Nope, pick two. You may have heard it before; it's certainly not a new concept. (There are plenty of variations floating about: quality, time, money; quality, service, cost; good, fast, cheap..it's all the same.) But I often find myself explaining to clients that as much as I would love to provide top-notch stellar quality at lightning-fast speed at the lowest rock-bottom price, I can't. Nobody can, without sacrificing something themselves. Between quality, speed, and price, you're going to have to pick two to optimize. Gosh, life is just full of tough decisions, isn't it? Let's look at "a day in the life of Jane" to illustrate this point. More

There are lots of titles floating around for people like me. And I'll be honest here, lots of people don't know what those titles mean. I call myself a Graphic and Web Designer. I used to just say Graphic Designer, but many people would have no idea that also includes websites. When possible I'll say "Graphic & Web Designer/Developer" because I not only design websites, but I build them too. On my formal resume, or when I know the audience will understand, I specify by saying "Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Front-end Web Developer".  So what does all of this mean? Here's my breakdown: More

Being a Graphic Designer means I design for both print and web. While there are many obvious similarities—design principles don't change, I use many of the same software programs— there are differences between the two that people may not be aware of. Aesthetics and communication are parts of the equation, but the experience also has to be designed, and that experience will differ between the two. In addition, there are technical considerations and marketing considerations for each one. More

The funny thing about design is that it has to be perceived by people who may have very different perspectives...which opens the door to other interpretations that can sometimes leave you scratching your head. Well, guess what? This phenomenon isn't unique to graphic design...it's a part of life! Have you ever looked up at a cloud and saw a bunny rabbit, or a horse, or a face? And if you try to point it out to somebody else, they may not see what you see in that cloud... More

I mentioned a few months ago that I was in the process of redesigning my logo. Well since I only find time to work on it in between, you know, paying projects, it's taken a while. And to be honest, I could probably drag it out quite a bit longer, but I've had to put my foot down and declare it done.  More

It's time for me to restock on my business cards, and since I have been redesigning my logo, of course I have to redesign my cards as well. In the spirit of exploring my options, I decided to design a vertical version of my new business card as well as horizontal one. And dangit, now I'm stuck. More

AAHHHHHHH!!
That's my reaction to the above image. Do you see it? Can you understand why I look at this and want to pull out my hair? Yes, a grammatical error. On a professional website. In a big bold heading at the top of the page. The first thing somebody sees when they visit this site. More

My sans serif typeface of the moment? PF Handbook Pro. It's cool, calm, and collected, with just enough quirkiness to make it lovable. (Kinda like myself, no?)  More

Bleed. Sounds...not good, right? Well, no need to worry, "bleed" is a term used in the printing/graphic design world; it does not involve actual blood; and if you don't already know what it is, now's your chance to learn! More

Every so often, my dear hubby comes home with a new addition—be it a kitchen gadget, filing cabinet, piece of furniture, etc, that was "just too good of a bargain to pass up." This is generally what happens next: I look at it, look back at him, look around at our already full home and say, "Where exactly are we supposed to put this?" His response, "I'll make it fit, I've got a plan." See, he considers himself a master engineer when it comes to "making things fit".  When we're packing up the car for a road trip, sure, that comes in handy. When it comes to our living space, well...not so much. More