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How to Get the Most Out of Your Designer
Most people don’t realize the time, energy and expertise that go into creating a website, logo, or any graphic element. Small and large design studios face the same challenges with educating current and potential clients to the standard design practices they adhere to. Most people who are looking for a website or logo design need to be educated on some basics before they decide to hire one. This is just a little guide to help you (the client) get the most of your designer.
First, a client needs to do their homework on what type of designer they want and what that designer’s experience or credentials are. Do they only work with certain hosts or systems? There are many solutions for a website design. For example, one CMS or shopping cart isn’t right for all businesses. Next, the client must know their budget, realistic time frame and what their business model and goals are. Without a solid understanding of a client’s own business model and goals for the business, developing a website for that business can be challenging. The next most important thing is for a client to understand that the design firm they decide to hire is a professional business, the same as a law firm or architect. || Read more »
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Birdie Boutique Web Template
Birdie Boutique is a new boutique web template that I’ve just added to my premade templates section of Sweet Boutique Design. It’s a hand drawn design that’s sure to make any online boutique look super cute! I designed it in Photoshop CS3 and it is a tableless CSS, fixed width template for use with my compatible hosts. I will be making a matching WordPress theme as time permits.
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Shepherd of The Lakes Lutheran School
I really enjoyed working on this project for Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School. They needed a website to promote their school, offer information on the staff, school events and contact forms.
Client: Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School, Brighton MI.
Project: Custom header including photography, custom website design, customized css, custom graphics, website maintenance and setup, custom forms, Google apps, SEO, Flash video.
Platform: WordPress
Launch Site: http://sotlschool.com
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Images from the web
This is a crash course in using images from the web on a a blog and website. If you do want to use an image you find in a Google, Yahoo or some other image search, please follow these simple steps.
- DON’T just use an image from a GOOGLE or YAHOO image search!
- Find a legal place to purchase a graphic you want to use on your website or blog (iStock, Dreamstime, BigStock Photo, etc.)
- Make sure this image doesn’t belong to someone else (9 times out of 10 it will).
- Use an image legally, take the time to find out who the author of the image is.
- Just because an image is on the Internet, and you can right click to save to your desktop, doesn’t mean it’s free to take an use, especially for commercial use.
- If you don’t want to do any of that, make your own graphics or images.
- If you don’t want to make your own images and still take whatever you want, legal action could be taken against you by the artist or image owner.
Just remember, the Internet is not a place to just take whatever you want and use it. The sad truth is that it happens way to much and many artists and designers are left with the bad taste in their mouth from copyright infringement.
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View Some of My Work
I’m in the process of updating my portfolio and I can’t seem to find the time to get it all together and back on my site. So, if you’re interested in seeing a few of the sites I’ve done, feel free to check them out.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran School – http://sotlschool.com/
HCH Class of 1989 – http://hchclassof1989.com/
Girly Bird Designs – http://girlybirddesigns.com/
Chicks With Kidz – http://chickswithkidz.com/
Bubble Bees – http://bubblebeesparties.com/
Jason Loyd Memorial – http://www.jasonloyd.com/
NoteWorthy Paper - http://noteworthypaper.com/
