tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39192039926939961632024-02-20T11:46:03.681+02:00...elizzy graphics...I’m a young upcoming Graphic/Web designer, situated in the Bellville area. I specialize in affordable business cards, flyers and basic websites.Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-22997895706143162302011-10-19T19:32:00.000+02:002011-10-19T19:32:21.416+02:00Tips for Young upcoming Graphic Designers<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEibRWH4_pSsL566jdN7nD4mlai2LyHpPDWOj-qoCjOKCNMsWIsBL6nZlVr6Z5F3MzPu9xeFz6zg1r0yR9B3pru65wH10BRrBay2UoRBIxj3IIS0_AfrvjgYA0PE4hIEvvZ1aMbYOacU/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEibRWH4_pSsL566jdN7nD4mlai2LyHpPDWOj-qoCjOKCNMsWIsBL6nZlVr6Z5F3MzPu9xeFz6zg1r0yR9B3pru65wH10BRrBay2UoRBIxj3IIS0_AfrvjgYA0PE4hIEvvZ1aMbYOacU/s320/blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke></span><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape alt="" id="il_fi" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 171pt; margin-left: 76.3pt; margin-top: -11.25pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 333.75pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata cropbottom="25152f" o:href="http://themadgrad.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/displayimagephp.jpeg" src="file:///C:\Users\ELIZ-M~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></shape><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke></span><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><shape alt="" id="il_fi" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 171pt; margin-left: 76.3pt; margin-top: -11.25pt; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-width-relative: page; position: absolute; width: 333.75pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata cropbottom="25152f" o:href="http://themadgrad.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/displayimagephp.jpeg" src="file:///C:\Users\ELIZ-M~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></shape></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 - <b>Be willing to take advice from Senior graphic designers, </b></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> don’t think <br />
you know everything. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone else.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 - <b>Keep Your Stuff Organized, it</b></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is very imported to keep your layers <br />
organized that way you will make your life much easier, when you’re working <br />
with a lot of pictures and thing.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3<i> - </i><b>Listen to the criticism people give, </b></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the sooner you start thinking of criticism<br />
positively the better. You can learn a lot from the criticism people give and it <br />
can help you improve your work in the future.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4<i> - </i><b>Be yourself and build relationships, </b></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with everyone you work with and not <br />
just your clients. Do a lot of networking and get to meet new people. In the <br />
designing world it is very important to just be yourself.</span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 - <b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Line up all your tasks, </span></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">write down everything you have to do and organize <br />
them from most important to least important, then work from the top down. <br />
This way you would not forget anything and get everything done quicker.</span></span></i></b></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-70744063211938661532011-10-19T19:25:00.000+02:002011-10-19T19:25:45.627+02:00Does Your Business Card Pass the Trash Test?<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7DCIEXmc-FnHYTj6bqTodbRSlHg85B-TsgBmcZNEtUbj6Ie2xlLRzzhxz5k3DJbh5iUTH2O7S_wG_H-tmpFSUp0OWBDOFzoYNgKhD-bzLUYiMyhnynoGwkoDc5optYZV4z2KpaJx-As/s1600/sanet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="2" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" closure_uid_mpwch5="41" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7DCIEXmc-FnHYTj6bqTodbRSlHg85B-TsgBmcZNEtUbj6Ie2xlLRzzhxz5k3DJbh5iUTH2O7S_wG_H-tmpFSUp0OWBDOFzoYNgKhD-bzLUYiMyhnynoGwkoDc5optYZV4z2KpaJx-As/s200/sanet.jpg" style="height: 93px; width: 216px;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="clear: left; color: #333333; cssfloat: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Your <b>business card</b> is often the first impression a potential client has with your company. The<b> business card design</b> and message will ultimately determine whether it gets thrown in the trash or filed for contact later.</span></div><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;">Reach in your wallet and pull out your <b>business card</b>. Your Small Business Information guide has put together the business card test. Learn if your business card will pass or be trashed.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Size:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Does your <b>business card</b> conform to the traditional size of 3.5" by 2"? Anything greater will not fit in wallets or most business card holders. End result trash.</span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Paper Quality:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Is your <b>business card design </b>of professional quality or is it flimsy with perforated edges? Cheap cards are trashed.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Ink:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Drop some liquid on your <b>business card</b>. If the ink runs, it's in the trash.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Color Test:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Colorful cards can add to your professional image. Too much color can be detracting. Trash your card if it is black and white or has more than 3 colors unless it's a photograph.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Message Design:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Your business card should clearly tell people what you do and offer a meaningful benefit. No message adds confusion so your card ends up in the trash.