Preparing Your Document for Print

August 13th, 2008 by kayemarks

Before sending your postcard, flyer, or brochure to print, make sure to prepare the format correctly. Otherwise, your product may come back looking very different from what you sent, and at no fault of the commercial printing company. Below are some printing tips to help you fully prepare your print advertising job before placing an order.

1. The fonts that your design program offers may differ slightly from the fonts of the printing company. Often, printers will choose a font that is close to the design you chose but this can sometimes result in subtle differences that change the style of your design. The best way to avoid this is to find out what font program your printing company uses and also send the font names and program files, if possible.

2. Even more important than font styles are the graphics in your design. First of all, convert RGB colors to CMYK, which is the color format all commercial printers use. Your design program should have the option to choose from a list of CMYK colors. Next, make sure to link rather than embed the images to your layout. Then send copies of your graphics. Usually printing companies require .tif files but check with yours for confirmation.

3. Finally, knowing the format required by the printing company will insure a quick turnaround. Many printers cannot complete your order from the publishing file in which you created your design. Most require Adobe format or other professional programs such as Corel and QuarkXPress. Also be sure that you send your project in the same version. If you have a more updated version than the printer, you may need to convert to an earlier version.
4. Send the files through the medium required by your printer. You may need to send them in a .zip file through email. Some online printing businesses will require you to upload the files directly to their website.

Following the printing tips above can provide you with a speedier process by avoiding last minute setbacks in your order or incorrect layout. The most important tip to remember, though, is to communicate clearly with your printing company. Not only will your printer appreciate your thoroughness but also you will receive the order you desire without frustrating delays.

Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of the printing company developments in print advertising and how these improvements can benefit small to medium-scale businesses.

Becoming a Graphic Designer

by: Viojieley Gurrobat

You were doing your grocery one day in one of the largest shopping mall in town. You noticed that when buying soaps, toothpaste and canned goods among others, you were picking up those products that has packaging and logo design that appeals to your eye. And the lady next to you was doing the same. Then you wondered what made these products appealing and saleable to consumers. And your thoughts wondered onto who were responsible for doing these attention-grabbing and money-making packaging designs.

Basically, the person responsible for making a logo or packaging design look superb and marketable is called a graphic designer. They are the ones responsible for attracting potential customers and increasing a company’s sale. In order to be a successful graphic designer, one must have excellent interpersonal skills and the knack to sell their ideas to executives.
If you wish to be a graphic designer you must be prepared to receive a college degree in advertising or fine arts focusing in graphic art and computer graphics. Although there are some who make it to the industry just by talent alone, most still need a degree or some sort of certificate to land a job as a graphic designer. Employers won’t even look at you if you lack the piece of paper that shows that you have been trained in graphic design related program. In addition, much of your competition would be graduates from college so it is better if you come prepared before plunging into the exciting world of graphic designs.

There many schools across America that offers graphic design related courses. There are courses in visual communication, graphic design, animation, advertising, and multimedia and web development among others. There are short term and long term programs offered in different schools. Short term programs are usually for one or two years while long term programs such as Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are often for three to four years. Nevertheless, both these programs offer a work placement in a business or studio during or after your studies. This can be a stepping stone for you in gaining the experience that you need to get hired.

To improve your experience in graphic designs, you can also do freelance work whenever you can. This will help you have a solid portfolio to present to your prospective employer when you get out of school and hunt for a real job. Likewise, you have to pay attention to the packaging designs and advertising trends in all forms of media to keep you updated with what is the latest in the industry.

Remember that being a graphic designer necessitates you to learn new software and be up to date on design trends constantly. There is more to being a graphic designer than sitting in front of the computer. Thus, you need to learn how to speak efficiently and learn how advertising and PR influence design decisions.

About The Author
Viojieley Gurrobat loves readings books in her spare time. She writes stories and poems about anything under the sun. For comments and suggestions kindly visit http://www.graphicdesignsunlimited.com.

How to Choose a Great Logo Design

Graphic Design Guru

Welcome to the world of the graphic design guru. Find tips, tutorials, advice and information collected by the graphic design guru. The guru provides you with a space where you can fuel your passion for graphic design. For everything related to creativity, art, computers, marketing, advertising and design, ask the graphic design guru.

