A pixel is a small freaking thing! How many millions it takes to cover an entire 1024 X 768 computer screen I don’t even know. What I do know however is that in the world of graphic design; every pixel has been overlooked for hours by a slew of graphic designers. When I see blog posts like “6 reasons a logo design should cost more than your lunch” I think to myself: what an understatement. Not that the points aren’t valid, indeed. What you pay for is what you get, and in today’s ‘everyman’ world of on line graphic design entrepreneurship these words must needs be heeded indeed. Read the rest of this entry »

If you organize it they will come.

SEO has become a catch phrase (along with a niche service) but what the hell does it all mean? Recent posts such as “When SEO isn’t just for increasing sales” and “Rushing your SEO doesn’t mean quicker results” unveil an interesting aspect of Search Engine Optimization. The truth is SEO is actually the quintessential model for a well developed website; not just search engine listing. Read the rest of this entry »

And making money!

Back to the basics: Any advertisement or marketing firm may or may not tell you, though both will readily agree; the bottom line motivates all in-house priority lists. Overhead in a marketing office need not spread and umbrella the graphic design team as well. In this 21st century “profit margins” are common words, and many major companies are changing the way an “office” exists. Furthermore, having one set of designers in the room may be great for anyone who feels the need to look over shoulders, but specialized designers may be more beneficial during different campaigns.

The cost of harboring someone in house to do graphic design simply does not add up anymore. Read the rest of this entry »

There is absolutely no doubt that google has, and will continue to revolutionize the online world, and in effect, the real world itself. How could this once so small, innocent, white page with one search bar and a logo; revolutionize the world of online marketing, visibility, advertisement, and more? As I have mentioned elsewhere, god is in fact in the details, and google is no different. The magic, as it were, of google’s success has been the content management features they have developed and continue to develop as I write this post.

How does this effect the average website owner today? Read the rest of this entry »

They used to fill up shoe boxes; piled wrinkled corners of sepia and faded color. Now they fill up hard drives, each one as bright and vibrant as a million led’s. Photos, like the atom at the center of our reality, digital images are dualistic identities. Existing on one hand as a snapshot of life’s joys and sorrows captured in a frozen moment. Something held dear to the heart. And on the other hand pictures, (specifically portraits) are the most liberated aspect of an individual’s identity. They are plastered on real estate hanging signs, printed on business cards and brochures, and printed in black and white and color in all manner of sizes.

A personal photograph is a great personality presentation tool, its really worth the million words. And the most appealing feature of people is that they are unique, thats undeniable. Unfortunately with the age of the digital camera, came the age of the amature photographer. And often (I know personally) those images on screen, are not representative of the subject in reality. And even after parting with those scariest of shots; the ones that somehow capture one’s antithesis likeness, some morphed alter ego persona - practically black mail material. After we have picked through those, even then, no amature digital camera pictures is the marketable image we would like it to be.

That is not to say they can’t be used. Read the rest of this entry »

I’d been behind a computer since 1999. So in 2006 I took a small break from the glowing screen to spend some time in the real world. I made cocktails at a bar in Melbourne Australia, working weekends usually till around 5 in the morning. Good fun. When I got back online a year later Web 2.0 was here.

The term Web2.0 is still pretty vague, but there is a validation site with probably the best description: “Who makes the rules? … Read the rest of this entry »

The solar music festival is back! Every year in Taos New Mexico, halied by official proclimation to be the solar capital of the world, thousands gather to be part of a three day music festival devoted to solar power and renewable resources. Read the rest of this entry »

I just read a post about the Firebug tool by Firefox. Here’s my contribution to the supbject.

As a self taugh CSS coder, I can run with the best of them when it comes to CSS design. I had a buddy recommend the Firbug tool. Finally I broke down and installed. Read the rest of this entry »

What I can at least. I’m here with a new tool to communicate with my clients, friends, partners readers - whatever. Web 2.0 is here, and it’s mainstay is resources and tools for the visitor. A move from talking at the visitor, to working with the visitor in a mutually benificial way. Gone are the days of stale websites, with text statements and and no more. We are at the point of interaction, on all levels between the reader and the writer in the world of the internet. Bringing myself one step closer to you is just another way for me to communicate my goals as a freelance graphic designer. Read the rest of this entry »