Monthly Archives: April 2016

My top 3 free sharing tools

20/04/2016 | admin | handy tips | 0 comments

I was recently asked by one of my clients how to share large documents. I pointed him in the right direction, and I thought it would be useful to share here too, so I have come up with my "Top 3" free online sharing tools to avoid inbox congestion.

1. Dropbox

Dropbox is a handy sharing tool that can either be accessed online, or downloaded and added to your desktop. Should you want to share photos, or files, (or anything really!) simply create an account at www.dropbox.com and you're ready to go! Once you have signed up, there will be on screen, easy to follow instructions on how to install it onto your desktop and you're ready to get sharing. Simply drag and drop your items into the folder (I usually copy and paste so I have a copy at my end saved), and click share. You can then add in the e-mail details of the person you want to share it with and it will appear in their dropbox ready to be accessed. It really is that simple! The great thing about dropbox too is that users can share items with people that don't have dropbox installed. The user can upload online, and rather than share the folder get the link, which can be copied and pasted into an e-mail to your colleague who can review the files online.

2. Google Drive

Google drive is a great facility. It is part of Google Apps which also provides applications for word documents, spreadsheets and presentations and gives up to 15GB (yes gigabytes!) of storage space for free when you sign up for a gmail e-mail address. The downside to this is that both parties involved in sharing files need to have a Google drive, otherwise files cannot be accessed. I would encourage anyone to look into Google Apps though. My world has been revolutionised (especially with Google Slides, the presentations program) and for large companies, with lots of employees and lots of remote workers, I see it as an essential tool for a smooth process. Users can not only share and access files, but also comment, amend and review files in real time whilst other users are also working on the same document.

3. We Transfer

For larger files, files that contain a lot of data - usually with large imagery like posters or exhibition stands, We Transfer is the way forward. You can send files of up to 2GB for free! Simply visit the website at www.wetransfer.com and you're good to go as no signing up is required, which in this day and age is a perk in itself. Users can upload their file, input the e-mail address of the recipient and hit transfer. You can add a nice message if you like too... This will then send a notification e-mail to your colleague or client containing a link to the online file which can then be downloaded to their desktop. Files are only live for 10 days and then moved offline, so better to download as soon as possible.

These are by no means the only online sharing facilities, however, they are the ones I use on a regular basis, and are all available free of charge.

All of the above really are time and space savers, all useful for different reasons and all free to use, so what's not to love? If you've found this article useful, please feel free to share it :)
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Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause you…

15/04/2016 | admin | blog | 0 comments

Whilst travelling home on Saturday night from Manchester I was thrown off a train. Not in the sense that you may think. I was neither drunk nor fair dodging - I was merely trying to get home.

Upon the start of my journey everything was running smoothly. My train arrived on time (a rare occurrence in itself) and we, the passengers, boarded. We set off. Minutes later we arrived at a second station only to be told we were now awaiting a replacement driver. He was delayed. We sat and we waited... 20 minutes later he arrived. We were on our way. Delayed, but once again, on our way. A few more minutes later we got to the next station, only to be now told that the service was to become an "express" service to make up the missed time and that all the stations between Bolton and Preston were to be missed out, and those passengers affected had to arrange alternatives. I was one of those passengers. I made my way to Bolton and made a call. I eventually got home, and made a complaint. Is it acceptable that because one man couldn't get to work on time that around 50 to 100 people were inconvenienced?

In what other business would this behaviour be accepted?

Personally, I would never treat my paying clients in such a way. I can only assume that these stations were cut in order to meet targets for time keeping somewhere along the line. What it does prove though, is that the data doesn't show all the facts. In the world of freelance design, clients are everything. I do everything in my power to make sure that they are happy, and what they are expecting is delivered. I read the other day that in 2015, 34% of designers have admitted to missing a deadline. I was not one of those creatives, and so my clients weren't disappointed. If I feel something is unachievable (this is usually based on experience) I will inform a client up front before making a start as I feel that honesty is very much the best policy. Think about this train scenario as a tender document for example: I would not enter into a contract, deliver a fraction of it, and then cut out several chapters in order to deliver it on time. The end result is not what has been contracted or agreed - my client would, quite rightly so, refuse to pay me and never request my services again. They would tell their team members never to contact me again and would pass on this negative feedback to whoever should ask...

So where am I going with this?

I can tell you that I am a trust worthy graphic designer, but what proves that point is the fact that I have recurring work from a range of clients. Would they come back for more or kindly send me testimonials if I had not delivered what they requested? I'm not so sure. I aim to be the best at what I do (I can't guarantee I am the best as there are some FANTASTIC designers out there...) and always aim to delivery beyond expectations. What I can guarantee though is that I will deliver all documents in their entirety by the deadline requested, and I don't cut corners to get there, as because in my industry it's just not acceptable to do anything else.    
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Why choose me?

08/04/2016 | admin | blog | 0 comments
why choose me?

Let's face it, the world of graphic design and graphic designers is saturated...

Did you know that the creative industry is worth £10 million an hour to the UK economy? No, I didn't either until I came across this article on the UK government website. It shows just how much value design can add to you and your business (the economy and the world...), but it also shows how the industry is increasing in size twice as fast as any other industry. For me this is awesome as it means that work is plentiful and I can reap it's rewards, but for me this boom also has it's down sides...

As stated above the world of graphic design is a saturated market. There are literally millions of us out there, so how do you - a potential client - go about picking the right person for the job in hand?

Over the past decade (wow, I've been in the creative industry more than a decade, that's a bit scary) I have worked with a variety of clients and bosses, all with varying needs, and plenty of designers. One was on a power trip as he had never been a senior designer before and delegated everything (and that's everything) to me. He used to say things to me like "I'm the boss so *insert any situation here*," I aim never to be a boss (or a person!) like that - ever. He then went on to use some of the work I had produced to get onto a recruitment agencies books. In contrast to that, I have worked with some fantastic, highly experienced designers, who have helped develop my confidence in the field and to hone my skills. One such designer said to me that the industry is saturated. Everybody can now have a flashy website (it's true), everybody has access to Photoshop (it's true) and with a few carefully chosen photos of projects they've worked on can say they are a designer (that's true too) but such people can also devalue the industry, which is true as well. Yes, I showcase my portfolio (which incidentally is NOT done in Photoshop!) but I also try to get testimonials and recommendations from clients proving my capabilities and what it's like to work with me. I want you as a potential client to get an impression of me. I want vibes of me to be sent through your screen and I want you to make an executive decision. I am a professional in my chosen industry, and that is a major selling point for me and hopefully for you too. I will treat your task, whatever it may be, with the professionalism it (and you) deserve. That said, as I am a one woman band I don't have major overheads and so can offer a cost effective solution to your design needs. A bonus too of working with a freelancer is that I sort out my own pension and taxes, and you use me when you need me - it's as simple as that! An added perk for you is because you can deal with me directly I can usually turn around your project a lot quicker than if you were working through an agency. I'm by no means calling agencies (they're fantastic for big scary projects!), but sometimes it's nice to have something turned around in 2 weeks as opposed to 4-6 weeks. I have saved several of my clients in their hours of need due to this!

So in short, why choose me?

- I'm a cost effective solution for small or tightened budgets - I deal with turn around times on a project by project basis - Last and by no means least, I'm a professional and if I say I'm going to do something - I will :) So, if you've been wowed by this then drop me a line and we can discuss your design needs today.
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