tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148360142012-01-23T01:51:47.472-05:00Evolution of Intelligent DesignThoughts and observations on the roles of graphic design careers and business communication in the 21st century.Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.comBlogger2111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-67962716845253867742012-01-16T09:50:00.001-05:002012-01-16T09:52:16.732-05:00The Decision Factor: How it Makes or Breaks the Design Process
Photo courtesy Benjamin Miller
Sometimes a designer's toughest job is enduring client decision making. I don't mean that it's tough because it is annoying — most clients aren't trying to be difficult. I am talking about the designer's ability to interpret a client's choices and desires and translating them into workable design solutions.
First of all, there are times when a client or boss Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-50416390704715980092012-01-09T13:17:00.000-05:002012-01-09T13:17:17.673-05:00Design Isn't a Fashion Show
Okay. Now your client or boss wants to see some design ideas for a project they have in mind. What do you show them? Well, if anything, it shouldn't be a set of final designs.
Choosing a design approach isn't like a fashion show. Here's what I mean. In the last post, I discussed how important it is to create a visual design plan based on a creative brief. This plan is a rough sketch that Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-36235143189815931552011-12-27T15:28:00.001-05:002011-12-27T15:29:58.485-05:00Why Designers and Clients Need a Visual Design Plan
Photo courtesy of bluekdesign at Morguefile.com
Last time, I talked about the importance of starting out right when beginning a new design project. I explained that it's not a good time to do design work, but to understand what's needed. Whether the client supplied a creative brief, or the designer made one, both parties must understand what is expected of them. And it's important to be clear Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-2316459412716584382011-12-12T08:22:00.003-05:002011-12-29T14:03:01.962-05:00Why the Beginning of a Design Project is So Important
Photo courtesy of mconners of MorgueFile.com
How do most design projects start? Someone wants to solve some sort of communication problem by creating something. That something requires a look and feel that influences his target audience. So now, the designer that he chooses must start off on the best possible foot.
Why is this so important? Well, the way a designer starts a project Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-71873743397886279232011-11-28T08:30:00.004-05:002011-11-28T10:54:34.963-05:00The Value of a LogoFor all you graphic designers out there, what do you think of when a client asks you how much it cost to design a logo? Are you thinking about how much the client is willing to pay? Are you thinking about what you might have to go through with this client? Are you thinking about the benefits and pitfalls of doing the work? Are you thinking about what other designers might charge?
All those are Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-32384044628094436682011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:002011-10-31T09:00:17.878-04:00The Difference Between Technical and Creative Thought Processes. And Why It Matters.Photo credit: dzz from morguefile.com
There are two approaches that technology companies employ in their thinking. They are both technical and creative. But most of these companies lean toward the technical end. Companies like Apple, who lean toward the creative end, are rare. What's interesting is that the more technically motivated companies tend to copy what innovative companies create. They Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-68470199059956233222011-10-17T17:30:00.001-04:002011-10-17T17:30:01.062-04:003 Interface Design PrinciplesPhoto credit: ronnieb from morguefile.com
I have a non-designer friend who decided to save money by hiring a cheap web designer. This designer promised to do her website for $300. And this web designer plans to save money by using a cool template. Since my friend just wants a cheap website — and I'm not cheap — that is easy to update, perhaps that's all she needs. But, I fear she might get a Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-75254025264571196232011-10-09T17:24:00.002-04:002011-10-09T17:29:26.965-04:00A Basic Principle of Design
Photo credit: grietgriet from morguefile.com
An in-house graphic designer friend of mine had a tough in-house client. He had completed a beautiful brochure design under rush conditions, only to have the client demand that he make adjustments to some bullet points. The client wanted a different leading (space between lines of text) for each bullet point. The client felt that bullet points neededKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-45995102677079748522011-09-18T14:43:00.001-04:002011-09-18T14:49:18.924-04:00Misunderstanding the Value of Design
Photo credit: penywise from morguefile.com
Much can be said about communicating the value of graphic design to clients and bosses who may not understand it's value. But one thing is clear: design is more important than most people realize. And, unfortunately, even some designers don't understand it's value.
Graphic design is often thought of as the last step in product development or Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-37321100352254519582011-08-16T13:10:00.009-04:002011-08-16T13:25:26.829-04:00What Every Designer Needs
Photo credit: dtl from morguefile.com
Most designers do not like to operate with unclear objectives or parameters. It's like trying to travel from California to New York with no directions and no money. And the preferred mode of transportation is a boat. Sure, a boat is a nice way to travel. But that won't get you to New York. Without a clear message objective, even very attractive designs failKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-83787786526128339172011-08-08T11:31:00.000-04:002011-08-08T11:31:26.285-04:00Can Anyone Be a Graphic Designer?Photo credit: heyjude from morguefile.com
I recently read an informal survey of over 200 in-house designers about the future of graphic design. In it, the overall consensus is that graphic design will include more electronic delivery (web and on-screen) than print. However, print will become an important component of the overall design and brand messaging. In essence, you need print to drive Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-8040148115808849552011-07-25T13:53:00.000-04:002011-07-25T13:53:52.181-04:00Good Creative Briefs Stem From Good QuestionsI still don't feel I've mastered the art of asking good questions, because each client and each project requires a unique set of questions for the same information. And each question must be clever enough to capture the right response, which yields the best kinds of information.
