Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Today I learned that Daniel Pink, the author of A Whole New Mind, How Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, will be speaking (for free!) at Westfield State College on October 5th.  Color me intrigued.

From the publisher:

“Lawyers. Accountants. Radiologists. Software engineers. That’s what our parents encouraged us to become when we grew up. But Mom and Dad were wrong. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind. The era of “left brain” dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which “right brain” qualities — inventiveness, empathy, meaning — predominate. That’s the argument at the center of this provocative and original book, which uses the two sides of our brains as a metaphor for understanding the contours of our times.”

I am looking forward to this- as a creative and a businessperson.  According to the book, I may be living in the best of both worlds.

Women in Business: Speaker Series

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

The women of Women Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley are offering a series of free seminars for women who are considering self-employment. Six members of the WBOA will share stories about making the transition from weekly paychecks to self employment, the balancing act of family and career, and how to handle your business as a whole, which is more than just being good at your craft.

“The opportunities for women interested in starting a business are endless right now. The women who are willing to be creative, get motivated, and find their courage are the ones we want to guide through the transition by telling our stories and offering advice,” says Angela Lussier, member and public relations chair of the WBOA.
The free seminars will be held at the South Hadley Public Library on Bardwell Street from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. The schedule is as follows:

Week 1 (9/30/09): Making the Transition & Building Your Confidence

When you launch a new business, it’s important to go in with your eyes open and your head held high. Maintaining a clear path and chin up despite the inevitable setbacks is another challenge. Learn about what is important to focus on and what can be a distraction as you start your new life.

The seminar features Ann Latham, consultant, speaker, author, and president of Uncommon Clarity, a business consulting firm in Western Mass; and Angela Lussier, owner of 365 Degrees Consulting, a career consulting firm in Feeding Hills.

Week 2 (10/7/09): Finding the Balance & Dealing with Roadblocks

Being a woman in business means balancing your family life with your career, while dealing with the challenges of being successful and keeping it all together. Hear from the women who have been there, and how they’re making it happen every day.
The seminar features Suzanne Larocque, owner of Sleaque Images, a photography studio in East Longmeadow; and Linda McDonald, certified life coach and owner of Reach Resources in Easthampton.

Week 3 (10/14/09): Building Your Business & Creating a Vision for the Future

How do you market it to your clients when 68% of all business is lost to poor follow up? How do you not waste your marketing efforts chasing dead end leads? Who should you make key relationships with? You’ll also learn about the importance of branding and maintaining a professional image to win the client.

The seminar features Becky Castro, CPCC, PCC, a certified business coach and owner of I Love Monday Mornings; and Allison Biggs, an independent graphic designer serving small business owners in Western Mass.

Check out my seminar on week three!  I hope to see you there!

The 3/50 Project.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

The 3/50 project was developed to start a trend in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs during this difficult economy.  Each one of us can make a difference in the current situation by making an effort, each time we purchase something, to buy local.  For more information on how you can support your local small businesses and the 3/50 movement, visit the350project.net.

Think about which three independently owned businesses you’d miss most if they were gone.  Stop in and say hello.  Pick up a little something that will make someone smile.  Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.*  Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.

For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

Hitting the Books.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

While I was at the HOW Conference, I had the chance to pick up some great reads at the bookstore. I always love books with pretty pictures, that stimulate ideas, but I also am fascinated with the psychology behind design, so you’ll see I struck a good balance with the books I purchased on this trip.

The first two are by Karen Salmansohn. I was actually a fan of hers after picking up The Bounce Back Book, and these two books did not disappoint. They took a look at the psychology of design and being in business, and offer tips and strategies, mostly on how to be confident. Which in all honesty is something I could use every once in a while.

I also picked up Identity Crisis by Jeff Fisher, which shows successful redesigns of standing brands. As our keynote speaker said, “Is there anything you designers don’t want to redesign?” I often get clients who have already established their brand, but need a redesign, and this book offers up some great examples on how to do this while retaining some consistency.

The final book I picked up was The Basic Design Index by Jim Krause. This outlines some of the basic principals of design, and while this is all stuff that I’ve already learned, it can never hurt to be reminded. No one wants to make a rookie mistake.

Client Study: Ascendant Financial

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

I recently finished an identity project for a financial planner. His business name is Ascendant Financial. Using the word ascendant really gave me some great visual cues, and the identity practically decided for itself that it needed to include a visual representation of upward movement. When working with a financial planner, you definatly want to see things going up, whether it be your mood, your opportunities, your stocks, or your money.

I played with a few variations on this upward movement with these two examples. The font that I used is Hypatia Sans Pro, which to me has a very New York City, Art Deco feel. It’s clean, sleek, and powerful without being overwhelming.

Below is the winner. It features a gold upward swoop that cuts through the A in Ascendant, working as the center part of the A, but also giving the upward movement that was needed. Using the A as a drop cap also gives it the appearance of an upward arrow. The color gold signifies exactly what you would imagine, money and prosperity. This particular shade of gold allows the whole logo to continue with its crisp and clean look.

We continued with the entire stationery set, where this identity piece held everything together. Clean, sleek, and simple.

Let’s Begin at the Beginning.

Monday, June 8th, 2009

This is my very first post in my new design blog, In the Works. So allow me to introduce myself. My name is Allison and I am graphic designer based in Western Massachusetts. I am also an adjunct professor at a local state college, sharing my computer wisdom with the next generation (ok, I’m not going to lie, I’m only a few years older than them.)

The blog title “In the Works” has several different meanings for me, which you will see why they each apply equally. My graphic design portfolio site is www.amdesignworks.com, see the wordplay? Next, I intend to share current client projects on this blog, in progress, or as I like to say, in the works. And finally, this blog will serve as a place for me to share my design inspiration and appreciation, whether that be references to things other designers are doing, my own photography, my current, non work related creative endeavors, or basically what’s running through my mind, or again, as I said, what’s in the works.

I look forward to sharing with you several times a week. My first posts will most likely allude to the transformation of my new apartment (and when I say new, I mean new to me). I just moved into a great place, in a house that was built in 1890. Wood floors, big windows, and tons of, um, charm.