Some Design Blog

Some Design Blog Is Going On Hiatus

Some Design Blog — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:02:06 +0000

Hello everybody,

This is a note to let you know that this blog is going to be on hiatus for an undetermined amount of time. Thank you for your support and readership, and we hope that we’ve managed to provide useful content for you.

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Winning New Clients With A Polished Elevator Pitch

Some Design Blog — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:21:33 +0000

Many graphic designers, when asked what they do, will either answer with just “I’m a graphic designer”, or they’ll ramble a little about the types of projects they do. There’s nothing wrong with either of those responses, but there is a way to respond that is more likely to get you clients, and that’s with a polished “elevator pitch”. This is especially important for freelance graphic designers, but I’d recommend it for designers who work with agencies as well.

What Is An Elevator Pitch

Simply put, an elevator pitch is a 30-60 second commercial about yourself. The idea is that if you were in an elevator with someone and they asked “what do you do?”, you should have an answer ready that tells all the most important details of your business before the elevator ride is through. If your elevator pitch is good, when you meet a potential client at, say, a networking event, you can have them interested enough to contact you within a very short conversation.

What You Need To Cover

In our post 3 Questions All Marketing Needs To Answer we talked about how important it is for a business to answer the questions of who they are, what they do, and why potential customers should care. The fact is, you’re in business too, so the need for those questions also applies to you. If you cover these three points well, you will have a successful elevator pitch.

How To Write It

Get out a piece of paper. Now, write down what you do. There’s a bit of a balance here, because you want to be specific, but at the same time succinct. Treat it as if you you were making this list for someone who has no idea what a graphic designer does, but try to limit yourself to 3–4 items on your list.

Now, make a separate list of the 3 top reasons why a client should hire you rather than someone else. This can include your specialties, your experience, your training, or any other highlights of why you are a great designer. With these two lists, you now have all the points you need for an elevator pitch.

How To Use It

I don’t recommend memorizing your pitch word for word, because you’ll sound like you’re reading the script for an advertisement. I do, however, recommend memorizing the bullet points from your list, and practicing saying them in a friendly, casual manner that isn’t too boastful. Here’s an example of an elevator pitch answer to the question “what do you do”:

“I’m a freelance graphic designer. I specialize in marketing materials for small businesses: logos, brochures, websites; that type of thing. I have a background in marketing, so I can offer business owners a strategic approach to design and ensure that their materials are both attractive and effective.”

Now all you need to do is start using it! Get in the habit of answering the “what do you do” question this way, regardless of who’s asking. In a networking situation it can win you clients, but it’s even good in a social situation because it’s clear and effective communication. The people you’re talking to will have a better understanding of you and your career because of it. Plus, you never know when that person you meet socially might need a graphic designer!

5 Ways To Deliver Big Design Files

Some Design Blog — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:52:03 +0000

File management can be a big deal for graphic designers. Low-resolution proofs are easily sent by email, but when it comes time to deliver big press-ready files, email usually won’t cut it. File management becomes an even bigger issue when you’re collaborating remotely with other creatives. Here is a quick look at some of the options for transferring big files.

FTP

Setting up an ftp account on your website was the de facto method of large-file delivery for a long time. It has the advantage that it remains entirely within your control, but it also has the disadvantages that you need to maintain user accounts, periodically clean out old files, and it can be confusing for clients that are not very tech savvy.

Yousendit.com

One way around the responsibilities of ftp is to use an ftp service like Yousendit.com. With yousendit.com you simply upload the file you need to send, add the recipient’s email address and a short message, then send. The recipient then receives an email with a link to download the file. It’s very easy and it’s free for files up to 100MB.

Skype

Another option is to send files via Skype. This has an advantage over most services in that it doesn’t have a file size limit, but it has the limitation that you need to connect with the recipient on Skype in order to send it.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a service that a syncs a local folder on your computer to one on the internet. It can be a very handy way to collaborate on a project because any changes you make to the file will automatically be reflected on the online version (assuming you’re connected to the internet), and you can give your collaborator access to your dropbox folder.

Dropbox also has a feature to email a download link for an individual file, meaning you can deliver files up to the size of your account (2GB for free, paid plans offer larger folder sizes).

File Dropper

File dropper is a similar service to Dropbox in that it acts as a form of online file storage and transfer. File dropper doesn’t offer a free account, but it’s paid accounts are a little more affordable than Dropbox’s are (50 GB for $5/month). If you need more than a couple of GB of storage, than File Dropper may be a better option. Otherwise, you’ll probably want to stick to the free account on Dropbox.

