By MacNessa, on September 28th, 2009%
With the advent of PDAs, it really has made the lives of freelancers like myself *so* much easier.
Just recently I upgraded my cell phone contract to a Blackberry device, and suffice it to say that the availability of push email and unlimited internet access has helped me to save countless hours which formerly was ‘time wasted’.
Doing the ‘school run’ in the past used to suck at least an hour out of my work time, now I arrive a bit early, and I immediately use that time to go through my latest emails, make voice notes about any thoughts I’m having on current projects. Of course if I don’t feel like working, then it becomes my Mp3 player of choice and with 2GB of memory it basically holds my entire library of music right there.
Oh yeah, and it’s a phone too… guess I forgot to mention that!
By MacNessa, on September 24th, 2009%
Standard Rates For Graphic Design
By Marcus Peterson
Graphic designing is a profession where the raw material is creativity and the output is art. Calculating the work done in terms of money most of the times becomes an arguable issue. The fiscal calculations of a project depend on many aspects, though rough but different standards are established for various types of graphic designing.
Web site designing costs can be broken down to depending on the type of site, wherein sites are classified as low end, mid range and high-end sites.
A low site offers a 2-4 pages content and uses existing graphical themes or sock graphics are purchased. The designing package does not provide any animation page or any database interaction feature. The standard rates of such low-end site range approximately from $500 – $2000. On the other hand a mid range website costs approximately $2000 – $ 5000.
The website includes 5-7 pages of content out of which some is developed. In addition, the designer provides with 2-4 original graphics and a standard layout with some customization. Animation includes JavaScript mouse over changes but data interactions are not provided.
A high-end website involves a high cost and the standards range from $5000 – $10,000. A designer provides 12 or more pages of content, or even contents that are pragmatically/dynamically generated. The design has a unique layout and extensive graphics with navigation schemes. The animation is often done in JavaScript, Animated GIFs, Dynamic HTML, and Flash. In addition, designers also provide with SQL or Flat File database interaction.
The services of most graphic designers can also be calculated in hours. For instance the standard rates for basic graphic design are approximately $ 80 per hour, for custom graphic design $160 per hour, for 3-D graphic design $250 per hour, and for prepress correction and graphic adjustments $ 80 per hour.
Such types of calculation have greatly simplified the rate and cost problems of designing projects, as the designer is getting paid rationally if a certain project requires more time. Similarly, a client can give work in contracts that are based on hours.
Graphic Design provides detailed information on Graphic Design, Graphic Design Schools, Graphic Design Jobs, Graphic Design Companies and more. Graphic Design is affiliated with Graphic Artist Salaries.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Standard-Rates-For-Graphic-Design&id=429015
Technorati Tags: graphic design
By MacNessa, on September 20th, 2009%
Don’t you just love the internet?
I mean really?
Hasn’t it fundamentally changed your life?
Seriously?
The thing that I find MOST fascinating about it, is that it’s both entertaining, and educational.
So while the library is still awesome in terms of being a place to go, and hold real books in your hands, the fact that I now have a machine in my home that I can ‘ask questions’ to, and actually find answers from, really amazes me.
Graphic Design Trends. At my fingertips.
Parenting Help. At my fingertips.
Movie Trailers. At my fingertips.
Helpful info about malignant Mesothelioma. At my fingertips.
Work, Money, Earning. At my fingertips.
Almost best of all? SHOPPING! At my fingertips.
I can totally see why some people end up never leaving their houses again.
Okay, not really, but still. Isn’t the internet the best thing EVER!?
Yes, I know, that which has great power, comes with great responsibility, and yes, it’s up to each individual to use it wisely.
Another reason I love the internet? Things are constantly changing new opportunities abound everyday. I’ve just managed to secure a small sponsorship for this blog, which will compliment it nicely. It’s going to include giveaways, and prizes, all of which will helpfully help me grow my readership base. Yes, competition in blogworld is strong, but that’s half the fun right?
By MacNessa, on September 17th, 2009%
YES! If you’re a freelancer, or someone who telecommutes, or someone who is an enlightened Mac User, then chances are you have an awesome, stylish home office in place. Or at least, are planning to have one that fits the above description in the not to distant future!
Well have you forgotten about your best furry friend? Don’t forget they will be working right there with you, as you blearily wipe the sleep out of your eyes to get stuck in, with your coffee hot, and your slippers still on to start your day at 4am. Why not shop for some awesome looking pet supplies for them, that match your office so that they can keep you company in style?
Don’t they deserve the very best in doggy home-office bedding?
By MacNessa, on September 15th, 2009%
You really can find anything if you just know where to look.
You’ve got to love the internet for this right? I mean hasn’t it just opened up the whole planet in terms of the things you can find!?
Here’s one example. Homeschooling in this neck of the woods, isn’t very popular. I suppose that is because it isn’t even that well known around here. Most people wouldn’t even begin to know where to look for the right curricullums (curricula?) gosh, looks like I need to brush up on my Latin.
