Graphic Design, Marketing & Advertising Portfolio

Animated whiteboard, speed writing, video scribe, explainer video animation will bring you traffic

2015-02-24T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's a simple fact that adding a video to your website does a number of things, most importantly it keeps your visitor engaged and interested. Now, if you insert one of the most popular video animations (whiteboard, video scribing, speed writing, character animation) you will not only engage your audience, but the video will automatically help increase your ranking in the top search engines like Google.

Why? Well, there are a number of answers to that question, but one of the most obvious is that the video will reside in it's own location on the web, which will be designed with relevant keywords and phrases to give web surfers more ways to find you. Then, they can also find the page which contains the embedded code for the video giving you even more exposure (and more keyword and search phrase options) and a higher likelihood you'll be found.

Oh, and there are more reasons, but for a very tiny investment why don't you just do it and see the results a quality animated whiteboard video can bring? Go on. We're really fun to work with. gary@metroweblinks.com

Thank you flyer graphic design, art and specific images

2015-01-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

This is a flyer created for a couple of high school students who wanted to thank those who contributed and helped them with their fundraisers. They (their mom, actually) wanted an image that indicated both theater and which represented their desire to attend a fine arts camp to study violin. Image created in Photoshop, flyer in Illustrator.

Facebook banner design

2014-12-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

I designed this for the company to use on their Facebook Fan page. Obviously, I was never actually chosen Fan of the Month, I just plugged in my name and face for illustration. But maybe one day I will be. I wonder if you win anything?

This was designed in Illustrator.

So, if you are in need of high quality, low cost graphic design (banner ads, logos, print ads, web design) from a reliable, quick-turnaround freelance advertising, marketing, public relations and graphic design professional, please contact me. It could be fun. :)

Sample print ad for law firm - highway image

2014-09-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

The request was to create a print ad that illustrates the fact that the law firm is respected by clients and acknowledged by their peers.

Custom designed banner ad for social media expert

2012-10-10T07:12:00.002-07:00

This is an online banner ad designed for a client to promote his "Social Selling Bootcamp." It was designed primarily in Photoshop and involved masking the portrait of the client and incorporating a masked, licensed image of a different guy (who I eliminated) pushing a different button.

The client wanted me to incorporate his dollar sign button, but I also wanted the finger to be seen through the transparency of the new button. So, after getting rid of the old button (and part of the finger that you could see through the button), I had to create a new finger and put that on a layer below the new button.

Okay, maybe that's TMI. But, in any event, I like how it came out and so did the client.

FUNNY testimonial and/or audio/video commercial script writing service

2012-08-29T09:00:00.003-07:00

A funny video on your site will entertain your visitors, improve your ranking and increase your conversion rate

Earlier this year I began promoting my script writing services and have happily found a wonderful niche. So far, in 2012, I have written more than 60 scripts for a very diversified client list. What differentiates me from other script writers? I add the funny.

I have been writing and performing comedy for more than 25 years, all the while working in the commercial advertising and marketing arena to help pay the bills.

Adding a video testimonial (or an animation or multiple actor video) to your web site not only helps move your website up in the search engine rankings, but you will also experience a substantially higher conversion rate.

I will work closely with you to fully understand your needs, and provide you with a professionally written and formatted script to use in your video (or audio) production.

And the cost will not be prohibitive, even for small start-ups. Hell, probably one order of your product or service will pay my unbelievably reasonable rate for writing the commercial script. :)

I'll be happy to forward you samples.

Here are just some of the unsolicited comments I've received this year:

"This script is hotter than a prairie fire! 'Meets and exceeds' my request for an old-west/cowboy style testimonial. Very pleased with Gary's humor and impressed with his professionalism. I will happily request his service in the future." - SafeHouseWeb.com

"Thanks Gary - That's Perfect! Will let you know once the project is completed. Cheers." - CMather.com

"That's great, love the script! Thanks so much." - Reach Mobile

"Absolutely AMAZING! I laughed so hard and I will definitely send you a link to the video when it's created! Thank you!!!" - What Jeremy!

"I love the grandma part. Lol. Great service Gary. Thanks for taking the time to study my needs." - NEC Creative

"This is gonna be really fun! Thanks tons for your thoughtful attention to details!" - ProductiveLeaders.com

"Bravo Old Chap! hehe...Love your work! Very Nicely Done! You will be hearing from me again!" - Juan Meyer

"Thanks for the script! This was exactly what i was looking for! A+" - UInvest

"Hi! You're terrific! I love it with a tweak or two but you really captured the essence of our personalities! How did you do that??? We'll be back --thank you!" - PBS Investment Show Moneytrack

"Great work. Awesome job above and beyond what I required. Thanks" - FriedRiceTV.com

"A fabulous gig! Love it as it presses all the right buttons......definitely will be back again. Thank you - thank you - thank you!" IVF-Stories-Online.com

"Gary surprised me again by using his excellent writing skills. The script he wrote made every of my co-workers laugh. Hire Gary! He will never let you down!" - Videmo Productions

"Gary is very friendly to work with. The script he wrote is beyond my expectation. Very funny and creative, and finished every work on time. Highly recommended! Will definitely hire again." - Videmo Productions

Trade Show Banner Design

2012-06-26T06:02:00.001-07:00

This is a 78" by 38" vertical, retractable trade show banner design. Click on the image for a better view. It's actually a bleed (there is no border on the art).