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How to get a job as a Graphic Designer

Author: Gareth Coxon - Dot Design

Just the other day I received a question on Twitter from Adam at Design4Love:

"Hi.. how are you? Do you have any tips for me how to get into the UK design industry (Other than sending applications to agencies). Thanks!"

Which got me thinking about how difficult it was for me and some of the fellow graphic design students I studied with to get a job in the design industry back in 1999 (yes that long ago!) straight out of design college. I snapped up a job with a Central London design agency in Soho within 2 weeks of leaving college but looking back it wasn't really the right job for me then. Though just 13 months later I changed positions and worked for a great design agency based in London Bridge and learned a huge amount as well as working on lots of different types of projects as a designer.

Anyway competition was fierce then BUT the amount of graphic design and other design courses available in art colleges and universities up and down the college has grown hugely since then.

So here are a few tips on (like Adam asked) "how to get into the UK Design industry"

The Portfolio:
Having a great design portfolio is a must. To be honest your design portfolio is the most important thing on this list, its what you'll mainly be judged on. It must be well presented and include at least 6 or more design projects. Think about the kind of work the agency your applying to does and try to tailor your portfolio towards that. For example if they specialise in corporate identity and branding work try to include work of this kind.

Be ready to talk about your design work, what inspired you, why you approached the project in the way you did, even choice of typeface, colours, imagery etc. Show them some of your sketchs and development work, some agencies what to see your scribbles more than the finished work as it shows your design process and how you think!

Before taking your portfolio along to job interviews, make sure you show it to a people (tutors, other design students) talk them through it, get them to ask you questions about your design work and respond with suitable answers. This will get you used to talking people through your portfolio, making you a more prepared for the interview.

Work Experience:
Offer to do some work experience with a design company who's work you really admire (for free if you have to!), even if its just a week then spend that week wowing them, making the tea, producing great work, take an interest in everything relating to that design company. It is a good way to get your foot in the door but also don't be too pushy or cocky, you might think your a great designer but remember there is a big difference between design college and the real world!

If the company really like you during your work experience they might offer you a full time job!

Finding Work:
Send your portfolio as a PDF etc to as many design companies (that your interested in) as possible, then after a few days give them a quick call to check they have received it.

Another alternative and one that worked for me is to approach a design recruitment agency. I contacted Major Players (there are many others!) when looking for a new graphic design position. They interviewed me and I took them through my portfolio and skills set, based on this they then contacted me when suitable jobs became available. This worked very well as they got me a new job within 2 weeks.

Dress code:
There isn't one as such. Wear what your comfortable in but also look like you have made some sort of effort! That said I wouldn't recommend turning up in a suit! Remember what you wear can be seen as a reflection of yourself and your design style or preferences.

Behaviour:
Be yourself, be calm and open to discussing your work and the work of the design agency. Remember to ask questions about what work they produce and what your role would be. One thing I found useful was to ask if someone could take you around the studio, afterall that is where you'll be working if you get the job and you need to see what sort of environment you'll be working in. It also easier to ask questions as you move around and see how they work.

Research:
Remember to do some research on the company that is interviewing you, as they are likely to ask you what made you apply for a job with them, what sort of work do they produce, what awards have they won (if any), why do you want to work for them in particular?

Keep trying:
Above all keep trying and keep looking at ways to improve your portfolio. If you go for an interview and they don't give you a job, don't worry, your work just might not be suitable for that particular design agency.

So hope this has helped, good luck!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/graphic-design-articles/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-graphic-designer-631495.html

About the Author:

Dot Design is a small freelance graphic design agency based in Devon. Established in 2006 Dot Design provides an effective, professional (and friendly) graphic design service. By using other freelance designers when needed we cut back on the costs of a traditional design agency, meaning we are able to greatly reduce costs to our clients.

Dot Design is owned and run by Gareth Coxon who has 8 years professional design experience - 5 years working for two different design agencies in London and now 3 years working in the South West.

We work with businesses all over the UK and Internationally - from small start-ups through to medium sized and larger companies. We don’t use pretentious designer talk and we keep all aspects as simple and straight forward as possible. We will work with you and we understand that no one knows your business like you do.

Dot Design provide you with high quality, well thought through design and tackle each project with fresh enthusiasm and professionalism. We really enjoy what we do as do our clients, just see our testimonials!

We believe successful design should have a strong idea, be distinctive, memorable, simple and communicate the clients requirements. Any project large or small has the same opportunity for great design!

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