Print, Print and more Print!

Vinyl Banner designed by Madcow Designs
Outside vinyl with grommits for ease of use to hang

Over the years, I have designed for and printed on a lot of different types of mediums. And whereas some designers will carve out a niche for themselves in a certain print field, I like to leave my studio open to the ability to handle just about anything a client approaches me about.

But, because Graphic Design seems to be such an elusive profession to describe, sometimes when a person approaches me and says "well, what else can you do?" I'm not sure how to answer. A fellow designer and good friend of mine, Nicola Black, likes to say "If it can be printed, than I can more than likely design it"

And honestly, that is a perfect answer. I have created designs for items that range from your typical print ad to specialty stickers to temperature sensitve water bottle labels to vinyl floor decals. In fact, I've come full circle from being a glass decaler while in college to designing the decals that are now being used.

The list of printed items is incredible and some of the more common items that I have worked on include:
Ads (both printed and online)
Fliers
Posters
Postcards
Rack Cards
Billboards
Catalogs
Brochures
Business Cards
Spec Sheets
Stickers
TShirts
Banners
CD packaging
Menus
Invites (and boy does that cover a lot from weddings and baby showers to birthdays and Corportate events!)
Greeting Cards
Price Guides
Direct mail
POPs
Pocket Folders
Magazines

Whew...I could go on, but I think you get the point. So, if there is a special project you'd like to discuss, just contact me! I would love to work with you.

Dr. Sketchy South Jersey T Shirt
Design by Madcow Designs

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It's a bird...Its a plane!

Recently I posted a cow tip of the week on my FB fanpage that got me quite a few inquiries.

Due to the changing of seasons, I suggested a good usage of time and a nice way to keep things on schedule was to start your month off right by remember to do your backups. And now as the holiday season approaches, I thought I would repost here some of my suggestions:

Depending on the size and amount of files you have, there are several options for off site storage.

You can always back up onto a thumb drive/removable drive and then keep that drive at another location. This works for those whose work files reside in a different location then their residence.

Then there are quite a few very nice "cloud" options as well.
Two of the better ones:
1. Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/
Backups a folder you designate, and you can share among your computers.
Basic plan is free and gives you 2gb to use.

2. Carbonite http://www.carbonite.com/en/default.aspx
Does an online backup of your documents and settings folder.
$55 per yr.

Other cloud services to consider:
https://www.sugarsync.com/
http://mozy.com/
http://www.zumodrive.com/
http://www.box.net/

As you get busier and busier for the holiday, wouldn't one less thing to worry about be great? And, just in case you are wondering, we archive all jobs here, which ensures a quick turnaround time on reprints and offers you peace of mind.

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Moo Review - Letterpressing!

©2010 Madcow Designs LLC

Ask any designer, and they will all agree...we have tons of ideas constantly milling around in our heads. For me, these ideas typically pop up when I'm working on a client job. It usually happens during the research phase of the project...and usually has nothing to do with the job at hand. Just something sparked an idea, and well, who can really explain how a creative brain works?

So, in the past few years, I've become accustomed to immediately jotting down these ideas into a binder I keep right next to my computer. When I have a few minutes to myself and am looking for something new to work on, I'll look in there. I'll admit, when I go back some ideas are completely ridiculous. Other times, they stand out and make me delve into a research phase for my own interests.

One such project I had on the table for a while was a thank you card. When a job comes to fruition, I like to thank all those involved – the client who hired me, any assistants/secretaries, etc., along with the printer. Personally, I like sending a nice hand-written thank you...oh how my mother would be so proud!

But in all honesty, I hated buying store bought cards. It just seemed so silly to do so, but writing thank you on the invoice just wasn't what I was looking for either.

For awhile now I've been obsessed with Letterpressing, and decided what better job to test the waters, then with a personal one? So, I put out a tweet to my followers – many designers themselves – to gauge input on some of the places I had been researching. To my surprise, and delight, I got a reply from a local printer – Colleen from Cleanwash Letterpress (web: www.cleanwashletterpress.com blog: www.cleanwashletterpress.com/blog twitter: @cleanwash)

Even better was that I found out many of the designers I follow, and respect, have dealt with this print shop in the past, enjoyed their experience and have since returned for other jobs. That says a lot about a vendor and really solidified my choice of who to work with.

It also helped that after the tweet, we initiated a conversation via email. Colleen's replies were informative, respectful and above all else, honest. At this stage I was getting very excited. She sent me paper samples and I sent her a pdf proof. I always like to preface a print job with a lo-res pdf for the printer to review. Each vendor has their own specs and comfort level. I wanted to make sure what I was designing would work on her presses and she was comfortable with how I had set up the file.

Again, I had reached out to fellow designers, had done my research and had seen samples. Still, I anxiously awaited the delivery of my finals and was thrilled the day the Fedex man rolled up.

As a designer, presentation of the final product is part and parcel with what we do. Needless to say I was impressed when I tore open the box to find my printed cards neatly packed away in their own laundry bag. What a nice touch! Trust me when I say its little things like that that not only make the vendor look good but make you remember them for the next time.