These retractable displays are so cool. They retract right into an aluminum stand, set up in seconds (literally), cost a fraction of what displays used to cost and are a very visible, graphic representation of whatever your message is.

These pop-up, retractable display banners are perfect for trade-shows, conventions, retail stores.

And the really beautiful thing is, you can get the whole thing done fast (including art design) for way less than you think.

I'll be happy to create your design and get it printed and assembled for you. Or you can design your own art and we'll print it for you. I have a source who supplies me with a quality retractable display unit and does the printing for less than I've seen anywhere else.

So, that means that you can get a six-and-a-half foot tall by over three-feet wide display, including art design, for less than what most charge for the blank display alone.

Contact me for more info, or to get started on your trade-show display.

Four-color print ad, banner ads and website header designs - fast freelance graphic design results for less

2012-03-30T08:17:00.014-07:00

Here are a few more graphic images (banner ads, headers and print ads) which had to be done QUICKLY. Done!

Got something you need designed? Aww, go on. Contact me. :)

Punctilious Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, Graphic Design Professional for Hire

2012-03-27T11:54:00.005-07:00

Since the beginning of the year, through this blog and other freelance-work-generating programs, I have created logos, banner ads, testimonial scripts, press releases, web design, SEO services and much more from a number of new (and happy) clients including a home care company, a rehab facility, a commercial construction company, a gourmet food truck, a Las Vegas show, a bookstore, a motivational speaker, a printing company, a successful author and a few others.

I provide these clients a very focused approach to whatever their marketing or promotional needs are. My overhead is low and my passion and creativity are high. For a fraction of what a graphic design or public relations firm would cost you, I will provide verifiable advertising, marketing and public relations results.

Here's an ad I've been running which a) gives you the basic info I want to convey, and b) has been very successful in generating new clients.

Whatcha need? A banner ad, flyer, press release, logo design, email marketing campaign, social network marketing, SEO? I'll get it done, for much less than you'd expect. Contact me for some recent success stories.

One-man advertising/marketing/public relations department/graphic design guy looking to work with you on your projects. Do you want a team member who can not only design your banner and print ads, but also handle all aspects of placing the ads online and off? Do you want someone who is familiar with, and has had great success in generating traffic to web sites using standard SEO and SEM practices and other lesser-known techniques (long-tailing, geo-targeting, display networks, blogs, reviews, etc.) to establish your brand and bring in sales of your products/services?

• Would it be beneficial to you to create an advertising campaign over a targeted display network for much less that you ever imagined?
• Do you know the two most important things in any email marketing campaign? I do.
• Do you want someone who understand the importance of optimizing and/or creating your social media pages (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) to give you even more visibility in Google, Bing and Yahoo?
• Do you want someone who can design web pages, install tracking code, run and analyze the reports generated and stay on top of new developments as they arise?

I am proficient with many software programs including the Adobe Suite of products (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere), Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, FrontPage, Expressions). My background includes many years in outside sales, marketing and advertising management, feature and copy writing, web design, public relations, public speaking, promotion and lots more. I am expanding my talents in the areas of webinars and video editing and my appetite and aptitude for learning new things is insatiable.

If you are spending too much money hiring contractors to complete each marketing task, please contact me. If you don't really have a marketing plan, but know that you should, please contact me. If you know that you need to do more to increase your ROI, but you don't have the time or inclination to stay on top of ever-changing environment, please contact me. If you just want to chat about your specific business and toss around some marketing ideas as how you can generate more revenue, please contact me.

I guess the ongoing theme here is: CONTACT ME.

Although I am currently employed I am looking for that next great opportunity. But, even if you're not ready for a full-time person, I do have an extra 30 hours or so per week to work on your projects.

So, if you have a small design project or a big-picture plan, please contact me.

Links to graphic designs, SEO successes and my resume if you want it, will be provided upon request.

Flyer on the fly

2012-02-14T05:32:00.000-08:00

This is a travel/trip flyer that was needed in a hurry. Obtained a licensed NYC image and played with the layout and content provided. Designed in Photoshop and Illustrator in pretty short order.

Banner ads and web site headers designed for next to nothing!