I'm not there yet. But I've learned, over the years, that it's okay to ask follow-up questions to ensure that I get Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-9569096914090901002011-07-11T10:06:00.003-04:002011-07-11T10:06:00.531-04:00How to Design Word Templates the Easy Way
Every so often clients or coworkers inevitably want a design they can edit themselves in Word. And very few designers know quite how to handle this request. Here are the inherent problems: Word is not a design program. It's strictly for composing text documents. So, there aren't any real design tools in Word that will get you good results. Second, importing art in Word is dicey. It often comesKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-68500088894067552392011-07-04T20:20:00.005-04:002011-07-05T10:34:32.220-04:00Factors Influencing the Direction of Graphic Design
Photo courtesy of jeltovski of MorgueFile.com
As stated in the latest Graphic Design USA magazine, Kevin Budelmann, the new president of the Association for Professional Design Firms (as well as a partner in Peopledesign), is calling for a unified message on the future of design from the likes of AIGA, DMI, IDSA, IxDA, GDC, RGD, SEGD and his own APDF. Budelmann states: “As the organization’s Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-81853985492914646522011-06-14T12:12:00.002-04:002011-07-05T10:29:21.331-04:00Is it a Spec or a Plank?
Photo courtesy of cohdra of MorgueFile.com
I've been noticing a disturbing business trend. There is a proliferation of graphic design spec websites and businesses cropping up all over the place recently. The idea that's fueling this trend has been around for centuries. It seemed to have been on the wane in modern times, but is currently picking up momentum in these cash-strapped economic timesKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-55315094623751464852011-06-06T14:27:00.001-04:002011-06-06T14:28:07.810-04:00Strong Brands and Great Brands Aren't Always the Same Thing
Courtesy Apple Corporation ®
I was asked this recently: "What are the brands you most admire? And why?"
I always have a ready answer: "Why Apple®, of course. They are one of the most respected, consistent, and integrated brands out there."
But, I found it tough to go beyond that. I find it hard to think of other companies that have brands that stand out like that in my mind. Perhaps the Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-13237362596192598932011-05-30T12:30:00.005-04:002011-05-30T12:37:29.388-04:00Filed Under Design Inspiration
Courtesy Morguefile.com
I get asked this a lot. "Where do you get your design inspiration?"
Sometimes the question concerns my process of developing ideas. Sometimes it concerns a proven technique that I can pass along. I know I've mentioned previously that designers need certain things to remain creative. But this is different. The question is not so much about being creative, as it is Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-38069784840281435142011-05-25T09:17:00.044-04:002011-05-25T09:34:58.607-04:00A Word About Corporate Ethics
Ethics can be described as principles that distinguish between right and wrong. Companies usually pronounce their ethics in value statements, in new employee training, and in employee manuals. Sometimes organizations post their ethical stances on their websites, while some just use them as internal guiding principles. In any event, ethics are important for all sorts of organizations and Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-8374924159887567812011-05-11T12:38:00.000-04:002011-05-11T12:38:03.133-04:005 Things Every Designer Needs
Designers are asked to create visual communication that sells, persuades, and influences. And often they are required to make something that is innovative or very original. What non-designers may be unaware of is that designers don't pull ideas out of thin air. Nothing is created in a vacuum. There are inputs and tools, every designer needs, no matter the skill level or years of experience.
Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-41639992208206264392011-05-03T16:15:00.003-04:002011-05-03T16:32:33.081-04:00How Do You Design Something?
There are many ways to approach design.
However, most of the time they will involve these steps in this order: gathering information, objective development, design generation, and production. These steps are not exhaustive. And I've left many issues out, because everything depends on the project and expected outcome. That's one reason most designers produce different price quotes for Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-29642522254600737402011-04-19T09:04:00.011-04:002011-04-19T09:24:17.660-04:00Imitation is Sincerest Form of Flattery … Sometimes
It looks like Apple is suing Samsung for patent and trademark infringement. This isn't the first time Apple has sued other companies for copying the look and feel of their iPhone and iPad devices. And even in the distant past they've sued Microsoft for blatantly copying the look and feel of the Macintosh operating system when Windows came out. (Little do people know but the computer mouse, we Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-74401182312661478002011-04-08T10:06:00.002-04:002011-04-08T10:06:00.442-04:00Why Picking Color is Irrelevant When Designing
Courtesy Morguefile.com
When it comes to picking out colors for a visual design, what matters is often not the colors themselves. This sounds strange. Color is so central to the overall look and feel of a design. But too often people have the wrong impression when it comes to color. A designer may ask a client or boss what is their favorite color. Or the client or boss has a color scheme in Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-50272715544932625152011-04-04T12:33:00.001-04:002011-04-06T09:20:18.156-04:008 Things Clients Say That Make Designers Cringe
Photo courtesy jdurham of MorgueFile.com.
Most people I've worked for are good clients. They don't tend to say these things. But I've run across these statements from time to time from people I refuse to work with. And I realize that I am not alone. Other designers have expressed their reactions to these types of statements on designer blogs and forums.
Why am I posting these statements? I Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-20458347199860457042011-03-25T13:47:00.002-04:002011-03-25T13:50:13.949-04:00When Bosses and Designers Fight for Honor
Courtesy Morguefile.com.
