Sunday, May 20, 2007

Mayhem Studios Gets the Creative Scoop



Mayhem Studios received a little mention in the May/June, west coast issue of Create Magazine, Scoops section. Regarding the Studios' works published in David E. Carter's, Creativity Annual Awards 36 and being featured in Kristen Fischer's new book, Creatively Self-Employed.

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

HTML Newsletters on a Mac

Disclaimer: It has come to our attention, people are using our newsletter as their own work. You are creative people. Design your own newsletter, do not steal. Please DO NOT USE our newsletter design, any of the graphics or verbiage without our permission for educational or commercial use. All design, graphics and code is the property of Mayhem Studios.

Since I started sending out my html newsletters as part of my promotional efforts. I've been getting many requests from other designers and creatives on how I do it. Here is the link to my html newsletter tutorial I just posted on my website. You can also download a pdf version of the newsletter tutorial HERE. It's on mac only.

You may not be able track it or have any of the options like the paid email services but It's simple for people that don't have a real huge mailing list or can't afford it.

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Monday, May 14, 2007

Creative Brief: Client Goals & Expectations

It's a good idea to get some background information about your client before starting on any project. It will help to met client goals and expectations. Using a creative brief will help accomplish this.

A creative brief lays out the visual design directions to explore and the objectives of the project. Using the information on the form to make sure that we are both focused and are on the same page throughout the creative process to deliver the clients message.

I give the client a creative brief form to fill out before our first meeting. They don't necessarily need to fill out the form, it will give them something to think about before the actual meeting. You both can fill out the form together during the meeting.

A few things to consider on what should be included in a creative brief. A sample of the Mayhem Studios creative brief may be viewed HERE.

+ Client information
+ Who are you?
+ What do you do?
+ What are your goals?
+ What is your budget?
+ How would you like to be perceived?
+ Who is your audience, demographics?
+ Who is your primary competitor?
+ What do you want this project to say about you?
+ What's your favorite/least favorite color and why?
+ List logos you like and why?
+ What would you like produced?
+ What keywords describe your business?

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007

What Should Be Included In a Contract

Before you start any project or do any kind of work. Always get a signed contract and a 50% deposit. A contract protects you and your client from any miscommunications. A 50% deposit insures that the client is serious about working with you. Consult an attorney once you have drafted a contract, to cover all your bases.

A sample of the Mayhem Studios contract may be viewed HERE.

A few things to consider on what should be included in a contract.

+ Client Information
+ Project Description: Details of what product or services is to be performed.
+ Details the number of concepts/revisions/color explorations.
+ Deadlines: Start and delivery dates
+ Payment Schedule: Deposit and final payment
+ Ownership of the design/source files.
+ Rights to use the project for promotional and educational purposes.
+ Include a specific number of copies you will receive, of the printed project.
+ Proofing: Mistakes are not your responsiblity after sign off.

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About me

  • Mayhem Studios is a small award-winning design firm located in Los Angeles, California, developing identity and brand recognition for the business sector across the nation. The Studio uses strategic and creative design with effective messages targeted to the client's specific audiences to produce identity and branded collateral pieces, annual reports, brochures, logo design, advertising and interactive web sites. Calvin Lee, Principal & Creative Director of Mayhem Studios is a graduate of Platt College and serves as a member of the Platt College Advisory Board for the Visual Communications Department, NO!SPEC Committee and on the Creative Latitude Management Team.
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