Posts Tagged ‘Graphic Design’

We’ve been developing a new look for Sponsel CPA Group’s website and launched the home page last week.

Check it out!

We recently designed a billboard for our client, Eastgate Chrysler, and it just went up! Check it out …

Every now and then I come across an article or a blog post that makes me chuckle more than anything, and therefore, I wanted to share the following tips from Salary.com. They have some advice about what bits of information should and should not be shared around the water cooler. Now really, have you talked about any of this before??

Water cooler do: Sunday hike
Sharing your interests, hobbies and passions is a good way for co-workers to get to know you.

Water cooler don’t: Sunday service
Religious preferences should never be discussed at work, and proselytizing is even more off limits. [By the way, I had to look up the word "proselytizing"]

Water cooler do: Book group book
If you’ve recently found yourself enjoying a real page-turner you can’t put down, other readers at work will definitely appreciate hearing about it.

Water cooler don’t: Hot button book
Mentioning the book you are currently reading about healthcare reform, global warming, or some other political hot button, followed by a 10-minute diatribe stating your opinion is not a good subject for conversation. Nothing gets people worked up like politics. It will be best for you in the long run if your colleagues, bosses, and supervisors, all of whom have an impact on your career, aren’t aware of your leanings. [Politics -- YUCK!]

Water cooler do: Travel talk
Whether you travelled somewhere exotic or explored the local scene on a “staycation,” your co-workers will most likely love to hear about your experiences.

Water cooler don’t: Pillow talk
Keep to yourself what you and your husband/wife/significant other did in the hotel room. It’s absolutely verboten to discuss your sex life with co-workers. No one wants to hear about it.

Water cooler do: Family and friends
Share stories about people you spend your time with outside of work, as long as they are positive.

Water cooler don’t: Personal problems
No one needs the added burden of your personal problems. In addition, sharing personal problems indicates a level of familiarity that most co-workers aren’t comfortable with.

Water cooler do: Restaurant reviews
Do recount the details of the terrific meal you had last night at the new Tapas joint in town. Sharing experiences that others also enjoy is a great way to connect.

Water cooler don’t: Drunken disorderly
Don’t notify your colleagues about the six shots of tequila that accompanied your meal. Never share any information that casts you in a negative light, or highlights your bad habits.
 
The bottom line: “Be aware of what you share!”

I’m Tim, and I’m an iPhone addict.

I remember when I first purchased my iPhone. I immediately knew I was holding one of the greatest inventions of all time in my hand. It was, and still is, the coolest and greatest thing I have ever owned. There is no need to explain what the iPhone does because, by now, most everyone on the planet knows.

The people that don’t own iPhones come in two categories: 1) those that know the iPhone is the best choice, but go ahead and buy something else anyway – go figure, and 2) those that also know the iPhone is the best choice, but use any excuse to NOT buy one. “Still in a contract,” “don’t like the carrier,” “doesn’t have an antenna,” “too expensive,” “no cool, plastic keyboard,“ “I like the clunky phone I have now,” “no cool stylus.” I’ve heard them all.

Here’s the deal, do whatever it takes to get an iPhone. The rewards outnumber any short-term sacrifice. The user experience is what sets the iPhone in a class by itself.

Now I’m smiling. Why? Because two of my co-workers just purchased iPhones. Yep, the same people that thought iPhones were merely toys, walked in the door with new iPhones. (They actually left earlier that same day to get new Verizon phones). Go figure. They saw the light. Now they are officially “switchers.” To be fair, the office did just move to an Exchange server for e-mail, which makes iPhone e-mail much easier in the business arena. So, now those same co-workers are excited about their new phones and now understand what I have been saying for years.

I have been an iPhone user since day one (9^th person in line). Yeah, I’m an addict. I have no problem admitting that because I know the iPhone has made my life easier. Now I get to enjoy seeing former disbelievers say “Man, this is the coolest thing!” Interestingly, half of the staff at Coles Marketing now owns an iPhone. Pretty cool.

If you own a computer, backing up your data is the most important thing to do. Although so many computer users never do. One reason is that most users really don’t know how. But for Mac users it’s really quite simple.

With the introduction of the Leopard operating system (OS) in October 2007, Apple included an automatic backup utility called Time Machine. Any Mac user that isn’t currently using Time Machine is missing out on a great utility. It’s simple. First, know the size of your internal hard drive, lets say it’s a 250GB. Second, go and purchase an external drive. Apple suggests purchasing a drive that is twice the size of your internal drive, so for this situation a 500GB drive should be purchased. (If cost is prohibitive, a drive that is the same size as your internal will work.)

Now the easy part begins. Plug in the external drive, connect it to the Mac and turn it on. Go to your System Preferences and click on Time Machine. The setup is easy. Time Machine backs up your entire system once an hour. Time Machine is different from other backup applications in that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it remembers how your system looked on a given day — so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.

Never lose a file again. Check it out here.

Well, it has arrived. The much talked about new product by Apple – the iPad. This new device is being marketed to fill the gap between the iPhone and a MacBook laptop.

The keynote presentation by Steve Jobs was executed perfectly, leaving viewers thinking that they all needed one. Do we all need one? Maybe not. But man, it is one cool piece of hardware. And at a $499 base price, this is truly  “the most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price.”