9-to-5 Vs The Open Work Schedule

Some Design Blog — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:18:51 +0000

Many design studios allow their employees to set their own hours, and all freelance designers have this option. While many designers use this available flexibility to its fullest, it may come as a surprise to some that a significant percentage of designers choose to stick to a traditional nine-to-five routine or another fixed set of fixed working hours. They still have the flexibility to shift their schedule around when needed, but they attempt to stick to a set schedule whenever possible. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages that each approach has to offer.

Advantages Of The Open Work Schedule

Scheduling work around your life (rather than the other way around)

It is a significant luxury to be able to do what you what, when you want (within reason, of course). It’s fantastic to be able to accept tickets to shows, book appointments, and make social plans without begging for time off or juggling schedules with coworkers.

Working when you’re most productive

We all have different natural schedules; some of us are more productive in the morning, others are more productive at night, and some just need a little rest in the middle of the day. The open work schedule allows you to work when you feel most productive rather than trying to force your productivity into someone else’s schedule.

Following inspiration rather than trying to force it

Unfortunately, we can’t always be inspired when we want to. Having an open schedule allows you to work when the inspiration hits, rather than trying to force inspiration when you need to work.

Disadvantages Of The Open Work Schedule

Risk of always being at work mentally

Many designers who work open schedules find that they have trouble being fully away from work and that work is always in the back of their mind, even when they don’t want it to be. The open schedule makes it harder to separate your work life from your personal one.

Personal demands can take over

When you have an open schedule it can often feel like personal obligations somehow pile up to the point that it’s hard to get enough work done. On top of that, family and friends often don’t fully understand your need to work, making it hard to say no when they make requests of you.

Procrastination can easily get a foothold

Of course, when there’s some work you’re not excited to do, the open schedule can open the door to procrastination. It’s easy to say “later” when you’re free to do things you’d rather be doing.

Advantages Of The Set Work Schedule

Set hours can make it easier to focus

When you have a set “work time” and a set “personal time” it can be easier to get your mind into the work mindset, making you more productive.

Clients appreciate knowing when they can get a hold of you

Having set office hours means your clients know when to call or email (and when not to), and keeping your clients happy is just good business.

Managing client expectations

If you reply to email at all hours, clients get into the mindset that you are working at those times which opens the door to unreasonable clients expecting you to reply quickly to the urgent request they send at 9:00 at night. A set work schedule communicates that you are unavailable outside “office hours”.

Disadvantages Of The Set Work Schedule

Feeling the weight of obligation

When you work a set schedule by choice, it can lead to feeling guilty on those odd occasions that you need to take advantage of your flexibility. You feel like you should be at work.

Working even when you’re unproductive

A set schedule can easily result in logging unproductive hours just because it’s “work time”.

Risk of feeling like a slave to your schedule

If you are too rigid with yourself about sticking to a regular schedule, it can begin to feel like you have no freedom and you can resent having to try to schedule other parts of your life around your own inflexible work schedule.

What about you?

How do you manage the balance between flexibility and consistency in your schedule?

7 Tips for Gaining Repeat Clients

Some Design Blog — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:48:07 +0000

All freelancers want be awarded projects with better-paying clients. However, once you get them it is critical to keep them if you hope to be successful. No matter how you get new clients, whether by networking, direct mail, responding to job posts, or some other tactic, it is a time-consuming and potentially expensive process. It is well worth your time to engage with and keep in regular contact with current clients.

Today, Daniela Baker, a small business blogger from CreditDonkey, shares 7 tips for boosting repeat business.

Tip 1: Partner With Existing Clients

Kathy Goughenour, founder and head training facilitator at ExpertVA training advises that one effective method of gaining repeat clients is to figure out a way to help them succeed. Don’t be passive and wait for direction, but be proactive and provide clients with ideas on how they may improve their web design to attract additional site visitors. Another idea is to send clients the link to Help a Reporter Out service (HARO) which is a free service that matches news reporters in diverse industries with business owners. This service offers a great way for your clients to get some free publicity.

Tip 2: Build A Trust-Based Relationship

Don’t nick-pick the small stuff and clients will come to you with the big stuff. Nurture client relationships by clarifying project specifications at the start and delivering all work on or before the established time line. Where appropriate, educate your clients with regard to industry trends and new technology. Take a consultative approach and before starting any project first find out clients goals in building the site and budget. If you build multimedia into their website or ecommerce capabilities, provide a free online tutorial to familiarize clients with how things work.

