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Web Design Interface and Layout
CLIENTS
Maritime Council of Machinists
Complete Care Hospital For Pets
Web Design Interface and Layout
Maritime Council of Machinists
Complete Care Hospital For Pets
Karen Gaudet Graphic Design is a design studio based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, that specializes in the design of print materials. Many of the materials we design include the following: Web Design, Digital Illustrations, Search Engine Optimization, Newspaper Ads, Logo Design, Event Design, Branding, Flyers, Billboards, Magazine Ads, Re-Branding, Invitation Design, CD Cover Design, Signage, Poster Design, Vectorizing Existing Logos, Brochure Design, Trade Show Design, Bookcover Design, Post Card Design, Web Design Interface and Layout, Corporate Identity, Stationary Design and Yellow Pages Advertisements, to name a few.
We provide the creative solutions that meet your business needs. Whether you're a large corporation, or small and developing business, we tackle each of our design projects with the same amount of energy, commitment, and expertise. Your business doesn't have to be located in Nova Scotia to use our services. We've successfully completed work across three continents and counting. Documents, design concepts, and final artwork can all be exchanged via email and fax.
From designing Logo's, Brochures and Corporate Branding, to Trade Show and Event Materials, we can supply you with the design services that you need quickly and professionally. The 'Design Services' list to the the right provides you with a detailed accounting of the services we provide. Each category contains a selected piece of work. Following the list of services you'll find a detailed list of our clients and a sample piece of the work done for that client as well. This will allow you to get a feel for our design style so that you can determine if we're the ones you'd like to complete your design project.
Our graphic designers work closely with you to create the artwork that visually represents who you are and what you have in mind. We want our working relationship with you to be long, and mutually rewarding.
Our Logo designs can be created using Vector Graphics, that scale well to accommodate any application from placement on a business card to placement on the side of a shipping vessel. Vector Graphics ensure the image stays crisp and clear in large scale production of any size.
Design is a process. Here's an idea of the what to expect once we begin your project:
In the first stage of the design process, you will describe what you need designed, and what it entails. This will include discussion about problems and issues that we may encounter, initial ideas, concerns and limitations. As well details of the end product will be exchanged including details such as size, color, and time lines.
The second stage of the design process is research. We will endeavor to research your project in order to know the product/service/company we're representing and the materials required for successful design completion.
The third stage of the design process is brainstorming. In this stage we'll start to explore any and all ideas that could possibly result in the end design. The client is generally not included in this stage of the process, but ideas, thoughts, and possibilities presented (by the client) in the initial meetings are.
The forth stage of the design process is to start to eliminate some of the ideas that came from brainstorming and start to zero in on the better ideas. At this point we will supply you with some rough drafts of these ideas. Sometimes these design drafts are still is sketch form, sometimes they're computer generated renderings. Generally you would expect to receive anywhere from three to six concepts, depending on the project and it's complexity.
Once you've reviewed the rough drafts, a discussion about the likes and dislikes of the roughs will enable us to either start to develop one specific idea, or to head in another direction with more precise knowledge. This is where the design process really starts to heat up.
In the fifth stage a second round of 'further developed' designs will be supplied to you. These drafts will again be discussed in order to further develop the successful concepts and to eliminate what doesn't work.
In the final stage, the successful design concept will be developed to completion.
We're committed to doing our part in considering the environment in all facets of our work. We're learning as we go and doing everything we possibly can.
We specialize in the design of print materials, so ink and paper have become an important issue to us. If you want to ensure that your project takes the environment into consideration, ensure that the products and printing services you use display the FSC Logo. The FSC Logo ensures you that the product is FSC Certified.
What does FSC Certified mean? Who is the FSC and what are their responsibilities?FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council of Canada. The Forest Stewardship Council of Canada provides an international certification and labeling system that guarantees that the forest products and services you purchase come from responsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources.
We can supply you with the names of printing service bureaus complying with FSC standards in the HRM. If you're a printing service bureau that complies with FSC standards, please let us know so that we can add you to our resources list.
All new or established businesses have to deliver a message to clients or potential clients on a daily basis in order to exist. Whether in the form of brochures, web design, business cards, or posters, all businesses must promote themselves.
SO HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?
First consider everything you'll need. Chances are, you'll get a better price per piece if you get several pieces designed together rather than spacing out the expenditure.
Consider what area do you need developed? Are you a new business who needs to create an identity from the ground up and enter the market? Are you an existing business who needs to let go of that Logo that was designed for you in 1985 that just doesn't seem to work anymore? Do you have a product or service that you need to promote? Do you have information you need to get out there?
These are some of the questions to ask yourself when getting started, in order to determine what you need, and when you need it.
In order to know if a graphic designer is the one for you you need to look at the work in their portfolio or on their website. Do you like it? Is it good, in your opinion? Is it the style you had in mind? All graphic designers have a style, you need to know if their style will work for you. Also ask yourself how do their existing clients compare to your business?
If you like their work, their style and feel they've successfully fulfilled the expectations of their existing clients then consider the graphic designer themselves.
Do they present themselves professionally? Do they ask pertinent questions, clarify the information and make you feel at ease that they are 'getting' you and your project? Are they asking questions about you and your business, history and demographics? If so, then start discussing pricing.
Ask for a price quote. Some designers may give you a price quote on the spot for smaller jobs, but most professional graphic designers will give you a written price quote. If it takes two weeks to get your price quote, then this is a good indication of what to expect from the designer while completing your project.
Pay attention to the work ethic of the designer. Do they respond to emails and phone calls promptly? Are they professional and dependable? Have you received written confirmation of the expected price outlining the terms of the project? Is there are combination of both creativity and professionalism? These are good indications of what to expect from them professionally.
In an ever changing environment, we want to stay current and relevant. Following are some articles of interest, design resources, design magazines, pages, links, papers, and anything interesting about design, both critically, and as a form of resource.
The Price of Juice, EYE Magazine