community. Suddenly there was a world of resources available to me online and in-person to help me with my work. But more importantly, I was drawn to how passionate and helpful people are, and that more than anything is what makes me stay. That and it\u2019s a pretty good user experience as far as CMSs go!<\/p>\n I’d heard of it for a while, and had a little WordPress.com blog in 2009, but didn’t start building sites for other people until 2010, and didn’t get really serious about it until attending WordCamp Chicago in 2011.<\/p>\n Most importantly, don’t be scared. Push yourself to keep learning as much as you can. I hear a lot of people say, “Oh I’m not ready to customize that\/add plugins\/build a child theme\/write code\/whatever.” There was a period where I felt the same way! But the only way you’ll learn is by doing it, breaking it, playing with it, taking it apart and putting it back together. That’s why local development environments (like DesktopServer<\/a>, especially if you’re new to local development) are really important!<\/p>\n Grow your network as well as your skills. I can\u2019t tell you how much work I get from referrals, and how much technical and business advice I get from my friends in the field. We all want to help each other succeed, even if we\u2019re technically competitors. Oh, and don\u2019t screw up your taxes, finances, and legal. Find someone that can help you with all that right away. Division of labor is there for a reason!<\/p>\n Twitter\/Facebook\/Skype, and occasionally diving into my Feedly feed for articles when I have time.<\/p>\n I’m enjoying the workouts on HackerBody<\/a>\u00a0which is powered by WordPress.<\/p>\n There is literally no better value for what you pay, and I\u2019m not just talking what you get in the sessions. Go and you\u2019ll be hooked, you\u2019ll want to learn more, you\u2019ll want to be involved, you\u2019ll make great friends, you\u2019ll get help, you\u2019ll make connections\u2026 it can be anything you want it to be.<\/p>\n Portfolio at Marktime Media<\/a>, and talks\/events\/ blogs\/geek-themed artwork at My Name Is Michelle<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Michelle Schulp\u00a0is an independent graphic designer based in Chicagoland (and soon to be relocating to Minneapolis). She was on the WordCamp Chicago organizing committee in 2012 and 2013, and lead organizer in 2014. She was formally schooled in many aspects of design including print, branding, packaging, etc., as well as Psychology and Sociology, all tying … Continue reading Michelle Schulp Speaker Interview<\/span> Interview<\/h2>\n
Why do you use WordPress?<\/h3>\n
When and how did you start using WordPress?<\/h3>\n
What tips or resources would you recommend to a new WordPress user?<\/h3>\n
What advice would you give someone who\u2019s building a business around WordPress design or development?<\/h3>\n
How do you stay informed about WordPress (news, tips, etc.)?<\/h3>\n
What’s a cool WordPress-based site you\u2019ve seen recently?<\/h3>\n
What do you like most about WordCamps?<\/h3>\n
Where can we find you online?<\/h3>\n