I recently discovered a simple and effective way to decrease image size of a photo without losing quality. This was an especially important find for me because my website relies heavily on images. With Google now putting more emphasis on page load speed than ever before, any chance to improve a website’s load time is a great thing. Let me show you how you can reduce the file size of your web images without sacrificing quality.

If you’re a designer, you’re probably familiar with Photoshop’s “save for web” option (as seen in the preview below), which allows users find a happy medium between image quality and file size. Saving at a high quality setting will result in better looking photos, but higher file size. Saving at too low quality and your going to end up with pixelated images.

What I discovered is that by simply blurring out part of your image in Photoshop prior to saving, you can reduce your photo’s file size quite drastically. As you can see in the image below, the image size dropped from 31.7K to 22.4k without reducing the quality setting one bit (51 for both). Blurring out part of a photo using Photoshop’s blur tool not only reduces file size, but actually improves the look of many images (in my opinion). It’s a great way to focus the viewer’s attention on the most important part of your image. In the image below you can see how I blurred out everything but the mouse.

While this blurring technique may not be suitable for every image on your site (ex: portfolio images that you don’t want modified), give it a try the next time you create images for a blog post. Saving 10-20% on file size should result in noticeably quicker loading images and may help improve your site’s standing with Google. Hope this tip was helpful!

Please share your thoughts by commenting below. “Comment Luv” is active on this blog, which rewards commenters by allowing a link back to your own website or blog article.

As a graphic designer, it can be a task trying to find a quality computer mouse that fits all of your multitasking needs. If you’re anything like me and expect your mouse to be ergonomic, feature rich, cost efficient, and built to last…then do yourself a favor and check out the Logitech Performance Mx Mouse, currently selling for around $60 new on Amazon. (that link will take you there).

Yes, this mouse model is a couple of years old now, but it’s still one of the best around, especially with the reduced price. I’ve had mine for nearly 3 years and it’s still going strong. With previous mice, after a couple of years of strong use, my scroll wheel would start acting up. I’ve yet to have a single problem with this model.

So what do I love about this computer mouse? First off, it’s extremely comfortable. I’ve never been able to use a mouse for such long periods of time without some sort of hand cramping. The sleek black and silver design is definitely nice as well. One of the best features is the very cool scroll wheel which allows for fast or slow scrolling of a page or document. This is a tremendous time saver when perusing the internet.

The mouse doesn’t require batteries (which is a plus in my mind). All you have to do is charge it up via a chord (I usually do it overnight), and the mouse will stay charged for a few days of heavy usage. There is even a battery level indicator letting you know the charge status. As with any wireless usb mouse, they require that you plug a signal receiver into an available usb slot on your computer. What is great about this mouse’s receiver is that it’s very small; a big convenience for laptop users who don’t want something bulky getting in the way.

My absolute favorite feature of modern day computer mouses are the numerous programable button options. The “Logitech Performance Mx” has plenty of buttons you can program to: open applications, activate keyboard shortcuts, zoom in and out, or open specific documents. Since I typically use my Wacom drawing tablet when working on graphic design projects, I reserve my Logitech mouse’s buttons for things like opening up “to do list” documents or other frequented folders/files.

Here is a screenshot of the mouse’s software, which allows for easy button assigning:

More detailed reviews of this product can be found on sites like Amazon. I simply wanted to introduce the mouse to any fellow graphic designers, creatives or multitaskers who may be in the market. If you’ve used this particular computer mouse or can recommend any others, please share by commenting below.

“Comment Luv” is active on this blog, which rewards commenters by allowing a link back to your own website or blog article.

Barter and trade can be a great way to obtain certain items or services without having to pay for them; other than your time invested of course. As a graphic designer I’ve acquired many cool items and useful services through trade, but I’ve also been swindled on more than one occasion, and not because I didn’t live up to my end of the deal.

Sometimes people get theirs and procrastinate when it comes to reciprocating the favor…and some people are just plain dishonest and never hold their end of the deal. I’d like to share with my readers (many who are service providers themselves) some tips that can help increase the likelihood of a smooth barter deal. While the tips shared are specific to bartering, most of them translate to regular paying client situations as well.

Establish in detail, the terms of barter agreement:

With nothing in writing, it’s far too easy for someone to dispute what was initially agreed upon. I don’t think a contract is really necessary (especially for smaller scaled bartering), but a simple email outlining the trade should be be plenty sufficient. It helps hold both parties accountable.

