Creativity 38

Cosmic's creativity featured in new book by Harper Collins written by David E. Carter titled Creativity Annual Number 38.

The book, a 400 page hardcover distributed worldwide by Harper Collins, features more than 1000 color photographs and illustrations, covers dozens of categories in both the consumer and trade markets, including advertisements, annual reports, posters, billboards, brochures, catalogs, calendars, promotional items, corporate identity, magazine covers, websites, and much more. Creative professionals looking for inspiration or anyone with an interest in quality graphic design will find "Creativity 38" an invaluable resource.

All entries were judged by a panel of professionals from some of the most prestigious design firms in the United States. Cosmic received silver awards and was recognized for its outstanding design for both the 2007 Sovereign Risk Insurance and Oil Casualty Insurance Limited annual reports, which were co-produced by Sean Collier and David Scott of Cosmic.

"We are honored and thrilled to be recognized for such an award on an international scale," says Scott. "It’s really a testament to the creativity and hard work we put into these projects."

Cosmic was one of over 2,800 entrants from 45 states and 44 countries, according to the editor and awards director.

Carter, the author of Creativity 38, is a noted authority on the subjects of graphic design, logo design, and corporate branding. He has produced over 100 best-selling books in those fields, including The Big Book of Logos, The Big Book of New Design Ideas, and The Big Book of Business Cards and is currently working on several new corporate identity books.

Creativity 38 is available through Amazon.com.

Projects: OCIL Annual Report

Cosmic recently completed work on the 2008 annual report for Oil Casulty Insurance Limited (OCIL). The book features custom photography, illustrated graphs and vivid six-color printing. OCIL is a major provider of Excess General Liability insurance and services energy companies worldwide.

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

Do you want to be really good at graphic design?

Seth Godin asks why aren't you really good at graphic design?.

As Godin points out, there are a lot of really great resources out there that make design easy for the non-designer.

Perhaps the reason the non-designer is NOT really good at graphic design is that maybe they are better at numbers than they are at art. Maybe they spent 4, 6, or 8 years in college studying economics and not design. Simply put, they are not designers and I would assert that most business people have no desire to be.

When your focus is on saving nickels over enhancing your brand image, your result is usually a formula for poorly executed marketing.

Godin makes a point that it is important to hire someone when it counts, but when does it count for the business owner uneducated in the importance of good design? Does this mean you should be spending $100 an hour to have someone put together a sign up sheet for a golf tournament or a fax cover sheet. No. What about business cards? Absolutely.

Business cards are sales tool. It is usually one of the first interactions a customer has with your marketing. If it doesn't make a powerful impression through design, you haven't done anything to gain trust with the customer.

What about brochures or annual reports? It is best to consult with a professional first to see what your options are. Getting a second and third opinion couldn't hurt. Ask them how hiring them for the project would enhance and grow your business. The answer should determine whether you want to do it yourself or not.

©2009 David Scott | Cosmic: Advertising & Design

Sales and design

I haven't met many graphic designers that are really good salespeople. In fact, most are downright horrible at sales. That's why many of the big agencies are run by experienced sales people, not creatives.

If you do find a designer that has solid sales experience, hang on to them.

Understanding the sales process is essential to the design process. Graphic designers create the tools needed in the sales process to make an effective presentation for their client's company.

Whether an annual report, business card or website, the effective sales person uses each of these tools to grow their company. If the designer does not have a clear understanding of how the sales process works, how will their ideas help you?

©2009 David Scott | Cosmic: Advertising & Design

Cosmic Wins Design Award In Creativity Annual Awards Competition

Cosmic Wins Design Award In Creativity Annual Awards Competition
Winning Entry To Be Published In Creativity 38 Annual

Recognized for the design of the 2007 Sovereign Risk Insurance Annual Report

Cosmic Ltd, a full service graphic design firm specializing in annual reports and corporate brochure design, has been selected for publication in The Creativity Annual Number 38, due out in 2008.

Cosmic received a silver award and was recognized for its outstanding design of the 2007 Sovereign Risk Insurance annual report by a panel of judges from some of the most prestigious design firms in the United States.



The annual report was co-produced by graphic designers Sean Collier and David Scott of Cosmic and will be included in The Creativity Annual: a 400 page hardcover book distributed worldwide by Harper Collins.

Originated by Art Direction magazine founder Don Barron, and first held in 1970, the Creativity Annual was one of the first books to showcase leading-edge design. The annual international competition is one of the most prestigious in the industry, and The Creativity Awards competition continues to honor the outstanding work done each year by creative professionals in every discipline. Awards are based strictly on the quality of the submissions, not the size, nor reputation of the firm.

"We are honored and thrilled to be recognized for such an award on an international scale," says Scott. "It’s really a testament to the creativity and hard work we put into this project."

The agency was one of over 2,800 entrants from 45 states and 44 countries, according to the editor and awards director.

About The Creativity Annual Awards
Established in 1970, The Creativity Annual Awards is based in Louisville, KY and is one of the longest running international advertising and graphic design competitions in the world. A print, web, advertising and media design competition, each year the judges choose the best from all over the world to be reproduced in the 400-page Creativity Awards Annual.


©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Antilimit

Just because iStock is cheap, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

There's a difference between good photos and great photos. Then there are photos that just take your breath away. Photos that move you to the very core. There are photos that can tell a story beyond any headline or body copy.

Eric Gustafson takes those kinds of photos.

You won't find his photos on iStock. Eric is the kind of photographer that works with a very specific type of individual or company. He's master at his craft and he works with others who are masters.

Are you?

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Photo: Copyright Eric M. Gustafson

Graphic Design vs. Annual Reports

I meet with a business coach about every 2 months or so and yesterday we met to discuss marketing. She asked me what I say to potential clients I want to work with and I ran through a couple of mock conversations with her.

She said, "y'know, you talk a lot about graphics and graphic design, but as a general consumer I don't know what that is. If you enjoy designing annual reports for example, then say that."

Afterwards, I attended a social gathering with about 150 local business people and as they asked me what I did, I told them my company designs annual reports. The response was completely different than what I normally got. People were actually engaged, interested and willing to give me referrals of people they know.

It is amazing what can open up out of being specific in your message. This includes being specific in your advertising and marketing efforts. The best marketing is the simplest marketing.

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Featured Project: Sovereign Risk Insurance Annual Report

We recently completed work on Sovereign Risk Insurance's annual report. For this being our first annual report to work on, the project was a dream. The client was responsive and made sure the project flowed as scheduled.

Sovereign works with several clients across the globe and partners with several different cultures. The annual features exotic photography from around the world that acknowledge and pay tribute to those cultures, their environment and ways of life. The design feeatures a five color design and sports a dull varnish overall with spot gloss liquid laminate throughout the book.

The client has had nothing but good things to say about the piece and is very excited about the results. Apparently they were an absolute hit at conferences in Amsterdam and Singapore. We look forward to working on more of these projects.

©2007 David Scott | Cosmic