I'll admit, if you scan the various template sites, whether for web or print, you’ll find a bevy of impressive stuff - many are truly beautiful designs. However, it’s easy to create something beautiful when there are no parameters or constraints. Templates are more art than design, since the creator is free to design as they please - without limits. »

Even though the pace of change is grueling, and the business environment is perilous and challenging - yes - I’d still do it all over again. I think my passion for design would hold true - even on a second go around. But there are a few things I’d change. »

Look at your marketing right now. Does your website or ad or brochure use wretched phrases like top quality, unique, or best-in-class? Do you spew about your stellar customer service or your customer driven focus? Or is it littered with inane marketing gibberish like innovative cutting-edge market leading processes? »

A while back, I wrote about the importance of discovering and clinging to mentors during your business career in “The importance of mentors in business”. And while I preferred to keep them secret (even to them) so I could continually absorb their wisdom at no charge...I will admit to one. »

One of the most frustrating things we encounter regularly is business owners that are unwilling or nervous to share their budgets. Sure, some may not know it, but others will guard it like the crown jewels - fearing if they reveal the budget that we’ll spend it all instantly. »

Exhibit graphics suffer from a lot of maladies, to many words and not enough style. How do you make sure your booth stands out from all the other vendors that will be present at your event? There are a few things to keep in mind when having your graphic designed. A good designer will help guide you through these things to present you with a sharp and effecting looking booth graphic. Here are things you need to be aware of and looking for in your design. »

When I was in college, all my fellow art college students used to joke about one day you’ll see us designing in the bar code factory. A self deprecating inside joke about our individual talents to make it in the corporate world. How funny is it that nearly 15 years later popping up all around me is a world of art using UPC’s. I feel I’ve missed the boat somehow and all my former classmates have gotten on in life just how they planned. »

In today’s socially connected digital world - one of the things young people should be controlling and cultivating is their own personal brand. Sadly, many twenty-somethings will learn the lesson too late; after having loaded Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or other outlets with typical teenage and college hi-jinks. Once something is placed online, it’s virtually eternal. Yes, you can attempt to scrub and purge things - but they’ll have a funny way of popping up again and again. »

Distilling complicated or big data down into understandable chunks is a valuable ability. Crafting an easy-to-understand visual from the same is an extraordinary ability. It takes a unique skill set to create infographics that communicate and effect the desired result. »

The other day I had a conversation with a colleague. He’s in printing. He mentioned he’d been to a conference where a speaker advised printers to branch out into non-printing services; such as social media, web design, etc. We both sort of chuckled and wondered where the staff, overhead, and resources would come from - not to mention the business. »