Graphic Design

When it comes to Facebook and image sizes, it seems like the list will never end.  Meaningful Facebook conversations begin with great content.  Statistics show that images and video garnish the most attention online and therefore, your attention should be given to it.  Facebook cover photos as well as newsfeed images should be used to gather people’s attention.  Images that your audience is most interest in should be your focus when developing these images.  The variations in the image sizes aren’t something Facebook is doing to make things difficult for the users.  Rather, the different sizes are all related to the devices someone might be viewing your content on.  Therefore, a close calculation when developing these images is necessary to ensure your users the best experience when partaking of your content. Facebook Pages When developing your Facebook page, it is crucial that you use the properly sized images so they are clear and precise for the viewer.  Below are the measurements you should be aware of. Cover Photos Desktop: 820 x 312 pixels Mobile: 640 x 360 pixels Profile Photos Desktop: 180 x 180 pixels Mobile: 140 x 140 pixels Banner 1200 x 628 pixels Facebook Events There is no better way to keep an audience informed on the happenings of your business than an event schedule.  Facebook makes this scheduling and promoting of these events easy through their Facebook events. The event itself can be very important, but won’t get attention of your clients by themselves.  Utilizing imagery to get their attention becomes vital.  By utilizing the proper sizing for the images will ensure they are portrayed properly and look professional while doing so. Cover Image:  1200 x 628 pixels Facebook Groups: Desktop: 1640 x 662 pixels Mobile: 1640 x 859 pixels If you need assistance with the develop of imagers for your Facebook profile, please get in touch with me for assistance. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

Image Copyright Laws Image copyright laws have been passed to protect the creators of the images.  The internet showcases many beautiful, compelling, and eye-catching images.  It can be tempting to use them for your personal or professional gain.  However, most of the images you find online are not available for use without the expressed permission or license from the copyright owner. What is the Copyright Act? According to the United States Copyright Office, the Copyright Act “protects a wide variety of photographic works. This category includes photographs that are created with a camera and captured in a digital file or other visual medium such as film.”  How does the Copyright Act help Creators? This means that the image creator has the legal ownership of an image.  This level of ownership is automatic.  Copyright exists no matter what!  When a creator creates the image, whether they register it or not, their work is automatically copyrighted for their use.  All types of visual arts are subject to copyright.  They might include any of the following: Charts Digital art Infographics Maps Paintings Photographs Copyright Around the World Over 181 countries are members of the Berne Convention, which sets basic copyright standards.  With having so many countries as a part of this, copyrights are applied to imagery throughout many parts of the world.  Therefore, creators can feel assured that their work will be protected in many places. Social Media and Images Social media content with images has proven to get the most attention and engagement.  If you don’t have the tools, resources, or time to generate your own images for your social media channels, it is important to know the ins and outs of image copyrights. If you need help with your social media graphics, please get in touch with me as I would love to help. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences. Let’s connect!

The Best Social Media Profile With 4.9 billion people in the world today using social media, the platforms are bombarded with all kinds of profiles and content.  Some of those aren’t organized or have a focus, while others are and do. To create the best social media profile that is engaging and professional, there are five important aspects to include: Username or Handle In this day in age, it might seem obvious.  But choosing your username or handle is an integral part of building a social media profile.  Be sure to choose some that reflects your brand and is consistent across platforms.  By utilizing the same handle across platforms, it makes it easier for your audience to find you quicker and follow you sooner.  For example, I chose to use my name for my brand:  It’s my handle on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.  If you find that your handle is already taken, try to extend it with something related to your brand.  A good source to help with this is namecheckr. Multiple Platforms Once you have your designated handle, it’s time to create your accounts on multiple platforms.  Even if you only desire to start on one platform, it is important to create accounts on as many platforms as possible to ensure you get the handle you desire.  This way, you will be able to utilize the platform if you so choose to start using it later.   Profile Picture Your profile picture should be your brand’s logo or you if you’re the brand.  If possible, you will want to utilize the same image on all platforms to build uniformity and consistency.  Don’t use pictures that have little to do with your brand.  Be professional and consistent by using a high quality image. Professional Background If the social media platform you are on allows for a cover image, make sure you upload a high quality, professional background image that’s relevant to your brand.  Be sure to use the proper image dimensions when creating your background cover image.  A simple Google search can inform you on what those current dimensions are as they can change over time.  Right now Facebook’s cover image dimensions are 851×315 whereas LinkedIn is 1128×191.   Compelling Bio Your bio is your opportunity to share what your brand is all about.  It lets you sell yourself in a short number of words.  You can focus on what you offer or give a behind the scenes look at what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you ready to get started, but still unsure what route to take?  Get in touch with me and I would be pleased to assist you along this path. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