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Image Match:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Your business card design should match your business image. If you're a designer, then the card should be creative. If your card is out of synch with your image, time to toss it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Font Size:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Is your card crammed with information? White space on the card will make it easier to absorb your message. If you have a lot to say, add it to the back of the business card. Is the print so tiny you have too squint to see it? This one is heading for the trash.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Contact Information:</b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"> Your clients or potential clients should have as many means as possible to contact you based on their preference. Your business card design should include: voicemail, phone, fax, email, and website. Lack of contact information puts your card in the trash.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;">You only have one chance to make a great first impression. Make sure you invest in the best business card design you can afford. The <b>business card</b> is your introduction to a client, for the low cost per card that is money well spent.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>(I give create to </i><i><a href="http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/advertising/a/bcardtest.htm">http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/advertising/a/bcardtest.htm</a></i><i> for this article)</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-37465048173553149492011-10-18T23:28:00.000+02:002011-10-18T23:28:11.737+02:00How to create a good flyer that bring good results:<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Use a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lot of images</b> and big images, to tell the story of your product/company. By using your </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">own photos your design would look even more customized. With the right and the best photos and images, you can be sure to make an eye appealing flyer that will convert in to sales and profits effortlessly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Print them well</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">.<br />
Some business owners would resort to printing their flyer templates on their own in the hope that they will be able to save a lot of money. You have to remember that even though printing on your own will save you money, the printed materials are less likely to look professional.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Less is more!</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"> <br />
Avoid losing key pieces of information in a cluttered, over-designed layout. When designing headings and bullets, limit yourself to one or two fonts—and don’t be afraid to leave white space!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Different Sizes</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><br />
While most people assume a flyer is a sheet of standard paper that measures 8.5 by 11 inches, the truth is flyers can come in all shapes and sizes. Full color flyers can be made into poster sizes, which work great for businesses attracting motorists as they drive by. You can also get unique shapes and designs of flyers, which can help your business stand out as unique and make your flyer memorable in the minds of the customers.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Target Your Audience.</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> Your flyer should have a message that will show the benefit or the result of using your product or service. A flyer should create a clear call to action. It should invite customers to place an order, attend an event or call for a consultation, etc.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Come up with a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">snappy headline</b>. This is your first and only shot at capturing the reader's attention. Sum up your product in a few, but powerful, words.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Focus on the benefits of your product or service</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Be sure to keep your text short and to the point. Some of the most powerful words to use are: free, save, love, new, results, and guarantee.</span></div>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-56601442921810894732011-10-12T09:24:00.001+02:002011-10-12T09:24:40.595+02:00Welcome<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Hey everyone...</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firstly I want to welcome all of you on my blog, my name is Eliz-Mari Nel. I’m currently studying <b>graphic web designing</b>, in Bellville. I’m a young energetic person and I love new challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On my blog I will be posting tips on <b>graphic/web designing </b>and will be advertising my services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><i><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">I hope you enjoy your time here and find my blogs interesting. I also just want to invite you to feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to make use of my services, just send me an email and I will respond a quick as possible.</span></i>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-13076991614548844212011-10-12T09:23:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:23:50.418+02:00Mistakes To Avoid In A Graphic Design BusinessThere are so many<b> graphic designers</b> out there but only a few can really say that they are successful in what they do. A lot are still struggling to have the clients they need to grow their business. Even with years of being <b>graphic designers</b>, just a few can really say that they are getting bigger and better. <br />
<br />