When I've worked as an in-house designer, one of the things I quickly understood is that when my boss or client is a non-designer they will always expect me to produce a series of products. What I mean is that they believe the value of a designer is in their production, not their thinking. (Although it can be similar with freelance clients, the client's expectation is Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-82338490791930451802011-03-16T11:26:00.001-04:002011-03-16T11:28:17.982-04:00How Shows Like America's Next Great Restaurant and Celebrity Apprentice Get it Wrong
Courtesy Library of Congress on Flickr.
Yesterday I caught part of the episode of America's Next Great Restaurant (ANGR). This episode reminded me of last year's Celebrity Apprentice where each team needed to produce a successful ad campaign. In each show they enlisted the help of graphic designers to help them succeed. Yesterday, in the ANGR episode, contestants stood over the shoulders of Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-12899027425325621282011-03-12T11:37:00.002-05:002011-03-12T11:45:01.043-05:00Creative Graphic Design Isn't Neutral
People generally design things for a particular reason. She expects her website to generate sales. That brochure is suppose to convince prospective buyers. The logo and stationery will make her look more professional. Of course these reasons may even prompt people to hire a professional designer. They want something. Something that stands out from the crowd of similar items. They want their Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-40567735223170747212011-03-05T13:36:00.013-05:002011-03-05T13:45:57.960-05:00Why a Telos Approach to Web Design May Save You Over $1500If you ever hear of someone speaking in a teleological manner, don't assume it is about cell phone etiquette. They are just expressing a philosophical approach to life's meaning and judgment about matters.
Telos is a Greek term that explains a thing's essential purpose or function. In philosophy this term is used by Aristotle (teleology) to explain objects in light of their intended aims or Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-81278615721253248342011-02-24T11:20:00.002-05:002011-02-24T11:23:23.941-05:00Why Custom Logo Design Makes Good Business SenseWhenever someone starts out in business, they determine that they need a logo at some point. It becomes important how that business is presented in the marketplace. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is go buy a logo to put something on your business card or stationery. Maybe a little something to put on shipping labels. It is so easy to just get whatever a copy shop offers, or buy one over the Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-46676156742971993162011-02-11T16:00:00.001-05:002011-02-11T16:00:21.351-05:0020 Attractive "404 Page-Not-Found" Page Designs
Why post "404 Page-Not_Found" pages? Well, they get very little attention. In so many cases they are just an afterthought. I came across some different, creative, and innovative 404 pages, and just had to post some. These pages can be an extension of branding efforts, information, and entry-ways into websites for lost visitors. I searched for others and added them here. Enjoy!
Dailymotion Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-46745583739065064642011-02-08T10:06:00.000-05:002011-02-08T10:06:07.475-05:00Brave New World?We are in an age of unprecedented change. The access to information is becoming ubiquitous. The world is truly becoming flattened in the sense that everyone can participate in the acquiring and dissemination of information all over the world. This was hard to conceive of just 30 years ago. It is interesting that more and more people can not only have access to this information, but can contributeKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-85001709358667300542011-01-19T14:35:00.002-05:002011-01-19T14:40:07.673-05:00The Truth About Using Social Media for MarketingI don't know how many times I've seen weight-loss commercials that don't require you to do any exercise or to eat less. "Just buy this product or system and BAM! your weight will melt off like magic." These programs must be successfully hooking people for a reason. And I think that reason is we really don't want to do the hard work it would require to get the weight off. We want the easiest way Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-91235040131488376172011-01-02T13:18:00.001-05:002011-01-02T13:18:00.710-05:00Why Innovative Ideas DieMost people are influenced by compelling stories. But some business people confuse analytics and metrics for being the story. What I mean is that numbers only enhance the story. They are not the story themselves. However, many people, afraid to make a mistake, use numbers as their primary source for convincing others of untried ideas.
You see, analytics can only give us a picture of what may be Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-76178860363547142792010-12-28T10:57:00.001-05:002010-12-28T11:07:33.628-05:00Good Design Comes From Good ConceptsEveryone who hires a designer does so because they have a need for some visual marketing or brand promotion effort. However, most of them want the designer to skip the concept stage, and develop cutting edge graphic and motion design. The problem with this is that great design comes from great concepts. You might be able to produce something cool or interesting, but it doesn't communicate, isn't Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-54331594842492066002010-12-07T14:25:00.006-05:002010-12-07T14:50:42.581-05:00What's the Difference Between Art and Graphic Design?There are a lot of discussions, especially among fellow designers over the difference between art and graphic design. The consensus is pretty much that they have different functions. Although they both deal with aesthetics, they serve different purposes. Graphic design is primarily about communicating visually. Art is concerned with the expression of the artist.
I agree, generally, but I think Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-66124517616158538712010-11-22T11:43:00.001-05:002010-11-22T11:45:55.453-05:00Mission Statements With No MissionHave you ever entered into a running television series that depended on you seeing the previous episodes in order to understand what was going on. That's how I felt when Lost was on the air. I tried to get into it, but found it too confusing if I didn't see it for a couple of weeks. (Why are some folks no longer on the island? But they want to go back? For what? Hey, are they dead or alive? Who'sKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-63102559801706645622010-11-19T10:11:00.002-05:002010-11-19T10:19:25.547-05:008 Things People Say to You When You're UnemployedI am in the process of looking for full-time employment. After working many years in a university setting, I now find myself in the pursuit of employment during a tough economy. Although I am doing freelance work, it is not nearly the amount I need to maintain my lifestyle. So, for the first time in my life I find myself filling out endless online applications, creating mind-numbing passwords, Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-4288621833507499532010-10-28T15:58:00.000-04:002010-10-28T15:58:09.015-04:00Color Matching RealityHere's an excellent article by the folks at Before and After about color matching. The conclusion is that matching is dependent upon environmental conditions, medium, and individual perceptions more than some system of color-matching. Although there are all sorts of high-end color fidelity tools, these factors have more of an effect on the eye than exact number matches.
