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5 Portfolio Design Options

Jennifer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:31:09 +0000

One of the most important tools in your graphic design arsenal is a good portfolio. This is the best of the best of all the work you’ve done for clients, school and practice. But what’s all that work worth if it’s not nicely displayed? The worst form of marketing for a designer is a poor showing of his or her work. No matter which of the following portfolio styles you use, be sure it’s a stunning showcase of your talent.

Online. This is among the most popular forms of portfolio design. It’s easy to access by anyone with the Internet, and it shows that in addition to creating all the lovely projects in your portfolio, you can also create a user-friendly, attractive website. One tip is to let your work shine through – don’t go too crazy with the bells and whistles on the website at the risk of crowding your portfolio pieces.

Brochure. This is old school. A brochure is something you can physically hand to potential clients. It’s a shiny, classy way to be sure your work detail shows up. A brochure is a good choice – in addition to an online portfolio – for more artsy pieces, as creativity can sometimes get lost when it’s pixilated.

Booklet. A cheaper alternative to a brochure is a booklet. Freelance illustrator Steve Harpster recently ordered a batch of booklet portfolios after marketing attempts with postcards and directory listings. The booklets contain 30 of his images as well as his variety of styles. They’re much less expensive to ship to prospects than brochures.

PDF. Less expensive to produce than a website is a PDF. Despite the grumblings in the past, most potential clients will have a PDF reader on their computer, and they can easily open up your work and see it intact. A layered PDF allows the viewer to flip through multiple pieces of your work, and you can create buttons and links.

Business card. For a bonus way to market yourself, use up that real estate on your business card. Create fold-out business cards and include thumbnails of your best portfolio work. Be sure to include how to get access to the rest of your portfolio.

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5 Sneaky Places for Marketing

Jennifer — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:26:19 +0000

There are certain items in a company’s printed materials that are taken for granted. You design them with your logo and contact information and leave them at that. But a lot of branded material is a missed promotion opportunity. Here are some places to sneak in extra marketing efforts.

Event tickets. Of course, you include all the information for the event, such as date, time and location, but what about all that other space? What about the back of the ticket? That’s where you can include a calendar of upcoming events.

Business cards. PsPrint blogger Valerie recently posted some great ideas for how graphic designers can promote themselves on their business cards. Either on the back of the card or inside a fold-out style, include thumbnails of your best portfolio pieces.

Calendars. It may still be early in the New Year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about a business calendar handout for next year. Think about seasonal sales and create coupons for each month’s page.

Bookmarks. For voracious readers, bookmarks are an essential tool – something we see a few times every day. So it’s also your opportunity to display your message. If you’re a bookstore that hands out bookmarks with each purchase, turn them into interactive tools. Leave a space for your customers to write a mini-review or testimonial for your shop, and when they return the bookmarks, give them a discount on their next purchase. Then ask to post their write-ups on your website or bulletin board.

Notepads. Like bookmarks, notepads are often referred to throughout the day, every day. To not recognize their marketability is criminal. In addition to your company’s contact information, include your motto, a password for a discount, industry-specific tips or a reminder of an ongoing package deal.

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15 must-see Photoshop tutorials

Brian — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:31:10 +0000

If you love Photoshop, you’ll love it even more after learning the techniques in these tutorials:

Coloring skin and body in Photoshop and how to mimic the natural play of light upon the body.

How to create a professional Twitter background – a quick-and-easy tutorial for customizing your Twitter page.

Remember how fun watercolors used to be? You can recreate a watercolor effect with Photoshop!

Pop art a la Lichtenstein – really cool stuff for the poppy designer!

Very, very cool Photoshop tutorial on how to transform a woman’s photograph into an eerie doll face and more.

How to design a website using the 960 Grid System, an oft-employed web design technique that looks great. This tutorial includes a free 960 GS download so you can quickly deploy an original 960 design.

A tutorial that covers how to make a DVD cover with Photoshop. The techniques used here could also be applied to movie posters.

Dioramas are cool, especially when you combine several images and blur/focus PS techniques to highlight your subject.

Want to master the Photoshop warp tool? This tutorial shows you the way…

Paint splashed over the face of a photographic subject – nice. What’s really neat is that this liquid Photoshop technique can be used in many, many design applications.

Yet another awesome website design tutorial. This has a clean Web 2.0 feel that many designers like to emulate.

A very unique and creative – yet clean and easy-to-follow – website design. The techniques employed here are invaluable.

Learn how to use the Photoshop mask tool to create this model effect from a photo.

When the outer glow blending option doesn’t quite cut it – use these tips to achieve an outstanding glow emanating from your subjects.

Super cool fallen angel tutorial that shows you how to blend a woman and a bird on a textured background.

What are your favorite Photoshop techniques?

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Copywriting Basics: An Introduction

Jerry — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:37:31 +0000

New copywriters may feel overpowered by all of the different mediums they are having to learn how to write.