Colleen did such a wonderful print job, but I will also remember her for her honesty, her helpfulness and overall just how wonderful an experience I had. I definitely will be printing more through her and will (and have already) referred her services to anyone looking for a letterpress printer.

If you can't wait to receive one of these beautiful cards yourself, you can purchase your own set at our online store.

Design was inspired by our love of the Hawaiian Culture.
BW is simple and elegant..and matches cows very well:)
Outside: Thank You; Inside: Blank

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Gallery Event with Madcow Designs!

Wow. We have so many new and exciting things going on over here that we don't even know where to start. But since we have limited time today, we're going to give you a quick update on one project that we are especially excited about.

As some of you may know, I design all the promo material for the South Jersey Branch of Dr. Sketchy's. Its a very interesting, yet difficult job. I am given free reign to do whatever I want. Sometimes I have a model pic and a theme to work with, other times not. And as daunting of a challenge as this may sound, I really look forward to it each and every month. It affords me the opportunity to really stretch my creative legs and delve into areas that interest me, but I might never get a chance to work with again.

Its extremely challenging, and after the printed pieces are done and handed out, there is a feeling of a job well done. But since there is always another job right around the corner, I never really have time to dwell on just how awesome a particular font choice was, or how the colors really worked out incredibly well and evoked just the right emotion I was looking to achieve.

This is all about to change though! A local gallery venue is hosting a South Jersey Dr. Sketchy exhibit for the whole month of June. The event is open to all the monkeys (artists) that attend the South Jersey session, be them painters, printmakers or sculptors. I have also been asked to participate as well.

Gee. I never really thought of putting any of my printed pieces in a show before so I can't tell you how exciting this is!! I had one monkey tell me that they look at the promo as just another artist's rendering of how they see the model and what the session evokes for them. Again, I never really thought of it that way, but how cool is that???

Currently I am busy working on framing and mounting all the pieces for the show (along with designing the promos and marketing the event as well). The other day I took a step back and honestly, I was amazed. To see all the pieces lined up and displayed really took my breath away. I am honored to be part of this gallery event and to be the designer for the South Jersey Branch. I must admit, there are pieces in this grouping that are some of my absolutely favorite pieces I have done in my whole career. And its all because I push myself. I want to try new styles and techniques. I love researching the ideas behind the themes and looking into other areas I might never have ever thought about in my career.

I would like to take the time now to invite you to come view my work along with those of the monkeys that regularly attend the events. There is going to be an opening reception on Friday, June 4th from 6-9pm and I would love to see you all there!


For more information, contact us at info(at)madcow-designs(dot)com or check out the event listing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4143991&id=126188558055#!/event.php?eid=112706985433733&ref=ts


Samples of promo material created by Madcow Designs LLC in order to help promote and bring awareness to the South Jersey Branch of Dr. Sketchy's. Designs ©2009-2010 Madcow Designs LLC

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Madcow Designs - A testimonial

A small sampling of items included in DARIA's mailing

When one of my clients, Daria, was so kind as to send me a testimonial, I was delighted and a little overwhelmed. I mean golly gee whiz:) When someone approaches me for a job, I go at it full force. That is why they come to me isn't it? But to see it in writing, in someone else's words made me realize the experience and knowledge I bring to my clients.


In lieu of that, I wanted to be able to further explain one of the projects that Daria referenced. I thought it would help others in understanding just how I was able to help her and maybe the explanation would in turn help the reader move forward in their next project.


When Daria approached me with her idea of sending presenter packages to potential venues, I was all over it! Daria is an energetic performer whose colorful personality should be reflected in the materials she chooses to represent herself, so I knew this job was going to be a lot of fun.


As with all jobs there was a budget to stay within, but I knew that wouldn't be an issue. By making sure we got off on the right foot and made use of working with collateral she already had, we were well on our way to a very affordable solution to her problem. The widest piece that was being included was her postcard. Basing the rough measurements on this piece, I was able to find a mailer that was small enough to keep shipping costs down but large enough to accommodate her material and provide quite an impact when received.


Knowing that Daria is concerned for the welfare of all living creatures, I researched and compared the costs and types of various materials used in packing and shipping. This way we could implement products that were biodegradable, reusable or recyclable. Some of the materials could easily be used in one of her DIY musical projects!


There were also shipping costs that had to be considered, and this was a two-fold concern. For one, I had to make sure that the most efficient box used to contain the items also complied with shipping regulations. I was also going to be sealing the box with a sticker that was representative of Daria's World Travels. I needed to make sure that doing so didn't interfere with any shipping regulations or result in any returned packages.


Secondly, I had to make sure that the delivery method was affordable, convenient, efficient and trustworthy. Again after researching and comparing various providers, I was able set up a shipping account for her that allowed me to send the requested packages while the provider billed her directly. It also allowed me to set up a notification system so that when the package was delivered to the intended recipient, she was emailed the details. This enabled her to make a timely follow up phone call, thus helping her to establish another point of contact with the client.


