1st Article on Color Symbolism

This article talks about color psychology as it pertains to current marketing trends. June Campbell made some interesting points that I felt were worthy of passing along for your viewing pleasure. For example, why do most restaurants choose reds and oranges in their color scheme? Is your favorite color associated with death in another culture? Click the link to read on.

http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2008/06/color-psycholog.html

I am currently researching color symbolism for my essay paper. I will be posting from my final in a couple of weeks so be sure to check back.

Web Designer does NOT equal Web Developer?

I found a great link from a local web design/graphic design company. Their article says it all as they describe the professional difference between a web designer and a web developer. The DEC has always believed these are separate disciplines as well, and we're glad someone agrees with us! Please read on... http://www.ave25.com/word_on_the_street/display_blog.cfm?bid=083F4FB9-19DB-7207-724743594FEA5E1F

Need a photographer?

The DEC recommends Ray Thomas Photography. This gentleman has been working his craft for many years, both in freelance and as a part-time award-winning editorial photographer for a local newspaper. He specializes in weddings, but he also does engagements, portraits, and babies. Check out his site, http://members.cox.net/ray.thomas/. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Professional Coaching-It's All About YOU!

I recently had the pleasure of re-acquainting myself with a wonderful life coach. Rachelle Taylor's enthusiasm is contagious, and she can help you through the rough patches so you can Live Your Life With Purpose! Click the resources tab on her website for a free download of her booklet, "When The Business You Run Begins To Run You". Her web address is http://rachelletaylor.com/resources.asp

Help a Worthy Cause

My good friend in Oregon is donating 20% of her October contract fees to cancer research! Check it out on her site: http://www.whytetyger.com/ and please donate to a worthy cause!

New Site Design - Check It Out!

Deseyners Eye Creations has a new site design, check it out! It didn't take months to create - turns out after my school term finished, I finished the design in one week. What do you think of it?

I was surfing the Web for some creative spark, and I came across this site:
http://www.jaymontgomery.com/port1stgrade.html. Mr. Montgomery has done an excellent job with light and dark, particularly on the wrapping around the sandwich. Well done, Mr. Montgomery!

Redesigning Deseyners Eye: Day 1

OK, folks, this morning I am going to begin the process of redesigning my website. Normally I would handcode but I am going to use Dreamweaver on this redesign. Please pardon our dust while the site is being redesigned. I would like to pose a general but broad question to our group of professionals: I am considering keeping the current look of my website (http://deseynerseyecreations.net), but I also want to incorporate some colored wooden popsicle sticks as part of my navigation. Then, I thought I would color-coordinate the background with the popsicle stick that is clicked on (for example, if my line of text is on an orange stick, I can color the background to an lightened orange color). Any other suggestions are very welcome. Thanks!

Clover Road: Benefits of Professional Graphic Design For Small Business

I just read a very good article on this website, http://www.cloverroad.ca/benefits-of-professional-graphic-design-for-small-business/#comment-17. The article discusses the importance of marketing your business without over-spending. It's a very good read, and even though most of us may find it a bit repetitive, I think it's good business sense worth repeating.

Happy Graduation!

My girlfriend in Oregon, Kimberlea Snegirev, has officially GRADUATED! She has her long-deserved BA from Westwood College online in Web Design and Multimedia. Please visit her site at http://www.whytetyger.com/ and congratulate her, and tell her I sent you. :)

To all the graduates, CONGRATULATIONS! You deserve a pat on the back; you've studied hard, applied yourself, didn't party (yeah right!), kept your nose to the grindstone (ouch!) and achieved the ultimate dream.......college loans! (just kidding) Congratulations, honestly, for a job well done!

Type And The Internet

I paid a visit to this site, there is some very good information. Elle's current post is about typography on the web. Pay a visit, you won't be disappointed.
http://designbyelle.com.au/2008/05/20/typography-on-the-web/#comment-7246

Websites for Web Designers

I ran across this site and thought the information was well presented. This is a list of 30 sites to keep your eye on while you're designing a website. Why, you may ask? These sites have useful information, from design to color to coding. Trust me and take a look for yourself, and remember to bookmark it!
http://sixrevisions.com/resources/websites_for_web_development/

American I-dul!

OK, I've heard it all now and I just had to let y'all know about it! My daughter is a HUGE fan of American Idol, so tonight she had herself glued to the TV to find out who won. You've got to follow this link back to YouTube to Reynaldo Lapuz's performance at the beginning of the year, it's totally unforgettable (and a good reason to not remember!), but to my sheer delight he was back tonight! Here's the link, you tell me if he's the next William Hung: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nGlmA7CxO20 Sorry, ear plugs are not standard equipment yet.

Who's Designing Your Website?

I just read this blog, http://www.thevideosense.net/2008/
who-should-you-hire-to-design-your-website.html, and I must say there are a few points I do not agree with. However, I do agree on the contract and downpayment part of this post. If someone is serious about working with you and your business image, they should sign a contract with you but you must be willing to front some part of the cost. This lets both sides know each is serious and dedicated to the project's end result.

As a client, you should ask for references from anyone you are hiring. Yes, hiring. Remember, when you ask for quotes for someone to design/redesign your website or make a business card, you are making a contract to hire that person for that project. This is no different than a company hiring an employee - only a different venue. So yes, ask for samples - linking sample files, websites done, even a tearsheet of sample work - will separate the professional from the non-professional, regardless if a freelancer or corporate designer.

Also, don't be afraid to ask about their experience and education in this field. This will help weed out those who just purchased Microsoft Publisher and want to be a graphic/website designer from those with actual training with typography, color and composition. If they tell you they are just starting to build a business, that's not necessarily a red flag to avoid this person; perhaps they are a recent graduate from a design school and need real-life experience to build their business. We all had to start somewhere, and from these experiences we establish a trusting work relationship that you can count on again and again.

Take care: without asking a lot of questions and getting a signed contract, you could be in for a "surprise".

Blogging For Business Seminar

A couple of weeks ago I attended a seminar here in town called "Blogging For Business", presented by Dave Barnhart (FumblingFoodie.com, BusinessBloggingPros.com). The information he presented was invaluable! He further explains how you can utilize your blog to market your business. If you would more information about this please e-mail me at info@deseynerseyecreations.net or you can give him a shout at http://businessbloggingpros.typepad.com/ - just tell him I sent you. :) Very well done, Dave, and thanks!

Do You Know Your Fonts?

A good friend of mine sent me this link a few days ago. This is not for the weak-hearted! This little exercise will test your typography mettle. If you think you have what it takes to be the best, take your best shot!
http://fontstruct.fontshop.com/

Welcome #1

Hello All! While I'm re-constructing my website I thought I'd jump into the world of The BLOG, so you can learn about my company while both my site and my blog grow. The green is on purpose, not because I loved the movie "The Blob", but because it's my favorite color. Please let me know how I'm doing and what you think might be a good change (nicely, now, I"m a newbie at this). Thanks to all, looking forward to chatting with you soon!