Graphic Design Trifecta!

Time for the Air Conditioner

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:09:26 +0000

When the days in May start to get warmer and daytime high temperatures start reaching 72 degrees on a regular basis, you may think it’s time for the air conditioner. First thing you should do before you turn your cooling system on, is to call a qualified HVAC company for maintenance of your A/C unit. Your local heating & cooling company should offer a service referred to as an A/C Tune Up or sometimes called a Clean & Check.

With this service a technician will come to your home inspect your air conditioner to make sure it is in good operating condition. Additionally they will clean the coil and perform a check of additional items. An A/C Tune Up will keep your system running well all summer, and will keep your warranty valid as most manufacturers require regular maintenance of your air conditioner and furnace.

Inspiration In Many Forms

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:17:04 +0000

You can find inspiration in many forms on a daily basis. For all of the individuals that cross your path each day, many have faced enormous challenges. Though we may be ignorant of their past it is how they carry on in the present that is inspirational. Take for example Chiyo, a Shiba Inu in Chicago that has had her share of challenges as an adopted dog from a dog rescue group. Having been rescued, her current owners are very loving and take good care of her. Chiyo is one of many dogs who have faced difficult circumstances but through their perseverance and joyful demeanor they teach us about seeking a positive attitude in the face of hardship.

Whether it is economic hardship, physical pain or emotional drain we can always draw inspiration from friends and stranger alike. Whether they be four-legged, or two-legged there are many lessons that we can learn when we open ourselves to seeing things from someone else’s perspective.

Chicago Dog Town – not so Dog Friendly!

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:55:25 +0000

As a dog owner in Chicago, January (winter in Chicago) means trying to spend as little time outside while walking the dog. Having to limit our time outdoors is really unfortunate for dogs and dog owners alike. The time we spend on dog walks is usually a valuable time to relax and be able to reward and exercise our pets.

Some of us are able to find time here and there to make sure our dogs still get a chance to run or get a long walk nearly everyday. Others can hardly find the time to let their dog out just “go to the bathroom”. Luckily if you live in Chicago there are a number of businesses that provide dog walkers or dog day care. These businesses are a great way to provide our dogs with the exercise, companionship of other dogs and helps break up long Chicago winter days.

For many people considering getting a new puppy or adopting a dog from a shelter, the time a dog will spend home alone is a huge factor in their decision making process. The abundance of dog day care facilities in the Chicago area is a welcome option for those looking to adopt. National Geographic’s television show Dog Town provides a great perspective on the issues facing many dogs who need homes and some touching dog adoption stories.

2010 New Years Plans

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:54:36 +0000

What are your plans in 2010, what do you expect to accomplish? What are your goals when it comes to your business. Lots of Chicago business owners are re-evaluating what path their businesses should be following. Taking a look at your business identity and how your customers see your business is a good starting point. What do your signs, business cards, brochures or websites say about your business. Do they inspire confidence in your customers that they are dealing with an established business? Like a living room in which the curtains, sofas and coffee table never change position let alone styles, does your business identity look tired or dated?

The new year is a great time to make plans to re-establish your business and look into improving everything from your bottom-line to the design of your marketing and promotional materials. Take a look at this recent article on 5 Ways To Reset the Button on Your Biz

Price & Prejudice

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:51:34 +0000

Often times we tend to equate price with quality which is logical in that cars, furniture and goods tend to follow that structure. However, personal services such as gym trainers, painters, or plumbers operate in a world where their products are more abstract and quality isn’t determined until the work is completed. As a graphic designer, I can show people a portfolio of previous work to showcase different styles, projects as well as the scope of work. If someone expects to be paid a handsome amount for their work they better be able to have proven examples and references to back it up.

Working with a first time web or graphic designer can lead to mismanaging your project and cost you more than simply their fee. Delays, poor quality and lack of professionalism may cause you to abandon a project or have someone else complete it, resulting in paying twice the cost. Always seek references from people who are completely satisfied with the work that was done for them. As simple as this sounds, people make decisions based on the need to have something completed quickly and ignore a vital aspect – competency.

Pushing the envelope… (the business card and the brochure)

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:13:39 +0000

Now is a great time to push the envelope so to speak and make a concentrated effort to look at the branding and image of your company. If your company branding or promotional materials need updating you can spark business by implementing changes. If you can no longer afford to sit back and wait for customers to come to you take steps to re-invent or establish your company logo, business cards, brochures or website to capitalize when others (your competitors) lack a plan of action and are content to stand pat.

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2009/06/22/smallb4.html