Building a Better Design

Building a better design starts with having a "Great Designer", so what does it take to be one?

  • They must have the creative flexibility to withstand the toughest deadlines
  • Muster the strength to be competitive in the face of adversity
  • Conjure the ability to turn other peoples’ ideas into fantastic creations in Print, Web, and TV
  • To have the speed of an army of designers
  • Possess the ability to see through creative problems and solve them

These things are what make a designer great. If you are searching for an individual who can help you build better designs, look no further! I will show you a fraction of the talent I can provide you!
Next > >

1. Planning the Design

   

I will sit and think about a plan for any design for a while before putting pen to paper. There are things I consider when formulating a plan for the design.

  • Who will be viewing the design
  • What is the design for
  • What is the message that needs to be portrayed
  • Where will this design be showcased
  • Do I have the tools to complete the design
  • Is there enough information given by the client
  • Over the lifespan of the design will it need to be edited or modified
  • How much material is involved in the creation of this design
  • What kind of timeframe can I do this in

Usually, the best way I have found to start, is to ask these questions. More often they are very easily answered which moves the project to the next step, laying down the groundwork or foundation.

In the example (LEFT) the project was to create unique piece furniture for my son. I created the world’s first Imperial Walker Desk. These plans were created in Adobe Illustrator then transferred to my workshop.
Next > >

2. Foundation & Guidelines

   
Before any real design work can begin, I have to look at the plan and decide how I will go about creating it. I have discovered that designs change over time and clients will always change their minds at the last minute.

I have to take into account that someone else might have to modify my designs in the future. There should be no question as to how it was created!  Like any building constructed the foundation is the most important since everything will rest on it.

 

Next > >

3. Executing the Design

My designs are developed with great care. From start to finish I organize my files so that designs can be easily manipulated. Whether it is I or another designer doing the work, it’s important that the project be easily defined as to how it was made. Designs should be created to be “flexible”, meaning that throughout the life of the design there will always be changes and it should be easy to make them.

 

Next > >

About What I Do

Some would say that I have worn many different hats in my career. I like to think of myself as someone who could be put in any creative situation. Here is a simple explanation of what it is I can do.

For example;

Let’s say that you own a business and have a product called a “Widget” and started this venture to become wealthy because of this amazing product. You have someone who knows how to talk to people to sell the “Widget” and he is good at what he does. You have someone knows about the industry and can market to buyers, and then there is “that guy” who helps everyone sell the “Widget” by:

  • Designig the identity/brand for the “Widget”
  • Creates the pamphlets the sales person brings to the sales meetings
  • Makes the business cards for the company to hand out to all the clients
  • Comes up with the Catalog which showcases the “Widget” in its many forms
  • Designs the website for the person who markets the “Widget” to industry
  • Develops the labels which are placed on the “Widget”
  • Develops a web commercial for the “Widget” to play on social media sites
  • Creates the sales videos explaining how the “Widget” works
  • Makes the power point presentations to show the investors how much money they will rake in
  • Designs the award for the person who sells the most “Widgets”

I am "that guy", and I bring a lot of experience to the table. There are always things to discover about how I can be more creative.

Experience I have gained extends from traditional print design, magazine layout, photography, corporate identity, to web design and user interface. I have created print ads for an “off Broadway” play, package design for popular children's cartoon character, and web site creation for teen magazines and many other corporate and small businesses.

A few of my former clients/employers include; Go Daddy.com, Sony, Samsung, VIACOM - VH1, Nickelodeon, Prime Media, TIME, and Morgan Stanley.

"I create therefore I am!"

More > >