I’ve moved my site to my own hosting at

http://aligoldie.com

Feel free to browse and write in your comments.

thanks so much for you support!

I managed to upload my new trial flash website on a web hosting plan. Please be patient as downloading of the site commences.

Please feel free to view my website on www.aligoldie.com

Thank you.

What do you think of it?

 The bimonthly magazine of Ideafixa.com is out! Volume #8 titled Self-potrait. A flash player is required to view the magazine.

A comic strip site I stumbled which displays types of clients designers tend to meet. I myself have met many during my presentations with clients. Does this ever happen to you?

Read more..

Technorati Tags: design, business, personal, internet

As a graphic designer, I have passion and love with what I do. I was inspired by many designers I read and kept up to-date on websites, articles, blogs & design forums. We, as designers create solutions; how a design is perceived and influenced by consumer choices. Graphic design is not only an art; but it is actually a visual communication for commercial success. Up to this day, many of us are ignorant of an issue that is harassing the design industry; it is being ravaged of its value.

Most of us have studied for it and have worked to understand the processes and the psychology of designs. Design itself reflects an image, the value of products & services. Think about the products you buy or the stores that you shop at. Have you ever hesitated on a purchase because of the way it looked?

I have observed many designers underestimating industry prices and giving clients rights as they want just to ensure they secure the project. Even on freelancer forums & sites where designers “bid” the best price for projects/ jobs like $50 for logo design or $100 website. Why does this happen? Desperation! I cannot imagine how you can get an original logo designed which truly reflects your corporate image with such a flimsy logo design fee. I think this gives a clouded view to the design buyers who shape their budgets around a faux value.

I sincerely believe that there are a few factors why we are experiencing this disastrous event. In the first instant, now is the dawn of the computer age where design softwares used by unprofessional people think that as long as they can use Photoshop to manipulate pictures or layout a design with no effort, creating a so-called good design, instantaneously makes them think they are a designer. Wrong! The programs we use are tools just as a builder with their hammer and nails to build a great structure. You wouldn’t want your 12-year old to build your house just because he knows how to use a hammer and nails. It is not about knowing- but understanding. In design itself, we have design rationales, colour theory, typography, elements and most importantly – concept.

Why does design now viewed as a commodity rather than a service? It is not! My professional view is that there is a lack of education and exposure especially fresh graduates from design schools, not knowing that what they charged is a meager sum just to secure projects. Ridiculous! I, myself as a designer was not aware of this until I looked further into this matter and understood that many do not understand the value of designs. A lot of sites offer cheap solutions especially to those that are underselling the industry. How are our clients supposed to know the true value of our services if all they see are these freelance type sites and low-balling designers?

I would greatly appreciate if we all could make a stand and create awareness that designs have got specific values. I would not sit and let the industry crumble to dust with this mortification. I am proud to be a qualified graphic designer.

I would gladly hope to hear a few feedbacks on this matter.

Thank you.

Technorati Tags: design, marketing, business, personal

Since we as designers need source of inspirations for our artworks, here is a site where you can find tonnes of links and now more information about free PDF mag’s from all over the world with main focus on art, design, illustration and life.

Did I mentioned that its free?

http://www.pdf-mags.com/

My research

I am doing a research on what really inspires a designers creativity and need helpful feedbacks on the subject for my article. Does music inspire you? Maybe a local artist? A friend? A website?

Do reply a feedback on what really inspires a yourself as a designer. Send comments or you can email me: aligoldie@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: design, creative, internet

Here for your viewing pleasure are 19 of the best and brightest in blog design from across the web. read more

Technorati Tags: design, creative, internet

Fancy dinner anyone?

Here is a few preview of fascinating anatomy tattoo design. Personally I do not agree in having one, but still I value & prise such great artwork and salute to those who love the art of tattoos.

“Let Sparta feel my wrath!”

More designs on Street Anatomy Blog. There is even one portraying a bleeding heart. Would you want a new tattoo now?

Technorati Tags: tattoo, design, art, anatomy

1. The client doesn’t understand the publicity process. PR folks need to better educate people about how publicity works. The first thing many clients ask is, “Can you get me on Oprah or the front page of the Wall Street Journal?” The answer might be “yes,” but the process to get to the “yes” may take months or years, and may first include a series of smaller placements.

2. The scope of work is not detailed and agreed upon by both parties. Here’s a typical example: a client signs an agreement to spend $3,000 per month. Client expects to get three publicity placements per month. PR person expects to work 20 hours, regardless of the outcome. The inevitable disconnect leads to customer frustration and the feeling of being “burned.”
3. The client has not been properly trained on how to communicate with the media. Proper training for interviews is crucial; otherwise, key messages can be misconstrued, and even negative stories can result. Clients seldom blame themselves when this happens.
4. The client and the PR person or firm are not a good match. Example: Client hears about a local PR person, meets and likes the PR person, and figures it’s a good match. Or the client chooses the lowest price PR option. And the PR person, instead of referring the client to another practitioner who is a better fit, decides to take on the client—and the money.
5. The client has not gotten results quickly enough and ends the relationship too soon. Client should plan on conducting a campaign for a minimum of six months. And even that is aggressive. A year should really be the bare minimum to commit to PR The media works on its own timetable, which is usually much longer than the client’s.
6. PR people don’t explain the kind of publicity placements a client will most likely receive. Every client wants a big profile of the company on the cover of a major magazine or newspaper, but most stories are about a “trend,” several companies, or some recent news with quotes from experts. Profiles are few and far between. Yet, instead of explaining this, PR people often tell potential clients what they want to hear, in order to get the business.
7. Clients don’t realize that what happens after you get the publicity coverage is sometimes more important than the actual placement. My smartest client didn’t care if he got a quote or a profile—he just wanted to be included in major media. When it was time to get an agent and publisher for his book, he handed them a list of all his media placements, and this clinched the deal. The agent and publisher figured that if all of the major media was willing to include him as a source, then he must have something important to say.
8. Clients refuse to be flexible on their story angles. One of my clients once said to me, “We only want profiles.” When the media wasn’t interested, they refused to consider other story angles that the media was interested in. Now I make sure clients are willing to have us pitch three to four angles.
9. Clients get upset when the media coverage is not 100% accurate or not the kind of coverage that they wanted. One of my former clients said, “That TV segment on me was only a minute long.” When I explained that length of time was impressive in TV Land, she refused to understand.
10. Clients won’t change their schedules for the media. Clients need to drop everything if the media calls. This may be inconvenient, but the media waits for no one. If you want to be a “media darling,” then you need to make yourself available at any time. Those who do will reap the best benefits and placements.

read more on link

Technorati Tags: marketing, PR, business

Have you ever noticed how a phone conversation can change simply by your posture or environment? I caught myself walking around the office while I was on the phone yesterday and thought about why and more striking, when I do this.

Three examples:

• When I’m on business development calls, brainstorming or pitching ideas, I’m standing or walking around. It opens my mind for creativity, helps me listen and react on the fly.

• When presenting, speaking, or hosting a demonstration over the phone I find myself sitting forward with my elbows on my knees. It makes me focus and stay on task.

• When I’m taking personal calls my feet are on the desk, I’m leaned back in my chair and often watching the sky that I can see outside my window.

How do you think this type of positioning changes my tone? Is my tone over the phone more creative and welcoming of ideas when I stand, more commanding and serious when I sit and lean forward or more relaxed and comfortable when I lean back? You know this makes an impact on the other end of the line and can lead the conversation in one way or another.

What are some of your “on the phone” characteristics? Say a big client just rings in and catches you off guard, what does your body do to prepare you for what they might say?

Technorati Tags: marketing, business