Archive for August, 2009

Shopping Online: For Computer Gear

Aug 27th

Posted by MacNessa in Cool Gadgets

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I went trawling the local web this morning, for a USB hub for my mom. Turns out her Lenovo Notebook is annoying the proverbial ‘you know what’ out of her.  First of all I apologies to Apple, that as  Mac user I have not managed to convert my techno-phobic mother to a Mac. Yes I know she would be far better off, but alas.

You see her Lenovo’s usb ports are on the right. She’s right handed. So when she has used her USB ports for things like her notebook mouse, flash drive and camera/printer/3G modem etc it constantly interferes with her mouse-using.

So she’s planning on using the USB hub on the one USB port at the back of the Lenovo (how happy I am to have a Macbook, that knows I’m right handed and has ports on the left where they are out of the way), and the plug in what she needs to there, to keep it out of the way of her mouse. Yes she has a trackpad on the notebook, but did you read the part above where I said she was a technophobe? Yes, we STICK with what we KNOW when that happens people.

Anyhoo, I was really pleased to find some really great priced stuff on the local web.
Huh. Whooda thunkit?

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Matching Banners and Sidebar Bling

Aug 27th

Posted by MacNessa in Advertising Design

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Remember this blog header that I completed a few days ago for one of my regular clients?

Well it now has a 125 x 125px friend to sit in her sidebar, and for her to hand out to all her blogging friends to decorate their sidebars with.

See here?

Now I’m just placing it onto a webserver where it can live out it’s days being broadcast to the world, in all it’s glory and provide it’s owner with much wonder back-link juice.

Now, onto other work, time to make some more money for one day when I’m old, grey, frail and in need of  walk in tubs and chairlifts and whatnot. As Suze Orman said on Oprah last night, “Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best”  I say that these are WORDS TO LIVE BY.

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A Fresh Look at a Well Marketed Product

Aug 25th

Posted by MacNessa in Advertising Design

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Have you ever had to come up with a concept, or design for a product that is already very visible, and popular in the market place?

Think of weight loss pills for a second. There are hundreds of these products currently available in the marketplace.

How do you brainstorm new ideas for an already over-saturated market? Images of skinny women, muscular men, tape measures, hourglasses are all the classics that spring to mind. The word B-O-R-I N-G also leaps to mind. What would be an absolutely fantastic new way to market this kind of product?

What about creating tongue-in-cheek cartoon characters, like Captain DeFatilator? I can see a boardroom full of advertising executives cringe at the sound of that, but at least it’s vaguely original! When brainstorming, one should never discount any ideas, because some of the best ideas, and grow out of the most ridiculous concepts – so be open minded, and above all, LOVE what you do!

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Reasonably Priced Blog Headers

Aug 25th

Posted by MacNessa in Advertising Design

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I’ve just completed another blog header project for a regular client. I enjoy her taste, as it’s very similar to my own and it makes for a working relationship that really, well, works!

Here’s a looksee at her blog header for the coming month…

I’m also designing a sidebar button to match, which also denotes this bloggers location. We’ve decided to go with month related themes, and I will be producing a new header for her each month. When you do freelance graphic design work, to pick up this kind of regular work, is absolutely heaven sent. I particularly enjoy this kind of design work too, so hmmm, happy, I am. As Yoda would say.

Of course to pick up another 20 clients just like her, enabling me to not only daydream about the shiny new 24″ iMac I hope to purchase this year, but start to shop for great travel deals too!

Recession? What Recession? Roll on business!

If you are interested in having a blog header/web banners designed by me, please drop me an email, prices start very reasonably from ZAR 75 per item. For international folk, prices are based on the US $, and start from $10. Seriously reasonable folks! Paypal, AlertPay, and Moneybookers Accepted Gladly.

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Graphic Design is Everywhere

Aug 19th

Posted by MacNessa in Advertising Design

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Graphic Design really does touch SO many parts of our lives!

I stand in a store, the post office, the mall, the airport, literally anywhere, and I am bombarded by a gazillion examples of good (and bad) graphic design.

Everything from giant lightboxes, to signs on ABS board, to cardboard displays, to just about anything that bombards the eye with colour and type. Am I the only one who gets excited by this?

This world of design, and graphic design in particular never fails to thrill me with it’s diversity, and reach. Awesome!

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Avoid Procrastination at All Costs!

