Graphic Designing – History And Resources

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Web Graphic Design

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Angela Jenkins asked:

‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ goes the old adage, and no one can question either the truth or the pertinence of the remark. Anyone is naturally more attracted to an image than he or she is to a lot of written words. Keeping all this in mind, advertising for products and services using images and graphics makes a lot of sense.

Symbols have been a part and parcel of the story of human history. All the ancient civilisations and cultures had their own set of symbols and signs that defined their belief system and their way of life. In fact, the alphabets that form the basis of our spoken and written languages have evolved from the pictorial representation of objects around us.

Coming into modern civilised society, these symbols, while changing the role they played, did not lose their pre-eminence in shaping the society. Just think about the **** swastika and the Holy Cross. Symbols have evoked in us all the possible emotions; faith, hatred and love to name just a few.

Keeping the historical and psychological significance of symbols in mind, graphic designers try to create designs that can convey the major features or discerning characteristics of the product or service they are making the designs for.

mdsDESIGN, which was formed in 2002 by Marie deFontenay Coles, is a graphic designing firm providing innovative design solutions to customers all over Australia. The areas covered by mdsDESIGN include high-end graphic design, web design and advertising. Marie deFontenay Coles, the founder of the company also works as the (hold your breath) Director, Client Manager, Art Director, Designer, Print Production, Producer and Receptionist. This is someone who believes in multi-tasking. mdsDESIGN is also a member of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

The business model adopted by mdsDESIGN is unique in the field of graphic designing. The boutique style business allows this personalised service, building client relationships and providing complete attention to detail from the initial concept to the final production. With a grand total of 25 years of experience behind her, Marie is sure to provide you with the exact solution for your designing needs. The company provides designs and solutions for: logos, brand or corporate identity, brand naming and identity, brand revitalisation, brochures, leaflets and catalogues, corporate literature, environments/signage, displays, website design, point of sale, packaging, print and press advertising. So for all your design and advertising needs, just visit www.mdsdesign.com.au. On the site you can know more about Marie and mdsDESIGN and also have a look at examples of various creative solutions provided by the company over the years.

Role of Graphic Designers for Achieving Online Success

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Outsourcing

bestweboutsourcing asked:


The graphic design outsourcing industry is booming by every passing day, providing a wide range of benefits to their clients. These companies employ a skilled fleet of graphic designers and offer their services to offshore companies. Graphic designers are like web magicians, giving life to any picture through the medium of color and special effects.

They first discuss with their customers the nature of their business, their goals and project budget. After considering these basic facts, they utilize the most effective way of conveying the message to the target audience through media mediums like print or film. Features like color, animation, photography, layout technique, and illustration go into developing state-of-the-art graphic designs. They also accomplish the tasks of designing materials required for web graphic design, multimedia projects, and interactive media.

Firstly graphic designers gather important data from their clients, conduct research, and refer to company briefs provided by their clients. Secondly different design layouts are prepared from which the customer chooses the most appropriate one. Then, to make the graphic design attractive and complete, the elements of color, motion, animation, and sound/visual effects are incorporated into the designs. Thereafter the short listed and complete designs are shown to the client or the company’s creative director for their approval.

Various types of design software and techniques can be used for graphic design creation. Certain layout software offers good amounts of flexibility in the work, thus saving time and money for the designers, which can be passed on in savings to their clients.

These designers have professional degrees or qualifications in the field of graphic design. They are trained in problem solving skills, communication, graphic designing, creativity, and more, that mold them into talented and skilled designers. The Work quality of any outsourcing company can be marked by the quality of graphic designers they have. In the outsourcing industry, they can be hired on a part-time or full-time basis , depending upon the project requirement.

The graphic design company should understand the purpose of the client and their expectations from them. Their thorough understanding will enable them to better create a design that is from their client’s point of view. Moreover graphic design has to be complimentary to the site content and serves the purpose that has been laid out.

Graphics are widely used in different types of websites and in various formats. Plain text websites are simply a bore to the site viewer. Graphics add interest, glamour, and life to any image and eliminates the boredom factor.



How a Graphic Design Project Works

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Advertising

Maricar Cadavicio asked:


It can be seen everywhere. It is on the face of a high school textbook. It is the sign on the street. It is on the CD cover of the latest album your have purchased. It is on the t-shirt that you are wearing or your friend is wearing. And yes, you see it as you browse through the pages of your favorite gossip magazine.

Graphic design can be found in the most simplest of places and surfaces. It can be seen from high profile venues to the most nondescript ones. Graphic design is simply the process of creating or combining visual elements, such as text and images to communicate to its viewers or readers.

It one of the most valuable and creative ways to send a message to the consumers, patrons, clients and everyone else that comprises the huge market. It is used to effectively bring a message, a concept or an idea through the audience.