So what is the problem for those who cannot make the cut? For many designers, failing to get their business off the ground comes from three major mistakes made by them. If you are a budding <b>graphic designer</b>, it would be to your benefit if you know these important mistakes so you can avoid doing it. And for those already in the industry for quite some time now, this would be good time for you to reassess your strategy and include these mistakes in the things that you should NOT do. <br />
<br />
Quoting Too Soon! <br />
<br />
This is a total turn off for many customers and prospects. Before you could even propose to them your rate, you should be able to make them see your value first. When prospects ask you how you work, they are not asking for your rate so stop yourself from quoting it. What they really want to know is the quality of your work and if your type of service fit what they are looking for. For example, if you are a brochure printing <b>designer</b>, never tell your rate before your prospect could even see whether they would let you start printing brochures for them. It is all about your worth to them first. When they are clear about your capacity to provide them what they need, then you can bargain for your value without any challenge. <br />
<br />
Follow-up! <br />
<br />
Many opportunities to design have been lost just because a <b>graphic designer</b> failed to follow up. Do not let other graphic artists steal your clients right under your nose. Be ready to follow up after the initial consultation. And if ever there is a reason you cannot make the deadline you have provided, make sure that you let your clients know so they will not be left hanging. And this goes also when you make the proposal. You have to follow up on it after a day or two. The bottom line is to stay connected with your clients from the initial meeting up to the very end that you will hand them the final output. This would ensure the feeling of security and assurance from your clients that you are looking after their needs and wants. <br />
<br />
Continue Marketing! <br />
<br />
Do not stop marketing just because you have enough customers right now. Even if business is at its peak, it does not mean that you have to stop marketing altogether. It is very important to market everyday and regularly. You have to think about the time when all your customers’ requirements would be finished. You need to have a steady supply of clients and customers to be able to sustain your business. <br />
<br />
Learning to profit from your business comes from knowing the mistakes that you make and avoiding them. It will require focus and effort on your part to fix the problems. But when you are able to do so, you can have a practice that not only works but can send in a lot of opportunities for you to grow your business<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_4968.shtml"><br />
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_4968.shtml</a>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-56869474938954342162011-10-12T09:22:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:22:21.127+02:0011 Steps to Better Networking for the Graphic DesignerWhat kind of emphasis do you put on networking in your business?<br />
Networking is a very important part of almost any business and it’s no different in the<b> design business</b>. In fact, I have generated thousands of dollars of revenue for my business with this one strategy alone. It’s a powerful approach to build any business, and it’s one that can keep continuous work coming into your business year after year.<br />
<br />
But even with all the obvious advantages and benefits of effective networking, I see a lot of <b>designers </b>missing out on future work because of ineffective techniques. Here are 11 tips to remember about networking when you want to get the maximum amount of work into your business.<br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Networking is not and event – it’s an attitude.</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
How you view networking is critically important to the kind of success you can expect from it. Networking isn’t just something you plan to do at scheduled times or allocated to ‘networking events’. Networking is something you should be doing constantly when you meet people.<br />
<br />
Networking effectively can generate thousands and thousands of dollars for your business. A key benefit of networking is that you can actually build momentum when you do it. Which means it becomes easier and more profitable the more you do it.<br />
<br />
However, many <b>designers </b>look at networking, as an event instead of an attitude and this is where many designers miss out on future work that could have otherwise been theirs if they had only approached it with a purpose driven attitude.<br />
<br />
As owner of your own business you are always “on”. Which means you should always be ready for an opportunity to present itself. And when it does, you need to be ready to act upon it.<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Put yourself in social situations</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
People like to deal with people they know, like, and trust.<br />
So be one.<br />
<br />
Often when you network you are connecting through your existing relationships to create new ones with other people they know. All for the purpose of identifying people who you can help.<br />
<br />
Don’t worry if you don’t have a big network of friends to begin with. You have opportunity to connect with more people than you realize. Intentionally seek out new connections with people and continuously build upon your connections with new ones.<br />
<br />
Even if you tend to be the shy type – put yourself in situations where you are meeting new people. It could be a book club, sports event, church or a special event. Be open to new experiences and view these outings as a chance to get to know others and their needs.<br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Describe <span class="caps">WHO</span> you work with and the <span class="caps">BENEFITS</span> they get</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
One of the most common exchanges at any type of social gathering is “What do you do?” When you answer don’t respond by saying – “I’m a designer”.<br />
<br />
