Finding the Perfect Wedding Invitation Design. Ponder This!

June 24th, 2009
Atlas Designs - Invitations & Announcements asked:


Most brides now use the internet to find that perfect invitation, or at least get ideas of what other brides have used.  With so many details and so little time, how do you find the right invitation for your very unique wedding? Here’s a quick checklist to think through when pondering what type of wedding invitation you want to go with. Stay tuned for our next article, which will run you through the Elements of a Perfect Invitation. Ponder this:

In what type of setting are you getting married – church, formal, casual, outdoor, beach, gazebo, destination? What are your wedding colors? Is there an overall theme to your wedding? Will your wedding be ethnic or religious related? In what season will your wedding take place? What personal touches will you be adding into your ceremony? Are there symbols that you might want on your invitation that will carry through the wedding? What is the style of your wedding - will you want traditional or modern invitations? What type of flowers are you having in your wedding? How important is traditional wedding etiquette to you? Do you want to include your photo on your wedding invitations? How much have you budgeted for your invitations? Does your budget include any other print items, such as ceremony programs, reception table and place cards, etc.?

Having a good idea to most of these points will make the process much smoother when you sit down with your wedding planner or invitation designer. Call Atlas Designs today at 561.445.7630 or visit our site to see a gallery of designs our brides have loved. We’re at http://www.atlasdesigns.org/.  Our designs our unique, fresh, and custom tailored to every brides’ specifications.  Not a single invitation is identical to the next.  Our brides receive one-on-one service and designs that are uniquely, unquestionably theirs.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How did you narrow down the myriad of invitations out there to the perfect one that will herald your event?  We’d love to get your comments.



Picking Your Dream Tattoo Design

June 12th, 2009
Tattoo Design Review asked:


Tattoos are very common these days, with nearly 1 in 4 people having at least one.  Tattoos represent an art form, and allow people to broadcast who they are.  Even though they are popular, most people will end up regretting them.  In most cases, those who regret tattoos didn’t think about their design or take the time to choose the best tattoo for them.  Even though it is possible to get a tattoo removed, the process is expensive and quite painful.  To prevent this from happening, you should always take some time and find the perfect tattoo – your dream design.

Instead of trying to save some money, you should never choose a studio or artist based on how cheap they are.  Cheaper artists and studios normally lack in work quality, which is why they are able to charge cheaper prices. Instead, you should look for the best studio and artist that you can find close to your area.  Even though it may be expensive – the quality and design will be well worth it.

For some, their dream design is a person.  This can be a loved one or someone who has passed on.  You can always use a design or symbol that means something to you and reminds you of them or you can always use their face.  Good tattoo artists can make magical tattoos with meaning, whether it is someone’s face or a symbol that brings out meaning.

Sometimes, it can be hard picking out your dream design.  If you have an idea in mind but are still not sure what you want, you can always research.  You can get tattoo books, theme books, magazines, or just research online.  By looking at designs you may find something similar to what you are interested in.  Once you have found it, all you need to do is sit down with your tattoo artists and come up with your dream tattoo design.

If you have a basic idea for something small in mind, you can always have it tattooed then come back later and have more added on.  The best thing about tattoos is the fact that they can always be added to later.  This can be a great thing if you want to try a smaller tattoo first, and then decide whether or not you want to get it bigger.  If you start with a fraction of your dream design, you can always finish it up later on.

Whenever you get your dream tattoo you should always take time selecting the design.  Tattoos will stay with you forever, which is why you should pick them carefully.  If you put the necessary time and thought into it now, you won’t regret it later.  Your dream design should be very important, and hold meaning.  This way, every time you look at it – you’ll be reminded of that special moment in time and you’ll never forget about it.

Click here to read more about Tattoo Design Review

 

 



Creating a Brand Identity With Professional Design

June 6th, 2009
Website Design Weston asked:


The design process is crucial to any business, whether it is creating a simple company logo, or the design of an entire corporate campaign.

Once your business is up and running, any form of corporate identity will act to represent the company visually creating a brand. If you look at big corporate companies you will notice company branding stands the test of time for many years before it is appropriate to re-develop.

