CreativePro.Com Business

Last-Second Valentine Gifts

Editor in Chief — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:20:00 -0700

Whether you believe in Saint Valentine or Cupid, whether you likes hearts or roses, whether you're in a committed relationship or not, someone you know will be expecting a token of love today. As a creative professional you may feel under even more pressure than most folks to come up with a gift that's, well, creative.

While it's too late to create something as magnificent as the Taj Mahal — built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal — you can still give your loved one something better than an off-the-rack Hallmark card.

Facebook Gives Photographers Better Viewing Experience

Editor in Chief — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:45:23 -0700

If you've looked at photos on Facebook pages recently, you may have noticed that the viewing experience is a little different. This week, Facebook has been rolling out a new interface for viewing photographs that vastly improves how photos appear on screen. Once the change hits your account, you'll see that clicking on a photo in your album opens a second window that floats the image on a grayed-out window with text appearing on the right side.

Kodak Tosses Digital Cameras in the Dustbin

Editor in Chief — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:10:36 -0700

It's official: First they took our Kodachrome away, now Kodak is doing away with its digital cameras, too. The company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, has decided "to phase out its dedicated capture devices business — comprising digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames — in the first half of 2012." Kodak plans to focus on online and retail-kiosk image processing as well as inkjet printers.

Best of the Blogs: August 1, 2011

Editor in Chief — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:31:01 -0600

Don't have time to read scores of blogs every day? Don't worry, I've done it for you, and picked out the best posts you shouldn't miss.

Typography

How to Price Your Work

Editor in Chief — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:17:27 -0700

Jason Blumer is no fly-by-night guy; he's the chief innovation officer of an accounting firm that caters to creative pros. So when he recommends that you price your work higher than you do now, it pays (literally) to listen.

How to Use QR Codes

Editor in Chief — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:44:35 -0700

If you have questions about QR codes, "QR Codes for Publishing and Marketing" may be just the ticket. While the $86 price is high for an impulse purchase, it's not much to keep you from marketing missteps. This 36-page eBook is actually several articles previously published in the venerable Seybold Report.

J.C. Penney Logo Changes Again

Editor in Chief — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:06:56 -0700

Eleven months ago, J.C. Penney rolled out a new logo created by third-year graphic design student Luke Langhus:

Like Etsy for the Digital Set

Editor in Chief — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:07:33 -0700

I have a question for all of you who've ever made a Photoshop brush, or designed a repeating pattern, or crafted a typeface: Have you ever thought about selling that work? Because maybe you should.

Start Your 2012 Marketing Right

Editor in Chief — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:24:58 -0700

Would you like more business or more interesting projects in the coming year? You can sit around and wait for them to fall in your lap, or you can take control and market yourself.

Marketing doesn't have to be elaborate. In an hour-long webinar on January 12, 2012, Ilise Benun will give you a list of simple tasks you can check off all year long. Ilise has years of experience helping creative pros, so she knows how to work around our weak spots and capitalize on our strengths.

25 Champions of Design

Editor in Chief — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:10:51 -0700

UK design company jkr has compiled 25 image-heavy essays on design greats into a book called Champions of Design. Subjects include the likes of Apple, Ducati, Marmite, and Ray-Ban. The essays originally appeared in Marketing magazine.

Get Answers to Five QR Code Questions

Editor in Chief — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:02:47 -0700

Many designers and marketers have heard of quick response (QR) codes are but don't know how or when to use them in print materials. A smaller percentage are familiar with augmented reality (AR) codes. Now's your chance to learn about these technologies for free. In a 90-minute webinar, Daniel Dejan of Sappi Fine Paper will cover five essential topics:

1. Whether QR and AR codes a short-term fad or a long-term strategic element
2. How to fold QR and AR codes into marketing campaigns
3. How to create QR codes
4. Marketing metrics for campaigns that include QR codes

Best of the Blogs: November 17, 2011

Editor in Chief — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:07:19 -0700

If you've been distracted by headline news over the past few weeks, here's what you missed in design and photography blogs: revisiting 1990s typography, debunking UV filter myths, getting the light right, demystifying Photoshop resampling options, peeking at designer workspaces, and touring Erik Spiekermann's house. Plus, an opportunity to change someone's life with your camera.

Typography

Best of the Blogs: November 4, 2011

Editor in Chief — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:18:39 -0700

Typography

Sharpen Your Photo Business Skills

Editor in Chief — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:10:03 -0700

PhotoShelter's Photo Business Boot Camp is billed as a five-week course in business advice from and for photographers. The stock photo agency has enlisted the help of the following pros (with credentials in photography and in related fields, such as marketing) to fill your email in-box with tips:

Rachel Been
Ilise Benun
Steve Boyle
Kendrick Brinson
David Burnett
Darren Carroll
Shawn Corrigan
Kata Dalager
Carli Davidson
Blake Discher
John Harrington
Craig Holmes
Ben Jesson & Dr. Karl Blanks

2012 Salary Guide Now Available

Editor in Chief — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:09:45 -0700

Whether you're wondering how your current compensation stacks up to your peers, or you're looking for a new job and unsure what salary range to expect, The Creative Group's annual Salary Guide is a good place to start. (The Creative Group is a staffing agency that finds positions for people with creative, advertising, marketing, and Web experience.) You can download a PDF copy of the 13-page 2012 Salary Guide; you can also request a print copy.