Business Cards : The good, the bad, and the ugly

I’ve attended many local trade show for homeowners. I enjoy collecting business cards when I’m there – not necessarily because I’m going to use these companies for their services, but because they can make great inspiration as to what works and what doesn’t with a business card.  I think i’ve got over 2000 that i’ve collected over the years that stood out to me, and have used them in presentations and seminars to show some real life examples of what makes a successful card.  Looking through them, I notice that the majority of them weren’t the greatest cards. So many people have a hard time selling their products or their services to people. Why on earth would you short change yourself by having poorly made or outdated cards to hand out? Give yourself the added confidence when representing your business by making sure that you don’t commit any business card design
[keep reading »] faux pas.

1. you’re at the end of a stack and you’ve changed your phone number or address… so you cross out the old information and write over the top. (see bottom left)… no no no…. bad idea. I know it’s quick and simple for you… but later, this comes across as sloppy, unprepared and unprofessional. If something changes, so should your card. Period.

2. Overfilling your card(see top left)… ok yea, name, address, phone, website, email address… those are certainly important. But stick with ONE logo and make sure you don’t overfill your card with either information or graphics that are unnecessary. The point of a card is to give information in a clear, clean, short but sweet message.

3. Colors (see top right) – colors are great, but be careful. Not only will you up the printing costs, but if you clash as well as these guys, you’re not doing yourself or your profits any favors. Stick to two, maybe 3 colors when printing… unless you include a well thought out photo (do not stretch, do not pixelate). Also keep in mind that by adding color, you’re giving your card a better chance at being noticed.

4. Cost – going for the cheapest you can find. Yea when you’re starting a business, you try to keep costs down. But this is something you’re giving to a client. It is a direct extension of who you are and what you’re business can do for them. If you give out a flimsy card with a poor design, what are you saying about your business? Paper quality, gloss, even specialty cuts are the added things that will cost money, but are definitely worth it. They help your card stick out among the others.

A business card is your business’s identity… if it’s bland, boring, or poorly designed you end up losing the appeal and therefore losing a sale. A business has a personality, a feel to it, and your identity should reflect that.

Now does that mean to go and make the snazziest best design EVER?!  no – not exactly – you can certainly overdo it.  And an overly designed card can backfire just as bad as a poorly designed one.  Keep your audience in mind – what will attract THEM?

How does a whole month slip by so fast?

Been busy this month.  I’ve completed a new booth design for the company I work for full time now.  Along with a complete set of new collateral and brochures.  I’ve done some work with HR to “decorate” the offices a bit more than your typical standard office posters and artwork.  Going to have to grab the camera and take some pictures when it’s all done.  I’ve built about 6 microsites and designed about 12 others that haven’t launched yet for some pretty big name clients which is always a bit of an honor.  Still waiting for the new machine at work – hoping end of the week that I’ll get it from the IT guys.  Also currently studying up on some new techniques for building some really complex flash demos.  It’s exciting work actually – ground breaking in that I’m trying to do something a bit different than your standard demo.

On a personal note – i also managed to get a bit further in a comic i’m working on – which in my book is ALWAYS a good thing.  Progress!

Things i’ve learned in the last month:  Corporations never really change.  Why I thought 5 years would improve things is beyond me.  But at least i know i’m strong enough to handle that world.  If only I could get through to these people that I’m not a button pusher, i’m an artist with valuable marketing and business experience and valid ideas.   They’re slowly coming around, so we’ll see.

Oh.. and I’m expecting my second child.    I’ve also learned that i’m not one of those women who enjoy being pregnant.  Instead of that beautiful rosy glow that some pregnant women get – i’ve discovered my glow is mostly pea green.  We’re due on November 20th and the hubby is just beside himself he’s so giddy.  It’s quite funny.

Well must get back to work.  But wanted to check in with everyone and see how life was going.

Talk to you all later!

-Jen

www.jwdesigncenter.com

Inspiration Friday and the end to a long week

This week has been strange, my department moved to a new building about a block from the old one.  Here’s a view from the 13th floor I found online I’m up on the 18th floor so i can see a bit further than this but it’s the exact buildings I get to look at from the windows.