2012-02-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

In my neverending search for ways to make money online (check out my Get Rich Slowly blog), I ran across Fiverr. At Fiverr you can post products and services that you are willing to provide for five dollars. Everything is five dollars. People will sing for you, do promos of your business, writer you message on their lips. If nothing else, it's fun to see all of the stupid things people are willing to do for a five spot.

I'm not quite so adventurous and pretty much stuck to what I know. So, I offered to design a banner ad or website header for five dollars. I also offered to send an electronic version of the Dirty Joke Show Joke Book for five dollars.

Here is what I sent a client requesting a website header. In the future I will not probably give them so many options.

Four-page, four-color commercial construction company brochure

2012-01-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

In the past year I have been fortunate enough to have landed a number of diverse freelance jobs, from a brick-and-mortar bookstore, to a catering truck. I did a successful email marketing campaign for a tool repair company and created social networking projects and SEO and SEM for a number of new clients.

This is one of the pages from a four-page, four-color brochure I designed for a commercial builder. The company was expanding with a partnership with another builder and needed logos designed, letterhead, business cards and three brochures. All done to the client's satisfaction in very short order.

Tool Repair Marketing Piece

2011-11-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Simple and sweet.

This marketing piece is targeted directly to machine shop owners who know that "Damaged Indexable Tools Suck!"

When the client called, I had no idea what an indexable tool was. I thought that if I broke my hammer I could just take it to this guy.

Photo images created in Photoshop, flyer designed in Illustrator.

Simple Save the Date post card/email graphic

2011-05-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

This was needed FAST! So, a quick trip to Illustrator and Photos.com and Voila! A simple, but effective Save the Date post card in fifteen minutes.

Sample of a bio sheet for clients

2010-12-07T04:35:00.000-08:00

Simple, straightforward bio sheet (resume, CV) created in Illustrator (with an assist from Photoshop).

5.5 x 8.5 full page program ad

2010-11-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

I created this ad using Photoshop and Illustrator.

Michael and Heather were standing in a yard with a house in the background. I removed the pen in Michael's pocket, masked the subjects and inserted the red curtain background in Photoshop. Then I created the ad in Illustrator.

I only had a couple of hours to create this ad, and after all is said and done, I kinda like it.

One page piece promoting Employment & Labor law practice

2010-11-19T05:27:00.000-08:00

This piece was designed as a flyer from a larger 11 x 17, four-color brochure.

It was created in Adobe's InDesign with elements from both Photoshop and Illustrator.

Latest poster for the hilarious "Dirty Joke Show" currently at Hooters Casino in Vegas

2010-11-19T04:31:00.000-08:00

This is the latest poster for "The Dirty Joke Show" currently running nightly (dark Fridays) at Hooters Casino Hotel in Las Vegas.

This piece was created primarily in Photoshop with some of the vector elements made in Illustrator.

You can visit the web site at http://dirtyjokeshow.com/

Holiday ad for a hospital

2010-10-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

This ad was created for an annual fundraising event for St. John Hospital System. Click on the ad for a better view.

Law firm ad for Michigan Medical Law Report

2010-08-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

This is an ad that will run in an upcoming Medical Law Report supplement in Lawyers Weekly.

This ad is targeted primarily to those in the medical field (hospitals, healthcare providers, long term care facilities).

Black & White graphic ad for Presbyterian Village

2009-10-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Again, I was sent an email and instructed that an ad had to be submitted by the following morning. I had seen an ad that had the background from a photo in the background, but the people in the picture in front of a shape. It required masking (cutting out) the people in PhotoShop, then saving the full image at 60% opacity (or so). In Illustrator I placed (imported) the background image behind the shape and the exact size masked image of the man and child in front of the shape.

I kinda like the effect.

To see a larger view of the ad, click on it.

Full page ad sample from graphic art portfolio using PhotoShop and Illustrator

2009-10-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

This ad was never published but I had fun creating it. I started with a licensed photo of a guy ripping open his shirt to expose a bare chest. I wanted to turn it into a super hero sort of look with the company logo on the shirt. Enter PhotoShop and Illustrator.

I created a layer over his chest, trimmed it, made it opaque, created, filtered and scaled the logo and then played with the copy.

8.5 x 11 booklet cover sample

2009-10-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

This is the cover from a year-end meeting book. Most one page designs are created in Illustrator with the photographic images imported from PhotoShop. However, in the case of a complete booklet, the body was created in Adobe's InDesign.

For a larger view of the image, click on it.

Again, feel free to contact me for almost any reason.

Samples of a graphic design ad from my portfolio

2009-10-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is a graphic image from arecent project that was brought to me with a same-day deadline. Many of the projects I get may require designing ads, flyers, signage, booklets, brochures, document covers, etc. on very short notice. Luckily, I thrive on the pressure. I'd rather have more time, but if it has to get done, I get it done.

To see a larger view of the image, just click on it.

If you'd like to discuss a project or position, feel free to email or call (586.792.4242).