Work

wow, I need to update this blog more often.

So, it’s been about a year since my last post. My husband is finally back from his deployment. I didn’t state this in my last post, since it’s not good to let the whole world know that your husband is serving over seas. But he’s BACK, and we’re a happy family again.

Work has been phenomenal on my end..growing as usual. For the first time in my career I had some of my graphic artwork entered into a art exhibition at my former college, West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The exhibit ran oct-nov 2009 and it was centered around women in the fine art field. (photography, painting, sculpture, prints, and graphic design.) 2 pieces from my portfolio were accepted out of approx 175 applicants. Only 75 artwork pieces were accepted for the show.

Classy Chicks Poster:

I designed this poster/ad for an ad competition focused around women and beer. Although I didn’t win because there weren’t enough applicants, I was glad to have created it! It actually won 4th place at the West Chester University art exhibition. My first win ever!!

West End Block Party poster:

I designed this poster, (this is the postcard version of the poster), for a block party in Anchorage, Alaska. The client was looking for a funky/fun look, and I had an awesome time creating this for her!

For now on, I’m going to keep my eye out for future art exhibitons to enter my work into. Not only was having my work displayed rewarding, but it strengthened my belief that I’m doing alright being a Graphic Designer.

Nothing like a good pat on the back to keep you going in the right direction!

Below is a great blog post from TheDesignCubical.com on the top 12 mistakes that anyone can make in Photoshop: http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2009/01/12-common-photoshop-mistakes-misuses-and-abuses/

I know that I’ve fallen victim to at least one or 2 of these mistakes when I first started out. Photoshop can be a very tricky program for some people. I myself am married to Illustrator, and prefer to work in that program over any other.

I ran across this blog by David Airey, who made a great point about why you should hire a big corporation, or why you should hire a small one for your design work. With so many design agencies out there today, it really is hard to find the perfect fit. In my experience, I’ve found that people like direct communication, fast responses and an overall love for what they do when it comes to their work. But then again, some people don’t mind slow responses and multiple designers working on their designs. Ever since I founded Creative Dolan Design Studio, I’ve strived to accomplish these 5 things for new and current clientel:

1. quick turnarounds on all work
2. fast communication via email or phone
3. cost savings because we’re a smaller shop
4. friendly customer service
5. determination to learn what we don’t know

Because of these 5 things my clients have stuck around and have grown with my company. Sure, Creative Dolan isn’t as large as the bigger guys out there, but we have heart. And that’s all that matter’s in my Professional Opinion.

When I tell people I meet that I’m a Graphic Designer, alot of times I’ll get this confused look from the person I am talking to. Their not alone. A lot of people out there don’t know what a graphic designer does on a daily basis. Below is a great vid about what a graphic designer does for a living. Design is not just pretty pictures. A lot of it involves research, thought and great communication skills.

I got my first taste of what the financial crisis may be doing to my company today. For the first time in the last few years, I actually got scared looking at my checking account. Don’t get me wrong, I still have clients coming to me, I just have less new work then I’m use to. Seems as if anyone who needs a design piece done is either doing it themselves, or not getting it done at all. Not good for the little guy. I’m hoping that the economy will pick up real soon. I just put out a new advertisement in my church’s bulletin, which will be viewable every Sunday for the whole year. This will be the first time I have ever purposely advertised my company. In the past I have gotten all of my clients though word of mouth or via the web. If this new advertisement works, I could have a few more jobs and potentially permanent clients. Let’s all hope that it does work.

Welcome to my portfolio! Below are a few of my favorite works that I have done in the past. If you want to see more, then please visit my company’s website at: www.creativedolan.com. There you can view oodles of work that I have done for clients, as well as some boring corporate info about my company.