The Essential Client's Guide to Evaluating Design Proposals
The key to successful design projects lies in clear communication from the very beginning. If you're considering working with a design professional for the first time, you might be wondering what happens after that initial conversation. One crucial step is the project proposal - a document outlining how we'll make your vision a reality. In this guide to evaluating a design proposal, I'll walk you through the elements of a strong proposal, drawing on my years of experience to show you what to expect and why each component matters. Whether you're rebranding your business, launching a new product, or refreshing your website, understanding the proposal process will help you make informed decisions and set the stage for a successful collaboration.
Hand-Drawn Illustrations to Elevate Your Brand: Book Your September Spot
Looking for a designer to create illustrations or patterns for your brand? I am now booking projects for September. I specialize in creating unique illustrations that make your brand stand out and connect with your target audience. In this video post, you'll see my original hand-drawn botanical art created in Adobe Fresco. I used AI-driven text-to-image features in Adobe Photoshop and Midjourney to create realistic mockups for wine bottles and perfume packaging, showcasing how my art can elevate your product designs.
Want to work with me on your next project? My books are now opening for September and October. Get in touch via my contact page.
Print Perfection: Checklist for Designers to Prepare Printer Files
Here’s how to set up files to send to a commercial printer. Ensuring your design files are perfectly prepared makes the difference between a flawless print and a costly mistake.
Ever wonder about the secret sauce behind flawless print files? I've been there too. That's why I've created a handy checklist of pro tips for prepping your print media for commercial printers.
This checklist serves as a starting point to guide designers through the essential steps to prepare their files for the printer. From embedding fonts and using the correct color profiles to setting up bleeds and margins, this blog post covers the critical elements to achieve high-quality print results. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to the field, following these tips will help you deliver print-ready files that meet industry standards and exceed client expectations.
Create Matching Icons in Adobe Illustrator: Simplify the Process with AI Tips
Adobe is upping its game by integrating AI into Illustrator, making design tasks faster and more intuitive. This quick tutorial will guide you through creating a cohesive set of icons, badges, logos, and other vector graphics. With the new Reference Asset feature, you can easily convert text to complementary and editable vector graphics. Use your artwork as a reference image to generate new vectors in a matching style. Here's how to create a set of rounded icons using these powerful tools. Watch the video in the post and follow along with the steps I outline.
Insider's Guide to Media Kits: Why Your Brand Can't Afford to Skip This Step
Have you ever wondered why some brands just seem to grab the spotlight effortlessly? It’s not all about having the best products or services. Often, it’s about making a stellar first impression. And what better tool for that than a well-designed media kit? If you’re running a design studio or managing a small brand, let me show you how a professional media kit can be a game-changer in how the world sees and remembers you.
From Overwhelmed to Organized: A Single-Page Brand Overview & Detailed Guide
My clients love the convenience of having all essential brand elements on a single page. Say goodbye to sifting through lengthy 40+ page manuals! With my one-sheet solution, you'll quickly grasp your brand's key features without the hassle. It's simple, practical, and designed to streamline your workflow. But don't worry - I’ve also got you covered with an additional comprehensive brand guideline document, ensuring consistency across platforms and mediums.
Adobe Firefly: Revolutionizing AI Image Generation
Adobe Firefly, a leading AI image generation tool, now includes the innovative Structure Reference feature. This advanced functionality enables users to use an uploaded image as a blueprint for the structure of the new creations, maintaining the original's structure and content integrity. By guiding the AI's composition and structure, the Structure Reference image significantly enhances control and predictability in generating art or photos. This addition marks a pivotal advancement in AI image generation, mitigating the unpredictability commonly associated with such technology.
Digital Makeover for a Travel Website: A Case Study
W&H Travel is getting a digital makeover. In this case study we're zooming in on a slick, responsive website that looks great and works smoothly across all devices. Think less waiting, more exploring. It’s all about giving you a seamless experience, whether you're on a desktop dreaming up your next getaway or scrolling through your phone on the go. Our case study will walk you through the nuts and bolts of our redesign journey—how we're mixing stunning visuals with a friendly user interface to make your travel planning an adventure in itself.