When you simply state ‘what you do’, you potentially miss out on a meaningful connection with the person you are talking to – or with someone they know. This response doesn’t encourage more discussion, in fact, it <br />
usually stops it.<br />
<br />
Instead, when asked ‘what you do’, respond by saying <span class="caps">WHO</span> you work with and the <span class="caps">BENEFIT</span> they get by <br />
working with you.<br />
<br />
For instance:<br />
<br />
“Hi, what do <span class="caps">YOU</span> do for a living?”<br />
<br />
“I work with business owners to create dramatic marketing material that they use to get more sales and more clients”.<br />
<br />
Often a response like this generates the question “Really? How do you do that?” or you might get “Wow! Really? I need help with my marketing! Maybe we should talk?”<br />
<br />
The key to getting a response that leads to work, is to answer the question by describing <span class="caps">WHO</span> you work for and the <span class="caps">BENEFIT</span> they receive, in a way that invites further comment.<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Be Positive and approachable</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
If you don’t have a friendly approachable attitude with everybody you meet, you could be missing out on future work from new connections. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if you aren’t friendly and approachable, you’re going to make it difficult to attract new people.<br />
<br />
People won’t connect you with their friends if your attitude is going to make them look bad. They need to be 100% positive you’ll treat everyone the same – positively. People won’t connect you with people they know if they are unsure how you will behave.<br />
<br />
The simplest way to ensure you are connectable to as many people as possible is to always be friendly and approachable. Friendly shouldn’t be an act. If it is – people will detect it and will be cautious in connecting you with others. So be real, genuine and friendly – to everyone.<br />
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<b>5.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Don’t be desperate when you connect</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
What do you say when people ask you how your business is ‘going’? Are you saying things that will attract the listener or are you saying things that repel them!<br />
<br />
We all stress over lack of work – just don’t pass your stress onto people you meet. Some designers communicate a desperate need for work, and by so doing create a situation that is repulsive to people instead of attractive.<br />
<br />
Up and down workloads are a part of business life. But communicating slow periods in a desperate or needy way can actually cost you future work.<br />
<br />
Just a note on sounding desperate:<br />
<br />
[The ‘desperate response’ is given most often to friends, those you are most comfortable with. As opposed to new contacts. So be on the alert how you are communicating to good friends. And remember that what you say has impact on the future.]<br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Be in demand</span></b></cite><br />
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If every time you meet people you are saying that you ‘have no work’ you could be creating a negative perception in their mind –<br />
<br />
‘Have no work’ = ‘Maybe you’re not that good’<br />
<br />
When it comes to doing business, people are attracted to busy businesses because they associate ‘busy’ with ‘good’. The unsaid message is “they must be good because they are busy all the time”.<br />
<br />
Being busy creates an impression of being in demand.<br />
<br />
So make a habit to communicate that you are busy when asked. Even if you’re <span class="caps">NOT</span> busy with clients you <span class="caps"></span><br />
<span class="caps">SHOULD</span> be busy doing something in your business!<br />
<br />
That something could be creating better business systems, creating a special promotion or general marketing. <br />
<br />
Whatever it is – be busy at it. This creates a very positive impression of your services<br />
<br />
Being in-demand also creates a sense of urgency with the listener. It subtly tells them that they need to act quickly if they want to secure your services.<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Always have time for new work</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
Being in demand is a delicate balance however.<br />
<br />
Be careful about communicating that you’re ‘too busy’. Although this says that you are ‘in-demand’, it also says “I don’t have time for you or anybody else”.<br />
<br />
So be ready to counteract this response.<br />
<br />
Always let the person know that although you are busy – you’re never too busy to help them.<br />
<br />
Try saying something like… “We’re really busy right now, but I want you to know that I’m never too busy to help you or any of your friends. I’ll make time to help you whenever you need it – just let me know”<br />
<br />
<b>8.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Be ready to demonstrate and respond</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
Never miss an opportunity to demonstrate what you do. Often people I meet introduce me to other people. And when they do its important to assess if they are somebody I can help. If they are, it’s very important to use the connection as a way of creating a next step.<br />
<br />
Carry examples with you or keep a presentation package of your services in your bag or case. When you meet a new person and discover that they may need your help, offer them a package.<br />
If you don’t have any marketing material on you, inform the new contact that you have some packages at the office that they might find helpful and offer to send them one. Or print up special web page addresses on your business cards that has valuable information they can view or download.<br />
<br />
Presenting samples, information and other examples presents proof of your abilities and moves your connection to the next step…<br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Get their contact info</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
Asking for a person’s contact information is a simple enough step but it can seem pushy or feel awkward if you’re not prepared to ask for it in advance.<br />