While graphic design may be viewed as an all too common tool used in advertising, it actually requires a much more sophisticated level of understanding. Graphic design requires able comprehension and manipulation of information, combined with cognitive skills, aesthetics, and the like to wield an effective design.

Many businesses acquire the services of graphic design. It needs to stand out from the rest of the companies out there. And it does just this by getting acquainted with a graphic designer that can translate the company’s philosophy and values into an encompassing and identifiable image.

Graphic design can ably capture a company’s identity or vision into a complete image, both literally and figuratively. By harnessing all the visual elements of text, colors, symbols and the like, the graphic designer works to fulfill your desired goals or objectives.

Many people, whether in private practice or small enterprise, find themselves needing the services of a graphic designer at one point or another. To this, you will need to observe or remember this practical step by step guide:

1. The first thing you need to accomplish is to find a suitable graphic designer for your project. Find one that you think would fit well with your company’s taste or desired goals. A graphic designer’s portfolio can show you the range of work he or she has done and specializes in.

2. After which, set up a meeting and fully communicate your proposed ideas.

3. Specify your allocated budget

4. Give a time frame.

It would do better to have a time frame if you really want to oversee and regulate the graphic designer’s progress.

There should be submission dates for drafts, revisions and the like before the final artwork is submitted.

5. A deadline is important and you must discuss it and the terms necessary to complete the project.

6. As to prevent any possible fallout, your company should procure a well written and clear contract that states precisely how you would handle the affair. It should also cover the all too common conflicts that can arise in this type of transaction or service. It could also include the proposed schedule as to when and how often the meetings will take place.

With that accomplished, the designer would carefully study your proposed ideas and he or she will in turn do the needed research and find the best possible design that will both fit and outdo any existing designs or projects.

Graphic designs may be used for different purposes. It can be used for clothing, for internet sites and for various print materials where it is all too common. Graphic design and printing should unequivocally work together. The final artwork to be sent to production should be finalized, taking note of all the final decisions on the colors, styling, layout and materials.

Graphic designers must especially have a background on printing is the desired artwork is to be printed. An artwork or design as it appears on screen can appear different once it is on paper. Therefore, a graphic designer has to calibrate everything and know the best means how the design can be printed as precisely as possible.

The printer too, must in turn, demonstrate expertise in handling and supervising graphic designs. By carefully choosing the colors, papers and using a variety of techniques to achieve the final effect of the design, the printer can skillfully breathe life into the graphic design.

Graphic design can definitely and dramatically boost your company’s name and image overall. It will distinguish your company from others and make a lasting impression for your audiences.



What are the Benefits of Graphic Design and Why Should You Care?

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Web Graphic Design

graphicsdesign
Website Design Weston asked:

If you run a business and you have any form of corporate identity then you should care very much. How you present your company to your chosen market is fundamental to its success.

The graphic design process is crucial to any business, making it stand out head and shoulders from the competition. Whether it is the design of an entire corporate campaign or the creation of a simple company logo it still has to work effectively for you. There are four critical elements that should be seen in every logo design:

• It must be describable

• It must be memorable

• It must be effective without colour

• It must be scalable

Fairly obvious really but how does your logo stand up to these criteria? How does your company identity stand out from the competition?

Ask yourself why something is designed in a certain way. Consider why a particular colour is chosen instead of its opposite. Why use this font? Why include this particular graphic here? A good designer will think through every detail of a design and only include elements that will add to the design and re-enforce the brand.

Once your business is up and running you may think that any form of corporate identity will act to represent the company, visually creating a brand by default. Think again. If you look at the large corporations you will notice that their brand strategy stands the test of time for many years.

Many companies never change their logo design dramatically but only make the smallest of changes to keep the design looking modern and refreshed.

Benefits:

• Professional image

• Considered and long-lasting design strategy

• Make your company look bigger

• Stand out from your competition

• More effective

By Ben Smith

- Website design somerset- Professional Website Design Weston-Super-Mare

Corporate Graphic Design and Its Need for Your Business

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Web Design

Anirban Bhattacharya asked:

The best bakers and pastry chefs come out with products that are not only mouthwatering but delectable visually as well. Similarly, graphic design is the art of presenting information in a visually appealing way. For companies to stand out from the crowd, it’s critical to have an outstanding and instantly recognizable logo that represents the company.That’s where corporate graphic design comes into the picture.

Every entrepreneur’s dream is to have a company and a logo that’s as instantly recognizable around the world as a Nike or a Coca Cola. The job of a professional graphic designer is to try to convert these dreams into reality. The graphic designer takes the brief from the client and comes up with a graphic design that reflects the values of the client.

Professional graphic design is a skill that is a combination of both art and science. While a design needs to be catchy, the graphic designer has to keep in mind the different media that will be used to promote an identity for which the logo is created. A logo needs to look good – be it from an outdoor advertising panel, on computer/TV screen, or on to a mobile device.

