Diet and Exercise

Are you trying to skim off some extra dollars from your budget? Try doing some exercise before getting a quote! One of the biggest pitfalls is expecting the designer to come up with "everything". You can save money by doing some minor legwork yourself. Sometimes there are clients that want a website but don't have a logo or copy. I can make a logo, sure, but it's going to cost you. I can put in copy, sure, but it's going to cost you.

Here are some bits of advice.

1. Ideally you want to start from the bottom up. Work out your marketing plan and available budget before even trying to go and get a quote from a designer. Plan on getting your logo first rather than at the same time as another project. It will save you in the long run because while I'm working on the website and logo, you could already be handing out business cards with the logo on them. A web presence is good, but your whole company "brand" is going to revolve around the logo, not the website.
2. When getting a budget put together, realize that anything you don't have (photos, text, existing collateral) is going to make the design process longer and more expensive. I have to scout photos that you have to approve and purchase. I do check out micro-stock sites (more semi-pro level at cheaper costs). If I do writing, I have to do research and you have to approve it. If you have existing collateral you want the design to reflect, it speeds up the design process as I can mimic style and keep your brand consistent.
3. If you are wanting design done, have examples of other styles and designs you like ready to show me. This will get me an idea of your design style and also keeps my concepts in line with what you would approve of.
4. It's not always good to jump ahead and purchase a website domain before anything else. Sometimes, web hosts offer free domains within their hosting packages (like 1and1 which I use). Keep that in mind when you are getting ready to have web design done.
5. When thinking about your website, keep in mind that additional pages cost more money to quote so think ahead. When you want a product page, do you also want subpages for different product categories?
6. Make sure your designer is proficient on the spot and keep with that same designer (why ditch someone that works well with you and produces results that work?). The designer should be someone you feel comfortable working with and can trust. The designer should be good at what they do. So many times I get a client that had a previous designer work on the project and they were unfamiliar with proper design techniques in that medium. A logo created in Photoshop is going to looked pixelated and blurry on a billboard. Make sure your designer knows what they are doing. Look into their clients, references, educational background, etc. Your design is an investment, and you want to make sure the most able person is working on it. You don't want to invest into a designer that can't do the job and then have to pay someone else to recreate it.
   

So you may notice that even through all your exercise, you are still gaining weight. Remember, muscle is heaver than fat so it might take a while to notice results but it's going to make your company stronger, more attractive, and will cost less for design in the future!

Is any overhaul a minor one?

As you might have noticed, Aibrean's Studio got a major facelift. My major reasons why I did this was to attract business that would otherwise go to a design firm and also make it more user-friendly for existing clients. I've started to branch out integration so that clients receive a login and can view everything for their account with me in one location. I have the contract, estimate, and concepts/final design available for viewing there as well as easy bill payment through Google Checkout.

You might notice some things have been renamed, so feel free to browse around the site and get re-adjusted.

Discovering Aibrean's Studio

I was reading the AIGA Client Design Guide (for client's of AIGA members to get an idea of client processes). I came across some questions for designers from clients. I felt like answering them.

Here they are:

1. How does the firm like to work?
   Well I personally like to work directly with you, the client. I also like to make you, the client, feel that you are always #1 (even if you aren't). I give you the utmost attention, and try to make turn-around times short so you feel that you are always the top of my list for priority.
   
2. Who are it's clients?
   I have worked as an independent consultant in many design firms in addition to my personal business of Aibrean's Studio. I have worked with NCR, Ferrari, Standard Register, MeadWestvaco, NewPage, LexisNexis, AAA, Vision Marketing Group, PLIE, as well as many other diverse clients ranging from musicians and tax professionals, to non-profit groups and software companies. That range enables me to work within a variety of design styles with the knowledge of the type of audience base you have.
3. How knowledgeable is the firm about their clients?
   Not only do I talk to them, but I also take advantage of the internet and research my clients and their competition/relevant market. It's not just about making you look good, it's about making you look better!
4. How is the firm viewed by their clients? By the firm's peers?
   Client referrals (a previous client recommends me to another person who becomes a new client) are about 90% of my business. I get the other 10% from the internet and the local AFA membership list. Being a member of the Greater Dayton Advertising Association, I am involved in local professional development meetings as well as volunteer service for the Association in local advertising events. Recently I helped set up for the Hermes award judging. I also have won two Hermes awards in the past two years...a lot to be said of an individual in the business working against other multi-staffed firms that have very extensive job budgets. I am affordable AND award-winning.
5. What is the firm's design process?
   First off, upon initial contact, I have the client fill out a design checklist (these can be found at the right sidebar of my contact page). This gives me an in-depth look at the audience, deadline, subject matter, overall idea, and budget. It's not worth the client's time or mine if the project doesn't have a budget I can work with, but it is if I can quote significantly less knowing more about the project before-hand. After the design checklist is completed, I give the client an estimate and a contract they can sign if everything is in order. From there I start researching and concepting. I send the client an initial rough concept to see if I'm in the right direction. If I am way off, I revise and send a new concept (perhaps altogether from scratch), and if I'm on target I work forward.
6. What kind of design experience does the firm have?
   I have over 5 years of design experience. I have worked in 3 design firms as a consultant as well as my own design business. I am currently active as an Art Director at a local non-profit. I also have a degree in Applied Business in Advertising Art from the most award-winning college here, The School of Advertising Art.
   