Many companies never change their logo design dramatically but only make the smallest of changes to keep the design looking fresh.

It is worth taking time and not rushing a company logo or corporate identity design as your design will represent your company and be around for a very long time.

Logo design is creating a unique symbol / graphic to reflect your companies image and vision. A successful logo becomes a symbol of your companies identity, shows your professional and should be used on your on business cards, letterheads, compliment slips, vehicle signage or website.

When you choose to have a logo designed ask for a few different designs to choose from, each logo should have its own character and style. Giving you the best options to suit your needs.

Your logo design should be professional and prove to be a statement of your business to new / existing clients, suppliers and staff, your logo design needs to easily identify its purpose and values of your company and bring instant credibility.

If you own a small company, with a well-designed logo your business will look big. It will look more professional inspiring confidence to your customers.

A striking logo is paramount for the image of any business, small or large. The design creates a starting block for a companies corporate identity, the right colours, fonts and is of great importance when starting to design business cards, compliment slips, letterheads and a website, keeping all styles consistent throughout creating your brand identity.

Logo design types

High / Low resolution

If you are looking at starting a new business, you will need a logo. All logo designs should be unique to your business, no templates, no free graphics or clipart, just bespoke designs for your company.

Below is a break down of the different types available:

Logo designs for onscreen

Low resolution RGB 72dpi

Ideal for websites, emails, PowerPoint presentations and general onscreen viewing only. Because of the small size they can be downloaded very quickly but are not suitable for print.

Logo designs for print

High resolution CYMK 300dpi

High Resolution Logo Design

Must be use for printing high quality material e.g. letterheads, business cards, compliment slips, banners, posters etc. This means your logo will be clear and crisp when printed, if a low resolution logo is used it is likely that the end result will be blurred, blocky and illegible.

Logo design - redraw and enhancement

Alternatively, if you do not require full logo design service, you could re-design, redraw or enhance your existing logo for print or website use.

By Ben Smith

Graphic Design Somerset



Hiring Professional Web Site Designers Vs. Building Your Own Website

June 4th, 2009
Ink Blot Design Studios asked:


Build Your Own Website vs. Hiring a Professional Website Designer

The question of whether small business owners should hire a professional website designer or build their own websites using do-it-yourself software boils down to four primary considerations:

1) Site Ownership: Generally speaking, when a person creates a do-it-yourself business website they are bound by the terms of use of their hosting website. In most cases such sites stipulate that all rights to the materials on the small business owner’s website actually belong to the host! That means that if the business owner ever wanted to upgrade his or her site to a custom design or migrate the site material to a new host they would not be allowed to do so!

When you build a do-it-yourself website you are locked into the site and the host contractually and the provider never has to let you transfer your website contents. In fact, there are often service cancellation fees of up to $300!

This is not the case with custom designed websites. A good web development company will provide you with all the files you need in order to edit or transfer your site as you see fit at no charge to you. You should not generally be required to pay any fees beyond the design and setup price.

2) Price: On an upfront cost basis do-it-yourself websites are cheaper. Business owners can enroll in most build-your-own-website service plans for about $20 to $30 per month. In many cases there are no upfront charges and you only get hit with big bills when you opt to cancel later on down the road.

On the other hand, website designers generally charge you for their services upfront or over the course of your website, logo or graphic design development project. Web design fees will vary widely from one provider to the next and from one project to the next. The benefits of having a custom site build that you own are that you won’t have to pay the designer a monthly fee and you should have complete control over what you do with your site after it is completed.

3) Uniqueness of your Company Image: One of the key drawbacks of do-it-yourself websites is that business owners are often given limited options as to what templates they can use and how they can modify those templates. This can result in two or more different companies having essentially the same website.

This issue is not all-together remedied by using professional web designers. Many companies provide template based products because it allows their clients to more easily envision what the end product might look like. Template based sites also tend to be less expensive to customize and thus the clients can have them designed at lower prices.

You as a buyer should always pay attention to whether you are receiving a ‘customized’ website or a ‘custom’ website. Customized websites are template based. There is nothing wrong with starting from a template but generally you should expect to pay less for this service than you would for a fully custom website design.

