Hit Words

Olympic icons

It’s not the icons that you may think. Interesting video by Steven Heller.

Add comment February 26th, 2010

How to: Track your online advertising

Recently, I’ve been asked to do many banner ads for clients. Usually this entails a graphic of sorts, headline, tagline and contact information. I advise keeping these short uncluttered and to the point. 

I wanted to let me clients know and anyone who reads my blog a little tip of tracking the response your getting from these ads. When you have your designer design your ad and your placing ads online in more than one place, change your url on each ad. What I mean by that is, not necessarily changing the design just build a few banner ads for each place you advertise with a different url or have the advertiser change where it links to so that you can track through analytics how much traffic is being generated from each place your advertising. If one place is not generating any response “get rid of them” why waste your hard earned money especially in these uncertain times. 

I hope you like this tip! Happy Holidays!

Add comment December 19th, 2009

How To: Higher A Graphic Designer

1. Get a recommendation

2. Make sure they’ve worked on something similar to your project

3. Expect to pay a higher price for more experience and a larger project

4. Prepare a detailed creative brief

5. Outline your message, your objectives, the desired deliverables, and your timeline

6. Pay a little more and claim ownership of the original art

Add comment December 19th, 2009

5 Step Branding Tips

1. Think analytically. A brand should provide something that warrants attention on a consistent basis, something your audience wants and is not getting from your competitors. 

2. Maintain your brand. One rule of thumb is that when you start to become tired of your logo, tagline, and branding efforts, that’s most likely when they are sinking in with customers. 

3. Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Typically, the best you can do is to focus on the niche market for your product 

4. Know who you really are. Know your strengths and weaknesses through honest analysis of what you do best.

5. Fully commit to branding. Treat all functions of the company, from product development to sales, as integral aspects of your brand.

Add comment December 19th, 2009

Jim Miller, art director at Serino Coyne

I accidentally came across this interview by Zina Saunders on my friend and ex-boss Jim Miller. I worked under Jim for a few years at Serino and have to say they were the best years in my career. Fresh out of Parsons, my first job, I continued being educated in design by Jim listening and learning as much as possible from him. The man is mad talented beyond belief! I still think the Tony’s should give out an advertising Tony and Jim should be the first person to receive it. He has designed numerous posters for broadway shows that I stopped keeping track on how many he has now. Sometimes artists don’t get the recognition they deserve, I find this out every day. I just want to say thank you again Jim for your friendship and your teachings. “Proud student of the Jim MIller School of Design” read about him some more at Zina’s blog http://www.drawger.com/zinasaunders/?start_date=1214884800&end_date=1217563200

Add comment December 19th, 2009

The Refreshed Logo

Recently, The New York Times wrote an article on companies refreshing their logos. Today we are in a greener, sustainable, softer, conscious society. I made a list of these key points if your deciding to give your business a face lift. I will also include a pic of some brands with their refresh look.

Toned down type
Friendly flourishes 
Happier Colors 

Add comment July 24th, 2009

installations

This isn’t a new article but I just found it. I don’t know what to think about art installations at times I’m disgusted by them and feel they are just propaganda to make ones self rich off of the most bizzar works imaginable. Other times I’m in Awe of some of them and try to get into the place the artists is when they are creating this extension of their thought patterns. What do you think of the work above by artist Hannes Broecker? This is his exhibition in Germany? I think he’s trying to arouse our sense of taste. I also think sensory overload is exactly how I feel about most installation art in one way or the other. The screens were filled with colorful cocktails that the viewer could put a glass to and have a drink of art. This is a very cool concept, the idea of watching the art fade away by the viewers interaction with it. In the end what does it become just a blank screen on the wall? or is it still art?

Add comment February 1st, 2009

Where Wine Meets Design

Clo is the confluence of lifestyle, design, technology and tasting that makes the world of wine engaging and appealing to all. 

Add comment December 27th, 2008

Seeing In A New Perspective

Maybe some of you have seen this up close or not. Julian Beever is a sidewalk artist. His work is so 3 dimensional you feel like your really a part of it. He’s pretty much a master of this technique. I put some samples of his work here. So next time your taking a stroll watch out you just might step into a work of art.

Add comment October 29th, 2008

Myachi with Martha Stewart

Hey Peeps, check out your local listing times for the Martha Stewart Show, Thursday September 18th and watch a friend of mine Steven Ochs founder and creator of the Myachi. WTF is a Myachi you ask well you can check it all out at www.myachi.com and catch the craze kids!!!!!
Hit Designs has been working with Steve in creating new looks for their blister pack packaging and Point of Purchase that we behind the scenes like to call the “Myachigon Look”! I’ll post how we go from point A to point B at Hit Designs and let you see some of the thought process that goes into it. Stay tune. Don’t forget to to Watch Martha! Go Nutley, NJ!!!

Add comment September 13th, 2008