Logos are a very misunderstood piece of advertising.  What comes across as a simple, harmless little design element is actually one of the most dominant and important objects in any company’s layout.  A logo defines a business and therein creates a persona that is viewed by the public.  The key to any great logo, and by far the most complicated part, is making a logo simple, but creative, straight forward, but a great representation of the company.
The logo has to describe the business in a single image that can be repeated easily over and over again in several different sizes, and, in most cases, be cost efficient.  By keeping imagery creative but minimalistic, and colors limited, a logo can become the defining feature for any business.  An unforgettable logo helps set a business apart in a sea of businesses.  Standing out is important, but standing out in a positive way would be even better!  Creating a logo that brings a smile that is not followed by laughter would be a step up that any company would like to take.

Although this website is not relatively new, the design and layout is still great eye candy.  Implementing 3D graphics into a website layout seamlessly, Billy Bussey created a very inspirational website for all types of designers.  With the simple construction using complicated elements, billybussey.com has a great introduction (requires Quicktime Player), and even more engaging homepage.  Without further adue, I suggest you view it for yourself.
Website:  http://su.pr/1ZOcFo

Twitter and Facebook have become incredibly popular network sites that allow the user to share their thoughts, feelings, and give personal updates at will.  Through this communication-friendly feature provided by the online networks, simple emotional responses are seen by all.  When the public is so easily exposed to one’s opinions, the person becomes exposed to the critique and opinions of others, and sometimes in extreme cases.
Several individuals have found themselves in court due to their complaints towards certain businesses.  Tweets have come across the wrong eyes, bringing about court dates and appearances.  In one example, a man complained about food he had received from a restaurant that will remained unnamed.  The food had a foreign object in it that did not belong (a dead organism with six legs), and the customer felt the need to spread the word on a Twitter feed.  The business owner heard word of the tweet and filed suit against the unhappy customer for slander.  The end result of the case is unknown to this humble writer, but the situation is not the first, and won’t be the last.
The point of this blog is to merely state that it is important to be careful with the words we share online.  Negative words are often unnecessary and only cause trouble for anyone involved.  Watch your words, and, with an idealistic thought, try to start a trend of being positive towards the good experiences, instead of spreading the bad news.

When going into the graphic design business for yourself or trying to get a job at a firm, it is important you present yourself in a proper manner, even from a financial standpoint.  A common misconception is that cheap is better, that if you are selling yourself for less than the competitor, you have the greater value.  This is not necessarily true, and it also immediately distances you from the potential client or employer.  Graphic design companies, and those companies looking for graphic design work, know a great deal about the prices expected, they understand they will need to spend some money on marketing.  So if you show up with the cheapest price, way below their budget, it is an immediate deterrent from the quality you supposedly have.
Basically when it comes down to it, don’t sell yourself short.  Know what you’re worth and sell yourself at that level.  Back yourself with your portfolio, stand tall with your creative, and offer a reasonable price.  If they suggest a lower one, take a look at the numbers with them, explain the value, the significance in the hours spent, and you’ll show the client you know what you’re doing, even from the numbers side.
Having said that, it is possible to exaggerate your worth, both in employment and clientele.  The key word used before was reasonable, be reasonable, respectable, but also respectful.  Your fresh out of college, a great portfolio, and you were offered a job at a big-time firm downtown.  Instead of jumping at the opportunity, you lay back and ask for more of a starting salary.  If they don’t walk away immediately, you must be a designing god!  Asking for more salary at the beginning, even after being hired, is a sure-fire way to be fired.  Accept what you are offered, and earn your keep.  The perfect example is Michael Crabtree, by holding out because he thought he deserved more, earned him less, if not nothing at this point (NFL example, search Michael Crabtree and 49ers, it’s sure to come up).

In the world of online marketing, it isn’t the ad itself that necessarily creates more traffic, it’s the word-of-mouth the ad creates.  Viral videos are so rightly named for this very advantage they provide, as they spread the word quickly like a virus by getting the people talking in a (sometimes) cheap and creative way.  Viral videos provide brief segments of information, perhaps even a story, that draws in the attention of any viewer that comes across it.  They are designed to stand on their own, be entertaining with no knowledge of the company, and create a face and character for people to relate to.
A common usage of viral videos is in movies.  For example, a cheap way to advertise a debuting film is to release short clips that relate to the movie in some way, but are not actually in the movie, the clips simply build up curiosity.  For example, before The Dark Knight came out in theaters, the film released a viral video campaign that was actually a campaign for Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckheart) running for the DA of Gotham.  The videos were short, cheap, nothing special, but it built up even more curiosity and excitement for the film’s eventual release.  On TV, the Sportscenter ads (those short videos involving a player or mascot from every sport) have a viral feel to them, and spread just as fast by word-of-mouth and online.  The “Real Men of Genius” ads by Budweiser are the most effective viral-like campaign on the radio.  People will cross the internet to play those repeatedly for their friends.
In the same vein of online viral videos, Root & Madison has begun releasing its own set of short animations.  These animations are based around the unfortunate story of Barnaby, the marketing director for Big Time Corporation Inc.  Without giving too much away, go check it out for yourself.  www.meetbarnaby.com