4) Appearance and Quality: If you secure the services of a skilled and reliable web development company then you should almost universally receive a higher quality, better looking, website via a professional design than you would using a do-it-yourself website. There’s virtually no debating this matter.

In the end, whether you should choose a build-it-yourself website or a professional designed website is a matter of personal preferences. You should review your options and your circumstances and then make the decision that best suits your needs.

This article was written by Ink Blot Design Studios. Ink Blot Design Studios is a High Quality, yet Affordable, Website, Logo and Graphic Design Company.





Hiring An Interior Designer

May 31st, 2009
The Designer Insider asked:


 

Design professionals are your resource to the latest trends, best products and ideas to help assist you in the best possible way to achieve your goals. The designer will do the footwork for you while providing the very best for your budget. They can save you hundreds of dollars on just one project by helping to prevent costly mistakes. The agreed upon fee can be by the hour or by the project depending on the client\’s needs. Below I have outlined some tips for choosing a designer:

 

1. Interview several designers to find the best fit for your project.

2. A professional will be upfront about the fees and cost so there will be no hidden fees that will surprise you in the end. Ask questions!

3. Find a designer that fits your budget and project. Some professionals only deal with certain aspects of design and have a minimum charge. Interview over the phone first and get some pricing upfront.

4. Be sure to express your feelings to the designer and keep the lines of communication open.

5. This should be an enjoyable experience! If not, then choose another designer. Any recommendations you can get from other clients are always helpful.

6. A true professional will be able to buy at wholesale and save you money!

7. Get references! A professional will have references and photos that show projects that have been completed. Ask detailed questions about any concerns you may have about the projects completed. Actually check the references from the portfolio.

8. Address any concerns about the time that you have appropriated for the project, monies involved and the overall schedule that you must meet.

9. Discuss the quality you expect and what you hope to gain from this project.

10. Get any details in writing that you feel necessary. Such as: project time limits, monies to be paid to the designer, contracts, agreements and the scope of the work.

 

Remember that your designer is a complete resource for the creation of the lifestyle that you want to bring to your home or office. Hiring a designer can be one of the best decisions you ever make!

 



Alabama Web Design

May 26th, 2009
Alabama Web Design asked:


Fresno Web Design - The Most Important Factors to Contemplate When Selecting a Professional FresnoWeb Design Service

One of the most effective growth strategies for any endeavor is expanding into new markets. And what is the highly recommended way to offer your products and services and reach these new customers? Establishing an excellent online presence, of course. Once you decide the kind of web site your business needs, you’ll have to hire a web design service. There are some essential things that you should consider when selecting a professional Fresno web design service.

First-rate Customer Service

There is a popular marketing preceptthat states that, “The customer always comes first”. This is particularly true for web design. You are paying good money for a web site that is more than just another business card or brochure. You are depending on this web site to expand your business and raise your revenues. You ought to make sure the Fresno web design service you hire provides top-quality customer service. They should be readily accessible to customers, to deal with questions, clear up doubts, or simply just be there for you.

Consider, as well, the types of services provided. Creating a web site involves more than just the graphics design. The service you select should be able to convey your marketing goal, what you wish to achieve with your web site. They should keep in mind your demographics and plan the site accordingly. They must know about keyword research. Why have a web site if there will be very little traffic? A serious Fresno web design service should be able to handle these issues.

Competitive Rates

You might be tempted to choose the lowest bidder, but heed this warning: you get what you pay for. A professional Fresno web design service will offer competitive rates, but never the cheapest rates. Top quality has its price, and if you’re relying on your new web site to expand your business, the investment will be well worth it.

Estimated Delivery Time

Another essential point to consider when selecting a professional Fresnoweb design service is what their estimated completion date might be. With the amount of individuals conducting business online, you’ll want to make sure your web site is up and running as soon as possible. If you establish a realistic deadline, a serious web design service should be able to not only complete the project in timely fashion, but also deliver a web page that is exactly what you envisioned to accompany you to greater success.

To sum up, there are countless Fresno web design services to choose from, but if you contemplate the factors mentioned above, you’ll no doubt make the right choice.

www.TheOutSourcingCompany.com - Alabama Web Design