<br />
In my early days of networking it was amazing how many people I would talk to but forget to get a business card or detailed contact information so I could follow-up later.<br />
<br />
Always try to get a business card if you can. If they don’t have one – always carry a pen and notebook so you can write it down. Make sure to get full contact information including mailing, phone numbers and especially email.<br />
<br />
<b>10.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Follow up</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
No connection is worth the above effort if you don’t follow up. Once you have a contact name follow up and stay in touch.<br />
<br />
Staying in touch is the first steps in building meaningful relationships.<br />
<br />
The best way to stay connected usually starts with a phone call. But sometimes that isn’t always practical especially when you have a lot of contacts and very little time. So stay in touch by putting them into your automated marketing funnel.<br />
<br />
When you have a systematic marketing funnel you can automate the contact process making it easier and more reliable to stay in touch.<br />
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<b>11.</b> <cite><b><span style="color: #660000;">Don’t Sell. Help.</span></b></cite><br />
<br />
There is one final key to successful networking…<br />
<br />
Don’t practice any of the above tips with the idea that you are trying to ‘sell’ people.<br />
<br />
People don’t want to be <span class="caps">SOLD</span> something every time they meet you. But many people do need help.<br />
<br />
So be attentive to the needs of others first and foremost.<br />
<br />
That means listening carefully, staying engaged in the conversation, and being attentive to areas where you could help someone (or someone they know).<br />
<br />
When you keep in mind that you are in the business of helping people by providing design services, it makes the process of networking natural, enjoyable and even fun.<br />
<br />
When the people you talk to sense your genuine interest in others and in your desire to help, they will be more than happy to pass the name of other people your way.<br />
<br />
<i>(I give create to </i><a href="http://www.forgraphicdesignersonly.com/articles/11-steps-to-better-networking"><i>http://www.forgraphicdesignersonly.com/articles/11-steps-to-better-networking</i></a><i> for this article)</i>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-23605737640757837892011-10-12T09:21:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:21:17.091+02:00How to hire a graphic designer<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;">First of all, you should try to find a designer that specializes in the <b>design </b>field that interests you for the specific project. For example, if the case is a new logo and <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/portfolio/"><span style="color: black;">brand identity design</span></a> of your company, you need a <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/about/" title="Brand Identity Designer"><span style="color: black;">brand identity designer</span></a>, specialized in corporate identity <b>design</b> and branding. If the case is a poster, then you should try to find a designer specialized in <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/portfolio/print-design/" title="Print design by Isaac Zakar"><span style="color: black;">print <b>design</b></span></a><b> </b>Communicating the right information to the right professional with the appropriate skills, style and attitude can be very difficult. Here are some tips that can be very helpful for you to find the right designer for every project.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Be Specific and Accurate</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;">It is very important to give as many accurate details about your design project as possible. Not every <b>graphic designer</b> can do everything and what you have in mind is some times much more difficult to be communicated the right way and clearly understood by others. You should be specific about the includes of the project (corporate identity design, <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/portfolio/logos/" title="Logos designed by Isaac Zakar"><span style="color: black;"><b>logo</b> design</span></a>, <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/portfolio/print-design/" title="Print design by Isaac Zakarl"><span style="color: black;">printed material</span></a>, <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/portfolio/photographic-illustrations/" title="Photographic illustrations by Isaac Zakar"><span style="color: black;">illustration</span></a>, manipulation and alternation of photographs, websites or packaging). Before choosing a designer, just check his/her portfolio and make sure he/she has the potential to create exactly what you’re looking for.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Be Upfront about Budget and Terms</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;">State your budget and terms at the first or second communication with the designer. You will not be able to bargain a <b>graphic design</b>er down by not telling him/her how much money you can spend on a project, and in the design field you definitely get what you pay for. Tell the designer from the beginning what your budget is, what your timeline or deadline is, and how you want to handle the process. By doing this, you will be dealing with the best <b>designers</b> available for your pocket, instead of those that are too expensive or not skilled enough.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Be Honest and Professional</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span id="more-38"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Designers are professionals and you should treat them the same way you would like to be treated. Consider your graphic designer as a respected partner and you can both come out happy with good results.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Following the guidelines above, you should have no problems, but if issues do come up, just remain calm, and analyze </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">the situation. In this art-originated profession, a little patience and honesty is needed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;">Thanks for taking the time to read these tips. Good luck in your search!<br />