Since it’s friday – i figured I should post up some inspiration for everyone.    Funny how I look forward to posting these as much as some of you look forward to recieving them.  And always – it’s nice to recognize talent

simplicity by bella elizabetta

helvetica poster

http://myst49.deviantart.com/art/Typography-Helvetica-Poster-115052698

http://goodghost1980.deviantart.com/art/park-115062762

Web Interface Design

http://fedrick.deviantart.com/art/wCMS-layout-115325618

Being interviewed by students…

So last year I got a call from the Seattle Art Institute asking if I’d be willing to allow 8-10 students to come and “interview” me for a large assignment they had.  They had to find 3 professional designers and interview them about what it’s like in the real world.  We met up at a diner and had breakfast food and I gave them the low down and dirty on the industry, what to expect, some of the challenges we face as creatives etc etc.  I also got the pleasure of seeing these student’s portfolios and it was an all around 3 hours of absolute bliss.

Well – this year they contacted me again and said that they wanted me to do it again.  Well it’s happening today – only this year rather than meeting at a diner, i’m letting them come down to the agency’s studio.  I’ve lined up one of our best HR recruiters whos’ going to talk to them about what they need (from her perspective) to land a job after they graduate, she’s going to go through their resumes, then we’re going to get to their questions and interview, then have a little lunch and then i’ll go through their portfolios.

I’m really looking forward to it this year, as last year it gave me such a motivational boost for many months following.  To get to see these kids who are so fresh, they haven’t been burned by clients, they haven’t been tapped , they’re still so innocent, it was absolutely refreshing; and a lot of fun to get to see fresh talent.

I’ve got work to do before they get here, so I better cut this short.  Hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

Jen

Possible Design Trend for 2009?

My Building in Seattle

So I’m on my way into work this morning.  My commute consists of about an hour and 45 minutes of driving at the butt crack of dawn to get to downtown  Seattle by 7:15 am.  But honestly, I love it.  it gives me a chance to wake up, to listen to the radio and hear what’s goin on in the world, and to look at all the ads and billboards and things you see as you get into the big city.  As a designer, I can’t help but look at what forms of communication other designers are making public.  But this morning, was a bit unusual.  Seems just about everybody changed their ads this weekend.  And I’m seeing things up for the Seattle Home Show, for insurance agencies etc etc.  One common theme ?? You bet ya.  Old school.  A bit retro.  And definitely “Homey”.

Seattle Home Show Ad

Then on my radio station they were discussing how tame the superbowl has gotten.  Pregame shows, Half times, the commercials… Now let me add something – i didn’t watch any of it this year – was sicker than a dog.   So… based on my radio station, the superbowl has gone Disney.  They were saying it was a lack of general creativity. … but perhaps the graphic designers, and advertisers are on a different kick.  With the american economy doing what it’s doing, perhaps it’s trying to bring back a bit of nostalgia- the good ol days.  I will be paying close attention to whether this really becomes a trend.. I think it will be interesting

Corporate Graphic Design and Branding Inspiration

In this showcase, you’ll find a variety of unique and highly creative corporate designs. The aim here is to stimulate your creativity and inspire you to push your designs further and see the possibilities that lie within corporate branding.  It’s also to give some recognition to those graphic designers who aren’t in the lime light as much.

Business Card Designs by Rusadrianewald

Corporate Identity Package by Dr Devil

Corporate Branding Package by Majaero

Corporate Identity Package by f3rk3s

Corporate Identity Package by Majaero

Corporate Business Card Design

Film in the City Business Cards

(Yet another) Tribute to Typography

Beautiful Typography Poster by Mibi

Typography CD Covers by Punktlos

Tutorials Everywhere….

C

Disco Ball Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

Learn how to create these awesome Heart Icons

Challenge yourself and your creativity with this Illustrator tutorial

grungy polaroid tutorial for Adobe Photoshop

Use this tutorial to learn how to create rain drops in Photoshop

Design by committee….