As for the content of the packages, Daria knew exactly what she wanted to send and why. After reviewing all the pieces with her, I was able to make suggestions on packing materials that complimented the collateral and didn't overwhelm them. I was also able to suggest additional collateral and ways that all the included pieces would look consistent across the board. Daria in herself is a brand that is being “sold” in these packages and I wanted the recipient to walk away with a clear understanding of who she was and what she was about. We added custom letterhead that would be personalized for each mailing. Sometimes there were specific items added for particular venues and by taking her blank recycled water bottle rattler and adding a label that corresponded with the rest of her material, it helped explained what this water bottle full of spaghetti actually was and what was to be done with it. It helped the receiver understand what Daria's performances were going to entail without ever having heard of her or going online to research her.


From the moment the recipient received this box with its world travel stamp, to opening the box and interacting with all the pieces within, everything they ever needed to know about Daria and how to contact her was there for them. And it had arrived in one convenient package.


Daria and I worked closely together on this project, but when it came down to it, she knew she could trust me to handle whatever she wanted. Daria is an amazing person in her own right and I'm proud to be able to say that she is one of my clients. Working with her is always a treat. The jobs are interesting and I know that she is ready and willing to trust me and my experience. I look forward to many years of my relationship with her and would like to thank her for the wonderful testimonial she penned:


If you are a small business owner – you’ve probably done a lot of adjusting in the past year or so. For me, the changing economy has made me much more frugal in my advertising and marketing budget and I have found myself working more closely with Tracy at Madcow Designs to come up with some, creative ways of reaching my target audience. The results are the good news. I have actually been spending less and getting better results!


For instance, I used to do an annual postcard mailing to between 2,000 and 3,000 potential customers and simply couldn’t afford it this year. So, instead, Tracy and I designed special marketing kits in small boxes that arrived like presents and I got amazing feedback. People stopped, looked, read, listened and ... booked me! We thought outside the box, came up with a creative plan and went for it!


One of the things I like most about Tracy is that she takes a creative idea and makes it better. She adds her own design input or ideas about shipping, handling and tracking. In the end, we come up with a campaign that brings results.


So, if you are considering thinking outside the box, I encourage you to spend a bit of working creatively with Tracy. She can really make a difference in coming up with inventive solutions to help you survive and thrive in these changing economic times.


DARIA
Children’s Musician and Multicultural Performer

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Introvert or Extrovert?

Those words get thrown around a lot and in the field of business, being labeled an introvert can be damaging. But should it be?

I've been having this discussion with a few of my fellow colleagues lately and have given it much consideration. You see, I would be one labeled as an introvert.

So, what does that mean? I don't want to talk to you? That the mere thought of speaking in front of large crowds makes me run and hide under the bed? That I would rather scoop out my eyes with a rusty spoon rather than participate in any sort of social gathering?

Au contraire!

It seems that the general consensus of the masses is that introverts are shy awkward creatures likened to a nervous chiuaua. That we are full of anxiety and have no social skills to rely on. Where in fact that is a total misconception.

Introverts do enjoy the company of others and love participating in lively discussions. We just might not jump in right away because we are taking our time to mull over what has been said and are formulating a response that we feel would be intelligent and well thought out. We reflect inward to make sure what we are saying truly represents our thoughts and feelings and are not just paying lip service to the most favored opinion.

Introverts think before they act and because we process most of our emotions, thoughts and observations internally, we find our energy from within. We recharge by being alone again with our thoughts and personal activities - typically things we can do solo.

But, what in essence happens is our personality comes across as odd or abnormal. Because most introverts don't see the need to participate in "water cooler" talk or telling jokes to large crowds, less of ourselves are revealed publicly. Other, more extroverted people take this as an offense or that we have no interest in them. And this can be detrimental to ones' business.

Potential clients can see an introvert as a sign of someone who might not be competent or who doesn't know much of what they are doing. And where there is validity to hiring someone that you will personally get along with, don't count those introverts out just yet!

One of our strongest traits is research and analyzation. We like to find the answers to problems and enjoy thinking, exploring and delving into the concepts behind ideas. When handed a job, the first step I take is researching the client behind the project. I study the notes from our meeting and create a list of associated colors, words and images that all relate. Everything that goes into my design is thought out and has meaning.

We operate best when left to ourselves. Working in one's own office, be it from a home-based operation, or a single office amongst many, we have total concentration on the task at hand. Social interaction doesn't distract us, we don't feel the need to go find what everyone else is doing. We are intense and passionate, abstract ideas are sought after as we look inward for answers to projects we are involved in.

And I could go on. The traits associated to introverts are all fantastic ones to be held by a self employed creative: responsible, flexible, studious, smart, able to maintain long term relationships and creative out of the box thinkers. But this post wasn't written with the intent to justify myself. My work should stand as a testimate to the job I am capable of. Instead I felt the need to make others aware that what you might see as a quirk, is in essence a fantastic trait to have in a designer.

So, the next time you see me, say Hi. I'll only be more than glad to talk to you:)

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