<br />
<i>(I give create to <a href="http://www.isaaczakar.com/how-to-hire-a-graphic-designer/"><span style="color: #351c75;">http://www.isaaczakar.com/how-to-hire-a-graphic-designer/</span></a><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: #351c75;">for</span> this article)</i> </span>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-47720676784223533262011-10-12T09:18:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:18:58.115+02:00What makes a great logo?<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;">A professionally designed <b>logo </b>is one of the most important first steps for any new business to take. A well-designed <b>logo </b>defines the company to the public, and serves as the centerpiece of its image and all visual branding from<b> business cards</b> to <b>websites</b>. So what makes a <b>logo </b>truly great?</span> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u>1. Memorable</u></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<i><span style="color: black;">An effective <b>logo </b>stays in the mind of the customer long after they have viewed it. Consumers prefer things that are familiar, if they remember your <b>logo </b>when they see it again, they will be drawn to it. How many of these <b>logos </b>can you identify from just the first letter?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u>2. Simple and Potent</u></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<i><span style="color: black;">Imagine the logo <b>design</b> process as taking a novel and turning it into a haiku. Thomas Jefferson famously and wisely said, “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” The same can be said of logos. Take everything about your company and boil it down to its very essence. Eliminate everything that is not completely essential, such as taglines or LLC’s. Consider communicating what your business does through abstract or simplified visual elements. Resist the urge to think too literally. Nike started as a shoe company for runners. Instead of using a runner or shoe in their <b>logo</b>, they captured the essence of their spirit through a simplified wing from the Greek goddess Nike, who personifies victory.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u>3. Appropriate colors and fonts</u></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><i>Red has been scientifically proven to increase appetite, and yellow gives a feeling of warmth and happiness. It's no secret that food chains want their customers to be hungry and happy! Every color has powerful connotations, and when used correctly color can greatly influence mood and reaction. Every font expresses varying degrees of strength, tradition, friendliness, playfulness, or trustworthiness. Carefully chosen fonts and colors will convey what you want to express about your company.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u>4. Versatile</u></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<i><span style="color: black;">How would your <b>logo </b>look on a ballpoint pen? How about a billboard? Does your logo still look great in black and white? Does it still read well when embroidered or screen-printed? A successful logo will be effective when used in conjunction with a variety of media, colors, sizes and applications. It is timelessness will grow with your company and will rarely need redesigning.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u>5. Captures Your Unique Purpose</u></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<i><span style="color: black;">A good <b>logo </b>never uses clip art or stock images. At Lightbox we <b>design </b>from the ground up around your unique goals and identity. Your logo should set you apart from the crowd.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: black;">(I give credit to <span lang="EN" style="color: #999933;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lightboxgraphicdesign.com/lightbox/GreatLogo.html">http://www.lightboxgraphicdesign.com/lightbox/GreatLogo.html</a> <span style="color: black;">for this article</span></span></span></span>)</i></span></span>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-75539627499218083622011-10-12T09:17:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:17:49.078+02:00How Can Personal Projects Help Start a Career in Graphic Design?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you don’t have formal <b>design </b>training or professional experience it does not mean you can’t get started in designing. You just have to start somewhere.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Firstly I would advise you to take some personal projects and work on that and practice. Then you can figure out if <b>design </b>is the right career for you, and decide if you love it and want to build a portfolio, but personal projects are a great starting point. A personal project can be something you do just for yourself... a <b>website </b>design on a favourite topic, an invitation to an event or really anything for which you are your own client. This is also very impressive in a portfolio, especially when starting. Many design students’ portfolios consist of primarily personal work and college projects.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Work for friends and family can also be considered personal projects. Whether or not you charge from this work and what you charge is a personal decision, though it can’t hurt to do a few free jobs when trying to get your feet wet. Offer to design a friend’s wedding save-the-date, baby announcement, poster for their band’s show, or anything else that will give you experience and visibility. From there, word-of-mouth can spread as people see your credit line on the work and ask about the designer. As you build up a portfolio of work, you can start taking on paying clients and applying for <b>design </b>positions.