Those clients, God bless them. They do come up with some classic questions. Here are 10 question and answer scenarios every graphic designer will recognize. Imagine if you could say what was on your mind? Read on and have a laugh, but if you do receive these questions you might want to answer in a more diplomatic fashion…
(1) Can you do a quick job for me, it won’t take you long?
Oh, you know exactly how long this will take? Glad you’re not testing me too hard, that graphic design degree did set me up in the ideal position to do as little on each job as possible. Naturally, you won’t be paying much as it’s so easy. Perhaps you should invest in a graphic design course? Then you won’t have to contact me at all and save even more time, effort and money.
(2) I’d like us to make the font decision over the phone, it’s easier.
To think, we both could have saved time and money on downloading Microsoft Outlook together. Describing the aesthetic requirements over the phone will be a doddle. Perhaps we should formulate the copy too? You speak and I’ll type. Logos, despite being a visual medium, are far easier to clarify verbally too. Let’s start now, I’ve got my right hand raised to the phone and only my middle finger raised straight up. You’re right, this is easy! Continue reading
Behavioral targeting is nothing new in the world of online publishing. In fact, numerous online publishers and advertising firms currently use the technique to improve their conversion rates and increase the effectiveness of their online ad campaigns. This might be your first time to encounter the term “behavioral targeting,” but it is highly likely that you have already experienced the technique being applied as a consumer. Some of the biggest publishers and sites on the Internet already employ this technique and have done so to great success, including Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Yahoo.
So you’ve given up the 9-5 and said goodbye to the pressures of the office life and controlling bosses, but now what? How will you convince clients of your skills, find those lucrative projects and stand on your own two feet as a successful freelance web designer? The answer, to the exciting but nevertheless challenging obstacles that a freelancer has to overcome, is to be found in your own ability to demonstrate your passion, expertise and trustworthiness to clients. After all, by freelancing you will have to develop your own contacts and find your own projects to work on, all whilst competing with professional web design agencies that employ in-house marketing teams to deal with project acquisition. So here’s the plan for success, ready?
While many freelance designers start out as soloists in the world of freelance design, it seems that many are now ending up in partnerships. Of course, as with anything else in life, there are pros and cons for both partnering up and staying solo. If you’re debating between the two, here are some of the positive points of both sides to consider.
Loneliness can be a big issue for freelancers, and it can lead to career problems down the road. Lonely freelancers, especially those who are just out of college and are used to interacting the classroom or those who are out of the corporate world where they are used to working with others, can spend way too much time socializing online, which can lead to lowered productivity. Loneliness is less of an issue for some than for others, but if you are more social and struggle with feelings of loneliness, a partnership that gives you work-oriented social interaction may be for you. Continue reading
Where you decide to shoot depends completely on the style you want to use, the time of the year and what you want to achieve artistically. But starting inside is usually a great way to get everyone, particularly kids, accustomed to your camera. If you ever start your shoot in a field, for instance, you might struggle to keep the kids in a single place.
Find a clean background
Clean backgrounds, needless to say, are one of the key elements of a successful portrait. Some houses may have amazing wallpaper or conservatories that can work well in creating one, but if the decor’s a bit dodgy, try using the back of a sofa. This works especially well when you’re photographing children. Simply drag a sofa near a doorway and turn it around. Sit your subjects in front of it so that you have a good, solid block of colour, which is the sofa back behind them. Because the couch is being illuminated by light reflected in from outside, the colour is going to be vibrant and warm. Even a dark leather couch works nicely in this regard. Continue reading