Protect yourself with collateral:

When trading services with a stranger, it’s wise to get some sort of collateral prior to offering your services. For instance, if I’m going to be creating a logo design in exchange for a guitar, who’s to say that after I spend 20 hours working on the logo, the person with the guitar decides he no longer needs the logo because his business went under, or changed his mind and sold the guitar for money.

To remedy this I typically now require that anyone who wishes to barter with me, to first put a partial payment down. When the deal is done (logo is finished), I return the down payment, provide them with the logo files, and they give me the guitar as promised.

No, it’s not a foolproof method, but at least both parties have something invested from the start, reducing the chance of someone taking advantage of the other. You may find that some people are hesitant about offering something as collateral but do you really want to be taking on all of the risk?

If you are the first to offer your services in a barter deal, implementing this practice may save you plenty of frustration.

Learn a little about those you’re trading with:

There are a lot of people who claim to be “professionals” but have no way to prove it to you. I often get requests from SEO guys wanting to trade services, but many of them don’t even have websites and offer no proof of their abilities. Thanks but no thanks.

Whether I’m dealing with a paying client or  person for barter, I find it’s a good idea to learn a thing or two about those I do business with, especially when dealing with someone you will be acquiring services from (as opposed to items/goods). A quick conversation over the phone is a good way to determine if someone is shady or difficult to communicate with. If this is the impression I get, I usually pass on the deal.

It’s also a good idea to research those you deal with. If you are trading services, make sure the person you are bartering with seems reputable. Do they have a website? Do they have bad reviews? Even if you are trading your services for a tangible item, it can’t hurt to google the person’s city and name…often times a linked-in profile will provide you with some information. Call me paranoid, but spending a couple of minutes researching someone may save you from a lot of frustration.

Make sure you know what you are bartering for:

Have you ever purchased something off of craigslist or ebay, only to find out that the item you bought was nothing what you expected? With barter and trade, there is no feedback system, so make sure if you are trading for goods, to at least get a bunch of photos and descriptive info about the item you are bartering for. Even better, if you live close to the person you are doing trade with, ask to see the item in person to ensure you know what you are getting.

The techniques mentioned have helped me in my bartering efforts. I hope someone else finds some of the info useful as well. Are you a service provider who has traded your services for something with success or failure? Do you have any other tips that may help for a more smooth trade deal? Please share any comments below. Thanks. 

“Comment Luv” is active on this blog, which rewards commenters by allowing a link back to your own website or blog article.

The digital age has removed us from the more tactile practices of letterpress and movable type printing, yet fortunately these nostalgic artforms haven’t been lost completely; thanks to those who are keeping these traditions alive.

In the following video, print master Robert Warner from “Bowne & Co” in NYC discusses his love for letterpress printing and the hypnotic sensations associated with working on a vintage press.

In this video below, Paul Collier from the “Plymouth University” in the UK discusses the revival of letterpress printing and what draws him to the craft.

Nashville Tn’s “Hatch Show Print” & their 125 year old traditional printing techniques are examined in this short film below. Since I live here in Nashville, it was not only my duty as a graphic designer to check out this famous local print shop, it was my pleasure. When I can afford to do so, I hope to one day do an internship there.

Apple revealed a multi-colored version of their iconic logo recently at an ipad keynote event. While many bloggers are mislabeling this as a “new logo design” for Apple, is is nothing more than a revamp of the same logo graphic Apple has been using for the past 36 years.

It’s currently unknown whether Apple intends to replace their existing monochrome design with this colorsplash version, or if this is just a temporary thing. The Huffington Post has reached out to Apple in attempt to learn more but at the time of this writing has not received a response.

What are your thoughts? In interest of branding, do you think employing color into their marketing and/or products would be a smart move for Apple or should they stick with the monochrome color scheme that has apparently worked so well for them the past 14 years?

Many industries require down payments when intangible goods or services are being provided. In the world of graphic design this practice is a necessity. The intent of this article is to illustrate how these down payments (retainers) benefit both the designer and client.

Why Down Payments Are Necessary:

A down payment is beneficial for both the designer and client. It establishes a feeling of commitment, a sense of urgency, dedication, and holds both parties accountable.

A personal story of why I no longer accept projects without an up front deposit:

When I first started working as a freelance graphic designer, I didn’t request down payments because I assumed everyone was honest like me. The idea was that as long as I consistently provided good service and quality design work, I would always be compensated fairly for my efforts. Unfortunately it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was not the case. One incident in particular convinced me of the importance of down payments prior to starting a project:

A few years ago I had landed a project from a new client who wanted a promotional flyer for his new business venture. We agreed on project terms, established a price, and I began working on the flyer.