However, these days, especially in the USA, you can find everything you need (except maybe time, and in my case the patience) to homeschool your kids. Everything from fancy whiteboard/computer interfaces, to discount classroom furniture, to all the learning materials that a Type A personality could hope to find.
It’s heartening to know that in a time when our educational system is on it’s knees (hurray for the private school my kids are going to), to know that for ‘average joe’ there is an alternative to state school out there.
More people need to know about this.
Technorati Tags: Homeschooling
By MacNessa, on September 14th, 2009%
We’ve all been there right?
You know…
Stuck.
Project Design Hell.
No clue what to do…
No inspiration, and what *does* come out looks…AWFUL.
Here are 5 handy ways to get your design mojo flowing again:
1. Stop
Deadline or no deadline, you’re not getting any younger in front of your computer, so stop. Take a walk. Get some fresh air. Work up a sweat on the Wii, elliptical trainer, or any other form of exercise that gets your blood pumping. This does NOT mean that you just walk to the fridge to help yourself to snackage – never mind the ‘freshman 15′ wait until you meet the ‘freelancer fifty’. It’s not pretty.
2. Fire Up That Playlist
You heard me, turn up the volume on your most inspiring playlist, and let your brain go. Close your eyes, and visualise whatever comes into your brain. Pick something with a bit of a beat, and it will help to get those creative juices flowing again.
3. Coffee
“It’s the only drug they let you use in an office.” – Dweebs, Sitcom, NBC 1990.
It’s a stimulant, it’s legal, so what was your question exactly?
4. Look to the Greats for Inspiration
Open up that copy of “A History of Modern Art” by H.H. Arnason and review what you learned in your freshman year at college. Read a newspaper, a magazine. Just open up those eyeballs and look around you. Design is everywhere.
5. Don’t Sweat It
Whatever you do, don’t stress about it. You’re a creative person. You have come this far. The more you stress, the more you look at your designs and think they’re awful. Get some fresh perspective, and let someone else look at them. Chances are they’re not half as bad as you think, and if they are, go back to step 1 and repeat!
Technorati Tags: graphic design inspiration
By MacNessa, on September 13th, 2009%
When designing items for selling (as opposed to designing to a brief), it’s unavoidable to design without using my own taste as a guideline. Which is why I added this post to my Ultimate Mac Office Series, because this design, is something that I would purchase and hang on the walls of my future dream office.
One of my income streams as a designer, comes from Zazzle.com. I love the freedom with which I can make designs, posters and other merchandise on their site. They’re also always bringing out new products to which I can apply my designs.
Here’s a canvas print that I made today. I’ve designed it to be part of a series, but it works well in a modern interior by itself as well.
By MacNessa, on September 10th, 2009%
Every now and then I come across a truly helpful site, and this one feels like I just hit the motherload!
As a freelancer myself, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to improve my workflow, increase my clientbase, market myself more effectively etc.
Every post is just loaded with information on various types of software from billing to project tracking to time management, to linking me up with other sites that are helpful to freelancers.
It is well worth checking out, if you have time – because you will be there all day going through the archives finding all sorts of buried treasure!
Please note that this is NOT a paid review.
By MacNessa, on September 8th, 2009%
What is a Gravatar you ask?
The word is an amalgamation of the words Globally Recognised Avatar. Think of it as your Facebook profile photo, without the photo. It’s an image to represent you online, when commenting on blogs etc Each email address ‘persona’ that you have, can have it’s own image. So for example, when I comment on graphic design specific blogs, I use my graphic design identity. When I comment on photography blogs, I use my professional photography email address.
It’s just another way to show your identity online, and keep all your branding in line.
Here’s a gravatar that I’ve just done for this photography website.
It’s in keeping with the Photo Super Hero theme and colours, and now when the admin comments, the comment will be decorated with this cute button. Fun huh? Sometimes I am amazed that I get paid for having this much fun!
Technorati Tags: Graphic Design, Gravatars, Design for Web
By MacNessa, on September 7th, 2009%
I’ve been working on a marketing postcard for the photography arm of my business.
Now because *I* am the client, AND the designer, it gets really hard! I can’t stick to my own brief, and I keep changing my mind. I eventually forced myself to pick a colour swatch from Adobe Kuler, and stick to it. I also went with a more elegant background, with a more modern shiny twist to the photographs in the foreground. I think things would be much easier if I were designing a marketing postcard for a Tacoma car accident lawyer! Because at least then *they* would have the final say.
It is indicative of the kind of photography that I do anyway, classic, beautiful, with a modern edge, so I suppose the brief is bang on! Well, at least I hope that my clients (both existing and new) will respond to it, and make bookings.
The back of the postcard contains details of my latest rates, and services, and of course all my contact details.
I’m tempted to add some contact details to the front page, and then turn it into a magnetic photo frame (the existing photographs get cut out) for people to put on their fridges with their favourite photos. It’s a good way to keep my contact details front and centre in their daily lives.
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