Tip 3: Offer A Free Seminar On Your Services

Pete Savage, co-author of the Wealthy Freelancer, advises that no matter their area of expertise, freelancers should plan to facilitate a seminar regarding changes in their industry, as well as specific services. Incorporate useful information that your clients can put to the test immediately and offer it as a webinar to your client and key staff.

Tip 4: Set A Fee Schedule

Mr. Savage also recommends that freelancers create a fee schedule once every 6 months and send the updated version to all clients. This will help them budget for future projects. A fee schedule is easy to prepare: the left column will state your service and the right column will list your fee for each service.

Some freelancers worry that if they raise fees they will lose clients. While this may very well happen, most clients understand that it is unrealistic to expect that fees will remain the same over an extended period and those that value your service will remain loyal. Never try to rationalize your service fees; those clients that don’t wish to go along are probably best left behind.

Because so many independent freelance designers work with small business clients, one further suggestion is to accept credit cards for payment so that your clients are able to spread expenditures and maintain steady cash flow.

Tip 5: Engage Clients Consistently

When you engage with clients you go beyond the immediate project at hand to understand something about their lives in terms of interests, family, work pressures, etc. To be effective, this engagement must be genuine and not simply a marketing ploy. Clients can sniff disingenuousness a mile away and will run faster than Forrest Gump if they get a whiff of it. Getting to know clients more deeply will also help you keep a look-out for opportunities that may benefit them personally or benefit their business.

Tip 6: Go The Extra Mile

The most effective method of gaining repeat clients is to deliver an exceptional product that exceeds the client’s expectations. Go the extra mile. For example, as a web designer you can offer free hosting or add-in a “Contact us” page or ecommerce platform at no additional cost. Good old fashioned hard work can gain you a large repeat following.

Tip 7: Ask For An Introduction To Other Employees

This last tip is primarily aimed at those designers that target mid- to large-size companies. Ask your primary contact person if s/he would be willing to provide an introduction to others in the firm who may need your services. For example, one of your clients may be a large pharmaceutical firm where the marketing manager for each product line makes independent decisions with regard to hiring freelancers.

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Inspiration: 10 Crafty Looking Websites

Some Design Blog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:57:36 +0000

In the slick, pixel-perfect world of the web, designing with texture and crafty styles can really make a site stand out. Be it hand-drawn elements, paper textures, or illustration, a little craftiness can bring a whold new dimension to a website design. Here are some examples to use for inspiration!

The Electric Company

Hugs For Monsters

Island Vacation

Johnny Paperworks

Phillips Beer

Tim Eger

Monmarthe

Vinamation

Voodoo

New Belgium Brewing

The Most Important Question In Your Creative Brief

Some Design Blog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:35:46 +0000

If you read our post on the 3 Questions All Marketing Needs To Answer you’ll have had a head start on what we’re about to look at. This post is about an extremely important piece of marketing information.

Here is a key piece of info that every business needs to think about, and every designer needs to ask about before doing any work. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that this is the most important part of the creative brief, because this should inform every piece of design, from advertising to business cards. Here is the question:

What Sets You Apart From Your Competition?

In business lingo the answer to this question is called a unique selling position (or USP). It’s what gives customers a reason to do business with them, not their competition. Many small businesses don’t ever think about this question and may have a tough time answering it.

Why You Need To Ask

The reason to as is simple: the business’ USP will inform your design. If you’re designing a website for a bakery and they answer “We bake bread the old fashioned way”, then an ultra-modern design would be inappropriate. If they answer “We make the finest baked goods in the city by using the finest ingredients available”, then the site needs to reflect the high-quality nature of the product, and appeal to those willing to spend more to get the best. And if they answer “Our baked goods are healthier than other bakeries”, then you better not make a sugary icing-inspired design.

8 Daily Reminders For Being a Better Designer

Some Design Blog — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:01:12 +0000

Good habits come from reminding ourselves over and over of how we strive to be until it it happens on its own. This is equally true whether you’re trying to improve your posture (you’re slouching right now, aren’t you), eat better, or be a better designer. Below are eight axioms that I try to remind myself of often so that they will become habit. They’re all simple and common sense, but they are also easy to lose sight of.

“I am not the target audience”

Your personal tastes and preferences are bound to have huge influence on your work, and that’s only natural; it’s how you develop your own style. That being said, to be successful designers we need to be versatile and keep the target audience of our work in mind. I may like grungy, textural design, but if my client has an older, conservative customer base I need to provide a design that is clean, respectable and appropriate to their target market.

“The most satisfying solution is not necessarily the most effective solution”

We do creative work because it’s what we love, and it feels great when a project is challenging and uses our skills to their fullest, but sometimes the project calls for something simpler than that. Learning to recognize these situations is an important skill, and can be as important as the skill you’re being paid for.