Check out the article.
Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-55868601917193114032010-10-22T15:25:00.001-04:002010-10-22T15:26:19.715-04:00The Starbucks Brand & Instant Coffee
What do you think?Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-81657235830020486792010-10-15T12:32:00.000-04:002010-10-15T12:32:24.635-04:00Effeciencies in BusinessAs I stated last time, there is a tension that exists within organizations between stated goals (and values) and its actions. But there is a place — called efficiency — where its need for quick yet quality solutions meets in harmony with a particular organization's stated goals and values.
But how do you achieve this efficiency?
Through process, protocols, and planning almost any organization Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-18838818437330542632010-09-26T18:18:00.008-04:002010-09-26T18:27:14.436-04:00The Tension of Organizational Goals and Graphic DesignThere has always existed a tension in organizations between what its stated goals are and what it does on a daily basis. Sometimes the tension isn't felt as much when the organizational goals are aligned with their daily conduct of business. But most organizations don't consider how their daily conduct impacts their goals. One area where this is so is the tension between quality and speed. A Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-36542897401044117312010-08-30T19:50:00.001-04:002010-08-30T20:25:48.054-04:00Why Social Media Marketing Is Messing You UpRecently, I've found it harder than usual to update my blogs and tweets. I've been so busy lately, I just haven't been physically able to get online to do much of anything, including getting email. But, I've decided to commit some time anyway, once I get more settled.
This got me thinking about the whole social media phenomenon. And especially about all the businesses that have a blog, FacebookKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-29585033327401717302010-07-14T10:08:00.008-04:002010-07-14T10:15:50.927-04:00Why Designers Favor Certain Commercial Printers
Photo credit: clconroy from morguefile.com
The Graphic Design USA magazine's Annual Print Design Survey reveals something interesting about the factors that most influence the selection of a commercial printer. The ordered list is as follows:
Quality
Price
Customer Service
Trust/Reputation
Technical/Paper Knowledge
Digital Short-Run Capabilities
Environmental Practices
Geographic Proximity
Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-57921593194596864592010-06-30T14:25:00.003-04:002010-06-30T14:30:59.690-04:00How to Come Up With Creative SolutionsHere's a quick thought I had when someone asked me the question, "How do you find creative inspiration?" After taking some time to think about it, here is a process I use that seems to work consistently:
Understand the problem first. Although I can be creative without a particular problem to solve, the purpose of solving a problem creatively is to solve a problem. Then do it in an unexpected way,Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-46316102650446488592010-06-16T15:13:00.004-04:002010-06-16T15:20:15.904-04:00Designing Under DuressThe toughest design assignment is one where the designer is dictated to by the client. I don't mean directing—guiding the process, or giving constructive criticism. I am talking about dictating the design structure and feel based on what s/he is used to seeing, or what s/he understands. When that happens, the client is not getting the full benefit of a trained creative's mind. What the client Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-49916219644964497612010-06-10T09:46:00.001-04:002010-06-16T14:49:19.134-04:00Why Art and Design Need Each OtherI was reading a blog about the difference between art and design. For the most part I agreed with the author's assessment that art and design may have similarities, but they are distinctly different disciplines. He said that art achieves the expression of the artist, while design seeks to solve the communication problem of their client.
I see it somewhat differently, though only in style, not Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-30087849981313426462010-06-02T13:10:00.006-04:002010-06-02T13:20:47.796-04:005 Web Design Tips for Not-For-ProfitsLast time I discussed the mistakes churches usually make when doing web design. Now I want to offer some quick tips to achieve a better outcome whether you are a church or any not-for-profit organization.
Start with yourself. What are your vision, goals, aspirations, and values. If you have to develop them, they aren't really yours. State where you stand now, not craft something you think other Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-48128780224621365952010-05-27T15:39:00.004-04:002010-06-02T13:10:02.502-04:007 Mistakes Churches Make When Building a WebsiteLast year my wife and I decided to look for a new church. Since, nowadays, it's a whole lot easier to use the internet than look up churches in the Yellow Pages, we began our search there. But as we went along we kept encountering the same frustrating issues over and over again. It wasn't like all the sites were designed badly. It's just that we couldn't find what we needed to know easily. Part Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-79808886629884265952010-05-17T14:36:00.009-04:002010-05-17T14:48:47.522-04:00What's Wrong With Following Business Trends?It's interesting how companies react to business trends. Williams Edward Deming, in helping Japan in the 1960's coined the term, Total Quality Management. U.S. businesses everywhere would come later singing the praises and implementing TQM in the early 1980's. Then in 1989 Stephen Covey wrote a book called, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Businesses were soon running around giving Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-13739707479539864452010-05-13T14:44:00.006-04:002010-05-13T15:58:19.179-04:00Words of Wisdom for Young Graphic Designers
Photo credit: markmiller from morguefile.com
Here's a little tip for young designers. Stop going straight to your computer. If you want ideas, don't start surfing the web either.