Hoo boy what a week i’ve had.  And in all honesty, I think i’m looking more forward to the holidays being over before they’ve even begun.  It dawned on me, I should change the heading to this blog..as I’m now no longer JUST a freelance designer, but I’m also now living in the corporate world.  Feels good – nice job security, but it’s definitely taken me some getting used to.  Why does it seem that corporations all seem to design by committee?  I wish I could limit them the way I can limit my clients.  But somehow I have a feeling THAT concept wouldn’t be met with much enthusiasm.  It seems they’re notorious for countless changes, being extremely wishy washy and only after you’ve exhausted just about EVERY concept imaginable – they go back to your original and FINALLY conceed to your judgement.

Well I better get back to work before someone catches me blogging – hehe.  Just wanted to check in and say a quick hi and hello.

* Hiring Guide * What to do when hiring a creative professional?

Saw this on Craigslist yesterday and thought i’d share:

For those of you looking to hire a graphic designer, flash designer, web designer, programmer, or all around artist there are just a few rules of etiquette to remember:

1. People with these skills have put a lot of time and money into learning this craft. Software and equipment to do this type of work is expensive, not to mention the cost of schooling. Many of these people have families to support and think about. Could you make it off of $9 an hour? Have you ever stopped to really consider how much actual work goes into something that seems so simple and seamless? Make sure you offer decent wages for their experience. Do a little research if you need to… find out what other companies your size pay for a similar type of project. ASK the experts you’re trying to hire rather than telling them. And remember, you get what you pay for. Don’t expect to get a replica of ebay for $500.

2. Do not estimate how long you think something should take. If someone says it’s going to take 60 hours to do something, believe it.. don’t argue, unless of course you yourself have the experience or the degree. This isn’t just a point and click profession. It takes thought, and creativity and talent and taste. If you’re getting something custom made or custom programmed, don’t expect it overnight. Bugs happen, glitches come up.. be prepared to adjust your launch dates if necessary.

3. Individual vs. Company. Something to keep in mind in this industry is that there are many many many individuals who present themselves as companies. Why? Because it gives them the ability to market themselves and make a living. If you’re looking for a small company, then say that. But don’t stipulate that they CAN’T be a company unless what you offering is a full or part time in house position.

Doing just these 3 simple things will improve your experience working with a Creative Professional. You’ll find that your hiring process will move a lot more smoothly and you may just find the person you’ve been looking for.

Thanks oh Anonymous Graphic Avenger!

Calling all Designers & Web Designers

http://alistapart.com/articles/survey2008

Calling all designers, developers, information architects, project managers, writers, editors, marketers, and everyone else who makes websites. It is time once again to pool our information so as to begin sketching a true picture of the way our profession is practiced worldwide.

Possibly the most important invention of the past century, the web is undeniably one of the most robust engines of knowledge transfer, political and social change, artistic endeavor, and economic growth the world has seen.

Remove the web, and billions in trade disappear. Websites enable people who can’t walk to run to the store. They bring knowledge and freedom of thought to places where such things are scarce; make every person with a connection a citizen of the world; and allow every citizen to be heard.

Yet nobody bothered to conduct a serious inquiry into the working conditions of people who make websites until A List Apart launched its first survey in 2007.

Last year nearly 33,000 of you took the survey, enabling us to begin figuring out what kinds of job titles, salaries, and work situations are common in our field.

The responses to last year’s survey began teaching the world about the previously invisible profession powering its information economy. The responses also taught us what we did wrong in constructing the survey.

This year’s survey corrects many of last year’s mistakes, with more detailed and numerous questions for freelance contractors and owners of (or partners in) small web businesses. There are also better international categories, and many other improvements recommended by those who took the survey last year.

As we did last year, we will analyze this year’s data and publish the results for all to see in an upcoming issue of A List Apart. We will also, as we did last year, provide an “anonymized” version of the raw data, so that the highly motivated among you can do your own number crunching.

