Saving your A$$ETS

We've all been there,  doesn't matter what time of day or how many hours into an in-depth design project with multiple layers, effects, and filters you have gotten.  Right when you're ready to make the big push of progress (as soon as this filter is done rendering) the power cuts off.  Leaving you staring at a black screen with your mouth wide-open because if you weren't overly cautious with your file, now you've lost everything you were previously working on and are going to waste valuable time getting back to the place you had it, if you can even get "back there".  I've had it happen to me, unfortunately on more than one occasion.  Nobody knows when mother nature's going to blow in a wind storm that pushes a power pole over, or when the lightning strikes the building power-surging all the outlets, or when a car crash goes right into a generator blacking out the entire area, or when half-the lights go out in the building, much like what happened last night during the super bowl between the Ravens and 49'ers. Not one of those thousands of people could ever predict that the lights would go out and it's the same in the design studio.  It's those moments you either say to yourself, "man I'm glad I just saved my file a few steps back" or "o no, i lost it all, can I do a system restore?" If I can leave any advice for anyone creating the next big-thing on their desktops as you're reading this, and the same thing my mentors taught me in the beginning of my career is "save, Save, SAVE!"

Making Your Mark

In this economy, everyday there are new businesses opening up all over trying to get their piece of the "American dream" pie whether it be offering a service, an edible good, or a new product you think everyone will just "have-to-have"   This new venture can be exciting, fun, and scary as hell at the same time.  According to statistics published by the Small Business Administration (SBA), seven out of ten new employer establishments survive at least two years and 51 percent survive at least five years. This is a far cry from the previous long-held belief that 50 percent of businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within five years. One of the most vital tools you can give your new business for success is a new logo design that will forever brand your company name, no matter how large or small, and will last the test of time.
Stop for a second and think about the logos of the most famous companies you know:  most of them have one thing in common. 

A simple logo is dynamic, can be used everywhere and in all types of media. And more importantly, it is long lasting. Your company will grow, improve and change but your logo should always stay the same.