Start by looking at the problem from every angle. What does your client want and why do they want it? What problem are they trying to solve? This sounds rather obvious, but it isn't. We often feel the client hasn't Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-4589587245818103632010-05-10T16:42:00.000-04:002010-05-10T16:42:30.335-04:007 Well-Designed Copywriter WebsitesABC Copywriting
Angie's Copywriting
Divine Write Copywriting
e-Copywriters
Second and Park
Wayne Geyer
WordPlayKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-25046940601364639322010-04-30T12:34:00.006-04:002010-04-30T12:40:57.720-04:006 Things to Consider When Evaluating Your Design NeedsIf you are a business or organization looking at your graphic design needs, here are some things to consider:
Find a graphic designer who will ask you a lot of questions. Don't be frustrated when a designer asks you questions you think they should already know. Good designers always try to look beyond the obvious. They also desire you, as a client, to be willing to do that as well. So, it is Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-28944856512513808872010-04-28T12:22:00.001-04:002010-04-28T12:24:02.252-04:00What Not to Do In PowerPointKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-88036465897271372932010-04-20T09:54:00.005-04:002010-04-20T10:02:39.195-04:00Some Brief Notes About DesignDesign is like skin in the sense that it gives form and meaning to the substance within. It turns a confusing set of facts into an attractive and sensible visual arrangement. Just like we have the ability to recognize a person because of their physical makeup—yet not truly see their soul—it gives people the ability to identify something intangible.
Substance is the intangible soul or true Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-32957286760426352892010-04-15T10:33:00.003-04:002010-04-15T11:57:23.720-04:00Recipe for Effective Design
This is a good example of an effectively designed PSA. Effective visual and motion design is the combination of a succinct message, good storytelling, appropriate use of metaphor, and beauty.
What do you think?Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-21147474199394834012010-03-29T11:27:00.000-04:002010-03-29T11:27:04.328-04:00The Problem of Creating and Implementing a Marketing PlanThe funny thing about marketing plans is that people either desire to create one, or to do without one. Those who create a plan, find that implementing is not always as glamourous as creating. And for those who poo-poo a plan, do so believing that implementing is more important than going through the trouble of creating a plan — seeing it as a waste of time. For them, marketing is simply the act Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-13726933288259820382010-03-17T20:13:00.001-04:002010-03-17T20:14:41.577-04:00Thoughts on Currency DesignUnless you've been living under a rock, money is on the mind of everyone these days. The state of the economy, not only in the U.S., but the whole world is going through quite an upheaval. So, in a weird sort of way, I've turned my attention to the design of money itself.
I found this interesting website that chronicles currency design in different countries of the world over various time Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-7622329705597373392010-03-10T18:16:00.001-05:002010-03-10T18:16:00.187-05:00Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Graphic Designer For Your StaffSome time ago when I was just starting as a graphic design manager, I needed to hire a good graphic design assistant. So, I placed an ad, and quickly got about 50 resumes the first week. That's when the problems began.
Where your place your ad matters.When the first pool of resumes arrived, I wasn't getting what I expected. I later realized that the HR folks had put the ad under the heading of Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-74605986133896969002010-03-04T09:40:00.001-05:002010-03-04T09:48:49.104-05:00Two Simple Ideas to Make Your Web Design EffectiveThere's a very good article at Before and After, about designing for the web. Following here are some additional, but crucial, considerations when designing a website.
When it comes to websites, how it looks is critical in attracting and retaining the right kind of attention. It is important that we are clear in what we want to communicate, and the design needs to support the tone and message weKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-64595251168248552182010-02-22T10:28:00.007-05:002010-02-22T10:48:48.884-05:00Friday the 15th of JanuaryThis is the date our marketing (creative) unit was told to hand in our keys, go home, and take our stuff with us. We all sat there stunned. We were not prepared. We had no boxes or time to think. Even though our immediate supervisor allowed us to come in the next week or so to finalize our departure, the experience was really unsettling. I suppose the economy made us expendable. But when I was Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-36085861351044939942010-02-03T09:23:00.004-05:002010-02-03T09:48:45.427-05:00Logos Are Dead?There's an interesting debate of sorts at Logo Design Love blog. Simon Manchipp, one of three creative directors and partners at London-based studio SomeOne, made the comment that "Logos are dead. They are a hangover from old-school thinking about branding. There is no desire by the public for a new logo. They are simply an old-fashioned approach to differentiating products or services."I find Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-66587949650553438492010-01-05T08:50:00.002-05:002010-01-05T09:17:27.163-05:00Don't Just Fix a Problem. Fix the ExperienceI enjoy a marketing newsletter by a Sean D'Souza of Psychotactics. His latest article is worth thinking about. He makes a distinction between handling customer complaints by solving their problem, and going on to solve their experience as well. You can read the article here: How To Fix the experience—then the “fish”Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-38036468834223732782009-12-19T11:39:00.004-05:002009-12-19T12:17:10.745-05:00Same Bears But Different ResponsesMy two girls own virtually identical stuffed bears. My older daughter named her little stuffed bear, Sleeping Beauty. (No relation to Disney's Sleeping Beauty, and not terribly creative.) My younger daughter — with some help from her older sister — named her bear, Dawcy. (This is unique and much more creative.) My oldest daughter adores her stuffed bear. But what I find unusual is that my youngerKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-42041293957516940492009-12-02T08:28:00.006-05:002009-12-02T08:34:38.214-05:00Top 50 Facebook Fan PagesTop 50 Facebook Pages 2009View more documents from Willis Wee.Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-65140683017465434242009-11-11T07:41:00.006-05:002009-11-11T08:32:59.140-05:00Paying For Logo Design: Investment or SacrificeOne thing I really like about logo design is doing the research. I enjoy seeing connections between an organization, its constituents, and its mission. And I love crystallizing an organization's message and personality into a single mark.But it takes work. It takes time that is outside the creative process — yet informs the creative process. It's beautiful when a client understands this, and Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-69356367578645200582009-10-29T11:10:00.005-04:002009-10-29T11:18:49.747-04:00How Clients Can Miss the Benefits of a Good Graphic DesignerOne of the most perplexing things I've experienced as a professional graphic designer is a client who wants me to perfectly create their ideas. In other words, they see me as a person who simply executes their plans, like a construction worker following blueprints.I really don't have a problem with working out a client's ideas. But I find it odd that some of these clients do not utilize the vast Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-25188026757681309002009-10-23T12:32:00.004-04:002009-10-23T12:40:38.406-04:00Feeling HonoredAm very flattered that I made the list of "50 Excellent Graphic Design Blogs"on the Graphic Design degrees website.My site is described as "well-written, intelligent, and informed."Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-64243939316120858102009-10-12T20:33:00.005-04:002009-10-12T20:49:38.607-04:00Why Being Heard is More Important Than Making NoiseHere's a good article (Review of America Test Kitchen) about the website philosophy of America's Test Kitchen and their Cook's Illustrated newsletter and site.What excites me is what Chris Kimball, publisher and editor of America's Test Kitchen, had to say about the success of their site and their two sister publications." 'I don’t care about the number of site visitors,' he says. 'I care about Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-7300362107130026532009-09-25T08:56:00.005-04:002009-09-25T09:21:21.931-04:00The Limit of Web Usability StudiesI came across a great set of research-based website usability guidelines. These are very good guidelines. I will definitely bookmark this. But this got me thinking. As a designer, I'm always skeptical of adhering to design guidelines as if they were immutable laws. I always look for the exceptions, especially because my linear-thinking developer friends want me to obey them as laws of nature. As Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-73636775235925292562009-09-17T08:51:00.004-04:002009-09-17T09:05:24.209-04:00Can We Really Create Meaning?A well-known graphic designer asked two interesting questions on a list serve I am on. He asked, "What do you personally do that creates meaning in your life and work?" and "What habits do you cultivate?" I was about to answer, when I realized I had to think about those questions a lot more. In one way, it is very easy for me to answer those questions. If I take them to mean that there are habitsKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-71043249723669346612009-09-07T12:20:00.003-04:002009-09-07T12:26:06.273-04:00In-House Design and Competing InterestsWhat do you do when you have to design for competing interests? I've found, as a working in-house designer, that people within an organization have personal agendas. Even when people sincerely want to help their organization, they also want to promote their personal careers. Sometimes this is unconscious. Sometimes it is benevolent. But there are times when people, who are insecure, consciously Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-52012081000591077422009-08-21T07:57:00.006-04:002009-08-21T08:11:43.829-04:00Most Organizations are DysfunctionalA good sign that someone is not thinking right is when he helps other people to get his own needs met — even if it's his job to help other people. In other words, he really doesn't listen to other people to understand them. Rather he is more interested in getting something out of the deal. Their concern for other people cannot reach beyond what they want.Organizations can operate in the same Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-82002757496410222732009-08-03T08:40:00.004-04:002009-08-03T08:51:52.648-04:00Marketing Insights About Teens and TweensI participated in a webinar presented by Aquent and shown through the American Marketing Association's webinar series. It was about what marketing data reveals about today's teen (13-17 year old) and tween (9-12 year old) culture. I thought it was fascinated and illuminating.Insight You Need to Successfully Market to Tweens and TeensView more presentations from Aquent Webmaster.Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-49751655231764255092009-07-27T11:29:00.003-04:002009-07-27T11:42:42.402-04:00Problems for Designers to Look for in PrintHere's an interesting list of top ten errors printers encounter when they receive files from designers:Top ten problems in file prep for printI find that many young designers commit these errors more frequently than more experienced designers. I admit from time-to-time an error like forgetting the fonts can happen with experienced designers too. But by in large experienced designers are used to Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-42857327184803524392009-07-07T20:22:00.007-04:002009-07-07T20:50:41.845-04:00Why Avoid Mistakes When You Can Plan Them?We all know the routine: maximize our skills to get the most benefits, and minimize our mistakes. However, there is something we all intuitively know. First, the more we focus on not making a mistake, the more likely we will make a mistake. And second, it becomes to easy to just play it safe. And that can lead to uninspired results. This is especially true in corporate environments where the roleKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-4421753932810987072009-07-02T11:56:00.005-04:002009-07-07T20:52:10.092-04:00Keeping Motivated and CreativeIt happens to the best of us. We feel fresh out of ideas. Or we just feel exhausted. I enter those times especially when my plate is full and I am too busy to think straight. But not all is lost. If you want to keep your motivation and creativity as a designer, I've found some effective ways of doing this. Draw.This is my first love. It is one of the reasons I've become a designer. I love to drawKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-30910321288862349832009-06-25T08:11:00.010-04:002009-06-25T09:04:35.102-04:00That's Easy for You to SayImage courtesy jdurham of MorgueFile.comThere is language I and many of my fellow designers tend to use. They are words that describe hard to describe