Tell me more about CMS!

Erin here, one of the graphic designers at Custom Direct with my very first blog (awwww). In this business, it seems like every day brings a new challenge. With computer technology changing on a daily basis, I am constantly learning about new and effective ways to utilize the Web.

While looking into blogging, I was introduced to content management systems (CMS). I have been interested in finding out more about these and what they have to offer. We have used LearnFlash.com in the past for tutorials and training for Adobe Flash. One of the emails I received from them had a tutorial on Joomla which is said to be the leading content management system provider today. After watching a demo for Joomla, it looks like something that is very useful and easy for updating content on web sites without needing a techy developer at your beckon call. Even a designer like myself can appreciate this – don’t get me wrong, I want to learn as much as I can about web development, but let’s face it I’m a designer. I love the visual end of the deal a little more than the coding.

If there is anyone with more input on CMS or can refer another provider out there, I’d be happy to hear from you.

Leaving Your Mark

Hey! It’s me Doreen, just checking in.

We’ve come a long way since our pizza meeting last week.

The Checkered Giant (our venture that will produce Fine Art Reproductions) has become a reality. Once we had our name, our creative team went to work. We needed a mark that would leave an impression and show that we are committed to creativity and quality. Our team did not disappoint us. Just as they do for our clients when designing their logos, our designers David, Kristen and Erin began brainstorming and sketching to come up with that ultimate mark that would satisfy us all. Not an easy task because we are a company filled with creative and innovative thinkers! The critiques would be brutal.

Like most jobs that come through a creative house like ours, we were on a deadline. The turnaround time was quick. Each designer rose to the occasion and presented us (the rest of the Custom Direct team) with their interpretations of The Checkered Giant. Wow! This was going to be difficult. As we do for all our clients, each designer presented their design and their rationale behind those designs. It’s so fun to see firsthand, how creative minds think! As is often the case, we didn’t find the right fit at that first meeting, but we were close. After some tweaking and a few more meetings, The Checkered Giant has a mark! It will debut next week, so stay tuned…

 

There’s No Place Like Home

Hey! It’s me Doreen.

Being members of large professional associations has its advantages. You can attend networking breakfasts and luncheons and sit in on informative seminars about your industry. You will keep abreast of the latest trends in technology and learn new philosophies on how to grow your business—all great ideas for the small business owner!

We at Custom Direct are members of several large marketing associations, but we are always looking for new ways to get the word out about who we are and what we do. After all, we are in the communications business.

Recently, we joined the Roselle Chamber of Commerce. Our business has been located here for nine years. I guess we never really thought about joining before now. Talk about networking opportunities! Since joining earlier this year, we’ve been attending Chamber functions and getting to know other local business owners in social settings. To our surprise, many of the “locals” weren’t even familiar with our company! Our goal is to change that.

On Wednesday, Geoff and I volunteered at the Roselle Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing held at the Bloomingdale Golf Club. As volunteers, it was our job to persuade golfers to pay to participate in a contest that tested their accuracy and skill as golfers. We had to “sell” them on the idea that they could help our charitable cause and have fun doing it. It was a great way for us to introduce ourselves and our company in a fun and non-threatening manner. We met some folks who could be potential clients and a few who might be future partners. The good-will that we established within the community by volunteering our time will go along way for us as a business in Roselle.

If you are looking for a way to build your reputation within your community and get your name out there, sometimes you don’t have to look any further than your own backyard. I would highly recommend joining your local chamber and get involved!

 

What is a Checkered Giant?

We’re a pretty close-knit group at Custom Direct. Like a lot of creative firms, we have working lunches where we eat pizza while brainstorming to solve a design or communication challenge. This week all 12 of us gathered to talk and try out a new pizza place…

So… while eating ‘garbage’ pizza (think way too many olives), we began discussing rabbits, amoebas and whether or not armadillos were cute or gross.

Armadillos aren’t most people’s idea of lunchtime conversation, but we were working to create an identity for a new start-up. Not just any start-up, but an extension of Custom Direct.

Combining our creative talent with technical expertise, equipment (and a little luck) we’re beginning a new venture into Fine Art Reproductions, and the marketing of art and artists. Our company needed a name – an identity – a logo and mark to help convey our brand…

We want to speak as artists, to artists; to convey an idea in our name, but not be too literal. Custom Direct, Marketing Communications is literal. Armadillo Editions is not. We want to build a company with a brand promise, which includes the ability to faithfully reproduce the artists’ original artwork, in a manner keeping with the quality and integrity of fine art printmakers.

So obviously we began with an armadillo – the little armor-plated mammal that rolls up into a ball when frightened.

Armadillos are homozygous. Each time they give birth, to a litter of 5 or more pups, EVERY pup in the litter has the EXACT SAME DNA. Each one is an exact reproduction of the mother and the other.

Amoebas also create exact reproductions ‘from the original’ but after some discussion, no one wanted to be thought of as a single-celled entity covered with hair. Well one person didn’t mind, but that’s another story.

“Hey”, someone said, “rabbits reproduce a lot, and they’re lucky!” Rabbit Reproductions didn’t sound right, though, because while cuddly and likable rabbits also conjure up thoughts of speed. We want to say “hand-crafted and methodical” not “quick and crappy”, but the idea of rabbits had some legs…

“How about a breed of rabbit?” one of us suggested, “maybe we can call ourselves The Dwarf Hotot or English Lop Ear. Now THAT would make a cool logo…” But then we came upon a photo of a bunny: a Holstein Cow with Big Ears and a fluffy tail… The NAME that called out to us: The Checkered Giant.

Ready, Aim Blog!

Armed only with pens, pads,and a desire to learn, Erin and Doreen attended a seminar titled Blogging for Business on May 6, 2008. The seminar was given by Tim Frick of Mightybytes at the Ascend Training facility in Chicago. We were given many helpful technical how-to’s regarding setting up a business blog.

Back at the office, we decided that the best plan of action would be to jump right in and start implementing what we learned. For us, choosing a hosted site was the best way to go. WordPress came highly recommended to us and has proved to be very user-friendly.

We plan to keep our readers updated on topics regarding graphic arts and marketing communications for small businesses. We would like to share our experiences and knowledge of our industry with you the small business owner. Our on-staff artists, graphic designers and marketing professionals will offer tips and insights on how to grow your business. We’d like to share our views on new software applications and get your feedback as well. We will cover topics regarding catalog design, pre-press applications and  photography.

We’re anxious to share our knowledge and expertise. We encourage comments and questions!