By dreams I mean publishing a book, creating art, etc. Over this past year, I have gotten away from creating marketing materials for others and moved toward creating them for myself. Strange as this model seems, it actually is working. As a result I believe my opportunities have increased. I formed a publishing company with a good friend, something I have wanted to do for a long time and I have gained so much satisfaction from this effort. This is not to say I don’t want clients!

It’s just that there are times when you have to diversify and work on a project for yourself because after dealing with some of the more challenging aspects of working with clients, you could use the positive reinforcement! When I began working in graphic design, I was practically giving my work away. After working my fingers to the bone for sparce (if any) returns, I began to get a little bitter. That is why I began to be a little more selective on who I work for. I also can’t express the importance of getting a deposit before you begin work. I can tell you, I have heard all kinds of hustles on why I should begin work without any guarantee I will be paid. This is definitely a no-no. Even after a decade, you can be fooled. This past winter I produced ten perfectly good designs and received nothing for them. It happens. As a result, I became even more selective, was thankful for the wonderful clients I have and just have decided, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.

My advice is, if a client comes up to you and has an irrisistable opportunity, ask yourself if this is something you can accomplish without giving your work away. If you are at risk of working for free, maybe you should channel that excitement into your own pet project. You will gain new experience, and you will also own it! I am proud that I have published books, and I have gained some valuable experience about the publishing industry. I believe that the model of the graphic and web designer is changing. There are other ways to generate income from your efforts such as readership, etc. Continue to value your best clients (they are a blessing) but don’t give up on your own dreams. Start a blog, write a book, create some art, enter a contest and use your skills to promote what you have done. Working on what excites you is a genuine learning experience and the sense of accomplishment is invaluable.

I feel at this point of my design career I have some very useful working knowledge. I know my way around Adobe Creative Suite, have web development programming skills and I can bring a project successfully to the web or to print.

The question is, do I need more? Probabably. At the very same time I am feeling smug about what I know, someone else is mastering 3D graphics or some other skill I haven’t had the time to learn. Do I worry about this? As Robert De Niro’s character says in Goodfellas says, “A ‘lil bit.”

Why? Well, it means I am becoming dated. Pretty soon, you can loop me in with those graphic artists that used manual techniques. Then again, as mad as I get at computers, this might be good for me.

I was there once, my associate degree fresh in my hand looking to dazzle the world with my new designs. My goal: to work at home and spend time with my two toddler daughters. This was easier said than done. It took me a couple years to get even one contract! When it comes to the Internet, it wasn’t my work that was lacking, it was just getting lost in a lake of competition with so much time on their hands (I always like to picture a staff of 50 starving designers) they could overshadow my work.

The bad news is, that lake seems to have become a sea. My suggestions for newcomers?

1. Do your best work and constantly improve.

2. If you can’t find a project, do your own project for yourself or a family member. When things are slow, I work on my publishing projects or even design a greeting card. It doesn’t pay the bills but it’s very rewarding.

3. Go Local! Have a strong Internet presence if you can, but don’t overlook what’s in your backyard. Contact local businesses, and even newspapers. There’s a chance you could get some experience under your belt and receive some local credentials.

4. Unplug! This may not be for everyone, but I like to get off the computer and do some hands-on artwork. It’s good for the soul! You can see some of mine at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/patricia-arnold.html

What to avoid? Stay away from logo contests/auctions. I learned the hard way that this was just a way that graphic designers sell themselves short. They become a manufacturing machine where swishes, geometric shapes, etc. become a process free of planning.

It’s not that I am opposed to someone (the client) getting a good deal (I like a good deal), but I do think that we need to do an inventory of what we are worth. Could you see yourself pumping out logos for $0 (yes, some bid that low) to peanuts until carpal tunnel sets in?

If you took the time to learn the skill of graphic design, spent the money on college, etc. you deserve a better reward. Personal worth. I know that in this economy pride is expensive, but you can’t put a price on your health.

So chin up, and good luck.

I only get one day to re-design my own website, but I spend months on my clients’. Is this a good thing? Somebody get me a marketing budget and my own design team, STAT!

There is no question that working on perfecting your own website is a must. This must be at least vs. 10.0 of my design website. The first thing that your clients (and competitors) are doing is sizing you up using your website as a measure. Even if you have one day every two years to fix things up, better make it good! It is no secret that my clients websites look better than my own, but I need to balance this out to secure my chances of getting work.

Welcome to the world of the freelance graphic designer.

Logo Design
Brochures
Letterhead
Business Cards
Posters
Fliers
DVDS and Presentations
Flash GraphicseBooks and Self Publishing Projects
Reports
Professional Power Point Presentations
Catalogs

We DO NOT use templates or offer Cookie Cutter Websites!

We guarantee that the website you pay for is individual to you!

We create 100% original graphics!

We can color match your logo, or create a custom color theme.

A Word on “Cookie Cutter Websites” …

Basic Definition: An instant website which gives you a template and allows you to plug in your basic information, and voila, you have a website, or something that was trendy circa 1990. Usually you pay a low monthly price for this service. The companies offering cookie cutter websites often boast about their features. What they don’t tell you is that usually, these features are already offered by hosting companies without the garrish graphics.

The Positive:

1. The cost is usually low
2. Fast to get online

The Negatives:

1. Generic – The last thing an organization or business needs is to be like everyone else.
2. Excessive Branding – Often you will find that “your” website comes with ads.
3. Functionality CANNOT be predetermined.
4. Quality of design is low to go along with the cost.

PROJECTS:

GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR WEST SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Mason County District Library Just Imagine Campaign

Upcoming Novel: Love, Wanda

Some of the services we provide include:

GRAPHIC DESIGN:

- Logo Development

- Promotiional Material Design: Business cards, catalogs, brochures, letterhead, etc.

- Assistance with self publishing

- Illustration

- Digital art

WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT:

- Website Design

- Optimization

- Content Management Systems

- Dynamic Websites