“I am grateful for the clients I have”

We’ve all been in situations where a client is driving is us crazy and their project feels like a curse more than a privilege. It’s only natural. At times like these I take the time to remind myself of two things: where I would be without my clients (the answer, of course, being unemployed), and how much worse it would be dealing with obnoxious clients if I were doing a job that I hated. I know I’m incredibly lucky to be getting paid to do what I love, and reminding myself of that point from time to time makes the tougher times a lot easier.

“The client knows their business better than I do”

Have you ever been in a situation where you think your client is wrong? They ask for revisions that make your design ugly, or makes the website harder to use, and you reluctantly do as they ask because they’re paying the bills. I’m sure this sounds all too familiar, and it’s frustrating to see your work picked to pieces like that. Remember, their business is at least successful enough that they can afford to hire you, so they must be doing something right. They spend most of their waking hours thinking about their business; it’s reasonable to presume they know it better than you do. You’re entitled to your opinions, but learn to let go of them when you need to.

“I’m successful when my clients are successful”

This is a big one. It means switching your focus from achieving your goal (successful and profitable completion of the project) to the client’s goals (what they’re trying to achieve with the work they’ve hired you to do). If you learn to keep this mentality you’ll take more pride in your work, you clients will thrive (which means they can hire you more often), and they’ll be falling over themselves to send referrals your way. Genuinely caring about your clients’ success is possibly the single best thing you can do for yourself, your business, and your clients.

“My existing clients always come before a potential client”

It’s no big secret that it takes way less time and effort to keep an existing client than to get a new one. Why, then, do we so often lose sight of this when courting a potential client? Maybe it’s the thrill of the hunt, or a particularly appealing client, but many of us make the mistake of impressing the new client at the expense of neglecting our existing client base. We need to be careful that if the new client doesn’t pan out, we haven’t lost others in the process.

“The coolest client is not necessarily the best client”

It’s easy to be dazzled by the “cool” clients. These are the clients that sound really impressive when you tell people you’ve worked with them. There are definite benefits to working with cool clients: it looks great in your portfolio, gives you clout, and can often be a lot of fun. The down side, however, is that everyone wants to work with them, so they may expect you to work cheaper than you normally would, or you may find yourself ever-extending to make them happy. When the cool factor is involved, make sure to take a rational, objective look at the job and make sure that the pros balance out the cons.

“Every piece of work is a portfolio piece”

Treat every job, no matter how small, as if new clients we going to judge the quality of your work based on it. This may seem obvious to some, but on smaller, or less exciting, jobs it can be easy to slip into the “just get it done” mindset. If you approach the project determined to make something great (even if it means a bit of off-the-clock time), you’ll end up with a product that your proud of, and the client may just get asked “hey, who did this for you?” by a new client-to-be.

5 Tips For Beating Designer’s Block

Some Design Blog — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:28:35 +0000

The dreaded blank page of the sketchbook (or blank pasteboard in your favorite design software)… it sits and taunts you, and the longer it stays empty, the harder it is to start. Here are five ideas to help you get started when you’re having trouble with a particular design.

Start With Collage

Get out some old magazines a start by arranging elements that you’ve cut from them. Sometimes working with your hands can really get the creative juices flowing.

Switch Mediums

If you normally start with sketching, try starting in software. If you normally start in software, start with a pencil.

Revamp An Old Design

We all have rejected designs that we thought were great, but wasn’t the client’s cup of tea. The longer you’ve been in the business, the more of those you have. Try taking one of those designs and using it as a starting point for a new design.

Design In Reverse

Most of us start a design by laying out the visual elements, then adding the content. Trying laying out content first, then adding visual elements around it.

Ask More Questions

Find out more information about the business, product, or association that the design is for. Where did they get started? What is the origin of the company name? What was the first product they offered? Sometimes a little more depth in the creative brief can spark some new ideas.

Roundup: 5 Great Articles To Keep You Focused and Productive

Some Design Blog — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:38:49 +0000

Now that the age of information has given way to the age of distraction, more and more professionals are finding themselves searching for ways to stay productive. As graphic designers, surfing the web for inspiration, resources, and new techniques is a part of our job, but little distractions can quickly add up. This is even more true for freelance designers who don’t have a boss to breath down their neck, or set office hours to try to fit everything into. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite articles about productivity to help you stay on track.

PLUS: A Free eBook!

Focus: A simplicity manifesto in the
Age of Distraction

Another one from Zen Habits, this one with a link to download the free version of his book Focus. A great read for anyone living in the digitally-driven 21st century.