concepts. They can be jargon to the average Joe non-designer. But to us, they capture an elusive justification for our design choices.The problem with this is that certain non-designers like corporate CEO And CFO's don't respect those Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-11430855922836355632009-06-12T12:45:00.006-04:002009-06-12T13:20:45.019-04:005 Ways to Bring Passion Into Your Graphic Design WorkI recently read a blog post on American Artist Magazine which inspired me. After reading it I thought about ways we can maintain our passion when we design for others. It can get so hard sometimes when we get that same brochure to redesign, or website to update. Here are some thoughts I have about that.Put down that design annual. Stay off the computer for a time. Explore a subject thoroughly Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-19458005999193643272009-06-04T11:26:00.004-04:002009-06-04T11:45:03.721-04:00Coming Full CircleThere is an interesting blog at Before and After magazine that I enjoy. There was an interesting question posed to its audience that got me remembering my past as a designer. The question that was posed was, "How have you made the decisions in your career that got you where you are today? And what’s next?"My answer to the latter question would have to be, "I don't know?" But to the former…that Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-76494921381853920272009-05-19T08:59:00.008-04:002009-05-19T09:42:59.847-04:00How to Fake Marketing With Graphic DesignIf you've worked as a designer for a any length of time, you probably have run into this problem. The client wants a brochure, logo, or whatever. And they think that the goal is getting their name "out there." In doing so, they believe people will be more aware of them, thus generating goodwill and customers. To them this is marketing.We've all known clients who do this, or we've done this Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-55483926074817143432009-05-04T09:35:00.016-04:002009-05-06T09:37:21.307-04:00The Design of ManipulationPhoto from Morguefile.comIs the purpose of advertising to manipulate? A recent article stated that market research to gauge the impact of certain environmental words. Robert M. Perkowitz, the ecoAmerica’s founder and president, said that global warming language needed to change. By doing so, the public will be more likely to favor environmental regulations. However, Robert J. Brulle, of Drexel Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-47822603360046397812009-04-24T10:43:00.005-04:002009-07-07T20:55:39.304-04:00Six Tips for Dealing With Designer WannabesOne of the hardest things to do as a designer is working with clients who think they know how to design. I am not referring necessarily to someone who actually knows how to design.Or someone who use to be a designer. Or someone who can't design but understands the design process.I am talking about someone who thinks they know about design because they do not respect it. You know what I mean. It'sKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-67761880400779441432009-04-02T08:57:00.014-04:002009-04-02T09:58:36.750-04:00Get Out of the WayOften when I come home I am greeted with various demands: "Can I have…?," "I want…?," etc. I have to stop and help my daughters realize that daddy just got home, and the proper greeting is at least say, "Hello." They comply briefly and get back to their list of demands.But aren't we the same in a lot of ways?One thing I've learned from my two little girls is that it is easier to be aware of one'sKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-80427790203342131702009-03-20T08:28:00.004-04:002009-03-21T08:32:00.163-04:00When Designers AttackPhoto courtesy Morguefile.comI find it interesting the debates over the new Tropicana design, that recently was dropped by PepsiCo in favor of the old design. Now, there is controversy brewing over the SciFi Channel logo change (to SyFy?).What are these well-known designers thinking? Have they've become too cool for the room? I know that the general public can seem to be illiterate when it comes Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-88221125554136654142009-03-02T11:33:00.003-05:002009-03-02T11:49:21.608-05:00Six-Words for Graphic DesignThere are sites that power the imagination. I really enjoy the site, Six-Word Memoirs. The words may be brief, but put together, they can become very powerful stories. This got me thinking. If I were to summarize what graphic design is in six words, how would I describe it? Here are some feeble attempts:Type and images communicating a message.How do you communicate a message?Ideas made Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-61898973246339308072009-02-16T15:15:00.004-05:002009-02-16T15:48:28.005-05:00How to Get Good Market DataWhen you start your business, or want to market a product or service, you need to know who your audience is and how to communicate with them. There are several methods of finding this type of information. But, of course, you want to know about free or low-cost methods before paying a lot of money for formal research. Here are the steps in a nutshell: Identify your market.Research the market basedKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-5328759824009123492009-01-27T10:01:00.005-05:002009-01-27T10:57:22.236-05:00How to Choose the Right Graphic DesignerI've often observed that many business clients don't often know where to look for the appropriate designer for their projects. Not all graphic designers are the same. Not all projects are the same. Not all clients are the same. Therefore, clients — and designers — need to ask the right questions before settling on the "right" designer for the job.Too often the only questions people who look to Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-78145053929633422042008-12-25T12:52:00.001-05:002009-07-07T20:52:56.936-04:00The Client Versus the Creative BriefThis post continues the discussion about the usefulness of graphic design creative briefs and their limitations. In this post we examine what happens when you've prepared a great creative brief, and even have the client's signature and approval on the design direction. But, for some reason the client ignores the creative brief in search of another solution that you never discussed with them Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-90005553279125894962008-12-13T12:03:00.004-05:002008-12-13T12:37:30.617-05:00When Graphic Design Creative Briefs Go BadLast time, I mentioned the positives of graphic design creative briefs and how to create them. However, with anything in this world, creative briefs are not fool-proof. As mentioned before, there will be times when you may find that something just wasn't anticipated fully, you forgot an important detail, or that