We hope everyone has a happy holidays and enjoy’s the time with friends and family.
Designer Tip – Google Voice Update
December 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
UPDATE: A little over a month ago, I told you about the wonders of Google Voice well some new and helpful information has come out it is below.
1. On Wired.com they have just rencently posted an How-To-Wiki that has helpful information on how to “Get the Most Out of Google Voice”
2. The is a desktop application for Google Voice that uses Adobe Air for the people like me closing and opening browser windows all the time. Check it out. Here
If you haven’t asked for a Google Voice Invitation I would go ahead and do it!
Win A Two Bedroom Two Bath Condo!
December 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Aniz Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non profit, and G&G Organics have teamed up to raffle off a CONDO here in Atlanta. For a $100 dollar raffle ticket, you get a chance to win a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo that is intown and has easy access to the interstate. The neighborhood in which this condo is located is Gleenwood Park, an environmentally friendly and well developed mixed use community. The condo was renovated for HGTV’s Designed to Sell and valued at $315,000. I think that is a bit over-estimated for this economy and Atlanta, but for a hundred dollars, it is worth the chance and you get to donate to charity with a tax write off, if you do not win. To see more images of the condo click here. Word of warning to the skeptical! The maps online of the area are a bit old, such as Google Maps. Go and do a drive by to see what the neighborhood looks and feels like. I personally think it is a cute development and I will be purchasing a ticket as well. If I win, I will have rental property. To purchase a ticket or read the rules of the contest click on the links. The raffle goes on till February 21, 2010. Good Luck!
Designer Tip – Google Voice
November 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
For all of you designers out there, this is a tip to keep you connected and maintain your boundaries with clients and friends. OK before I start, you should have a GMail account. Moving on… Google Voice is a service provided by Google and it is FREE! Who doesn’t love something free. Anyways, the basic run down. You will get a new phone number for any area code you want. When someone calls this new number, wait for the magic, Google can send that call to your cell, work phone, and/or home phone. What this means for you, is that if you change jobs, cell provider you still have the same number. You can even set your phone to forward missed calls to Google Voicemail to be transcribe and emailed or texted to you.
Additional features such as;
- Custom greetings for callers – Different greetings for friends, clients, family and unknown callers
- Get SMS messages in your email – Free texting but you have to be online
- Transcribed voicemail online – So you can read it instead of listening to it
- Low cost international calls
- Block unwanted callers
- Schedule when and who can call you – Stop mom from calling you while you are at work or clients calling after 6
- And More…
So you are now wondering how do you get such a service. Well, it is pretty easy here are the steps
- Go to Google Voice Website
- Request an Invite – GV has not gone out for mass use yet. So, you have to get an invitation. Usually take about a month to get, sometimes less.
- Get Invitation and Setup
It is that simple. I also recommend going ahead and getting this service now because Google just acquired Gizmo5. Gizmo5 was a voice over internet company that allows you to make calls from your computer completely cutting out the need for a landline and who knows how that may enhance Google Voice.
Here is a video about Google Voice.
UPDATE: About a month ago I told you about the wonders of Google Voice well some new and helpful information has come out it is below.
1. On Wired.com they have just rencently posted an How-To-Wiki that has helpful information on how to “Get the Most Out of Google Voice”
2. The is a desktop application for Google Voice that uses Adobe Air for the people like me closing and opening browser windows all the time. Check it out. Here
Let me know what you think about Google Voice and leave a comment below.
Junktique TODAY!!!
November 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Junktique. What is it? Who is it for? HUH WHA?!?!?!?!!
I wondered the same thing when. I got an email TODAY around 9AM. Well evidently, it is an event put on by the PTA of Oakhurst Elementary School. Junktique will have individuals, artists and businesses out today selling vintage stuff, and when I say vintage stuff, I do not mean that old crap that your parents had laying in the basement with mold on it. It will be the cool home furnishings, jewelery, accessories, art and other stuff that you will actually want. So, if you have some time, I would definitely go and check it out. Also if you want to buy some stuff and you have the excuse of “It is for the kids.” Event details are below.
Where:
Solarium – at Old Scottish Rite
321 West Hill Street
Decatur, GA 30030
When:
November 15, 2009
12PM to 6PM
How Much: FREE
Oh Yeah there will be live music too.
Save Some Money And Go Out!
November 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I have know about Groupon for a couple of months now and it is simply awesome! Here is a viedo on how Groupon works! It is pretty simple.
- Groupon finds great deals and posts them each day
- You purchase at a savings
- You only have to pay if enough people buy
- Enjoy great savings
- Repeat…
This is a great idea that will save you tons of money and let you see new things in the city all by using collective buying power. Groupon can recieve discounts from 25-75%, and those saving get passed on to you. Their customer service is also rockin’, if you have any problems they respond quickly and try to resolve it your satisfaction. The customer service phone line even has real people.