Aug 18th

Posted by MacNessa in Uncategorized

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There are always things in a day that one does NOT want to do.

My own personal nemesis is housework. Mostly.

Laundry, I love. Seriously, all the colour coordinating, and sorting, has me in some kind of toddler building block heaven. I actually relish the folding, and take great pride in folding things SO precisely, and placing them in the closets *just* right. Ironing, I also enjoy, I even starch my husbands shirt collars and cuffs.

Ask me to clean the kitchen and my head may just explode right there. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a clean kitchen. I adore orderliness, and cleanliness, and a sense of everything having a place, I just hate doing it. Loading the dishwasher, UGH I’d rather swim through toxic waste. Unloading the dishwasher is less painful, but then there is always something to reload once it’s empty and that’s where I get stuck.

Another thing I hate, is asking me to deal with a company billing issue. For example, our ISP has just billed us double the usual amount, I downloaded the usage table, only to discover that we have no out of bundle usage. I’m pissed. I want that money back. But ask me to sit on hold or go through a myriad of options with the ISP on the phone and again, toxic waste is looking all the more attractive as a holiday destination. (Actually I think our ISP knows this…).

Don’t ask me to phone around for quotes for term life insurance, and I’ll probably rip your head off. Sure we may save a few bucks a month by changing our current policy, but I’m not sure my personality would survive the onslaught.

Right, I think I need more caffeine, because clearly, I’m not in my usual upbeat mood. Maybe it’s time to get my thyroid checked out again…which brings me to the subject of doctors offices…

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Work Hard. Play Harder.

Aug 5th

Posted by MacNessa in Business Talk

1 comment

The rewards of working your butt off are many.

For one – there’s job satisfaction. Always a biggee – afterall we do spend our lives at our jobs (mostly) we best do a good job, enjoy it and be proud of our efforts.

I am so blessed to be able to do something that I love. That I absolutely thrive on.

Occasionally though, one does need a break.

A complete break to replenish the creativity stores.

A change of scenery to get the mind the hell out of that box that things like routine and familiarity put it into.

Sometimes I like to go to my quiet place in my head.

It’s on a mountain, near Banff, Alberta, and I’m riding a palomino horse, taking in the crisp mountain air. The grandeur is awe inspiring. (It’s a real memory, that I go back to when I need to stop and breathe).

stratoAnother time I’m picturing fast paced Vegas vacations!

Golfing weekends in the desert!

A photoshoot in the Neon Boneyard!

The living, audacious lights of The Strip!

The ching-ching-ding-a-ling of a million slots tempting me with promises of wealth and fortune.

The things I could buy with my brand new, vast empire of wealth.

Just one more quarter.
:)

Happy Day Dreaming it is an essential part of your day.

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Awesome Deals: Is it that time of year already?

Aug 3rd

Posted by MacNessa in Business Talk

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Yes, it’s really almost that time of year already. Time for Black Friday specials. I just wish we had them here in SA. Though I’m not entirely sure I want to be caught up in a mob around these parts…

For those of you who don’t know, “Black Friday” is the day after Thanksgiving (which is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday) which has CRAZEEEEE special deals. Think of it as basically hundreds of people, looking as though they’re looting stores, but in reality they’re paying for stuff.

Now if I could just find a 24″ iMac for say, ….next to nothing???

Anyone, anyone?

Beuller?

Bueller?

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Look to The Masters For Inspiration

Aug 2nd

Posted by MacNessa in Advertising Design

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One of my favourite websites at the moment, is Smashing Magazine. They are part techie, part designer, and just about everything they talk about I find absolutely fascinating, and very inspirational.

Today they did a post about the Bauhaus school of thought.

It took me RIGHT back to high school art class when I first studied the movement.

I felt the rush of excitement and pure pleasure at seeing some of the designs in front of me again. The image is clickable if you’d like to go and read it for yourself. They also talk about Kandinsky, Klee and a few other painters you may be familiar with if you’re an arto like myself.

It was a great reminder to me to always look to the masters when needing inspiration, refreshment and motivation. One should always seek advice and guidance from ‘those in the know’.

If you want to buy a new car, consult an expert, watch Top Gear, read a motoring magazine. If you want to lose weight, see a doctor, read a fat burner review or take a pill.

Consult those in the know.

It’s a good lesson.

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