When I submitted my concept to the client, he was very happy with what I presented to him. All that remained were a few final touches. When these revisions were completed I sent them off and waited for a response…..then I waited some more. “Maybe he never received my email?” I thought, so I sent him a second email. Still no response.

After a couple of days went by I called the client at the phone number he had provided to me earlier on. To my surprise, the phone number I dialed was no longer in service. After verifying that the number was indeed disconnected, I was left wondering, Did my client’s phone get shut off? Was this even a legitimate number to begin with? After a week of trying to contact him again via email I realized that I may have just been duped.

The only reasoning for this bizarre disappearance that I could come up with, was that the client had 1) Taken my design concept and submitted it to another designer to recreate at a lower cost, 2) Decided he didn’t have the funds to continue with the project and was too shallow to let me know, or 3) His new business venture went under and he no longer had the need for the design.

Regardless, I was left uncompensated for the time I had invested in the project, and it wasn’t because of any wrong doing, ill intent, or unwillingness on my part. If the client was unhappy with the design, all it would have taken was a little more time on my part to adjust the design to fit his vision, but he already told me that he was very happy with the design.

Needless to say; I no longer do any work without a 50% non-refundable retainer paid up front. This has helped me weed out the people who are looking for free services or don’t appreciate the hard work that’s involved in creating good design.

Unlike with tangible goods that can be purchased and returned to the store for resale, intangible services like graphic design work only have a value that is limited to the client/recipient for whom it was created for. I can’t go and resell that custom flyer design I had created for the client who ripped me off. It was specifically tailored for that person’s venture. This is just another reason why down payments are necessary for graphic designers and service providers of this sort.

Another benefit of retainer payments, is that they allow the designer to make any necessary project related purchases. Often times, things like fonts, stock images, hosting fees, mockup templates, etc need to be purchased.

Ways For Clients To Feel More Secure:

It’s understandable that some people are a bit hesitant about paying money up front for graphic design services. This is why it’s incredibly important for the client to do their homework before investing any money. Here are a few things that should be considered:

Similar Design Tastes: Make sure you like the prospective designer’s past work. If you don’t like what they’ve created for others, there is a good chance you won’t like what they create for you.

Testimonials: It helps to know what other clients have had to say about working with the graphic designer that you wish to hire.

Written Contract: When it is outlined in black and white what the expectations are for both the client and designer, it creates accountability and helps both parties to feel more secure in their investment.

Communication: Just remember that communication is a two way street. Always provide precise instruction to your designer. Let them know the specifics of what you are expecting from them. The more thorough and detailed you are with your communication, the smoother your experience will be.

More tips on choosing a graphic designer

What Others Have To Say About Down Payments:

GraphicDesignBlender had some interesting blog comments pertaining to a similar article about graphic design and down payments. Here are a few:

Karol K (web 2.o guy) had this to say:

The thing is that people serious enough to be able to appreciate some good design work, people with clearly defined goals and requirements don’t have any problems with paying some money upfront because they know the value of the work. If a client has some reluctance then they probably were not sold good enough on the project or they are simply not ready for this kind of service. After introducing down-payments we have yet to encounter a really difficult client (or maybe it’s just luck).

Preston D Lee had this to say:

Sometimes it’s hard to do a good job when you aren’t motivated. And sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, when you aren’t getting paid.

Curtis had this to say:

I have done a couple of projects for referrals from close friends without charging anything up front. All this did was delay the project because the client didn’t have anything invested in the project so they dragged their feet to get me the the things that I needed (feedback, project approval, etc.)

Conclusion:

I hope that by writing this article, I’ve been able to illustrate why non refundable down payments (retainers) are important for designers to have in place, and why clients should feel less intimidated with the concept as long as they are dealing with reputable and professional designers and following the tips mentioned above.

I’d love to hear other’s views on this subject. Please share your experiences or thoughts below. Thanks for reading.

If you are a graphic designer you know how difficult it can be to rank high in the search engines, especially with so many other design companies competing for the same spots.

One way towards better rankings is by getting your design website linked on as many relative websites as possible. The following graphic design directories will help in your mission. No, they won’t make your site skyrocket in Google, but they should help a bit with your SEO.

DesignFirms: The DesignFirms graphic design directory has been around for awhile and is one of the better one’s I’ve seen. It allows you to create a listing, add designs from your portfolio, list your services, enter into design contests, and even bid on design projects.

