The transition from a college to a studio environment is a huge jump for new design graduates. The fictitious character of the client for class briefs becomes a very real factor in the design process, and initially for most, it can be quite a hamper on one's creativity.

They say that you learn more in the first six months of being in the industry than your entire four year tenure in university ... well it's absolutely true.

Factors such as application, budget, revisions and production (to name a few) can catch a new graduates off guard, enough to throw one off track. This is the crucial aspect of the transition, realizing the major differences between student projects and client projects. Scary, yes? But not to worry, after a few jobs, it's safe to say you'll have properly adjusted, which is why I'm going to address what I feel is the underlying hurdle: simply understanding yourself.

There's nothing better than learning by being thrown into the fire but it's the personal details and habits that one needs to pay closer attention to. Understanding oneself is of utmost importance, so with every brief try to take note of your work habits, processes, and time management. Soon you'll be able to figure out quotes / timelines for jobs and this understanding will bring more focus into your creative thinking. Remember constraints are your friend—because we all know how much of a headache a open-ended project can be. You'll be able to allocate time for research, ideation and concept generation, production in a way that best suits your processes.

It may sound a bit strict and contrary in a creative field but the goal is to develop a system, a design process that brings out the best in you. Working on freelance jobs on the side while in school is a good way to pick your own brain and nature as a designer. If not, get together with friends, organize briefs, with realistic budgets, timelines and goals and be each other's clients (just be respectful of the process and treat it as a real job, otherwise you won't take very much from the experience).

Try different approaches, because one really has to feel it out to figure out what works best for them. It's also important to note that it's not a one and done deal. It's about constant refinement, I myself am still figuring out and fine tuning my own design process. As a designer, don't ever stop being a student of the world and your life.



Rene Tan
Graphic Designer
Mystique Creative

If anyone questions the worth of social networking media, there's a prime example of how it can be used with the ongoing earthquake relief effort in Haiti.

After news of the earthquake hit the global news media, it was noticed that communications with survivors was next to nil. This led to news media outlets being inundated with calls from ex-patriots, family and friends searching for details on the wellbeing of loved ones on the stricken island. Those who could get a message out resorted to getting the attention of as many people as possible via social networking tools like Twitter and FaceBook, Haitians are asking for help.

In one day a fundraising campaign done using text messages and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook raised more than $5 million for Red Cross relief. Celebrities caught on using their Twitter feeds to "Help Haiti". Facebook groups started to appear, one of which gained over 100,000 members – many of whom changed their status updates to announce their donations to the Red Cross – which in turn, encouraged their Facebook friends to do the same. Text and social media donations grew rapidly, with another $10 million coming from other sources, which provided a never-seen-before phenomenon. Texters were donating small amounts like $10 each, spontaneously deciding that it was a manageable figure. The fundraising efforts have more than doubled and totally surpassed any previous fundraising efforts by the Red Cross.

Twitter users, know that Trending Topics are the attention-getters and what most users are reading. Using keywords and key phrases helps to drive users to the information you want read. Likewise do Facebook Groups. With Facebook, you motivate your Friends with your Status Update. If compelling enough it will create a viral message that they will also use.

54% of Fortune 100 companies use Twitter. The primary use is for increasing brand recognition with news updates and product announcements, plus as a part of recruitment efforts, ultimately driving traffic to blogs and websites. Company blogs are the main focal point of social media, as the end result is a means to create two-way conversation with the user via commenting. 32% of Fortune 100 companies have a corporate blog. Blogs typically rank higher in search engines because of regular updating, and in a lot of cases are more credible because of the human factor. 29% have a Facebook fan page.

According to a recent Forrester report U.S. companies are projected to spend more Interactive Marketing dollars in Mobile Marketing and Social Media than traditional Display Advertising.

So whether you want to announce the latest jam spread on your morning toast, or to make the world a better place by announcing your intentions, social networking media is a valuable communications tool.

