Design Speak

More Online Printing

I just stumbled across PsPrint. I have never used this place before, but their prices look ok and they do... (drum roll please) DIE CUTTING! That would be a cool service to utilize. Anybody have any experience with them?

Speaking of Photoshop guru's...

TJ Getz, a photographer and good friend of mine is doing some really intersting experimental work these days. Take a look. I am sure he would love your feedback.

Photoshop Tips

For those us us who are not photoshop experts, It's nice to have sources to go to when your ideas exceed your abilities. I have been running into situations like this of late and just wanted to post some of the things that I found. I am rather annoyed because I can't find the one that I used to make water droplets a couple of weeks ago. Oh well. There are a ton of different ways to do it as you can imagine but this one worked really well I thought.

Photoshop cafe

Planet Photoshop

Photoshop brushes

More Photoshop brushes

"The Art of Self-Promotion"

I found this article here. It was very helpful to me. Maybe to you too.

The Art of Self-Promotion
January 02, 2007
There's a flood of new job openings out there, and giving yourself your due praise can go a long way when trying to land that new job or gain a well-deserved promotion. Nobody likes a braggart, but you shouldn't be ashamed to let people know who you are and what you bring to the table. Use these four tips to make yourself really shine:

1. Promoting for Promotions
Products need to be promoted—think of yourself as a product. You are trying to sell yourself to a buyer that will hire you. Create a list of people to whom you can promote yourself regularly. Send them periodic updates of your accomplishments, articles that might interest them, notices of events they might want to attend, birthday cards, and notes of congratulations. Build a relationship and you'll be at the front of their recommendation list.

2. Go for the Gold
Commitment takes one thing: passion. Tell everyone about your ambitions so they are aware that you are goal-oriented and a hard-worker. Goals are more likely to become reality if you talk about them, and the extra feedback you receive can help them become reality sooner.

3. One of a Kind
Branding makes a product unique to the consumer. Your own promotion shouldn't be any different. People will want to do business with you for three reasons: You're the first, the best or different. The first two can be tough to accomplish, but you can always be unique. Discover your skills and capitalize on your strengths to sell yourself.

4. Don't Mudsling
Never badmouth your competitors. By bringing up the competition's flaws, not only do you take focus off your accomplishments, you also portray a lack of confidence. Talk about your own strengths rather than a competitor's weaknesses. This way the conversation stays centered on you and what you can do as an employee.

Logo Project

This is a logo project I have been working on for a bit now. I think we are just about to the end.

12 Stone Art

This stuff is nothing short of amazing. I love it. Justin Gerard and Chris Koelle are former class-mates of mine and they never cease to amaze me. Take a look. There is a description of the site and it’s objective here.

If you don’t get it you should

“Graphic Design USA is a monthly news and information magazine for and about the professional design community including graphic design firms, corporate and publishing in-house departments, advertising agencies, institutions and non-profits, and other creative businesses and organizations.”

For those of you who qualify as creative professionals this publication is FREE. Let me say that one more time. FREE. So, if you don’t get it you should. Honestly, even if it wasn’t free, I would be recommending it. I especially look forward to their contest issues. Pages and pages of work to drool over, tear apart and enjoy. I have even been privileged to appear in this magazine once.

As you can imagine, being a free magazine, there are a bunch of ads. If you can get past that (literally) it’s well worth it.

So, if you don’t get it you should.

Catalog Cover 2

Here is concept number two. I have been playing with the idea of drops of water setting on the cover. I tried it on one of these. Not sure if it is distracting/cheesy or if it helps. I need to come back to it and look with fresh eyes I think.

Catalog Cover

This is a concept for a catalog cover that I am working on right now. The request from the client is that the cover speak of "family boating."

The catalog includes boating supplies and accessories just in case your were wondering.

Online Printing

I have been using online print houses of late for standard printing.

I have used 48 hour Print and Printing for Less for projects such as postcard mailers, business cards, brochures, letterhead and envelopes.

I have been impressed with the print quality and service. For the most part the prices are outstanding.