I’m trying to find a way to tell the people I love–friends and family–that they really aren’t helping me. I’ve re-written this entry three times so far, starting from scratch with each attempt. So I work for myself now. I’ve been at it for about two-thirds of a year, and Continue Reading
“At 28, John Doyle was an overworked New York investment banker on the fast track. By most measures, he was a success. But he was also miserable. So during a semiannual review 2 1/2 years into the job, he simply quit. ‘Almost immediately I lost 35 pounds,’ says Doyle. For Continue Reading
I had another thought today. *insert your own joke her* It’s actually another thesis project, to go along with my previous possibilities. I was in Border’s reading the back cover blurb of the Illuminatus Trilogy. It promises to confront various issues, including the pyramid that shows up on the dollar Continue Reading
Oh yeah… I decided to get a copy of Quickbooks. While I am known among former coworkers as more than a bit obsessed and dare-I-say talented at being organized, it doesn’t seem to be helping much with billing. Up until now, I have been using Quark to write up estimates Continue Reading
Have you ever had someone stick their hand out in such a way that you weren’t sure wether they expected a handshake or a high-5, (well… low-5 actually)? It’s all the more difficult to tell when it’s over the shoulder. And coming from a person who would seem comfortable with Continue Reading
Rule #32689 – Do not itemize expenses for clients. The exception, of course, is when a client demands it. But maybe twice in 10 years have I ever had clients ask for it. You will have the urge to itemize. It seems like, if you itemize, you are able to Continue Reading
Newsletters are an “easy” way to make money. You charge a set price per page, and hopefully get a cut of the printing. So if you do a 12 page newsletter for $60/page, you’ve already made $720. And a newsletter that size doesn’t likely take more than 2 business days. Continue Reading
D annoys me. Well, the whole company really, cause it takes on a life of it’s own. So I ask J, if she can give me the names of some contacts at the ad agencies she works with. Since, of course, you know, Old Company won’t be marketing design services Continue Reading
I cannot avoid it any longer. Today, despite adding another four line items, I finished up the marketing list for the “old things”, meaning anything I already had experience with. All the old clients. Old printers. Former co-workers. Family. Friends. Contacts. Getting collateral and a website. I also submitted my Continue Reading
There’s design ignorance and then there’s outright contempt for design. Someone in the juror’s office no doubt felt that it would be improper to go so far as even make their badges legible, ’cause it would appear as they were concerned with something other than justice. Cause frankly, this top Continue Reading
Yay! Replacement phone arrived. *grumble$75*grumble*fuckingtaxidriver*grumble*shovethatoldphonesomewherewarm*grumble*
List from when I was trying to come up with names: chupa design – we suck and we know it 69Design – putting you in the right position inbred design – we’ll treat you like family Optical Industries The Furnace Papercut State Design Ligature Exchange Street Design DesignBitch.com MediaHussy Design Continue Reading
DONE – Send thanks to D DONE – promote the company to family and friends DONE – send letter to existing clients – mention referrals appreciated send letter to old clients follow up with emails DONE – ask d ask j for referrals contact School DONE – contact fax-guy contact Continue Reading
Yes, I’m still alive. My last few days at Old Company were busy, finishing projects, starting some last minute ones, cleaning out my office, and teaching people to do what I do. I did more in that last week than I had for the previous 3 months. I finished work Continue Reading
I spent the morning at the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs, over on N. Capital Street. Interesting system they have there. “Have a seat, and we’ll talk amongst ourselves and see if we can figure out what you want”. If half the people coming in there weren’t regulars, they Continue Reading
As sent out on Wednesday: This letter is to inform you that as of June 11, 2004, “Old Company” will no longer be actively marketing graphic design services. While we are always happy to help you with any of your marketing and promotional needs, we have chosen to focus on Continue Reading
Two days ago I wrote up the letter to send out to Old Company clients who I want to take with me. I was amazed at how eloquent and professional it sounded. I’ll put up a copy here as soon as I remember to grab it from work. D approved Continue Reading
My cellphone arrived yesterday. A Motorola v300. It’s beautifully put together. Feels much more substantial than the older model I played with at the T-Mobile store. It charged up fairly easy. Came with the typically impossible to digest instruction book, which was promptly forgotten about. Activation simply involved inserting the Continue Reading
So I ordered a cell phone on Amazon yesterday. The one thing I’ve heard from every schoolteacher and small businessman was that you need a cellphone. Your clients need to be able to reach you at unreasonable times. I checked out… what is it… the big six? Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, Continue Reading
I’ve come up with at least 3 names I would be willing to use: (The) Design Foundry The Design Works Hero Design Group Explanations follow, (if you’re interested). Design Foundry was originally Design Factory or Washington Design Factory. Someone mentioned that Washington Design Factory reminded them of Burlington Coat Factory. Continue Reading