Check them out, the new business cards are finished for the studio. I went all out this time and printed them on a 16pt card stock with a “soft-touch” aqueous coating and rounded the corners. The next step is starting an email campaign and building the client base.
Category: Branding, Business, Graphic Design Comments (0)
It’s now official, my website has been officially upgraded from version 2.0 to version 3.0. The entire site has been built from the ground up to work with the WordPress platform making it easier to update and maintain. Also, new work has been added to better show my skills and the level of work a client should expect. Be sure to check out the latest news where I’ll be keeping posts about all the latest projects I’ve been working on.
Sorry if you’re having problems accessing or finding items on my website. This weekend I decided it was time to re-evaluate the website and take it to the next level. I’ve formally adopted WordPress as my CMS for the new site and built a new template to display my entire site. While I couldn’t finish the entire site this weekend, I was able to get the posts up and running and start designing the portfolio pages. Within the next week I should have the site finished up and ready to show it off.
Also, as a side note, Marisha and I went to see Gabriel Inglesias at the Hard Rock Live in Universal. We had a great time, and a lot of good laughs with his Fluffy Shop Tour. If you get a chance, check him out.
Category: Business, Graphic Design, Personal, Web Site Design Comments (0)
I just want to apologize to my clients for the slower response times over the past few weeks. As most of you know, we’ve been experiencing difficulties with our HOA & our service providers. To help ease the communication issues, I have purchased an iPhone so I can remain in contact while in my home studio. Hopefully this will be solved soon and I’ll be able to return to the same level of service. If you’d like to read more about these issues please visit www.turnberryreserve.com.
Category: Business, Personal Comments (0)
Yep, that’s right. According to Forbes Magazine, designers are snooty. This article/advertorial has stirred a lot of fire on some design sites, and here is a brief synapsis of the problem. It all starts with a crowd sourcing website (such as the one mentioned in the article), where a contest is created to connect “designers” to “buyers”. The “buyer” offers so much money for a project and all the “designers” can create an entry and try to win the project. So far, it doesn’t sound bad, at least until you start to break it down:
1. As a “designer” you are not guaranteed to get paid for the work you do! YES, that’s right, if you submit a design and the “buyer” doesn’t pick yours, YOU DON’T GET PAID! Of course, these “designers” voluntarily submit to the project, so it’s their choice to work for free. This whole system devalues the professional relationship a designer has with a client. I’ll admit, I normally have to go through several iterations of a project with a client before we’re both happy. I listen to the clients expectations, I approach them with some solutions, they give me feedback and we come to a final deliverable. This discovery process is the value every designer brings to a client, it helps educate both parties on the needs and expectations each other has. And yes, I believe there is a lot of value in this process and as a “snooty” designer I should be paid.
2. As a “buyer” are you really getting what you pay for? YES, you’re getting a shiny new widget, but will it really work in all the right situations? In the article they talk about both a grandma and a janitor who created winning designs. Good for both of them. But, let me ask them, have they ever printed anything on a press? Do they understand the difference between spot and process colors? Do they know what an overprint is? Do they know there is more than just one black? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in people having creative talents without being formally trained. But, I’m also a firm believer that my profession is more than just firing up Illustrator and drawing a few boxes and calling it a day. All I can say is “Buyer” beware!
3. As a business model, this is genius! Where else can you attract a work force, not have to pay them, and skim off the top of all the money going through the business. Right or wrong, this company WILL make money. The article clearly states, if the “buyer” submits a project and they don’t get 25 designs then the “buyer” doesn’t have to buy which means no designers get paid. If there are more than 25 designs then the “buyer” must commit to one design and the company skims 15% off the top. It’s a NO LOSE SITUATION, and it all benefits the company. So, yes, I’m “snooty” because I think my career is devalued by these forms of Spec Work.
It’s all just skimming off the top of value-less design – PATHETIC!
If you want to read more, here’s what some others have said:
Category: Business, Graphic Design Comments (0)
I’m starting this year off with a brand new look. I’ve been working on re-focusing my services and in the process simplifying my identity. Stay tuned for more updates.
Update: I just came across a fun new project called Business Cards of Bloggers, and I’m submitting mine to be added into the loop. While I’m not a professional blogger by any sorts, I enjoy sharing different aspects of my life & business with everyone else. If you get a change be sure check out the site, and maybe add your own card.
Category: Business, Creative Photography, Graphic Design, Personal Comments (1)
Life is moving fast for me these days. Let’s see, some of the latest news for me. Marisha and I finally closed on our first house last weekend. So, we’ve been trying to take care of all those details you need in a brand new house (like blinds and fans). I finally have my own office space in a separate room, which I’ve already painted a pretty “jade green” from Lowes. It looks great, especially once I hang some of my photos in there! As you can imagine, the moving & setting up has taken a lot of time.
On top of that, though, I’ve been extremely busy with the independent work. I’ve been working on a redesign for the Limbach Facility Services website, a revamped corporate brochure and their next “Connecting with Limbach” newsletter. Stay tuned to see when these projects are launched. Tricia Kanbar with Noble Communications has been keeping me very busy with a resume design project for one of her clients. And in the middle of all of this, I’ve been slowly getting involved with The Ozone Company and their website/marketing needs. Not many photography projects at the moment, partially because I haven’t been marketing that side of the business. But, this is probably a good thing since we’ve been having rain everyday making outdoor photography next to impossible.
It’s time to get back to the grind now. I have to make up some extra time for the upcoming cruise in a week and a half. Definitely in need of another vacation!
P.S. Wedding invitations will be coming up soon also!
Category: Business, Personal Comments (0)
BoDo is wrapping up the Photography Series today, be sure to read the final comments. I enjoyed reading everyone’s responses and getting a feel for how other professionals are working in the industry. Thanks for the opportunity!
Category: Business, Creative Photography Comments (1)
Here’s an interesting argument regarding global warming, be sure to take a few minutes from your day to watch it. Also, in the spirit of green design I’ve picked up two domain names for a pet project. The first is greenprintdesign.com, which will be a resource for going green with print work. And the second will be greenmystudio.com, which will be another resource for creating a green studio. I don’t have launch dates or anything yet, so stay tuned.
Category: Business, Graphic Design, Personal Comments (0)
Today is a great day. The latest article series has started on BoDo and I’m one the contributers. Thank you Cat Morley for allowing me the opportunity to participate in the series. A couple of weeks ago Cat contacted me with a request to answer 7 questions regarding the business of photography. Please be sure to read the series and don’t hesitate to provide comments & feedback.
Category: Business, Creative Photography, Graphic Design Comments (1)