The role of the print media continues to decline as the primary mode of advertising for companies. As people are beginning to spend more and more time online, the share of online advertising from the total branding remuneration pie will continue to grow for online and internet advertising. With ubiquitous broadband internet and 3G mobile services, advertising will change from something that is simply static to one highly dynamic; and encourage greater interaction amongst the user.

The corporate graphic design of the future has to bear in mind these changing dynamics. The winning graphic design will be the one that best understands the mindset of its target audience and is able to entice and influence its target geography and the people living there.

The Importance of Graphic Designs

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Company Logo

Roberto Luongo asked:


Graphics are required in our everyday’s life. The strong meaning of graphic stimulates a person to reach at the same moment. All over the world, graphic are being designed by the millions of graphic designers to attract people and increase the sales of a business activity.

To make a graphic really attractive and adorable, proper arrangement of graphics needs to be done. A graphic becomes meaningful when it defines the text given below properly and images to produce a coherent and interesting piece of work, according to the end goal. The purpose of graphic designing is not limited to that only but it plays a special role in improving sales of a company.

Also, the web graphic designs help in improving the look of the layout of a website, attract the viewers, convey the message of the company and stimulate their senses effectively. As simple it may seem, it is lot of hard work.

Things to be taken in consideration while designing a graphic

Graphic designing is a difficult process. While preparing for a design, a graphic designer looks into several factors including audience status, aim of the message, and medium (such as print, online, book or poster).

Once a designer clears all his basic requirements to design a graphic, he needs to organize text and graphics on selected formats and layouts. Fonts, color, size and arrangement of text and graphics are re-looked at and sent for proofreading. Graphic designs also need to take care of the things including its balance, color, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, proximity, repetition, rhythm, texture, unity, and white space.

In this growing world, the scope of graphic designing has changed a lot. Latest technologies have created new means in this area and new developments can be seen. Now, with the usage of new software and printing technologies, graphic designing has become more flexible and practical. Graphic designs have become an essential part of any website designing.

So, if you want to design a customized website that states your needs and requirements, make sure you keep the graphics as per the demands so that it will benefit your business needs.



Graphic Design Outsourcing

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Outsourcing

bestweboutsourcing asked:


 

Graphic design outsourcing helps in obtaining good graphic designs at affordable rates and in a timely manner. Companies with a strong marketing background are an added advantage for graphic designers. This fact holds true for all mediums of promotion and sales.

Firms that are among the best graphic design companies would primarily analyze details about your company, like the marketing channels, the competitors, target customers, etc. These companies offer graphic design outsourcing services for websites and also printed mediums. You can request to see their graphic design portfolio to see the range of work they have successfully completed.

Graphic design outsourcing is a far cheaper option in comparison to appointing a staff for graphic designing. The number of people preferring outsourcing for their web projects is increasing. These graphic design companies are far more specialized in their respective fields and have expertise in handling online projects.

Look out for any discount schemes or promotional offers by these companies. They typically charge a fixed amount of fees for certain time duration or for an overall project.

The reasons for outsourcing differ from company to company. Some might opt for it as they don’t have the required qualifications and resources. Some need additional time for business core issues, whereas some people might be short of time and so on. Outsourcing helps in focusing on other business goals. Think about the benefit that outsourcing would free you from the stress of creating appropriate designs and logos for your company. Apart from qualified professionals handling your graphic design project, they even give you the choice of selecting the logo from many options designed by them.

The chances of getting the maximum ROI can be expected with outsourcing. For a premium, you can even hire a graphic designer to work exclusively on your project on a part-time or full-time basis as needed. If you want to make any changes in existing designs, it becomes easy and can be done in less time.

Imagine if you have to complete all the small changes in your graphic design on your own. Firstly you have to install new software which would cost you hundreds of dollars. Then you’d have to learn how to use it, thus costing you time as well as energy. These shortcomings are overcome by graphic design outsourcing. It’s worth a try for any project, large or small.

 

Copyright © 2008

 



Graphic Design Company Making Your Website More Professional

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Web Design

Roberto Luongo asked:

With the means of professional graphic design, people can make their website more effective and that can help them in doing lucrative business. If you are running an online business and want to make high ROI, then its time for you to adopt tools like professional graphic design. The system will help in getting you recognized online and in various search engines. You should always make your objective to make your website interesting and appealing to attract more visitors to it. Professional graphic design is one of the important factors to make your website successful.

The term professional graphic design can be interpreted as a structural design which helps in defining the overall appeal of the website. Most of the designs are complex in nature and are usually costly and unproductive, but graphic designs make the website more attractive and effective amidst the business community. If you are planning to make your business appear online then it is necessary to make it look more appealing and effective professionally.

