Challenge: Have you ever seen a photo online that would be perfect for your needs, but you can’t find the original image? That’s what happened to my client, Donna, who is an editor of her company magazine. “Have you tried a reverse image search?” I asked. She was not aware that this was possible. Here’s…
When a client sends large files via email, it can be problematic. That’s exactly what happened when my client, Raquel, sent me two illustrations and asked for an estimate for tweaking the drawings. Raquel trusts me, as her designer, to give her an honest assessment of any material she sends me, and that is what…
Are you considering updating your 2nd edition book? Author Jan Torrisi Mokwa asked me for guidance and a “high-level process to follow,” prior to starting her project. I told Jan I was available to update her book and assured her that I still have the original files, including covers, interiors, illustrations, photos, and fonts. I…
How big is an ad? Specifically, how big is a 1/8-page ad? This was a request I received a request from a client to create a 1/8-page ad for a charity program book, but the request came without specific information. This happens all the time! I immediately replied to both the client and the charity:…
“Can you help teach a graphic design high school class about good book cover design?” asked Rob Durham, a teacher at Marquette High School. “The students are making their own e-books from short stories they have written. I’m showing them how to self-publish on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).” “Sure,” I replied. “I would love to…
Last-minute print ad? No problem. Here’s how it’s done. We often receive last-minute calls for print advertisements. They go something like this: “Peggy, can you do this ad quickly for me! I let this slip through the cracks.” Yes, we’re available. Yes, we can create the ad. However, before we start designing, we need more…
An urgent text message came from one of our clients as we were driving to our son, Oliver, to college in New Orleans. Vicky needed a black and white Busch Stadium logo ASAP, as in today. We switched drivers while Gary accessed the Major League Baseball website for the correct file. No luck. All of…
A last-minute request came from a client on a Thursday evening, the day before we were scheduled for a weekend road trip to Chicago. “Can you do an ad for us quickly tomorrow morning? I don’t yet have specs but expect to get them soon. This is just a heads-up. I’ll follow up with more…