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How to meet deadline?

Posted
August 24, 2008
Categories
Deadline
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6 Comments
deadline

Its tough to get a new assignment for newcomer freelance graphic designer and to complete the job within the deadline is even harder.  A single minute makes a huge difference. Few years back I used to switch off my phone, lock the door from inside to avoid friends and other visitors just to complete the job on the given deadline. Once you know, what time management is, giving priority to the works and full concentration is, then meeting deadline will be easier for you. Here are few basic things to avoid deadline rush. You shouldn’t be optimistic, don’t fix a deadline which you think you will not be able to meet. Commitment is good but you should be realistic with your deadlines. In order to impress the client or to get the project you shouldn’t lie to your clients. You should make sure that you and the client are in agreement with a specific deadline including time of days. While quoting for the project don’t quote 1day if you can finish the assignment in a day, rather quote 30 hours and delivery within 24 hours, this process will enhance your relation with client. Don’t take workload if you are already working with an assignment. Always speak the truth with client, never say your assignment is about to finish if the work is in pre-stage. The biggest fault of a designer missing the deadline is the commitment of handling more than what he can. Continue Reading

Graphic design & its quality

Posted
August 19, 2008
Categories
Logo Design Tips
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2 Comments
graphic-design

In today’s world, business is on its height. Everyone is on rush and business of different types are competing each other. So, it is important to think wisely before making any designs or illustrations for any brands or companies.

We, the graphic designers are also one of the important instruments in bringing the business & marketing in the height. A Graphic designer may need assistance of persons who can help out in different way- technically or in resources. But, it is the graphic designers individually, who should have the abilities and qualities to become a good designer. A professional Graphic Designer should have years of experience, with much experience a designer will surely have a knowledge in using the designing tools.

Graphic designer should be responsive, on time and effective otherwise, it will be hard to maintain the productive schedule. Literally, Graphic Designers should have the attitude of making the customer service a priority. The Graphic Designer should have great creativity, creating graphics or designs of its own which is 100% original without using any free resources from the internet. Any common designer can create quick and cheap designs which are useless and a waste of time but an experience designer goes for a quality not for the quantity. Prospective Graphic Designer with marketing experience will surely have his/her site and portfolio well established and well designed.

Graphic Designer should know the cost and timeline of an assignment to designed and completed. And the most important is that the designer should not be a part-time worker, even if he can do a good job, will that designer be available at business hours or anytime? The answer is “NO”, so a designer should always be a full-time designer. Graphic Designer should have a good communication skill with the ability to interact with different people establishing a good working relationship.

photo: Radar Communication

PLAYING WITH COLORS

Posted
August 11, 2008
Categories
Color
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2 Comments
colors

Have you ever seen a rainbow over a snows cape mountain? Its wonderful, feels like in heaven. Have you ever seen the color combinations? The Mother Nature has created it. Everyone please, look around what do you notice? The sky is blue, the leaves are green… the things you are wearing, you are using, you are eating, everything is in colors.

When you are out on the road driving, you will surely stop when you see a red light on the traffic. OR don’t you… ha just kidding. And you will start driving when you see green light. Just think if there were no colors then how you will know when to drive or when to stop. Simply we will have a road accident now and then. You have a concept that colors are red, blue, green…..etc. but have you as a  graphic designers tried to notice the true image of “what a color is trying to notify?” As being a professional graphic designer, we all use to play with different colors, different combinations… because we are earning our living with these colors with your little creativity in mind. So, don’t you think colors are important to you?  As myself think colors are important, so I have written below, “the importance of a color” which I think will help us….. Simply before going further I would like to tell you that playing with color is like a game full of fun.

RED

Red is a strong color. It really attracts the eye and stimulates the mind. It is known for its aggression and high energy. This color indicates leadership. It is a color which can easily attract a persons mind. It draws a certain kind of attraction and it’s a kind of accent which can focus attention of other things.

The color RED:

  • Increases enthusiasm
  • Stimulates energy
  • Encourages action and confidence
  • A sense of protection from fears and anxiety

BLUE

Blue is my favorite color. Blue is the color of higher thoughts. This color seems dependable, committed and trustworthy. It shows patience and devotion. Blue signify creativity and artistic. It is a “gender specific” color, having equal appeal to both men and women.

The color blue:

  • Calming and sedate
  • Cooling

GREEN

Green is the color of nature and is refreshing. The color green is always considered a good sign and is capable of healing. Green is a strong energy and attracts a lot of positive power, it is the shade of peace and harmony. It is the color of honesty and truth. Green is the main color in natural world and we are used to seeing it everywhere. Green is considered the color of peace and ecology.

The color green:

  • Soothing
  • Relaxing mentally as well as physically
  • Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
  • Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony

YELLOW

Yellow is friendly and cheerful. It shows action and warmth, and is also the color of intelligence. It shade social energy. Yellow is not the color of a leader, yellow prefers to follow. The color yellow also represents curiosity and the desire to make things better. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future.

The color yellow:

  • Mentally stimulating
  • Stimulates the nervous system
  • Activates memory
  • Encourages communication

PURPLE

Purple represents the energy of the quest. It is the color of things dedicated to seeking and finding the answers of life’s mysteries. Purple is also the color of royalty, self confidence and ego. Purple is luxury and carries the power of big profits.  Purple is a color often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favorite color of adolescent girls.

The color purple:

  • Uplifting
  • Calming to mind and nerves
  • Offers a sense of spirituality
  • Encourages creativity

ORANGE

Orange is a sun color and is full of energy. It shows things that move fast and that have great strength of purpose. Orange is a wealth of the mind and knowledge. Orange represents the energy that enjoys giving to others. It can indicate all growing things and new beginnings. Orange color has a shade of broad appeal.