If you would like to donate to relief efforts on behalf of Haiti, here are some useful links:
Canadian Red Cross - http://www.redcross.ca
Plan Canada - http://plancanada.ca
WorldVision Canada - http://www.worldvision.ca
Care Canada - http://care.ca
Salvation Army in Canada - http://www.salvationarmy.ca

Frank Beecham
Webguy
Mystique Creative

With a new year comes a time to reflect. Did I meet my business goals from last year? What do I want to accomplish in the next twelve months? How will I get there?

Use the following seven steps to assist you in creating your written guide to follow throughout the year.

1. Write down your vision.

Revisit your business plan. What is your dream? Has your dream changed? Clarify your thoughts and write your vision in one or two sentences. This is the first tangible step to making your dreams a reality. Simply put – If you don't know where you're going - how will you ever know when you arrive?

2. Define your core business.

What's your mission? What will you do to achieve the dream? Write it down and refine it until you're left with one succinct sentence. Use this mission as the basis for your Unique Selling Proposition.

3. Set ambitious goals.

Using your vision and mission as the foundation, set your goals. Be ambitious. By setting and achieving ambitious goals, we reveal our capacities, realize our potential, and take one step closer to living the life of our dreams. Start with long term goals and then break them down into annual, quarterly and monthly goals. Focus on these smaller manageable goals and you'll accomplish your ambitious goal.

4. Develop a strategy.

Review last year's operating information. What needs to be done to achieve your goals this year? How can you best use your resources? What else do you need?

5. Plan.

What specific actions or tasks will you help carry out your strategy (or strategies)? What will it cost? Do you need to cut costs? What sales do you need to have to cover the costs? How will you generate new sales? Do you need new staff? Using your quarterly and monthly goals as a guide, create a sequence of actions and corresponding time frame.

6. Implement your plan.

This is key. Break down your monthly plan by the week and add the specific action steps to your weekly calendar. Make sure you schedule the time to do what's necessary. And when planning the following week – bring forward anything that didn't get finished. Don't be afraid to use external support to accomplish your goals. Remember – no one ever makes it alone. Reach out if you don't have the necessary resources needed to implement your plan.

7. Revisit and revise.

Create procedures that will allow you to revise your operating information on a monthly basis. Make note of what's working and what isn't. It's okay to modify your strategy and plan based on your information as long as they support what you set out to do.


2010 is poised to be a great year for growing your small/medium business. Stay focused. As you achieve your goals be sure to take time to celebrate every success, big and small. With each celebration your confidence and commitment will grow making it easier to reach your ambitious goals.


Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative

Hidden text and links

A search engine trick by some seos is to manipulate the search bots by loading the page with keywords and phrases — but then hiding them from the viewer because they're not relevant to the visitor. For example: using white text on a white background, or using text behind an image, or setting the font size to 0.

If your site is perceived to contain hidden links or text, it can be removed from Google's index, and won't show up in any search pages. Google evaluates web sites to see if they include hidden text or links, and look for any content not viewable by your visitors.

If your site does have hidden text or links, either remove them or, if they are relevant for your visitors, make them viewable.

Frank Beecham
Webguy
Mystique Creative

Mystique Creative is proud to introduce and welcome our latest staff member, graphic designer Rene Tan, to the company and our clients. Rene graduated from Ontario College of Art and Design.

Rene brings a fresh and energetic approach to his work and has already contributed to a variety of brand development projects that include logo design, corporate collateral (stationary, business cards etc), print advertisements and online newsletters.

Rene adds significantly to Mystique's creative abilities, both in online and offline design.


Rene Tan

Position: Graphic Designer
Born: Manila
Education: Ontario College of Art and Design
Likes: basketball, tennis, video games, art, design, photography, film
Dislikes: comic sans, movie musicals (yet I'm currently a fan of the show Glee) and when bread gets stuck to the roof of my mouth
Inspirations: Lewis Nicholson (my college professor), Milton Glaser, Stefan Sagmeister, Paul Rand, Demetri Martin


Please stop in and get acquainted with Rene or send him a note at rene@mystique.ca.

Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative