Articles, Essays, and Musings
April 29, 2008: Participatory Networking [musing]
A while back, I heard Yousef Shafiee of RBN speak about effective networking. One particularly important piece of advice he gave was this: When you network, participate fully in the process. Read more >>
April 29, 2008: One Reason That Contracts Matter [musing]
Recently, I heard a sad contract story. Or rather a sad no-contract story. Read more >>
May 1, 2007: Visual Communications and Small-business Owners [musing]
Often I see visual communications (direct mail, Web sites, etc.) from small-business owners whom I know, and I wonder, “Why did they do that? Can’t they see how it gives the wrong impression?” Read more >>
April 29, 2007: Business Ethics [musing]
“Ethics,” says The Columbia Encyclopedia (Bartleby.com), “has developed as people have reflected on the intentions and consequences of their acts.” Ethics theory encompasses two so-called extremes—“innate moral sense” and “power of discrimination acquired by experience”—and everything in between. My own beliefs fall more strongly into the “innate moral sense” camp. Read more >>
April 2005: Smart Marketing: Brand Identity [article]
The Dictionary of Brand from the American Institute of Graphic Designers describes brand as people’s “perception of a product, service, experience or organization.” It says that brand identity is “the outward expression of a brand, including its name, trademark, communications, and visual appearance.” So brand identity includes much more than just what’s commonly called a logo. Read more >>
October 2003: Why Your Business Needs Creative Services [article]
Creative services compose and design visual communications…. For many small businesses, using a creative service seems like a luxury or an unnecessary expense, so discussing the idea is sure to raise questions. What makes visual communications so important? Why does “good design”—and using a creative professional—matter? What’s the big deal about copy? Can’t business owners just create their visual communications themselves? Why should the graphic designer work with the copywriter? Are creative services a justifiable expenditure? What kinds of visual communications might a small business need? Read more >>