Spec work can damage your business
In order to explain what spec work is, imagine this scenario:
A brand identity designer working with clients across the globe. Contact me if you want to talk about a project, ask me a question, or simply say hello.
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The brand identity design process
It’s of benefit for prospective clients to have an overview of my methods, and here I divide the brand identity design process into a number of sections, giving you a look at how I work.
How ethical are your design practices?
Do you work with a client whose product or values you don’t agree with? If, for example, you’re anti-smoking, would you take on Marlboro as a design client?
12 money-saving questions to ask before printing your promotional material
When it comes to a printed graphic design job, there are certain questions you should ask at the beginning to prevent costly errors and to make the most of your print budget.
Here are 12 important questions to consider before printing your promotional material.
→ Continue reading 12 money-saving questions to ask before printing your promotional material
Logo design contests are bad for business
Picture this. You’re the employee who’s responsible for hiring a design agency. Your company’s corporate identity is in need of a re-vamp but it’s nearing the end of the financial year, so the budget is already stretched (the standard scenario).
You’re in a boardroom meeting and you propose the idea of holding a design contest, where you receive a ton of variations, and only the winning designer gets paid. Isn’t that a great idea?
Well, here are just two very important points you need to consider before going ahead.
→ Continue reading Logo design contests are bad for business
Convert documents to PDF for free
A client recently sent me a series of Microsoft Publisher files, each containing ideas for a logo design, although it turned out that I didn’t have a copy of Publisher on the computer I was using.
Here’s a free way to resolve this issue.
Common client misconceptions in graphic design
Here I detail a few common client misconceptions, such as this:
A client might ask for a specific Pantone colour from their Pantone swatch book. The designer sets the file exactly as is required, yet when the client sees an example on their computer monitor they are disappointed that the colour isn’t the same. Why is that?
→ Continue reading Common client misconceptions in graphic design
How do you write a design brief?
When you’re dealing with a graphic or logo design project, it’s vital to write a detailed design brief at the very beginning. There are two main reasons for this…
What’s your logo worth?
A large number of people undervalue the importance of their logo. Sure, the logo is only one small part of your brand, but it is an important part nonetheless. I recently subscribed to RSS updates for blog posts containing the words ‘logo design’. Here are some excerpts from the many posts I’ve since read.
The pros and cons of freelancing
I’ve been freelancing for around two years now. It’s not that long, but it’s long enough to get a taste for what the pros and cons are. So, without further ado, here are some of the pros and cons of working as a freelance graphic designer.