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Style ? How it Affects your Career as Graphic Designer

Filed Under: Graphic Design by admin
Jul.28, 2010

Few years ago, I had an opportunity to discuss with one of Indonesian well-known ‘branding expert’ about “how we can survive as a graphic designer, specially a freelance graphic designer. Does style affect?” He said, “What is style?! Go to hell with it. Style is killing designer!”

His answer really shocked me, because I am a graphic designer who likes certain style of design, and without I realized people recognized my work by that style.

What he said might be true for graphic designers who work at advertising agency or some creative boutiques, because they have to be able to fulfill what clients need and obey their boss.

It made me think. Do I have to change my style?

Then I tried to trace all the way back. I have been 10 years working on graphic design field, during that time I always design with a certain style which more oriented to German style that has a certain characteristic such as ‘neat, compact, well alignment with strong square or rectangle geometrical shape’. In fact, in my early years I broke the design style one of the biggest local bank which already known as a very conservative bank with ‘minimalism, modern and geometrical’ kind of design.

That makes me sure that graphic design style is not always about era, just like many people think. Style is more related to like or dislike. In other word, a certain style won’t kill designers’ life.

On the other way around, a freelance graphic designer will be able to survive with his/her own style.

A freelance graphic designer, who has his/her own style, unconsciously would create his/her own target market. With their portfolios, prospect clients would see the characteristic of their artworks.

So, to those (future clients) who like our design style will fall in love automatically when they see our artworks without wasting more time to brief us what they want. The only information we need is about product they sell or message they want to deliver. They already trust us on how we will visualize it.

We don’t need to deal with hard to please kind of clients.

But still, it doesn’t mean that we are stuck and stop digging our creativity. Explore and strengthen the style in order to get the personal touch, that way our style will be our identity in graphic design industry.

Design style that becomes identity is very important for freelancers, because it is not easy for freelancers to get new clients. That is how to attract new clients.

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Your Online Presence – Web Design and Branding

Filed Under: Web Design by admin
Jul.26, 2010

The best investment a small business or entrepreneur can have is their online website. Not only is their website important, but their overall web branding is critical as well. Web branding is a great way to stand out within the World Wide Web.

Web branding is very similar to a company displaying their brand on TV, magazine or newspaper. A brand is classified as a symbol. Symbols are defined as designs which represent something else, and a brand is meant to package all of the associations, experiences and characteristics into an abstract construct.

To draw in customers, a company’s brand should have all of necessities to catch their attention. Whether it’s sound, phrases, logos or imagery, it should be something in which people come into contact with.

CODANK Charlotte Web Design has provided a few Web Branding tips below. Read them carefully and plan accordingly.

Character – Give your brand character. You can do this by introducing it with a little personality; something that your audience can associate their selves with.
Color – Choosing the right color is very important. Color stimulates emotions and carried with it subconscious associations to numerous things and characteristics.
Consistency – Make your brand memorable. Make sure to be consistent in your web design when you’re building it. Keep consistent colors, visuals and typography.
Size & Position – Position your logo in the upper left area of the webpage – that is the area most people look to see what site they’re on.
Uniqueness – Differentiate your web page and brand from your competitors. If you don’t, it won’t really be memorable!


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Read This Before you Hire a Graphic Designer

Filed Under: Graphic Design by admin
Jul.23, 2010

When you own your own business, there’s never a dull moment. That’s why I wrote ‘Turn Eye Appeal Into Buy Appeal’. It’s the do-it-yourself graphic design handbook that makes marketing your business as easy as 1-2-3. There are some projects, though, where it pays to hire a graphic designer. When it’s time to hire a graphic designer, these 5 essential tips can save you a lot of time and money:

1) Figure out if you can do it yourself. If you are not a professional graphic designer, you could spend days – even weeks – to make a brochure or flyer that a professional designer could do in a matter of hours. For major projects that will be a big part of your marketing campaign, you’ll want to take advantage of the experience a graphic designer can offer. Once you find the right designer, you will have access to a consistent style of graphics for all your marketing pieces.

2) Check out their samples. Do you like what you see? If their portfolio includes the design elements that you are looking for, then you’ll know if their style is going to mesh with your style. And of course, you’ll want to see how their style will work for your type of product or service.

3) Get references. Your best place to start would be by asking friends and colleagues if they can recommend someone. Also, many graphic designers will include testimonials either on their website or correspondence. Don’t be shy to call… it’s why they’re there! You can also check with local printers. They usually know firsthand what the designers working style is. The website for the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA.com) has a free listing of designers all over the country.

4) Interview your prospective designer. Talk about the size and scope of the project, what your expectations are, and any deadlines you may have. You can get a sense of their work ethic, and see if you will work well together. This gives the designer the chance to ask you questions, too. You’ll know upfront if they have the time and skill to take on your project.

5) Get it in writing. Once you’ve found the right designer, make sure all the details are outlined in the proposal or contract. Get it in writing and make sure you know what it does (and doesn’t) include. Don’t forget to read any terms and conditions (such as a deposit) and make sure you’re comfortable with them before you start the project.