This is even a great deal, if you are a business. Think about it this way. Their site is divided up based on location, so your advertisement is being seen in your market. Two, if not enough people purchase the service, you don’t lose anything and you just received free advertisement. Finally, you do not have to pay anything and actually you receive a check from Groupon for what was sold. Pretty much getting featured on Groupon is a win for everyone. To learn more about, how Groupon works for business click here.
Groupon is currently servicing the following cities, Atlanta, Autin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Nashville, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington DC.m So, if you do not see your city listed, they are taking recommendations for new locations and if you know of a business that you think should be on Groupon they want to know that too.
Too bad I don’t have anything to sell or I would try to get on Groupon. Oh well! What do you think about Groupon for you or your business?
Refugee Designer Flickr Group
November 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Refugee Designer has now opened its own Flickr Group. The group is set up so you can share your designs with designers around the world. We are looking for images of architecture, interior design, editorial fashion shots, graphic designs, web design screenshots and anything else you think is worthy of sharing with other designers. There is also a video group for any videos you want to share of flybys or through, fashion shows, or even awesome flash videos/ intros you have made. So if you have something to share, we are waiting to see it.
Tell us what you think about the Flickr Group.
Great Pumkin Debut
October 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
About:
You are invited to the first ever pumpkin carving day for architects, designers, and their families, happening on October 24th from 4-8 p.m.
We know it is tough to get out for networking events on a weeknight so we are bringing the event to you, and providing activities for your kids. There will be a big airwalk, face painting, food, music, and of course…pumpkin carving. Special jack-o-lantern lighting at dusk in time to get the kids home to bed.
When:
Saturday, October 24, 2009
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where:
5 SEASONS BREWERY – Sky Bar
1000 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 875-3232
5 Steps to a Design Company
September 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
“Unless you Own the Company, Your Job is Not Safe” Like many people, I found this out the hard way. The economy went down and business decisions has to be made. So, new opportunities have become available to many people. Below are the steps to creating a design company:
- Make Your Company Name – Make sure to do a couple of Google searches to see if it is taken
- Become An LLC – You can do this online in some states and it will ask you for company name
- Get An EIN – Employment Identification Number you will need this for taxes (SSN for a business), business license and checking account, IRS link to information
- Get Your Business License – Go to City Hall to the Tax Division/ Department you will need your EIN, and description of what business will do
- Get Your Business Checking Account – You will need your EIN to open your account, Banks have different rates, features and fees check the fine print before opening account
Now you are ready to start doing business! In general, the people at the State, City and Bank will be able to help you through this process. Try not to get overwhelmed, starting and running your own business will be stressful at times but will be truly rewarding by affording you the time to spend with family and work on your own schedule. Good Luck!
Disclaimer: These are a basic outline of what you need to do to become a business. Also, there are special considerations for Architecture and Interior Design firms with their boards. Consult legal and accounting professionals for advice before preceding.
Making You Cash or Hurting Designers…
September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
99 Designs and Elance are both websites that allow professional and amateur designers to create designs that compete against each other either for a set prize amount or lowest bid respectively. There is a debate going around in the design industry of whether these websites are detrimental to the industry or should they even exist. In these tough economic times where many designers in varied design fields are unemployed, these sites server a function in our economy.
In this economy and economies that are not as developed as the states, the amount of money an individual can make from these sites can help support them or even sustain their lifestyle. They also offer designers not specifically trained in an area the opportunity to create designs they may not have previously had access too. Also, the work made for these sites can be used in the designers portfolio. These sites allow small and medium size businesses to gain access to designers that they would not be able to afford if they went to a traditional design firm with rates greater than their budgets.
The opponents to these sites say that they are depriving clients and designers of the in depth communication and understanding of the project, process, brand and company. They also say that the designer is investing great time, effort, and skill in a project they may not win. The question of the copyright is brought up as well as with 99 Designs if you win the contest you must sign over the copyright of the art over to the company. The amount the designers are paid for their designs is also debated as being too low. Another scenario the opponents raise is that the client will close the bid/ competition and walk away with all the ideas.
All arguments are valid depending on your view and situation. For those small/ start up business and unemployed designers 99 Designs and Elance are a convenient solution. For larger companies and professional designers/ firms looking for a full design/ branding solution these websites aren’t meant for you. So it is up to you to decided if these sites are “Making You Cash or Hurting Designers”?
This article is not an advertisement nor a criticism of 99 Designs and Elance. Please review and make your own judgments of these sites before using or not using these sites.
Friday, May 18th, 2012