The bimonthly magazine of Ideafixa.com is out! Volume #8 titled Self-potrait. A flash player is required to view the magazine.

A comic strip site I stumbled which displays types of clients designers tend to meet. I myself have met many during my presentations with clients. Does this ever happen to you?

Read more..

Technorati Tags: design, business, personal, internet

As a graphic designer, I have passion and love with what I do. I was inspired by many designers I read and kept up to-date on websites, articles, blogs & design forums. We, as designers create solutions; how a design is perceived and influenced by consumer choices. Graphic design is not only an art; but it is actually a visual communication for commercial success. Up to this day, many of us are ignorant of an issue that is harassing the design industry; it is being ravaged of its value.

Most of us have studied for it and have worked to understand the processes and the psychology of designs. Design itself reflects an image, the value of products & services. Think about the products you buy or the stores that you shop at. Have you ever hesitated on a purchase because of the way it looked?

I have observed many designers underestimating industry prices and giving clients rights as they want just to ensure they secure the project. Even on freelancer forums & sites where designers “bid” the best price for projects/ jobs like $50 for logo design or $100 website. Why does this happen? Desperation! I cannot imagine how you can get an original logo designed which truly reflects your corporate image with such a flimsy logo design fee. I think this gives a clouded view to the design buyers who shape their budgets around a faux value.

I sincerely believe that there are a few factors why we are experiencing this disastrous event. In the first instant, now is the dawn of the computer age where design softwares used by unprofessional people think that as long as they can use Photoshop to manipulate pictures or layout a design with no effort, creating a so-called good design, instantaneously makes them think they are a designer. Wrong! The programs we use are tools just as a builder with their hammer and nails to build a great structure. You wouldn’t want your 12-year old to build your house just because he knows how to use a hammer and nails. It is not about knowing- but understanding. In design itself, we have design rationales, colour theory, typography, elements and most importantly - concept.

Why does design now viewed as a commodity rather than a service? It is not! My professional view is that there is a lack of education and exposure especially fresh graduates from design schools, not knowing that what they charged is a meager sum just to secure projects. Ridiculous! I, myself as a designer was not aware of this until I looked further into this matter and understood that many do not understand the value of designs. A lot of sites offer cheap solutions especially to those that are underselling the industry. How are our clients supposed to know the true value of our services if all they see are these freelance type sites and low-balling designers?

I would greatly appreciate if we all could make a stand and create awareness that designs have got specific values. I would not sit and let the industry crumble to dust with this mortification. I am proud to be a qualified graphic designer.

I would gladly hope to hear a few feedbacks on this matter.

Thank you.

Technorati Tags: design, marketing, business, personal

Since we as designers need source of inspirations for our artworks, here is a site where you can find tonnes of links and now more information about free PDF mag’s from all over the world with main focus on art, design, illustration and life.

Did I mentioned that its free?

http://www.pdf-mags.com/

My research

I am doing a research on what really inspires a designers creativity and need helpful feedbacks on the subject for my article. Does music inspire you? Maybe a local artist? A friend? A website?

Do reply a feedback on what really inspires a yourself as a designer. Send comments or you can email me: aligoldie@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: design, creative, internet