Why hire a graphic designer?

Think you can’t afford a graphic designer? Think again. Here are six reasons why you should hire a graphic designer.

1. Saves you time.

You’re an expert at your business. Graphic designers are experts at graphic design.They know how to create materials that attract the attention of your target market while visually conveying your business’ image. By taking advantage of their expertise, you’re able to save time and get the project done right. (Besides, do you really want to sit down and try to design your own marketing mate- rials?)

2. Distinguishes your organization.

Good graphic design will quickly communicate your marketing messages to your customers. Just by looking at your materials, they’ll get an impression of what your organization is about, the feel of your organization, what it would be like to work with you, etc.
The importance of a strong visual presentation cannot be understated. As human beings, we rely heavily on what we see in the world.A good graphic designer knows how to manipulate colors, fonts and images in order to create the best impression for your company.
Great graphic design merges art with marketing – it takes years to master. But once mastered, the results can be amazing.

3. Cuts through the chaos.

Every day, Americans are hit with over 3,000 attempts to snag their attention. The right design can help your message stand out and be noticed rather than getting over- looked.

4. Makes you look good.

Wonderful design combined with well-written copy will add a level of professionalism and elevate your business’ image to a higher level.

5. Helps you understand what you want.

Let’s say you know you need the help of a graphic designer but you’re not sure where to start.A graphic designer can help you organize your thoughts and get a handle on your concept.Then, that graphic designer can take that information and turn it into eye-catching, results-driven design.

6. Help you be objective.

Many business people are too close to their business so it’s difficult for them to see not just faults but also strengths. Graphic designers can come in and be objective, really seeing how best to sell the business, the image, the products or services.Then they can design your materials for maximum results.

How to write a Graphic Desing Business Contract

By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com

Contracts are standard operating procedure for businesses. Even small desktop publishing businesses and graphic designers just starting out need to know how to write a contract. Your contract is an agreement between you, the designer, and your client to provide design and desktop publishing services. You and the client need to be in agreement as to exactly what specific services you are providing, when you’ll finish the job, how much money is involved, and ownership of the completed work

Here’s How:

1. Start with a sample contract or template.

   You can write a contract on your own pulling elements from some of the samples and templates available online; however, you should have a lawyer look over any contract you plan to use. Use the contract samples to find the exact wording you want to use for the sections and clauses described below as well as a format for names and addresses, date and signature lines, which state laws apply to the contract, and other standard elements.

2. Describe the project.

   A part of the freelance design contract should include a Project Description of what specific services you are providing and the specifications of the final project to be delivered. The details may be included as part of the detailed estimate.

3. Specify date of completion.

   As a minimum the contract should stipulate the estimated Completion Date. You may also include interim production stages. This section would also describe circumstances and liability in the event the schedule must change.

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Tags: business contracts, contracts, design contracts, free design contracts, graphic design conracts, how to write a contract, professional design contracts, web contracts, write a contract

13 Beautiful WordPress Themes

So many WordPress themes are available for free download. Here is a small pick of 13 really nicely designed ones that have been released within the last few months. Some of them also have allocated space for 125px adverts and header ads. And remember they are all free to download! If you want to add any to our next collection that are released throughout the October / November period, drop us a comment.

Click here to view all the themes.

120 Self Promotion Ideas for Graphic Designers & Freelancers

by: AllGraphicDesign.com

(1) Give Away Freebies With Your Design Business’s Name and Contact Information.
Go to where your target customers hang out and set up a booth or table. Give out some freebies and a flyer or leaflet as well. Some examples of freebies include free magnets, rubber bands, rulers, note pads, etc. All of these items should have your information printed on them.

(2) Free Demonstrations of Your Services.
Go to local print shops, office supply stores, and other local stores and offer to give free demonstrations of your services. You can also offer lessons as well.

(5) Speaking Engagements.
Contact local schools and associations about classes, colleges, seminars, lectures that you can speak or teach at.

(6) Go to Your Local Library or Book Store and Place Business Cards in Relevant Books.
This one is a little iffy. Go to your local book stores and libraries and find books that a potential customer might read and place your business card in it.

(7) Shave Your Logo into Your Hair or Get a Logo Tattoo.
Want to strike up conversation easily? Shave your logo into your hair or get a tattoo.

(6) Flyer / Business Card Exchanges.
Network with other local non-competitive businesses. See if they will display your business card or flyer in exchange for referrals, etc.

(7) Incorporate a Referral Incentive Program.
Offer your customers an incentive for referring customers to you. An incentive could be a discount on future business, a gift certificate, a gift, or whatever you decide that they incentive should be. You might also consider implementing a referral fee.

(8) Hold a Contest.
Offer a contest with a grand prize that would interest your target audience. Promote your contest through flyers, local newspapers, and local radio stations. This will get the word out about your business and will more than pay for itself. (however you have to have the startup cash to place ads in local newspapers and on the radio. If you don’t have startup cash, just use hand printed flyers and place them all over your the place (such as libraries, grocery stores, malls, etc). By holding a contest, you can also get your site listed on dozens of online contest directories.

(9) Directory Listings.
Make sure to list your company in all appropriate free directories. If you can afford it, get yourself listed in directories that require a fee (as long as you have researched that directory and it is a directory that will land you business).

(10) Wear Your Business Information.
Create t-shirts, hats, buttons, and bags with your company’s information and web site listed on them. You might feel like a walking advertisement but that is the point.
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Tags: advertising for designers, advertising for freelancers, Free Advertising, free self promotions, graphic design business plan, graphic designers, marketing for designers, marketing ideas, promote yourself, promoting portfolios, self marketing, self promotions

How Much Should a Web Design Cost?

Article by: Pearsonified

Every week, I get emails from potential clients who all want to know one thing: How much for a design?

Nine times out of ten, my answer causes them to run for the hills. Scary thing is, based on industry buzz, my prices could actually be considered totally reasonable by comparison. Don’t believe me? Well, today you get the whole scoop – my prices, their prices, and my always-priceless editorial commentary on the subject

My Prices

For the sake of argument, I’m going to constrain today’s post to blog design only.

When people email me and ask for a quote, I always follow the same process. I visit their current site and determine the following:

• The current CMS platform (WordPress, MovableType, Drupal, etc.)
• The scope of the site – how many unique styling elements will be required for specialty pages?
• The perceived complexity of the re-design. Does this person want a graphical masterpiece with all kinds of bells and whistles?

Generally speaking, there’s not a whole lot of variance in these areas from blog to blog, so after checking out the site in question, I usually have a good idea of how much to charge. Now, to answer the question you all want to hear…How much is all this gonna run ya?

At this time, blog designs start at $1500. This price is for a blog that has minimal graphical complexity, no customized icons, and no logo production. What you do get at this price is rock-solid, hand-crafted, browser-tested CSS, XHTML, and simple (but striking) graphic design.

In most cases, bells and whistles like plugin support, unique page designs, and extra graphics push the price up into the $1800-$2000 range. From there, the price is largely dictated by page-specific CSS/XHTML production and custom graphic design. It’s totally conceivable that a pimped out blog could run as much as $3000. Rest assured, though, that it would be totally badass, and the recipient of the design would receive mad props for having such a killer online abode.

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