Andrew’s Blog
My Best Year Ever
In my very first year of running my own business, I had a great year financially. I didn't know it at the time, but that was a VERY atypical result for most independent graphic designers. At the end of that year, I made the hubristic goal to increase my profits by...
Post-apocalyptic Survival Skills
An adventure in primitive pottery Have you ever thought about what you would do if you found yourself in a world without electricity? I've been wondering about this ever since I was a teenager. The question occurred to me while reading Mostly Harmless by Douglas...
Explainer Videos: From Complex to Clear
As a marketer, one of the key roles in my profession is to clearly communicate the client’s message. Believe it or not, it can be a real challenge to identify and articulate that message. Sometimes, the client doesn't even know what their message is. This happens when...
My 1 Million Cups Experience
Networking + Coffee + Sketches In 2019, I decided to expand my networking efforts to meet other professionals and better connect with fellow entrepreneurs in our community. Sure, I might end up with a new client, but what’s really great is learning about other...
Top 5’s from 2019
Projects, Illustrations & Doodles: A Look Back at 2019 As a graphic designer, no two projects are alike - and I love it! The variety not only makes my work interesting but it also keeps me on my toes. I’m constantly being challenged to sharpen my creativity and...
Are business cards dead?
I do my fair share of networking and I'm always surprised when I meet anyone who doesn't have a business card. They usually say – with some embarrassment – that they haven't gotten around to it but it's on their list. The other day I met a successful small business...
Putting ink to paper to Instagram in October
People be lovin' a time-limited challenge – whether it’s writing a novel, eating healthy or doing a plank every day for a month (nope). Artists are no different and – even though getting "excited" is out of my comfort zone – this month I'm excited to be participating...
Upping Your Print Game: Part 3
In this blog post, I finish out a series on why you should give printed marketing materials a second look. If you’ve been focused largely on social media and digital advertising, now’s the time to consider adding printed materials to the mix. If you’re on the fence,...
Upping Your Print Game: Part 2
Tips for Keeping Print Costs Down In our last blog post, I gave you three reasons to add printed marketing materials to your strategy. You took my advice and paid a graphic designer to create a beautiful piece. Now that you’re ready to turn your PDF into a physical...
Upping Your Print Game: Part 1
3 Reasons to Give Print a Try These days we consume most advertising and marketing messages online. But that doesn’t mean print marketing is dead. In fact, it can be a novel way to showcase your products or services. Much in the same way, people today cherish...
Case Study: CrossFit Charleston
Most businesses are multipurpose – they offer different products or services but all under a common umbrella. So, when it comes time to develop a logo or other branded marketing materials, it can be tough for the client to settle on an overarching “theme.” It's also...
3 Logo Examples: Conception to Completion
Last month on my blog, I tackled a big graphic design conundrum: When is it time for a new logo? I posed a series of questions and considerations to help you determine if you need to create a new look for your business or brand. This month, I want to share three logos...