</span>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3919203992693996163.post-57228644779316747942011-10-12T09:16:00.000+02:002011-10-12T09:16:44.602+02:00What is the difference between “Just a Graphic Designer” and a “Graphic designer people want to hire”?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A “<b>graphic designer</b>” can be many people: Someone who focuses on producing artwork for art’s sake, equivalent to someone who produces fine art for a living. They are artists who create graphics for clothing, or designs patterns for fabrics. In this article I wrote I focused on the “<b>graphic designer</b>” as someone who works on creatively in advertising/marketing capacity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A GREAT <b>graphic designer</b> is partially interpretive and if someone hires you they look at your character, attitude and professionalism. I believe you can distill the main requirements for “<b>graphic designer </b>greatness” into a few key areas that require specific, high degrees of competency. These points are discussed below. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">s a graphic designer trying to find work in the advertising/marketing space, you’re armed with a good understanding of what people who hire designers are looking for, and to help you prepare as best you can to land the job you’ve always wanted.</span><b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Requirements for “Designer Greatness”:</span></b></span></div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Artistic Ability or “Talent”:</span></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the ability of the designer to vision and design a professional looking finished product, whether it be a printed piece, a <b>logo</b>, a <b>website </b>or a billboard ad. It requires an advanced understanding of color, composition and typography. </span></i><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is by far the most elemental talent a designer needs, for without it they are not a designer.<br />
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Be sure your level of talent meets or exceeds the level of talent that is currently acceptable in the jobs you desire and to which you are applying. It takes one level of talent to work at a small, local newspaper designing classified ads for small businesses. Any designer with talent can get better: for some it just takes longer, so don’t give up!</span></span></i><br />
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</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Skill with Popular Creative Tools</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>It’s a person’s expertise with the most popular creative</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US"> productivity tools in the industry. It include applications like Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark Express, other popular graphic applications like Flash, InDesign and Corel Draw and other productivity tools like Adobe Acrobat, Word Processing programs, MS Office applications, AdobeVersion Cue and Windows/Mac operating systems.<br />
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It is extremely important that designers be experts in the use of the most popular programs used in the graphics industry, because in the <b>design </b>world, you’ll need them to do your job and because – most importantly – time translates into money.</span></span></i><br />
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</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Knowledge of popular industry production processes</span></span></u><br />
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">The technical understanding of how the visual pieces designers create are actually produced, printed or published. This means possessing the production knowledge necessary to ensure that a visual communications piece prints, outputs or displays correctly in the media for which it was designed.<br />
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Know the different production requirements for art that you create for various media formats. Understanding the different production methods used to produce the most popular forms of visual communications will also allow you to get creative with materials as well, and create unique pieces with atypical stocks and finishing processes.</span></i><br />
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</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Excellent understanding of business and marketing fundamentals</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Have </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US">an excellent understanding of business and marketing fundamentals as a designer means you understand WHY a piece is being created for a company and how that piece fits strategically into a broader, higher-level marketing and/or business plan. It means you understand the specific business goal a piece you are designing must achieve, why it is important that the piece achieve it, and why the achievement of that business goal is the most important criteria for evaluating the success of your design<br />
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The understanding of business and marketing fundamentals is the most rare – and the most important – attribute designers possess. Those that have it are years ahead of those that don’t, because they do not demand that their agency spend months, and possibly years (which costs time and money) teaching them why the art they are creating is important to the client, and how it will be used.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Ability to see through the eyes of the target market</span></u></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Having the ability to experience the world, including interacting with collateral you’ve designed, through the eyes of your target market means you can remove yourself from your own system of beliefs and values when evaluating an experience.</i></span><br />
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<i>It is not easy to fundamentally change the way you think in order to be more like another type of</i><br />
<i>person. However, with practice, it becomes easier to achieve.</i></div>Eliz-Mari Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591316445760944739noreply@blogger.com0