Now you can go out and hire the graphic designer that’s going to make your marketing campaign come to life!

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The Recession Is Over: Time To Get Your E-Commerce Web Design In Coventry

Filed Under: Web Design by admin
Jul.22, 2010

As the UK creeps out of the economical meltdown that affected us all in one way or another, now is the time for businesses to consolidate their existing web presence, or create a new one. According to the latest figures released by market analyst Forrester Research, online spending in the UK in 2010 is forecasted to reach £42.7 billion, with the average person spending over £1000 during the year. There really has never been a better time for local businesses and services to get their E-commerce web design Coventry.

While the country’s economy won’t be repaired overnight, many people will look to take advantage of their new found financial freedom. This will take the form of those purchases that may have been neglected during the past 12 months, or things that fall into the ‘leisure’ bracket.

There are also opportunities in website design Birmingham to be had beyond the basic E-commerce structure. For service providers such as painters and decorators, builders and other construction firms there is likely to be a significant increase in the amount of enquiries they receive, particularly through their site. This is due to projects around the home or in commercial premises that can be undertaken as owners flash the cash to spruce up their property.

What is an E-commerce website then?

An E-commerce web design enables the user to sell their products online, by processing orders and accepting payments using secure and well-trusted gateways like PayPal. The owner is given full access to the behind the scenes workings of the website, enabling them update prices with special offers and add new stock – maximising the potential of this medium for selling.

And don’t forget, rather than being restricted to customers in Coventry and Birmingham for these local ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers, a worldwide marketplace is opened up online – with unlimited potential. Utilising Search Engine Optimisation and internet marketing, your website can be promoted to millions of people around the globe.

Magento is widely thought of as king of the E-commerce platforms. These offer the user complete freedom, and are simple to install at the design end. They are open to creative SEO as well, ensuring your products feature highly in search engine rankings if utilised appropriately by your web designer.

So if you are looking for an E-commerce web design Coventry, Birmingham or beyond, do your homework on the various specialists and ensure they offer the Magento system, and you could be opening up a whole new market to sell your products that you never thought possible.

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Corporate Graphic Design and Its Need for Your Business

Filed Under: Graphic Design by admin
Jul.18, 2010

The best bakers and pastry chefs come out with products that are not only mouthwatering but delectable visually as well. Similarly, graphic design is the art of presenting information in a visually appealing way. For companies to stand out from the crowd, it’s critical to have an outstanding and instantly recognizable logo that represents the company.That’s where corporate graphic design comes into the picture.

Every entrepreneur’s dream is to have a company and a logo that’s as instantly recognizable around the world as a Nike or a Coca Cola. The job of a professional graphic designer is to try to convert these dreams into reality. The graphic designer takes the brief from the client and comes up with a graphic design that reflects the values of the client.

Professional graphic design is a skill that is a combination of both art and science. While a design needs to be catchy, the graphic designer has to keep in mind the different media that will be used to promote an identity for which the logo is created. A logo needs to look good – be it from an outdoor advertising panel, on computer/TV screen, or on to a mobile device.

The role of the print media continues to decline as the primary mode of advertising for companies. As people are beginning to spend more and more time online, the share of online advertising from the total branding remuneration pie will continue to grow for online and internet advertising. With ubiquitous broadband internet and 3G mobile services, advertising will change from something that is simply static to one highly dynamic; and encourage greater interaction amongst the user.

The corporate graphic design of the future has to bear in mind these changing dynamics. The winning graphic design will be the one that best understands the mindset of its target audience and is able to entice and influence its target geography and the people living there.

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Philadelphia Web Design Company

Filed Under: Web Design by admin
Jul.18, 2010

An entrepreneur can embellish their website using flash technology. It has enabled the marketers to make their Philadelphia Web Design Company more attractive and interactive in appearance. Although there are various types of flash representations, it’s still preferred by clients because of its benefits. The use of flash designs makes a company more emphatic and impressive. As an entrepreneur, you can promote your business accordingly, effectively and efficiently through attractively designed web designs.

Flash technology makes a website very attractive but you also need to make sure it will not be overdone because it can also be an eyesore to those who doesn’t want flashy icons and striking colors. Sometimes, an over made page may take more time to open; most clients may find this strategy annoying. Driving them near will be harder if you don’t weigh your flash design accordingly.

If you are presently residing in Philadelphia or in any nearby places, it is better for you to acquire a flash Philadelphia Web Design Company in Philadelphia for your business efficiency needs. Through a professionally done Philadelphia Web Design Company you will be able to increase the rate of your visitors to your website and it will also increase your revenue and online ranking. Flash technology makes a website very attractive but you also need to make sure it will not be overdone because it can also be an eyesore to those who doesn’t want flashy icons and striking colors. Sometimes, an over made page may take more time to open; most clients may find this strategy annoying. Driving them near will be harder if you don’t weigh your flash design accordingly.

Need to create a moving online presence? Our web design Philadelphia experts work with you to create an effective website that speaks to your target audience and moves them to become customers. See how we can create a strong online presence for your company.

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