Enough talk! Please take the survey and encourage your friends and colleagues who make websites to do likewise. The world is watching.

http://alistapart.com/articles/survey2008

Working summers…

Summers are always hard for those of us who work from home. Not just because the sunshine calls to us to leave our dreary desks, but also because we typically have a lot more going on. Vacations, kids activities (if you have children), gardening, etc etc. Last week I took 3 days off to teach an arts and crafts class to kids. I was nervous about it, but let me just say, as an artist, it was probably one of the best things I could have done. Kids have such vivid imaginations. They inspire you with just a thought or an idea. You give them something simple to do and they can make a
[keep reading »] million ideas that you hadn’t even considered. It was definitely a blessed little treat for me.

Gone Fishing!

Now that it’s finished, I’m busy getting into the grind. We seem to have many programming projects about to start and a few design projects underway. Which is always a good thing, especially with the economy being so unstable right now.

Creative Fusion Pro is under development now and I’m really looking forward to seeing it blossom and bloom before our eyes. The more we delve into it, the more we seem to realize that the software we’re developing for this business has the potential to completely change the industry as we know it. Very exciting to be apart of it, to say the least. And ultimately, I can’t wait to see what it does for the graphic design industry itself.

Well I better get back to work, but I just wanted to stop in and say a quick hi and hello to everyone. Hope you all are doing fine.

Jen Walter
Creative Director
www.jwdesigncenter.com

My favorite day…

There’s something about Thursdays. I tend to be very productive.. more than any other day on a thursday. I think part of it has to do with the fact that I know the week is almost over, tomorrow being Friday and all.

Today, so far i’ve managed to get quite a bit done. I finished a pretty large time consuming marketing campaign this morning, managed to keep up on all incoming mail. I’ve sent out 8 estimates so far today. Had a meeting with my programmer and all before 10:30.  And now i’m going to take a little break, grab some soda and a snack and then sit down and wrap up a site (well.. hopefully).

Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with someone about our economy. It being what it is, this person was surprised I was managing to not only stay in business but actually be fairly busy with incoming potential work. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised we haven’t felt the crunch too. But never look a gift horse in the mouth right? We HAVE slowed down a bit, but it’s been by choice. We are about 2 maybe 3 months out from releasing a new piece of software that has the potential to change the way our industry runs. It’s exciting, and frustrating (as we just want it to be done). I feel as if we’re in the middle of the eye of a great storm. Even if the idea itself doesn’t make a cent, I look forward to helping shape the industry and make it safer for new designers. I look forward to making a difference.

Well, i better get back to work, but i just wanted to drop in and say a quick hi and hello to everyone.

The value in learning how to recieve a critique…

As a designer, and an artist, I get asked all the time to critique other people’s work.  I enjoy doing it.  But the one thing I have learned over the years… if you ask someone for a critique.. do yourself a favor and ACTUALLY listen to what they have to say.  Now that doesn’t mean that a critique should be taken as gold… it is an opinion.  The best way to handle critiques.. listen, don’t argue and don’t offer excuses.  Thank the person who’s advice you were given and go home or take a break and filter through it.  If they offered you 5 things to fix.. that doesn’t mean you need to fix all 5 things, but you should at least TRY to consider 1 or two..especially if you’re hearing the same critiques from multiple people.

I can’t tell you the amount of times i’ve had people offer excuses, arguments etc etc.  Now of course there is a fine line to this… as artists, we all have our own style, and maybe the person who’s just critiqued you doesn’t have the same style or taste as your own.  So keep that in mind.  When you’re looking for someone to critique your work, make sure to look at their own work, figure out what styles they like.  I am not a pink fan.. so anyone coming to me with a pink project they want critiqued will probably get less enthusiasm than if it were another color.

I hope you all have been healthy, happy and well…. will probably post up some of our latest works in a little bit.

Have a good one!

Jen
JW Design Center
www.jwdesigncenter.com

I’m not in a rut.. really i’m not…

   Ok, so the title of this thread is true.. i’m not in a rut.  But I AM stumped on a project.  I’ve been bustin out work left and right all week but this ONE site.. has me stumped.

