Who Is Diane Penelope Challis?

DianePenelope.com showcases my passions: design (digital and print), blogger.

Blogging is an outlet that I created working in the corporate sector, to try to connect with my creative soul. I was in a high rise office with an amazing office and view but I was not happy ticking a box getting to and from work every day. I wanted more, and dianepenelope.com was born.

I can share the knowledge I have gleaned in my life, as a graphic and web designer, art director, mother, wife, a single mother for 2 years and now with a new partner and step daughter.

I love to feature and interview inspirational people, write about the innovative products and services that I am fortunately enough to experience, and share my tips and tricks to get through beauty and life. I don’t charge for my posts, but often receive products or services to review. I am always authentic with my opinions, but do try to find the good in everything. If a product doesn’t work or make my heart sing, then I won’t put it on this website.

On being a designer…

I’ve won a few design awards as a graphic designer for packaging and catalogues, but I am not about creating award winning work. I work full time in a digital marketing agency and am always learning new ways to market online and improve the websites that I build. In short I want you to succeed.

I have worked as a designer for 20+ years. I have worked in the financial sector, marketing agencies, studios, health and wellness sector, in social media and PR, beauty marketing and even worked as a makeup artist for a stint. I was the official makeup artist for Miss World Australia for a year and had my own line of branded cosmetics.

I have a lot to share, curate and create. The successes I have had all had 4 ingredients in common: great design, clever marketing , SEO knowledge, with a sprinkling of intuitive PR. I always come back to my passion, which is transforming businesses into strong and successful brands.

What Inspires Me?

• the ground floor of department stores
• traveling through Europe
• my friends (whether they are friends I see every day or people I have become close to online – these friends  help me get through life)
• fashion and beauty magazines
• beautiful books
• all forms of art and architecture
• decor and interior design
• gorgeous colours in unexpected combinations
• anything beautiful makes me happy!
• seeing my beautiful daughter’s 18-year-old face every morning – with a teenager, some mornings more challenging than others at this age
• learning to do new things or gain knowledge
• living in Sydney near the water
• products that transform lives
• a loving relationship with a man who makes me laugh every day
• innovative packaging
• a well-made bed
• gadgets, devices, and stationery that helps me to keep up with my busy life
• playing with beauty and makeup products
• the smells, textures, colours, and presentation of cosmetics and skin care
• anything French: desserts, ballet, culture, language and that inescapable chic quality that French women have.

Formal Education

• Diploma of Property Services (Agency Management) (National code CPP50307)
• Certificate in Fashion, Glamour, and Bridal Makeup Artistry – Napoleon Makeup Academy 2004
  Colour Theory and Concept, Essential Skin Prep and Complexion Perfection, Couture Contouring, Expert Eye Design, Pouts with Purpose
• Associate Diploma Arts (Graphic Design) – Enmore Design Centre 1993 – 1994
  Graphic Design, Illustration, Packaging, Multimedia, Visual Communication Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/Quark Xpress.
• Bachelor of Visual Arts – Sydney College of the Art (Uni of Sydney) 1990 – 1993
  Major: Painting. Other Studies: Social Theory, Mass Media, Sociology & Philosophy

If you’d like to be featured on this blog and/or get in touch with me, call me on 0405 324 369 or email me directly.

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