Core77: This design directory is intended for design firms or freelancers. It’s required that you have a website to make a submission. Just go to the “submit site” link to add your website. The initial submission process if quick. You have to wait a day or two for a followup. I’m not sure about the followup process after that since I just submitted my site to this directory a few minutes ago.

Top Design Firms: It’s been awhile since I listed my design site to this directory but I just checked and this “DesignBuddy” site still shows up under the Tennessee graphic designer section. Submit your site to the graphic design directory here.

Dexigner: Simply go to their directory page, submit your design business, fill in a bit of info and your done. Simple and quick.

DirectoryWorld: This is another site that requires a link displayed on your website in return for them linking to yours. Here is my link back to them: Directory World.

There are more directories you can submit your site to. Just do a search for “graphic design + directories + free” in Google. The purpose of this post is to introduce website submission directories to those unfamiliar, and a little insight into their submission process.

There were some other directories that I wanted to add to the list above. They required a trade in links though, and for some reason the directory site’s reciprocal link code wasn’t working properly? If anyone knows of some other good design related directories, please share in the comment form below.

Its no secret that some companies will do just about anything they can to improve sales and establish their brands. The question though that some are asking is “do companies sometimes go too far in their efforts?”. After reading an article by the “Business Insider”, which detailed a few of the dirty “brandwashing” tricks companies use on children, I’m starting to think that the answer may be yes (at least on moral grounds). You be the judge:

A Philippine candy company by the name of Kopiko seems to have found one way to boost product sales. Apparently, getting pregnant women hooked on coffee flavored candy results in caffeinated children. A study done by the University of Colorado School of Medicine seems to support this idea that kids acquire many of the same tastes in food as their mothers when pregnant.

It’s pretty obvious that tobacco companies aren’t very concerned with the youth getting hooked on their products. Yes, certain laws have made their efforts a bit more difficult, but creative packaging, iconic mascots like Camel Joe, and strong brand targeting toward teens once they turn 18 seem to illustrate that money trumps morality with many of these companies.

Cereal and junk food companies have known for a long time that things like colorful mascots, toys and games are a great way to build strong brand loyalty (i.e. cracker jack toys). The industry’s latest marketing efforts include the use of cell phone apps and computer games, many of which go viral and turn young kids into loyal brand ambassadors.

With each generation there seems to be an increasingly overwhelming amount of peer pressure for young girls to feel pretty. The influence is especially apparent on television. Popular clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch created controversy when they apparently marketed “push up” bras to young girls.

Tesco, a toy making company marketed their “Peekaboo Pole Dancing Kit, to girls under the age of 10. An advertisement for the age inappropriate toy read the following:

“The Tesco Direct site advertises the kit with the words, “Unleash the sex kitten inside…simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go! Soon you’ll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars”.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Do you think these branding and marketing efforts cross the line or are people just being overly sensitive? Please comment below.

Are you a graphic designer? Do you like radio? If you answered yes to both of these questions then you may find the following new design related radio program of some interest.

The Deeply Graphic DesignCast is a newly launched bi-weekly radio podcast aimed directly at graphic artists. The new program was launched by Los Angeles design studio “The Deep End”. At the time of this writing 5 episodes have aired so far.

The concept for the show is simple; explore a new graphic design related topic in every episode. Show topics have included: designer experiences in the field, improving online portfolios, and finding inspiration.

I have yet to listen to the radio program but it’s definitely something I’m going to check out very soon. With a current 5 star rating, a diverse hosting cast, and a free subscription through iTunes, it would be foolish for any info hungry designer not to give it a go. Especially with the rave reviews the show is getting:

(jayfray84) says: Wes’ “Deeply Graphic DesignCast” is an awesome little tidbit of industry insider goodies! It’s refreshing to hear about tips, trends and general working methodology direct from fellow creatives, who explore issues from all angles, including client, business and creative. Definitely check it out.”

(plasmic steve) says: “What a great new podcast. I’ve really enjoyed the first four episodes. The hosts have a nice mix of viewpoints and experience, and they cover their topics in a friendly but fun way. Looking forward to hearing more from the Deeply Graphic crew.”

Update: Ok, I just watched the first episode of this podcast and it’s pretty damn good. It’s great to hear other designer’s hardships, lessons learned, and helpful tips.

Are you a graphic designer who has listened to any of these radio episodes? Any other design related radio program recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Please comment below.

Graphic designer Adam Ladd decided to videotape his own 5 year old daughter’s reaction to a slideshow of world famous logos by some of today’s popular brands. The little girl’s analysis is quite interesting and often times pretty funny. Have a look…

Feel free to comment on the video below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.