But all of that got me thinking about the process..or at least my process for design.  I don’t know that I could do the whole in house thing anymore.  I’ll get a brief for a project and draft up some initial thoughts, brainstorm some goals or feelings or thoughts… and then procrastinate for a few hours.  I have to let everything percolate.  But sometimes it seems that certain projects just take trial and error .. i’ll do 3 or 4 concepts and still see just a bunch of hooey… then slack for another hour and suddenly get it together.  What’s YOUR method?    Do you design and brainstorm on the computer or with pencil and paper?  Do you play video games and slack for inspiration or do you just jump in and get your hands dirty?

Let’s hear about how you get started?

J.

www.jwdesigncenter.com 

Back again with the living…

Here’s a little of my fav since it’s friday and sometimes we all just need a little calvin and hobbes.

Well, my household and I decided that two weeks ago would be a FINE time to come down with the flu from hell. And when i say from Hell i mean this had to have been the work of something evil and twisted. But we’re all on the mend, just the occasional cough. Thank goodness…and now that i’m back again into full swing, i feel justified taking a few minutes out of the day to blog. So how have you all been?!

I’ve discovered a new interest.. ok well it’s not so new.. as you all have seen some of my coloring and comic stuff that i’ve posted here and there. I went to my very first comic book store a few days ago… picked up some witchblade comic books, some tomb raider comic books and some others. Research. The more i look at this world the more i’m interested in learning more about it. Some of the artists who do that kind of work.. wow! Amazing art.

My birthday is coming.. and for me, it’s just another year, and at the same time, i’m feeling the need to do something FUN! With having the flu and being pent up inside and then getting bogged down and behind in work, now that i’m caught up i feel the need to get out, enjoy the sunshine, have a little party for myself or something LOL. Everyone keeps asking me for gift ideas.. and honestly i’m stumped. Everything i want is something i would never ask for. Just not in my nature i guess.

Well… for those of you interested.. here’s some of the work i’ve been up to lately enjoy.

http://jwdesigncenter.deviantart.com/art/Template-Design-2-79706591 – weightloss website design

http://jwdesigncenter.deviantart.com/art/GroomGroove-80503413 – website design clean up and tweaks for grooms

http://jwdesigncenter.deviantart.com/art/Batman-79924356 – batman comic cover – just playing around

http://jwdesigncenter.deviantart.com/art/Vagrant-Story-80011353 – dragon painting – not happy with yet but it’s coming

http://jwdesigncenter.deviantart.com/art/Work-in-Progress-spiderman-80508720 – work in progress of spiderman kissing Kitty.

There’s more but i don’t want to bore everyone Hope you have a great friday and a FANTASTIC weekend!

J.

www.jwdesigncenter.com

Wednesday Inspiration

Well… it’s the middle of the week. Time to get out some inspiration to get through what’s left of the week…

Some not as well known artists here.. thought they deserved some recognition…So put on some good tunes, rock out for a few minutes and be inspired!…

Why can’t all days be like this?

Why does it seem that there are days that I get nothing done and there are days when I fly through my to do list like it’s nothing? This morning I had a to-do list a mile long and here it is, not even 2 o’clock yet and i’m just about finished with it. That’s so great! We’re just slammed right now. So unusual for february. I’ve heard other designers commenting how they are booked solid too so I’m glad to know it’s not just me Not that i’m complaining in the least, i’d much rather be busy than slow.

More inspiring Typography…

So many people liked what i posted on typography that i thought we’d do some more… Some new posts I found by artists over on DA. Thought they deserved a little credit for some great uses of type in their works.

A Hint of Reality by oOMandudeOo

Un Named by Weeman – Weeman is a personal friend of mine, he creates fonts and let me tell you.. i’ve loved every one of his creations. This is one he’s working on now and it’s gorgeous! Way to go Andy!

Typography Plate by PostPwned – Just gorgeous!

The end of a very long week

Well, it’s finally friday. And I must say, I’m greatful that this week is almost over. It’s been a very long, and very stressful week. However that being said, I’ve been working on some pretty fun projects….