Magazine Cover Design (Mimicking “O” Magazine)
November 28, 2009
I had a client contact me about doing a postcard project as well as an Ecover design. She wanted the cover design to mimic Oprah’s “O” Magazine. She sent a few examples of covers that she liked.
From there, my client requested that her photo be cropped and edited a bit. We started out with this image:
Instead of the brochure in her hand she wanted me to replace it with a bottle of something that she was promoting. So here is the updated image. The bottle is not in proportion to her body, but because the brochure was pretty large, I had to cover that space with a larger sized bottle. The client did not seem to mind at all which was good.
So, then I did the actual magazine cover design. My client loved the outcome. YAY!
The last step was getting my print designer to do the finalization on getting the specs set up for printing and also doing the design for the back of the postcard. I then turned the magazine cover design into an Ecover. Here are 2 Ecover design options that I presented.
So, all in all, this project turned out really awesome. I so love a creativity challenge and this was definitely a fun one.
Mommy Geekology Logo & Header Design
November 18, 2009
Most of our clients are really good at answering our basic design questionnaire and explaining a little bit about what they want. This is really helpful.
This header and logo design project was for a good friend of ours on Twitter. They had emailed us the following info concerning what they wanted for their design.
- Include girl image
- Font - they attached 4 specific font options that she wanted used.
- Transparent Background – No Borders
- Colors – deep blue, vibrant red or deep purple, black
- Embellishments welcome – butterflies, flowers, other technology-related things
So,we came up with this first header design idea which we thought incorporated all of the above elements.
Our client thought this was nice, but not exactly what they had envisioned. This is totally fine, we are always happy to work with our clients to come up with a design that they will love. So, we went back to the drawing board with a few more suggestions from our client.
- Less Geometric for the background
- Loves Swirls & Swooshes
- Loves the flower accents – keep those, but maybe use a bright green
- Remove the red color all together – stick with blue, purple, and black
OK, so this is what we came up with next:
We heard back from our client once again and she wanted to get rid of the diamond shape all together and instead add actual swooshes. She sent over a few image examples.
So then, we came up with the final design idea:
Our client loved this one! So, you see, it really takes working one on one with a client to come up with the perfect design. We may not always get it the first try, but one revision is included in our pricing and $10 for each additional revision.
Working with a smaller graphic design company has lots of benefits. You have more flexibility in making changes because you are working one on one with our designer.
Be sure to Contact Us today for a quote on a custom header or logo design! We have a special going on right now for a logo AND header design for $100.
The Importance of Having an Eye Catching Website Banner
November 16, 2009
When it comes to creating a website, the content is not the only item of importance. A website banner is the first thing a reader or buyer sees when they land on your site. So, having an eye catching header is absolutely essential. After all, you want to make a really good first impression right?
If your site has a standard header with no life or personality, chances are you are losing more than you are gaining. Think of your average reader as an 11 year old child. The fact is, that most children are enthused by colors and images more than words. And for many adults this is true as well. Our internet attention spans are pretty small. Usually when we visit a website or blog, we can get a feel for what the site represents in only a few seconds. This is the reason why it is even more important to focus on making the right first impression through a custom header graphic
Here are some examples of unique and eye catching blog and website headers that were created specifically for the client or business by working with them to discuss their needs.
An eye catching website header is the most effective tool that you can offer potential customers in order to draw them to your site and keep them there for an extended period of time. It will set you apart from the rest and be a vehicle to bringing in more traffic to your site! And that is really what we want in the end – more readers, more subscribers, more clients.
The header on your site is yours. That means it represents who you are and what your company stands for. It is a good idea to makes sure that the header on your website has your style and personality tied into it in some way. That does not mean that if you love lime green, you header should be that color. But incorporating a few elements of your taste and style is always a great idea. It simply means that you need to create a header that says YOU without overburdening or scaring the customers away. You want to stand out above the rest – above your competition. Your website header might be the difference between a potential client choosing you or the other guy.
Hiring a graphic designer or artist to create a custom website banner is pertinent to your online success. It may be your best investment. They have an eye for color and design and will tie in those specific details that will help promote your brand, your purpose, and the message you are trying to convey. The chance that people will look at your header, read your message, and leave your site because of a lack of cohesiveness is a huge possibility that you want to avoid at all costs.
It is also a time saver to have your website header designed by a professional. There is a lot of time spent in locating images, matching colors, and finding just the right font to make sure that the header fits your message. Why waste that time when you can just outsource to someone who knows the work involved and likely has some shortcuts that you are not aware of.
As you take a look at your site and before you contact a designer think about your message, what you want to convey and how you want to convey it. All of these aspects will be beneficial for the designer as they create your custom website header.
There are many people without an eye for graphic design who try on their own to create a header, and, usually it shows. Don’t let this be you. You are better off spending the extra money to have a professional do it for you!
If you are ready to set your website or blog apart then please feel free to Contact Us here at DPK Graphic Design. We would be happy to design an eye catching header or banner for your website or blog today!
