The Designer Network

What does a graphic designer have in common with a real estate agent? Not much when you compare the details of their job requirements.

However, chances are pretty good that graphic designer knows one and because most graphic designers are obsessively concerned with their reputation, that real estate agent is probably one of the best.

Why is this important?

If the design businesses you partner with aren't sharing their networks with you, something may be off about your relationship with them.

Likewise, if you aren't tapping into your designer's professional network to enhance and grow professionally and personally, you may also be missing out.

Instead of calling when you need a logo design, call and find out if they can be a resource for something else…like a real estate agent.

Graphic Design Candidate

Someone looking for work sent us this email and thought I would share it.

Dear Sir

I am writing this letter to enquire as to any available positions at Cosmic.

I see that Cosmic’s goal is “to deliver superior design solutions to clientele looking to explore contemporary design styles and marketing strategies”. I have viewed the excellent awards received from numerous companies and have noticed how creative your designs have made an impact on the success of companies. My immediate reaction was “Now, this is a team I would like to join!”.

In March 2010, I will graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design. During the course of my studies, I have learned to use my creative skills to design logos, business cards, Annual Reports and posters. I have received two certificates for Academic Recognition, and I believe that the skills I have acquired over the past four years will help your Company produce even more fresh and creative designs.

I am an honest, personable, diligent worker who takes personal satisfaction in my work and recognize the importance of meeting all deadlines. My main objective is to get each and every job accomplished to the best of my ability, within the required timeframe while satisfying the client’s needs and wants.

Once you have reviewed my resume, please contact me at the number above to discuss my candidacy in further detail and how my skills might be utilized within your Company. I am confident in my ability to make an immediate and long term contribution to your company.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

CT

Sometimes flattery will at least get your foot in the door.

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

The Internet is down

This week I found myself without any Internet for two days straight. In that time, I learned two things. First, I am ten times more productive without it and second, the iPhone has totally transformed the way people communicate.

Normally, I would have been in a panic with no Internet and no email on my computer. When I realized that both these things were available to me on the iPhone, it wasn't that big a deal.

Many people already use their phone to do both these things. So, what's the big whoop? Well, for me, it was all the other stuff I did while my system was down.

Not only were emails and web browsing not a problem but I could write and send customer estimates, revise and save our yearly budget documents, wrote a press release and even sent out a few invoices. In essence, I was running a business from a damn phone!

I've never been one to rave about a phone. Truth be told, they always annoyed me more than anything. When you can do business, however, using a device no bigger than a baby's shoe and not miss a beat, that says something about where technology is headed.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a business to run.

Copyright 2009 \\ COSMIC \\ DAVID SCOTT
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Graphic design and budgets

I've always been an artist. I was the stereotypical hyperactive child drawing on the walls even when mom told me not to do it. I was even doing in my 20's and 30's.

One thing I can tell you about most artists is that we make crappy business people. For the most part, we have our heads so far in the clouds, the mere thought of creating a sales process or an operations manual or accounting forces us to run, hide and put our heads somewhere where even the sun can't get at us.

Nevertheless, I've finally succumbed to the notion that if I want to keep my head in the clouds, I'm going to have to spend a little time here on earth.

Coming back to reality started last week when I began to work on our company's budget for 2010. This is the first time I have ever done this and the artist in me began throwing in numbers and creating these lofty projections for next year where I was making a quarter million dollars by the end of 2010!

When I looked at year's past however, reality set in and I realized there was definitely a mismatch.

A lot of people question our prices. They often claim they are too high. I would say that's the price you pay for high-quality graphic design work.

After studying our company budget, however, I realized it takes a lot more than a big ego to run a business. Do you know that it costs just over $10,000 for our St. Petersburg office to break even every month? Considering very modest expenses and a staff of one, that's a shitload of money! The reality is I can't have my head in the clouds when when we're talking that kind of money each month.

I love my job and if I could do it for free, I would. Truth is folks, I need to eat and pay the rent just like everybody else. If you are looking for a good deal, please ask someone else, because I'm not going to give it to you. However, if you are looking for a graphic design team to deliver premium marketing solutions for your company, then let's talk business.

You would never see Apple doing this

Windows launched a cross promotional campaign with Burger King in Japan to promote its Windows 7 operating system: http://ping.fm/730lT

This campaign is not only disgusting on so many different levels, it is offensive to Windows users or any computer user for that matter.

Is this really how Microsoft views its customers?

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

Quote: Judy Garland

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. JUDY GARLAND

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

Aradia Massage

If you are ever in the St. Petersburg, Florida area, be sure to look up Aradia. Who's Aradia? She's not only one of our clients, she's also one of the most skilled massage therapists you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing.

We launched her new website this week. You can see it here.

The site is pretty basic right now and will be a nice staging point for all the other work we have planned for it in the coming months including an online booking system and storefront.

If you want to read more about it in the news, click here.

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\