com-alaFastline Performance Branding
Posted on December 12, 2014
A local powersports shop was in need of some proper branding. The owner had attempted to design his own logo using WordArt in Microsoft Word, and other basic programs, but realized that his multiple attempts were, as he put it, “awful.” After relocating to a new space (and he needed new business cards anyway), he decided it was finally time to start fresh and get a proper brand. This would include a new logo, business cards, work shirts, rugs, bumper stickers, and a website, just to name a few!
He wanted a logo that implied speed but was legible, especially on a moving vehicle (which could be his business truck, trailer, a motorcycle, ATV, UTV, or snowmobile).
Using Illustrator, and some inspiration from logos that he did like, I designed the above logo. Once that was in place, we started ordering all the swag. The business cards, the bumper stickers, the car decals, the patches, the hats, the rugs, the etched glass door.
The final element was a new internet presence (including a new URL). I set up and got the owner started using social media to increase awareness of his shop (via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). Being non-techy, this was very helpful for him, as he could easily take before/after photos with his basic smartphone, and share them with his followers, and get lots of likes and shares. In addition, I created an edgy responsive website (using WordPress), so that he will be able to update it from time to time.
The website is coming along, but is still under construction. The owner, Adam, realized that although a slick website was wonderful, the social media presence was even more important, and so he has focused most of his time there. Hopefully we’ll get most of the website’s pages populated soon! But in the meantime, you can’t argue with the power of social media, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs on your most precious toys.
Responsive Web Design
Posted on December 11, 2014
One of the most common questions I get nowadays is, “Do you know responsive design?” (For those who are not familiar with responsive design, it is the notion that websites will be viewed on various devices. Gone are the days of browsing the web from a home computer with a minimum resolution…
Steven R. Berger website, ebooks
Posted on April 22, 2013
For Steven R. Berger’s website, stevenrberger.com, I created a website that could promote his three novels, available in paperpack and ebook formats (from Amazon and Barnes & Noble).
Steven wanted a website that used a content management system, preferably WordPress, so that he could make updates from time to time. Additionally, he wanted to make free samples of all his books available for download in as many formats as was reasonable.
<img class="alignright wp-image-881 size-medium" src="http://com-ala.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/stevenrberger-300×150.png" alt="stevenrberger.com" width="300" height="150" srcset="http://com-ala.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/stevenrberger-300×150.png 300w, http://com-ala.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/stevenrberger-1024×512.png 1024w, http://com-ala.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/stevenrberger-1080×540.png 1080w, http://com-ala.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/stevenrberger like this.png 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px” />I wireframed the site, and then created it in WordPress using the content and direction he provided, using a theme that has the option to expand to direct-to-consumer sales. The look for the original site was suggested by a bookmark his wife designed. The site also uses SEO and social media to increase traffic.
After 18 months, it was time to create a new look for the site. Truth be told, Steve saw the website I had created for another author, and wanted his site to look more like that site.
Using InDesign, I created the free samples of his work in PDF, .epub, and .mobi (for Kindle). I have since created the .epub versions of Innocent Bystander and Ursula’s Yahrtzeit Candle.
In addition, I proofread all three books prior to their publication, finding several mistakes that went unnoticed by several others, and then wrote (or rewrote) the teaser copy for the two novellas (Ursula’s Yahrtzeit Candle and Innocent Bystander).
Teaser copy for Ursula’s Yahrtzeit Candle:
Ursula Frank, an 87-year-old woman, who has lived and seen it all from Nazi-scorched Europe to pre-Castro Cuba, was looking for a clever exit from her mortal coil by going into East L.A. at night looking for trouble. Unintentionally she interrupts the gang initiation of Reuben Montanez, a 17-year-old good guy who was simply hoping for a better life than his honest hard-working (deceased) brother. Little does Reuben know that Ursula just might have the answer to his hopes of a better life, if only she can share it with him before it is too late—for either of them.
Teaser copy for Innocent Bystander: An American Tragedy:
Chuck Gray, a 40-something family man whose worked at a paper supply house for nearly two decades can’t help but be attracted to Felicia Tafoya, a beautiful Latina coworker more than 20 years his junior. In danger of missing an international flight after missing her bus, Chuck offers Felicia a ride. The next morning detectives ask Chuck some questions about the rape and murder of a woman matching Felicia’s description, and before he realizes what’s happening, Chuck is arrested.
Innocent Bystander explores the ordeal that one man faces when considered a suspect in a violent sex crime, and the resulting fallout with the people who thought they knew him best: his wife, teenage children, and colleagues. Is there such a thing as “innocent until proven guilty” anymore?
Bates White Website
Posted on February 8, 2013
As mentioned in another post, Bates White adopted a new branding identity shortly before I began working for them. Part of the identity upgrade was a brand new custom website using a content management system (Point & Clique). The developers of Point & Clique were also responsible for the design. Having a fair amount of expertise in website design and management, I recommended certain naming conventions and created easy-to-follow training guides for the marketing team that was going to populate the new website with all existing content, as well as maintain it going forward. Continue Reading
Job’s Daughters International of Virginia Website
Posted on February 7, 2013
I designed and maintained the website for Virginia’s Job’s Daughters from 2003 until 2014. Job’s Daughters International is a Masonic youth organization, of which I was a member as a teenager. As a former member, I knew better than any outsider what was important to include on the website. Continue Reading
Wedding Branding, etc.
Posted on July 7, 2007
Invitations, save-the-dates, a wedding website, programs, a guestbook, a wedding album… this is kind of stuff a graphic designer loves to do. It’s even more satisfying when the client is yourself.
Protected: European Discovery Travelogue
Posted on August 1, 2005
America Online’s Yellow Pages and Local Channel
Posted on August 31, 2003
<img class=" wp-image-340 aligncenter" alt="yellow_pages" src="http://com-ala diovan blood pressure medicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/yellow_pages.png” width=”275″ height=”268″ />
While working at AOL, I served as the webmaster for AOL’s Yellow Pages Advertisers Website. I worked primarily on the advertising site, and its daily maintenance.
I also designed advertising banners for AOL’s Local Channel. Two Real Estate section ads are shown here.