To really simplify, it is a huge iPod touch. But, because of it’s size (roughly 8”x10”) it really does fill a gap. I think the iPad has a specific spot in the marketplace because there are many users that don’t utilize or need production-based applications (i.e. Word, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) – hence a laptop is overkill for them. This is a great product that allows users to do almost everything else, more “entertainment-based” while hanging out on the couch. I think the addition of video chat would have been a great addition, and of course, Flash capabilities (someday). I’ve always been a believer of leaving the “office production tool” in the office, and the “fun, entertainment tool” in the family room. Now don’t get me wrong, the iPad can generate files – my point is that not everyone needs to generate files.

This device allows you to fully browse the Web with full, tactile sensitivity; check your e-mail; view your photos in many ways; watch videos & TV shows; link directly to YouTube and watch the latest HD videos; full iPod capabilities; full access to the iTunes store and the App store; access to the new iBookstore (a free app from the App store) which allows a new way to read and buy books; and full Maps, Notes, Calendar and Contacts applications as well.

As the digital movement continues to grow, the desire for users to read eBooks and eMagazines is growing exponentially. This is a perfect device for that market. And as Coles Marketing continues to create digital content for our clients, we see the potential for beautiful devices such as the iPad.

As the digital age continues to grow into every facet of our daily lives, personal and professional, I am amazed at the speed in which it grows. Most everyone I know has a smartphone of some sort (my choice is an iPhone). Everyone seems to own a computer, often more than one per household. No one really seems to remember a “film camera.” And “hanging out” with someone now means chatting with them on Facebook.

Today, as I was checking in on one of my favorite Web sites, macrumors.com, I came across an article that outlines how Time Inc. is developing their Sports Illustrated magazine to go digital. Yep, it has begun. Magazine publishers are moving (many of them already have) away from printing their magazines to loading them online so they can be accessed by computers, smartphones and tablets.

As the anticipation of Apple’s new tablet grows, Time Inc. posted this video showing the direction they are moving towards in preparation for tablet computers. The functionality of the magazine is impressive. The video also shows why there should be no need for a physical keyboard on a tablet. The keyboard only appears when you need it, maximizing visual real estate for content viewing. Get ready people, this is the shape of things to come.

How many times have you heard this: “Just go and pull the logo off the Web site.” That is not one of the top ten phrases a graphic designer wants to hear when creating your company’s print ad.

There are two different worlds a graphic designer works within: 1) the Web world, and 2) the print world. Unfortunately they are a universe apart. I will try to simplify.

In the print world, graphics and images are produced/created in “high-resolution” or (typically) 300 pixels-per-inch (ppi). Prior to the advent of the digital age, resolution was referred to as dots-per-inch (dpi). Printing presses produce imagery on paper using technology that results in a very crisp and detailed image.

In the Web world, graphics and images are produced/created in “low-resolution” or 72 ppi because that is the resolution that computer monitors use to display images on the screen. If the designer uses images that are larger than 72ppi, the file size increases but the quality of the image does not change. Web graphics need to stay as small as possible so images load faster, since the data is traveling through cables.

Before assuming, discuss your project’s intent with a designer so you can provide the correct content for them to work with. Knowing the end-use of the project, Web or print, will tell a creative professional what steps need to be taken to ensure a well-executed end result.

As a creative designer, I am always thinking of different ways to produce marketing collateral. Depending on the end use of the piece, additional techniques may be implemented to create a “wow factor.” Printing on gloss paper as opposed to paper with a matte finish has traditionally been the standard way to make colors pop more. To take visual techniques a step further, think of printing on a matte finish paper then adding a spot gloss varnish or spot UV coating to make a specific graphic element stand out. Maybe a foil stamp or an emboss treatment is just what the doctor ordered. Additionally, a custom die-cut can be applied to really make a statement.

Utilizing enhanced visual printing techniques may add to the cost of the project, but keep in mind the end result from the consumers point of view: the more attractive the visual is, the more likely the response will be higher. That being said, not all projects need “wow factor” elements. Simplicity can, at times, be the perfect statement.

Listen to the designer. Often times they can visualize the end product during the concept phase and can explain their ideas as to why they think certain techniques should or should not be used. The goal of a designer is to deliver a great end result.

Brian Coles has been named vice president of marketing at Coles Marketing Communications in Indianapolis, overseeing strategy and tactics of both traditional and non-traditional client campaigns.

A 1999 graduate of Indiana University, he joined the agency in 2003. His past experience includes assisting a new business in Colorado launch its operations and leading its management function, product manager of Technuity and inventory manager for Batteries.com. Coles has experience providing market research for Endress+Hauser Consult AG, a Swiss company specializing in measurement products. He has also served in corporate communications for Indiana Mills and Manufacturing. In his free time, Coles volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and St. Mary’s Child Center. He is also a past board member of AdClub Indianapolis and a past committee member of the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk.

Since 1985, Coles Marketing Communications has provided marketing, communications, creative, Word of Mouth and social networking council to local, regional and national clients in the government, healthcare, education, financial, logistics, real estate, hospitality and technology industries. Coles Marketing Communications is a member of Pinnacle Worldwide, Public Relations Society of America, Better Business Bureau and the Counselor’s Academy.