Posts
A little over a year ago, we gave our predictions for the graphic design trends we thought would go big in 2017. So, just how accurate was our crystal ball? Illustration would return in a big way: true Our designer Ryan (who wrote this piece!) works with at least two large firms who’ve hired illustrators for…
People flit from job to job. Employers downsize at the drop of a hat. New recruits don’t come equipped with well-rounded skill sets. Such common complaints come from all angles, affecting employee retention, career interest, longevity and position. To minimize the talent gap many companies and organizations experience, innovative leaders are more readily looking to…
Almost anyone who has written anything online has come across a time when they wished their text or images looked…well, different, at least. Whether you’re using Squarespace, WordPress, Wix or another CMS, a little background in HTML can do wonders for the visual quality of your content. If you’re struggling to get started with HTML,…
Managing the stress amid deadlines and expectations is hard. This time of year is stressful; between the various holiday parties, family gatherings, and extra weekend activities, it can be difficult to stay focused on your work. If you’ve been feeling sluggish and lacking focus, you’re not alone. According to Peakon, an HR data analysis company,…
How is it the time of year to look back and reflect already? It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing the best of Wordsmithie’s 2016 blogs! (I’m pretty sure I lamented this fact in 2016 about 2015, as well!) As they say, time waits for no man, and the velocity at…
Not long ago I sat down in a meeting with a global bank and could see that many junior and mid-level staff were skeptical about the need for my services. Sure, people don’t read as much as they used to, but they still need signposting and, although we may not pay as much attention to…
For the past few years, online learning has shape-shifted a bit. E-learning platforms have become more personal, more nimble and more readily available on-the-go. Our more mobile workforce, flexible office space options, and, alas, disintegrating attention spans have also played a role in the shifting e-learning landscape. Finally, more and more people are conducting business via…
We could also call this post, “how to avoid being spoofed on Saturday Night Live.” As evidenced by a recent SNL sketch which lampoons the font chosen for the movie Avatar, proper typeface selection—awareness of which was once generally considered limited to graphic designers like myself—has entered into the mainstream consciousness. That’s a good thing, and…
Every year, as a freelance writer, I create five goals at the beginning of the new year. These goals help steer my professional focus for the coming months. But, let’s be real, many of us have already abandoned our New Year’s resolutions and we’re probably feeling one of three ways: completely guilty, struggling to keep…
So, now that you’re sold on the virtues of working with a small design firm, what comes next? What’s the onboarding process like and what should you and your company expect in the weeks ahead? Onboarding with a small design firm We’ll set up an in-person meeting, preferably at your place of business. We’ll want…