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Ready to take your designs and career to the next level?
We, at Design & Thrive, strive to bring balance to all your creative, marketing and business needs. By signing up today, you will immediately have at your fingertips all the information, tools and resources to cover all these needs and more. We want well-rounded designers: at home in design, well-versed in marketing and know how to make our clients profit from our designs -- but make ourselves profit from them too. You'll find hundreds of how-to articles, resources, tips and solutions for all your graphics and business needs. We have a huge download section to meet all your requirements: forms, checklists, contracts, tip sheets, templates, and more. We have also added a brand new forum for our members to be able to interact, network and ask questions.
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 Working With Type
How do we decide what typeface to use? In this article, I examine the topic of typeface selection and all the nuances in type: styles, combining type, and what type is appropriate and when. . . . READ ON >
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Adding visuals that communicate at a glance
There is a fine line between choosing visuals that are merrily "pretty" and choosing ones that communicate. They say that a "picture is worth a thousand words". Your job is to decide what you want them to say. Learn how to choose the right visuals for your graphic design job that set the tone and communicate your message visually. . . . READ ON >
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What to check for in your file when you're done designing it
I hate it when mistakes happen. It's inevitable. But I have found that many are avoided if you check over your work. Once the basic layout of your document is finished, use my checklist to go over the things you may have overlooked and make sure that everything is A-ok. . . . READ ON >
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Typography 301: Paragraph style rules
Good typography involves becoming proficient in the 3 categories: text, paragraph, and punctuation rules. Using this as a guideline, I've created this 3-part class on typography. This third part deals with the basic paragraph rules and my other articles will deal with the others. . . . READ ON >
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Essentials of permission-based marketing
Permission-based marketing is a term coined by Seth Godin. It means that you need the approval of the prospect prior to adding them to your list. You need to make sure that it is indeed them that requested it and not some spammer. Build your list by offering prospects an incentive and then market to them consistently with autoresponders. . . . READ ON >
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The Client Chase Part 2: What To Do, and Not Do, When You Meet a Prospective Client for the First Time
Roger C. Parker, author of Looking Good in Print
Like a first date, the first time you meet, or talk to, a prospective client, both you and your prospect are sizing each other up. Ideally, both you and your prospect are interested in exploring whether or not there's a spark, or a chemistry, that can lead to more than just a "one-time sale." . . . READ ON >
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Typography 201: Punctuation done right
Good typography involves becoming proficient in the 3 categories: text, paragraph, and punctuation rules. Using this as a guideline, I've created this 3-part class on typography. This second part deals with the basic punctuation rules and my other articles will deal with the others. . . . READ ON >
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The Client Chase Part 1: Preparing for Your First Meeting with a New Client
Roger C. Parker, author of Looking Good in Print
Graphic design success involves more than just talent and technical prowess. Success is all about clients; choosing the right ones and getting fairly paid for your efforts. Selection is crucial. The wrong clients can dissipate your profits, waste your time, and undermine your confidence. . . . READ ON >
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Strategies for getting paid on time — everytime
When working for others, you get paid every two weeks. It doesn't matter if you finish a job or not. You are guaranteed a paycheck. The biggest hassle I had when I started freelancing was getting paid. The responsibility of whether I did or not was solely on me. It's all about expectations… Set your price, agree on a payment schedule, and stick to it! . . . READ ON >
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Typography 101: Basic rules for setting professional type
Good typography involves becoming proficient in the 3 categories: text, paragraph, and punctuation rules. Using this as a guideline, I've created this 3-part class on typography. This first part deals with the basic rules for setting type and my other articles will deal with the others. . . . READ ON >
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Guidelines for US paper sizes
There are 2 paper standards in the world. One is the North American standard and the other is the International ISO standard. I've compiled a list of all the paper sizes with imperial and metric sizes. This way, if a client says "I want it on A4 sized paper," you know what that means and what size the document should be set at! . . . READ ON >
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Does your website claim or educate?
Roger C. Parker, author of Looking Good in Print
Is your web site a "brochure" site -- a "brag and boast" exercise designed and written from your -- rather than your prospective client's -- point of view or does your web site pre-sell your firm's competence by educating your clients and prospects, offering truly usefuladvice and assistance? . . . READ ON >
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Sample Content
Lay out your office BEFORE you go to the store! Use my grid to avoid any hassles!
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