This past weekend, I was listening to a People I (Mostly) Admire podcast entitled “How to Have Good Ideas” with guest Sarah Stein Greenberg. She is the executive director of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University, commonly known as the d.school. The discussion explores the nature of design thinking, its application in...
In the ever-evolving landscape of small business operations, the role of graphic design has become increasingly crucial for establishing a compelling brand presence. Now, more than ever, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is stepping in to revolutionize the field of graphic design, offering innovative solutions that can significantly benefit small businesses. Here’s a closer look at how...
First, let’s start with a quick definition. Inbound marketing is designed to pull in your target audience to consider your products or services. Unlike outbound marketing which pushes out your marketing message (think ads, etc.), inbound marketing works by offering content that your audience finds valuable. And to be effective, it needs to attract, engage...
I was re-reading an excellent article this morning in Fast Company. The above quote came from John Hoke, the chief design officer at Nike. This was one of many really critical design statements made by 32 experts in various fields related to urgent matters facing the world right now. There were common themes throughout all...
I was reading an article this morning about in-house versus outsourcing design projects. This was important to me because I’m a strong believer in the benefits of outsourcing graphic design. And not just because it is in my business’s best interest. For most companies, it can be a much better option. As an example, I...
Okay, perhaps “superpower” is a bit of an exaggeration. But, it’s definitely underrated. For many years, I’ve read numerous articles on the importance of specialization when it comes to design. Focus on a particular industry or skillset and this will give you an advantage over your competition. And the logic is there for it. Clients...
I took another great course on Coursera. It was titled “Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content” and was offered by the University of Pennsylvania. When I first saw the title, I was imagining “cat videos” and considered ignoring it. I’m so glad I didn’t. The professor, Jonah Berger, really dives in deep on...
Things are tough right now. Businesses and organizations throughout the world and in our community are struggling. Struggling to pay rent. Pay employees. Pay for healthcare. It’s overwhelming, especially when revenue is not coming in. And may not be for the foreseeable future. I’m right there with you. My business has plummeted since the outbreak....
Imagine making an investment in your business that statistically shows a 32% higher revenue improvement compared to your competitors. That’s the basic premise of a McKinsey report from last year. And, yes, the investment is in design. This is for all aspects of design: physical products, services, and digital or physical interactions, among others. The...
I was reading the article “What can designers do to help tackle the climate change crisis?” in designweek.co.uk. This is a topic that I hadn’t fully considered before. As a designer, I didn’t necessarily see myself as someone who could dramatically affect climate change. However, I think I can do more than I may have realized....