7. What kind of results has the firm acheived?
   I have always delivered 100% satisfaction. In terms of actual noted success, I have two Hermes awards from the GDAA. One of my email campaigns had such a good response the company told me they had more contacts in two days than they had in two years.
8. Who will work on your project?
   I do. If there is something I am not able to do (such as advanced programming...I'm a designer not a coder) I will let you know and give you a quote on the service from programmers I have worked with in the past. I also enable you to personally talk with them if needed. They are local as well so if you are a local client, we can meet together to discuss options.
9. Does the firm understand the business?
   Yes I do, and if I didn't I wouldn't be in business.

2008 Bronze Award

I attended the Hermes awards last night and I won a Bronze Award. That is quite an achievement coming from the fact that this year had the highest entries and Interactive was one of the largest categories with 10 Silvers and 21 Bronzes. I was the only individual to submit and win anything.

It says a lot :)

Hermes Awards

Well I was notified today that the Dimebag Darrell Tribute Album website I designed in Flash won a Hermes award. I will find out what level at the awards banquet on Feburary 9, 2008. I know from setting up tables that this year there were a lot of really good pieces out there. I really was hoping at least one of my web designs would come through (I submitted 3). Hopefully next year I will win something in print but my competition is steep. I am competing with all the local design agencies, whose clients have multi-thousand dollar budgets and they are working with a design team. For me to win ANYTHING is a huge honor!

Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to create award-winning designs for you!

Hermes Awards!

A little background before I start rambling..

The Greater Dayton Advertising Association's Hermes competition is the first tier in the American Advertising Federation's three-tiered ADDY competition. Entering the Hermes/ADDY competition supports our entire industry, because the AAF and its local and district affiliates use the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education, and consumer awareness.

In each division the Hermes (GOLD ADDY) is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and superior to all other entries in the competition. Entries also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a SILVER ADDY or a BRONZE ADDY. The number of awards given in each category is determined by the out of market judges, based on their opinion of the quality of the work in that category. Those who win the Hermes (Gold ADDY) will automatically be forwarded to the 5th District competition. Those winning Silver ADDY's are eligible to forward that work on to District. Winners of the District competition will advance to the National ADDY competition.

I entered the Vision Marketing Group email campaign last year and it won a Bronze. I am competing with local advertising and interactive marketing firms in the Dayton area. This year I am entering 6 total pieces (2 HTML websites, 1 Flash website, 1 marketing campaign, and 2 logos). If you are a client I will keep you posted immediately if I were to receive anything. Otherwise, stay tuned and if I get anything, I'll reveal after the show on February 9th.

The Gimmick That Stole Christmas

By April Smith, Aibrean's Studio

It is a little late for Christmas, but then again, it was a little late when I was watching ABC’s Duel on their website. Have you ever really thought about those marketing ploys that holiday advertisers make to get swarms of parents in their stores (with their children) to buy things for their children that they don’t need?

Advertising gimmicks and marketing ploys may just be the trigger that starts a conversation between you and your child (or if you are a child -- between you and your parent) about the existence of characters such as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and Santa. These kinds of conversations might be sparked if you enjoy game shows and watching game shows with said child/parent. I was watching ABC’s Duel and while fixated on who was going to win, I discovered to my amusement, that Rudolph was an advertising gimmick through one of the questions. Montgomery Ward was too cheap in 1939 to out-source a Christmas story so they had one of their copy writer’s work up one to use for a children’s coloring book promotion that we now know as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. After the writer got rights to the story, he had his brother-in-law write up lyrics, sent them off to famous singers, and then it was recorded by one and sold -- to the count of fifteen million copies. A small price to pay for explaining the existence of Rudolph -- and to that end -- Santa, just after watching an innocent game of Duel?

But what about the advertising changes so that people aren’t offended? Really, if you don’t want to call it a “Christmas” tree, why don’t you hang it upside down in your house? That’s how it used to be before Martin Luther changed tradition. The nativity scene is now oh so “off-limits”, but Santa was created from a Bishop who used his inheritance to help those impoverished. It’s quite a transition from the modern-day Santa that was created by Coca-Cola to increase their sales isn’t it?

Have those gimmicks that are now weaved into threads of reality stolen Christmas? Have they delved deeper into uprooting our morals? Shall we choose to lie in order to diminish chaos, but still give into those advertisers who clean our pocketbooks so tiny tots can bang on their new toys merrily? This commercialism has faded the true reality until a family sits beside a newly purchased television, watching a newly released gameshow. Then the question pops up and is answered… but then the audience, the family sitting at home gets bombarded with the all too real question from a child,

“Rudolph isn’t real? What about Santa?”