Bite-sized lessons learned by decades of swinging through the marketing jungle.
We've been in the game for 30 years, and we've picked up a ton of wisdom along the way. Now, it's time to share the wealth! Whether you're a seasoned marketer, a creative graphic designer, or a savvy client, you're bound to discover some golden nuggets that will enhance your understanding of the industry's life, processes, and challenges.
Take a tongue-in-cheek journey with us as we reveal our Rules of Thumb.
Rule #30
You will find yourself identifying typefaces on billboards as you drive down the interstate.
Rule #29
Always pay attention to changing trends.
Rule #28
Never blindly trust a file sent to you by another source.
Rule #27
A starburst is a method for poor designers to draw attention to the copy points that should have been addressed through better layout.
Rule #26
There is always a way to make a good layout better.
Rule #25
Don’t get too defensive about creative feedback.
Rule #24
Educate the client whenever possible.
Rule #23
Learn good time management skills.
Rule #22
Don’t just know how to use one tool, know as many as possible.
Rule #21
Never be satisfied with your current level of expertise.
Rule #20
Develop good relationships with marketing professionals who work in other specialty areas.
Rule #19
If you find a good marketing partner, keep them.
Rule #18
Camera-ready art that is built to the exact specifications is good. Camera-ready artwork scanned off an inkjet printout and faxed to you is bad.
Rule #17
The best computer for the job is the one that works when you really need it.
Rule #16
Clipart and stock photography is your best friend.
Rule #15
Clipart and stock images are evil.
Rule #14
The client isn’t always right, and when he’s wrong it’s going to be the marketer’s fault.
Rule #13
Images pulled off the Internet do not work in print.
Rule #12
Microsoft PowerPoint is not a graphic design program.
Rule #11
Adobe does not yet include a talent filter in any of its programs that will miraculously make a bad design, good.