What is Graphic Design? Graphic designers create graphics and interject typography with photos to present an idea.  Historically, graphic designers worked primarily on logo creation and print designs for posters, brochures, and packaging.  As technology has advanced, graphic designers today are more involved with the digital aspect of those same components. Web design is designing the visual look and feel of a website.  Web designers focus on planning the user experience, layouts, organization of content, and overall design on the website. How Are They Similar? Graphic designers and web designers both need skills in design fundamentals.  These include, but not limited to, typography, color, hierarchy, and layout. Both designers need to stay up to date with design trends.  Sometimes a website needs a certain appeal or feel, but in most cases a modern, up-to-date trend of today is needed. Graphic and web designers both need to be creative problem solvers.  Their design work typically has a purpose to serve.  Whether that is solving a problem or communicating an idea, the only difference between the two designers is the medium used to accomplish the task. Both designers need to be good communicators.  Because the design work is an extension of the clients overall ideas, communication with them on design work needs to happen throughout the design to ensure the end result becomes what they desire. How Are They Different? The main difference between graphic designers and web designers are technical skills.  Web designers need to be familiar with HTML, CSS, and how to make it look good on the internet.  Web designers also need to be concerned with file size and load speeds. Graphic design works tend to end up as permanent pieces while web designer’s projects can go through many changes.  Web designers create interactive projects whereas graphic designers projects are less interactive. Although there are similarities and differences between graphic designers and web designers, the future looks bright for both parties.  Because more and more content is going digital, it’s vitally important to acquire skills associated with it.  Outside of that, there will continue to be a need for both professionals.  If you need assistance with either graphic design or web design, get in touch with me and I would be pleased to assist you along this path. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences. Let’s connect!

According to an IBISWorld report, the graphic design sector was worth $45.8 billion in 2021.  Of this figure, a segment of this calculation, logo design and branding, accounted for about $3 billion globally.  The United States industry alone was worth $12.7 billion.  Throughout it’s history, graphic design has typically grown year to year by 2.8 percent.  However, in recent years, graphic design has grown a stunning 4.1%. As a business, you might be asking why these facts matter to you.  A business is constantly working to establish their brand and get people to have brand awareness.  Today, social media and the internet are the best ways to connect with your audience.  But those environments are very cluttered and busy.  Therefore, getting your visitors attention becomes key.  One of the best ways to get their attention is through unique graphics.  These graphics are what graphic designers can help you establish.  Did you know that 90% of the information transmitted to your brain is visual?  Did you know that 40% of people respond better to visual information over text?  By using well-designed graphics online, you can help your message jump off the screen, grab the viewers attention, and establish a conversation. Still aren’t convinced?  Here is some proof! Facebook posts that contain images get 2.3 times the interactions than without Twitter updates with imagery get 150% more retweets than without Utilizing relevant imagery with your blog posts can increase traffic by 62.5% If you want to break through the clutter online, look for places to enhance your connection opportunities by utilizing graphic design.

Custom Logo Visual communications are established by designing a custom logo for your company.  Therefore, a company can help establish credibility, brand recognition, and positions it apart from the competition.  One of the leading influences in logo design is the use of colors.  Consequently, the business can greatly influence how it is perceived in the public.   According to color theory, some color combinations are associated certain perceptions.  Therefore, it is important to study the market trends in the industry and choose colors wisely. Advertising With advertising, the chances that your prospect will convert without a hero image, extensive graphic elements, and a clear call to action is very slim.  Therefore, the golden rule has become that images speak louder than words.  In conclusion, the addition and use of graphic design in advertising has become an essential component. Website A good web designer would have a strong graphic design strategy in place to help attract, engage, and convert visitors on the website.  Through clear messaging and convenient calls to action, prospects can get funneled to converted in a predictable way.  Therefore, it becomes vital for the website to be visually exciting and easy to use.  Consequently, a business needs to partner with experienced web and/or graphic design specialists that can help create a website that works best for your business. Social Media By using graphic design, you’re able to create visual communications with consistent branding across multiple social media platforms.  Therefore, a business can tie marketing efforts together.  This combination will lead to a more cohesive brand identity.  Consequently, you can brand your own graphics so your audience becomes more interested in your business and keeps them curious to see what is coming next.  This customization shows the public’s desire for unique and uncommon content. On the other hand, your profiles will fall prey to reposts and use of your content by others when you don’t use graphic design and branding.  As a result, this will take away from the authenticity, uniqueness, and ultimately your brand recognition.  In conclusion, it is very advisable to take the initiative and spend the money on custom images and branded posts for your social media content.    Marketing Graphic design enhances visual communication with a company’s marketing efforts across all channels and ultimately is the connecting piece for a professional brand.  Therefore, using it in all channels brings forth consistency in your marketing, which leads to easy recognition for customers.  As a result, this ease of recognition leads a customer to become comfortable with the brand, which will lead to credibility and ultimately more sales.  Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

Our society today is as much visual as it is textual.  90% of the information transmitted in the human brain is visual!  Therefore, a business needs to be strong in their graphic design in order to communicate with purpose.  According to 3M Research, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text.  By using quality graphics, a message can get communicated instantly in comparison to the use of text. A business specifically needs to visually communicate its products or service’s features, benefits, and differentiations to its target market as a part of the marketing process.  Because 65% of the population is classified as a visual learner, the money a business spends on graphic design is well worth the cost. What is Graphic Design? Google defines it as “the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books.”  Although this is true, this is the 60,000 foot viewpoint of it.  Graphic design includes so much more! A more in-depth description would be the arrangement, organization, and manipulation of content, imagery, and graphic elements into digital and print mediums.  This explanation enhances Google’s description to give more breadth and depth to explain the process in more detail. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!