Graphic Design Agenda
Introduction
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Tell why you are here. Tove asked me to come into your class to have a quick talk
about Graphic Design and to discuss what possible needs someone in your profession
would require.
Answer a couple common questions I get about Design.
Free to ask any addition questions or if you want me to elaborate further on any points I
bring up
What is Graphic Design?
Why you may need the services of a designer?
What do I need design
I will be working for a spa. What do I need?
I will be starting my own business. What do I need?
What are the costs involved?
What to do on a Budget?
– Logo
– Business Card
– Brochure
– Website
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Jens’ Background – Graphic / Web Designer
o Fines Arts
o Graphic Design
o New Media
o Work Experience / Home Business
Freelancer specializing in Web Design / Logo / Stationery Development / Small Print
Projects Pass out samples for class to view – logos, Websites
Why you may need the services of a designer?
Misconceptions
Why would you need a graphic designer?
Branding! What is the importance of image? Chalk board – draw Big M, Nike Swoosh, Apple
Logo.
What is a Graphic Designer?
Creative professional who focuses on visual communication and presentation.
A designer possesses the artistic and technical skill to create and combine symbols, images
and/or words to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
Common uses of graphic design include:
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company branding (logo / stationery development)
magazines
advertisements
product packaging
web design
Why you may need the services of a Graphic Designer / Web Designer?
The role of a graphic designer is to solve a problem; not just make something look pretty.
The skills of a good designer can help you:
1. look Professional – your visual goal is to look like an established and legitimate
business. Image is everything!
2. be Competitive – you should strive to look better than your competition. What
does their website look like?
3. attract Business – you need to establish communication to attract new
customers and maintain existing clients
4. sell your Service / Product - ultimately you are in business and need to make
money
How to find a qualified Graphic Designer / Web Designer
1. Decide on your Graphic needs; Logo, Stationery, Website
2. Search for a designer
1. Ask for recommendations from existing businesses
2. Web search – superpages.ca, search engine keyword search
3. Society of Graphic Designers - http://www.gdc.net/
4. Craigslist job post - You can save money but be careful?
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/web/
Fine Artist vs Graphic Designer vs. Web Designer vs. Web
Developer vs. Programmer?
Studio vs. Freelancer vs. Artschool Student? Do not decide based
on the most or least expensive!
3. Review Portfolio / Clients – view examples of their design work and make sure
you like the style. A large part of your decision to hire is based on the designers
existing work.
Make sure the Designer identifies his/her portion of work in Team projects listed
in the portfolio. For web design, ask to see at least 3 live websites.
4. Consultation – the designer should have many questions for you. Be prepared
to spend some time on completing a branding and website survey.
5. Ask Questions
1. Background, Education, Experience?
2. show me examples of a $2500, $5000, and $10,000 website
3. will you be designing the website? providing the photography? doing the
backend work? provide hosting?
6. Costs – find out the design and production rates and request a free project
quote; breakdown of fees for each design component
1. Payments - be prepared to pay an up front installment (10-25% of the
total cost)
7. Contract - the designer should provide a contract outlining the exact costs,
deliverables, timelines, payment breakdown, and additional provisions / clauses
of the completed work.
note: there should be a termination clause. Usually should involve a fee of
logged hours.
Branding & Marketing Materials
1. Logo - a graphic symbol and /or text that visually represents your company.
The finished logo may be simple but much design effort is involved in the development
process including research, conceptualization (mockup design), presentation of 3-5
options, revisions, and final artwork preparation.
2. Stationery – Business Cards, Letterhead, Envelope
3. Print Marketing – Brochures, Newspaper/Magazine Ads / Coupons / Gift Certificates
Costs - expect fees for design, printing preparation, and printing materials (ink(s), paper stock),
type of press (digital / offset)
Website
The majority of businesses today are expected to have an online presence.
A website can be a powerful marketing tool contributing in the success of your business.
A poorly designed and contructed site can have the opposite effect.
1. Purchase / register Domain Name - do a search of available domain names (i.e.
www.newagemassage.com or www.newagemasage.ca) on a site like www.godaddy.com
2. Determine Website requirements - the designer should provide you a web design
survey to determine the following:
1. Navigation Categories (Sitemap) - how many pages and sub pages will my
website have? Can I add more at a later point (scalability)?
2. Design Style - what are you visual goals? do you want a corporate, modern and
hip, or elegant look and feel?
3. Content - who is responsible for writing and providing the content?
4. Imagery - do I require custom graphics? photography? illustration?
Stock photography vs hiring Photographer?
5. Flash - any motion graphics, video, applications, virtual tours?
6. Dynamic Features - session booking system, contact forms, newsletter, blog,
web forum, googeMaps, googleAnalytics?
7. Ecommerce - will my website take payments for a service or product?
8. Site Updates - Do I want to update my own site through a content management
system (CMS)? How much does it cost for the designer to do updates?
9. Search Engine Optimization
10. Budget - how much can you afford. Don't be Afraid to tell the designer.
A simple static website with beautiful design may be all you need to get
started and will save you startup cost.
Be sure that the designer builds the site with future scalability.
3. Web Design - research, layout design (2-3 designs recommended), finished artwork /
interface
4. Production - prepare web graphics, xhtml, CSS, scripting (if required)
5. Content Insertion - ideally content should already be prepared. The majority of delays
6. Hosting - the website needs to live on a web server. Virtual hosting is inexpensive and
can cost as little as $10/month.
Special Group Rate
Logo / Business Card / Website (5-10 pages) – Group Rate ($1250/logo, business card, website
with minimum 3) --- the site must have similar design structure.
2010 Promotion – Create a strategy for a budget minded
business
Perspective of a freelance graphic / web designer
Question:
How many of you would love to work for yourselves? Give me some ideas of how you would like
to apply your new skill into a business.
Whether you are running your own massage therapy business with multiple employees or simply
renting out a small room or operating a mobile massage service.
Tools:
Computer, Internet Connection
Strategies:
1. Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy.
2. Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization
Techniques.
3. Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively.
4. Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs.
5. Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant.
6. Build a responsive opt-in email list.
7. Publish articles or get listed in news stories.
8. Write and publish online press releases.
9. Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site.
10. Social Media - Blog and interact with your visitors.