It doesn’t matter if you are searching for a job as an agency copywriter or a freelancer, there are five basic mediums you have to know how to write.

Print Ads

Make sure to learn about print advertising. Once you understand what makes these effective, you can move into flyers, newsletters, postcards, etc. Print ads make great additions to your portfolio.

Brochures

You need to know how a brochure fits into the overall marketing scheme before you try to sit down and write one. You have to know if it is meant to stand alone or within a larger marketing campaign. Knowing the five types of brochures will start you on your way to writing an effective brochure.

Direct Mail

After you have begun to create brochures, you will want to tackle direct mail. It will expand on your knowledge base. Not every direct mail package is the same. Some may just be a sales letter or postcard, while others may be more indepth. Some agencies specialize in direct mail, so if you like direct mail then you have a niche.

Commercials

Writing for television helps you learn how to write audio that match video. A 30 second t.v. script is an excellent copywriting experience. The writing has to end on time and match the video seamlessly. Now is a good time to learn how to write a radio commercial. Both can be used as part of your expanding portfolio

Websites

Learning how to write for websites is a standard requirement for any novice copywriter. Every company needs a website that has clear and concise copy. In steps you, the copywriter to save the day.

Website copy can be used in your portfolio, also.

These are just the five most basic forms of writing that a good copywriter needs to know. Advertising mediums take all shapes and sizes. Master them all and you will master your future.

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7 elements of effective cover letter writing for graphic designers

Lennis — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:39:26 +0000

Are you in the midst of a job hunt? Don’t forget the importance of an outstanding cover letter. Here are a few points to consider:

Appearance. Keep your cover letter clean and concise. It should have a similar look as your resume. Use the same kind of high-quality paper. Also, in my opinion, it shouldn’t be longer than one page.

The addressee. It is always a good idea to target your resume to the person who will actually be reading it. Writing “To whom it may concern” just doesn’t cut it. Call the company and find out who you should address the letter to. Make sure to ask for the correct spelling.

The opening. Make sure to state the title or position you are interested in and how you heard of the job.

Keep it simple and direct. Keep your writing to the point. State your qualifications and make sure to point out the benefits you would bring to the table. Directly address their job requirements listed in the job description. Draw attention to your strengths. Remember your potential boss may be reading hundreds of cover letters so cut the fluff, and don’t forget to sign it.

Focus on the company. Make sure to focus your letter on the company’s needs. Remember they want to know what you can do for them, not what you want them to do for you.

Grammar and spelling. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. All it takes is one grammar misstep or spelling error to land your hopes in the garbage can despite your qualifications.

Be honest. Don’t lie or exaggerate in your letter. If you misrepresent yourself, you will more than likely be found out.

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7 Tips For Freelance Copywriters In A Bad Economy

Jerry — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:00:27 +0000

Ad budgets are slashed and there are layoffs at ad agencies. It is still a good time to be a freelancer in a bad economy. The spending for ad is down. That is where the freelance copywriter comes in.

You have lower overhead and can bid lower than an agency can.

Getting Started

You are not the only one who is starting a freelance career. People are trying to increase their income by taking on freelance work. Freelancing is how most of the laid off copywriter are getting by while they are out of a job. You have to start off right to beat out the competition.

Finding Clients

For new freelancers, small businesses that can’t afford an ad agency retainer are a great source for that first job. Even in a stable economy these companies are a great resource.

A seasoned freelance may want to begin to re-contact and try to connect with businesses that did not have work for you a year ago. The situation may have changed. You are at an advantage simply because you have contacted them in the past.

Create Writing Samples

You have to have writing samples to get work as a freelance copywriter. If you are just starting out, create a few spec ads or rewrite a news article.

You will not get work based on your pretty logo or letterhead. Clear, concise writing samples are what you have to have in order to get work.

Portfolio Preparation

Always have a portfolio prepared and on hand. Every potential client is going to want to see samples of your work. Send them to your website, email the portfolio, or fax it.

Just be sure to have your portfolio ready before you make customer contact. Be prepared and yu will get more clients.

Do Not Change Your Rates

It is hard to set your rates. It is hard to know whether to charge by the hour, job, or to offer both options. Do not lower your rates because the economy is off. Offer specials or one time discounts. This way, you help your clients with strained budgets and have a way to go back to your old rates when things turn around and not have to explain yourself to your clients.

Contracts

No contract, no work. Never start work without a signed contract in hand. 99% of clients will pay on time, but you never know which one is going to fall into the 1% category.

Deadbeat Clients

The economy is not an excuse for a client to skip out on payment. Do not let yourself think that paying you should be at the bottom a a clients list or an option they can ignore.

You lived up to your part, now they must live up to theirs.

Remember, this situation can be very temporary. You may get called back to work at any time. Freelancing can be a good way to get a boot in the door at a new agency when the economy starts up again.

If you intend to keep on freelancing, now is a good time to get new clients and establish long term relationships.

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