The color orange:

  • Stimulates activity
  • Stimulates appetite
  • Encourages socialization

BROWN

Brown is the color of the earth and shows a firm and definite vibration. It represents the practical side of things. Success comes by steady work. It does not show energy that soars, but rather a secure and slower force. Brown indicates things that work hard. It is the color of endurance. Brown color represents all the all things natural or organic.

The color brown:

  • Feeling of wholesomeness
  • Stability
  • Connection with the earth
  • Offers a sense orderliness

BLACK

Black shows a great feeling for form and for social events. It represents a formal and rather reserved energy that also shows an uncanny insight into human affairs. Black is the color of strong drive and purpose. Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. A classic color for clothing possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated.

The color black:

  • Feeling inconspicuous
  • A restful emptiness
  • Mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility.

WHITE

White is the strongest and most pure, clean and neutral of all the color. It is the color of perfection and pure light energy. It represents good and fair judgment and shows the path of the spirit and surrounds a safe and happy home.

The color white effects:

  • Adds mental clarity
  • Encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles
  • Evokes purification of thoughts or actions
  • Enables fresh beginnings

Gray

Gray is timeless, practical, and solid. A longstanding favorite suit color, gray can mix well with any color. Although well like and often worn, people rarely name gray as a favorite color possibly because Gray also is associated with loss or depression.

The color gray effects:

  • Unsettling
  • Expectant

Thanks, enjoy the true colors.

photo: by 02 Nation

My Vector drawing process.

Posted
May 16, 2008
Categories
Vector
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3 Comments

Last night after completing a couple of assignments, I thought of making a camera lens and later got engrossed in transforming it into a camera. This is how a simple thought converts into a complex drawing that, actually, pacifies, my mind which would initially be oozing with loads of “don’t know WHAT”. Yes, drawing vector graphics, satisfies my inner desire of continuity in a picture. It means more then meditation to me. :)
So, here is how it went.
1. Firstly, I visualized how the final drawings would look like. I would consider this to be the test of one’s creativity, because if you are a reasonable designer then the final drawing would be a replica(or something close) of your thoughts (no wonder sometimes novices can prove more creative, unintentionally though :) ).

2. Filling colors can be a little tricky. You have to be realistic in choosing colors and apply them with caution as a simple misjudgment can ruin the final picture.
What I did on the lens was filled the inner circle “SOLID BLACK” and “FOUNTAIN FILLED” the outer circle.

3. Application of effects (Or creating them) involves skills as well as creativity. Please notice the difference the circle within the outer grey circle has made and also while working with the camera the angle of alignment of the circles(WRT the center of course) need to be taken care of.. you can go by your instincts(not recommended for novices) or stick to geometrical calculations, that is always recommended even if you are an expert.(I went by instincts ;) )

4. Here I used two transparent semi circles and a circle with fountain transparency. Finally
(phew!) and I hope you can figure out a camera and a lens from my drawing.
It still needs a few more hours of polishing.

A designer would never say his/her design is complete, would he :) ?

And Hey !!! don’t forget to watermark it….

IS GRAPHIC DESIGN IMPORTANT?

Posted
May 11, 2008
Categories
Logo Design Tips
Comments
3 Comments

If a well-intentioned guest arrived at your annual gala wearing sweatpants, ratty shoes, and clearly had not put comb to hair, what would your impression be? Not so good, right? “But wait,” this guest might say, “I really mean well. I really contribute to society.” Too late. Your impression is already formed. This subtle dynamic is exactly what is at play when organizations think they can save money by designing something without the services of a graphic designer. The piece may be functional, but it may leave a negative impression, or worse, may not even be read. “You get one chance to make a good impession,” says Joe Rademan, of Rademan Design. “There is no better way to do it visually than through quality graphic design.” We live in a culture in which we are bombarded constantly by information and commercial messages. Every company, for-profit or non-profit, clamors to rise above the bombardment. Quality graphic design is one way to help put the odds in your favor.

Why is graphic design important?

Quality graphic design improves your marketing materials in many ways. First, a well-designed piece, whether that piece is printed or media, like your web site, will support and enhance your message using visual language. We perceive information on many levels, both verbally and non-verbally. Graphic design conveys a sense of your organization in a visual and non-verbal way.Graphic designers also enhance the readability of your materials. They will select colors, typefaces, sizes of text, and imagery, then lay out these materials in a way that guides the readers eye through the messages. “It’s packaging,” said Philadelphia-based graphic designer Sharmi Patel. “An organization may have great ideas and great goals, but a graphic designer can put them together in a way that is appealing, that enhances consumer perception.” How do you know if the design is good? When you work with a graphic designer, usually he or she will present a couple concepts to meet your goals. Deciding which one is best is rather subjective, but your best guide is your own instincts.

How do you feel about each concept?
Is the concept visually appealing?
Is it clean and uncluttered?
Does the information flow?
Is it organized and easy for people to read?
How do the colors feel to you?
Do these concepts reflect your organization?

Patel suggests: “Do you want to pick it up and read it? What is pleasing to your eye?”
Once your organization establishes its visual look or identity, it’s important to be consistent. “Create graphic standards,” said Michael Nix, creative director and professor at Baruch College in New York, “and don’t reinvent the wheel for ongoing pieces, like newsletters, event calendars, and letterhead. Having a signature look is critical.”

What are the best ways to work with a graphic designer?

When you hire a graphic designer, review with him or her: the goals of the project the desired action you need to achieve from the piece who the target audience is your budgetary parameters what components, such as copy, photography, illustrations, charts, required logos, are available deadlines how the piece will be mailed and most importantly, how you want your organization to be reflected.Your organization’s marketing communications materials need not win design awards or even breakthe budget to be effective. Well-designed pieces, however, will get attention and response.

By Gail S. Bower

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