a disagreement comes up regardless of what the brief says. Let's talk about what to Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-41787484000055122082008-12-05T07:05:00.008-05:002008-12-05T09:10:53.490-05:00How to Write a Graphic Design Creative BriefIn my last post I discussed the importance of a creative brief when doing graphic design work. Now, I want to show you what goes into a creative brief, and how to write one, whether you want graphic design services, you are a freelance designer, or you are an in-house designer. The only difference between each group will be in how they will approach the other party, and what information each Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-2637979130791016052008-11-28T10:13:00.008-05:002008-11-28T12:00:31.035-05:00Why Most Graphic Design Work Needs a Creative BriefWhenever I do a graphic design job on a freelance basis or as an employee, I've learned that producing a creative brief can spare me and the client from a world of hurt. The reason is that misplaced expectations cause the most conflict. Imagine a situation where you hire a maid to clean your house. You may be under the impression that the maid will dust every nook and cranny, deep-clean your Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-7404363167391529542008-11-14T13:47:00.005-05:002008-11-14T13:58:28.350-05:00Kick Yourself If You Miss These Videos on BusinessThere are people who have impacted our world in different ways. Then there are people, in business, who've created whole new industries with their ideas. How would you like to hear what Steve Jobs or Apple and Bill Gates or Microsoft think about technology, business, and each other? Well, check out this series of online videos to see.Also, hear from marketing and business management leaders like Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-72283613883194685522008-10-15T10:35:00.011-04:002008-10-15T13:25:33.543-04:00Fresh Look for Fresh Food Grocery ChainPhotos courtesy Giant Food LLC.In the mid-Atlantic region, there is a grocery store called Giant Foods. Specifically, Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 181 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Not a big deal to write about on a design blog, but their new logo and brand campaign are worth noting.They've had their old logo for many yearsKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-58775294283572976862008-10-09T08:43:00.009-04:002008-11-28T12:01:54.965-05:00The Moving Target of "Green" MarketingJoan made up a new game with her sister. But Joan's sister could never win it. Why? It was Joan's game and she made all the rules. And when Joan's sister began to win, Joan just modified some of the rules to ensure that her sister would not prevail. Now, Joan was just 5 years old, and her sister was just 3. And kids typically do these things because they don't understand what makes a game Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-38442324077235520372008-10-06T12:33:00.005-04:002008-10-06T13:04:26.403-04:00Making the ConnectionWhich is better? To connect to the audience rationally, or connect emotionally?Rational: Explain the benefits and features, and customers can have a rational reason to buy. But they are also asking, "Why now?"Emotional: Establish an emotional connection that leads to trust, and customers are moved to buy. They are asking, "Why not now?"People want to be moved. They want to know they are making Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-24263275766965790262008-09-23T07:47:00.005-04:002008-09-23T08:16:17.349-04:00Warm Cold-CallingPhoto courtesy MorgueFile.comTrust and respect. How novel.To think, that sales and marketing based on trust and respect for another person is more effective than making sales simply for personal gain. Isn't that interesting? But isn't that why most people are in business anyway. They have a skill or idea that can help a large segment of the population (market). You have something that is of Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-17512366556502818062008-09-11T08:00:00.006-04:002008-09-11T08:50:22.227-04:00Seven Years LaterI was driving to work on the beltway going south. I was running slightly late, and the traffic wasn't helping. I remember the day was sunny around 70 degrees; blue sky, no clouds. I turned the radio on to listen to music. But on every station the news was on. I figured something must be up, so I listened. Apparently there was a fire near the top of one of the World Trade Center towers in New Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-3913667710828324912008-08-12T08:46:00.007-04:002010-05-17T15:24:03.739-04:00Is Corporate Responsibilty Responsible?The trend of corporations demonstrating social responsibility is a mixed blessing at best. When it comes to values, ethics, and moral stances most people will disagree about the specifics. That's one reason why it is so dangerous to be so public about the good that we think we are doing. I know that most organizations want to foster good will by picking social causes to get behind. But the Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-92038617156824608422008-07-25T09:51:00.001-04:002008-07-25T09:51:01.919-04:00Powerless and PointlessSome people believe that in order to have a great presentation you have to have great skill and great slides. But what does that mean? Some people believe that it means that we need to have more of something. But more of what?A successful presentation doesn't need more, but rather less. If we want our presentations to be more powerful, we need to present less material. If we want our PowerPoint Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-48855977806492719822008-07-24T09:36:00.005-04:002008-07-24T09:50:05.500-04:00Trend Observation ConfirmedI did a couple of posts on the color green as a design trend. (See 5/9/08 post and 5/16/08 post) I contended that although green was still being used to denote the environmental concerns in an organization's visual communication, it is on the wane. I recently read in Graphic Design USA that LogoLounge has also noticed the same trend. Designers are using means other than the color green to get Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14836014.post-33003518495134762642008-07-15T07:46:00.005-04:002008-07-15T08:27:50.600-04:00The Problem with PowerPointCourtesy Clarita of Morguefile.comI've been contemplating doing a series of articles concerning the use of PowerPoint in presentations. I've been the recipient of many PowerPoint presentations at work and at church. Most are underwhelming. But there are a few that are compelling. And I've been wondering why that is. Before PowerPoint visual aids such as overheads, chalk boards, or white boards Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01342938514040310724noreply@blogger.com0