As your website is not much different from your other competitors, you must be striving to make your website more appealing and attractive. Invest on hiring a professional graphic designer who will design a website that will be attractive to draw the attention of the internet users. With the appropriate content and well-developed graphics, you will be able to change the look and feel of the website.

You will be able to find many companies which will be offering complete solutions to your website. You can select the best company that is implementing graphic design and is competent enough to meet the requirements and preferences of your company and of the market. As your website will be visited much often, it is wise to make it more efficient and appealing with the use of graphic designs. By taking the services of graphic designing company, you will certainly be able to do your best in the online business.

Graphic Design Outsourcing for Business Expansion

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Web Design

bestweboutsourcing asked:


So you have decided to hire a graphic designing firm for your website. Graphic design outsourcing is fast becoming popular so does its usage by big companies of the world. Outsourcing to India is not only confined to big shots of companies but also small and medium size business organizations. Every company wants to select the best graphic design for their website so that they get genuine ROI and profits.

In India itself there are thousands of graphic design firms that offer their services to global clients. But the matter is that are all the firms reliable enough to trust and give them money to handle your graphic design project. No two graphic design companies are similar in their workings. As their pattern of workings, area of specialization and policies differ with each other. Also the graphic designers and programmers hired by these companies influence their quality of work.

Seek for assurance of professional designers, quality and reliability from the short listed graphic design firms. View their graphic design portfolio for real hand experience of their work. If right company is chosen, your website popularity can increase by leaps and bounds.

A good graphic design company comprises fleet of talented and experienced web designers, offer value added services and proves to be a reliable outsourcing partner for your designing needs. If you have a website then having graphics in it is useful, as by its medium you can add logos, newsletter, banners, etc on your website. It helps in creating strong corporate identity.

There are many benefits of having graphic design on your website like image enhancement, brings you ahead of competition, company looks larger, etc.

People who are trying graphics for the first time can even make use of classic graphic designs. They are generally straightforward, clear, simple, easy to understand and fine-looking. The layout of classic graphic design is prepared in advance, and then appropriate colors, textures and shades are added to it.

Every web design company has its own collection of such classic graphic designs that have been successful and are accepted by all. Sometimes these designs can even be copyrighted from their parent company.

The use of graphics is very important for any company, which can double your web traffic and make your company stand out from your competitors. Facility for hiring a programmer for fixed time duration is also possible giving you the full liberty to monitor and control your project proceedings.

Copyright © 2008



What is a design brief?

May 14, 2011 by  
Filed under Budget Range

Gotham Graphic Design Sydney asked:


A design brief is something that is vital to any design project, as it will provide the designer(s) with all the information needed to create a great visual design solution.

There is no single, off-the-shelf format for a design brief but there are a number of key points the agency MUST understand. The project team should create the brief focusing on the results and the business objectives of the design project. All stakeholders should unanimously agree on the content prior to starting the design process. This ensures an effective design solution as well as keeps the expected changes to a minimum.

What are the specifications?

What is the finished size of the completed design?

How is it going to be printed or used?

What other information should the designer know in regards to finished specifications?

Company profile

• What your business does

• What is you USP (Unique Selling Proposition)

• How you fit into your industry sector

Project overview and background

• What are you trying to communicate and why?

• What is the ‘call to action’ or business objective

• Who are your competitors and how do you differ from them?

• Does it need to match existing material, conform to Brand guidelines or is it a new direction for your company?

Benchmark

It is just as important to provide us with what you DON’T want to see along with what you DO want to see in the designs. Provide us with some examples of what you consider to be effective or relevant design even if it is from your main competitors. This will set a benchmark for your project.

This will give the designer an idea of what to steer clear of and will avoid disappointment on your behalf.

Target audience

Provide demographic figures about your audience (in order of importance) that may be useful to the designer. These may include: age, gender, income, tastes, views, attitudes, employment, lifestyle.

Business objectives and strategy

• Generate sales?

• Encourage enquiries?

• Gain newsletter subscribers?

• Obtain information from your audience?

• Encourage them to tell a friend?

What is the time scale / deadline?

Provide a ball-park figure, a budget expectation will give the designer a good idea of the type of solution they will realistically be able to provide. Providing a budget prevents designers wasting valuable time and resources when trying to maximise your budget.

Give the designer a detailed schedule of the project and agree on a realistic deadline for the completion of the work. You should take into account the various stages of the design project such as brief, concept approvals, development, production and delivery.

What copy (text) and pictures are needed?

Tip: The copy and pictures used in a design are as crucial as the design itself and you should clearly state who is going to be providing the copy and pictures if needed. You may need to look into getting a professional copywriter / photographer – ask your designer for some recommendations.

• What copy needs to be included in the design? Who is providing the copy?

• What pictures / photographs / diagrams etc need to be used?

• Who is providing these?



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