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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Antique Automobile Club of America or Heaven?

(image ©AACA Museum website: http://www.aacamuseum.org)

This past weekend my husband and I decided to take a road trip. The AACA Museum in Hershey PA was hosting the "Fast from the Past" motorcycle exhibit that we were both interested in seeing. Driving to a car museum to view motorcycles...we couldn't think of any better way to spend our day.

Typically you would think a day off would allow me a chance to recharge my batteries, tear my eyes away from the computer and not think about design for once.

But, I find that most of the time I relate everything to design in one way or another. My husband is use to this and (hopefully) finds it endearing. He understands my need to "design" everything and make it aesthetically pleasing. When we are restoring cars he leaves the accessories, colors and all visual components to me. He lives with the knowledge that even if he can't envision it, I will make it extraordinary in the end.

What he didn't expect was that our foray to a museum would result in me not being able to get away from the designer within. You would think a day off is just that but boy was he wrong.

According to their website "The AACA Museum is dedicated to the Celebration, Preservation, Education, and Display of the American Motor Vehicle history that provides value for our members, hobbyists, and the public." The museum is organized so that you literally cruise through time. Starting at Battery Park in the 1900s, you travel through decade after decade, all complete with elaborate themed settings that present the vehicles in such a way that those moments in time come alive.

I was expecting to be intrigued and captivated by the vehicles, some of which I have never seen (like the 1952 Studebaker Commander Convertible) and some of which I had read about (like the 1970 LS-6 Chevelle that was found within 21 trailers packed to the gills with cars and parts) What I didn't expect was the level of detail paid to the environment.

There were fuel cans, spark plug advertisements and displays, car care folders you would receive from your mechanic, labels, logos, bus schedules and scores of ads, pins and other design related items. The list is just too long to go into detail here but I was in graphic design heaven!!!

It was overwhelming, inspiring and enviable all at the same time. Every designer's dream is to create something that will withstand the test of time and here I was staring at the brilliance of designs from over 100 years ago. There were large advertisements, that drew me in and were so eye catching in their simplicity that I found them more effective and alluring than some of today's full color, flashier versions.

And to be the one who got to work on the display graphics for the museum!! Designs based on and around the car profession...holy smokes! But, it got me thinking. Maybe I need to parlay my knowledge and love of graphic design with my knowledge and love of cars and vehicles in general. My extensive background in trade show graphics, packaging and print design makes it so I can offer a complete service to any car-based business. And with my intense interest in anything related to cars, you know you'll have my full attention both in the office and out!

Overall it was refreshing to get out and visit a place we've never been too. And maybe I need to seriously consider contacting automotive businesses about offering my services to them. To achieve this goal I think more research is in order...where's the next car show at????

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