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- Amanda Goeser

More from the Travel Enthusiast...

An excerpt from: An American Parody
(American Gothic House [Site of "American Gothic" by Grant Wood], Eldon, Iowa)

During a trip to Eldon, Iowa, in 1930, Grant Wood was being driven around town by local artist, John Sharp when he spotted the house with the church window that would someday be part of “American Gothic.” He got out of the car, pulled out an envelope and began sketching the house. Wood said he wanted to paint the people he imagined lived in a house with such a window.

Wood used the sketch from the house as the background for the painting and later painted his sister Nan and his dentist, Dr. B. H. McKeeby, as the stand-ins for the home’s owners.

It is unknown why the gothic window, a fixture most appropriate for a church, was put in the house. Some speculate that the family saw the window as a small luxury to add to their decor.

As a longtime Eldon resident, Donna Jeffrey grew up near the American Gothic House, which had no formal marking until the Center was built. She assisted with fundraising projects and grant writing. Jeffrey volunteers at the Center on a regular basis.

“When I was a kid, my grandmother lived down the lane behind the house, and we would walk from our home to my grandma’s, and my mom and dad would always say, ‘that house is in the background of a famous painting’,” Jeffrey said. “People here in Eldon just grew up knowing that."

To read more, visit http://detoursmagazine.com/summer-2010/49-destinations/128-american-parody 

Anecdotes of a Travel Enthusiast

As a writer for Detours Magazine, my assignments take me on great Midwest adventures and allow me to interview all sorts of neat people who are very passionate about their interests and community. The story I am currently working on involves a lengthy touring bicycle ride... but that's all I can tell you for now! In the meantime, enjoy reading one or two of my older stories.


An excerpt from: "Criminal Carousel"
(Squirrel Cage Jail; Council Bluffs, Iowa)

In 1884, Cottonwood Jail burned down and the county was forced to house prisoners in a single room in the courthouse basement. The “Squirrel Cage,” as locals know it, is a rotary or “lazy-Susan” style jailhouse, built in 1885.

The rotary design of the jail was chosen for the Pottawattamie County Jail because the facility was designed to hold about 60 prisoners with only one jailer. However, there are accounts of as many as five men being put in each two-man cell. Each cell consisted of two bunks and a small privy, or primitive toilet system, in the inner part of the cell.

The Squirrel Cage structure is in the shape of a cylinder with each level divided up like a pie. The severity of the crime committed would dictate the level on which an inmate would be housed. The first floor housed petty crime criminals, while murderers were held on the third floor.

A giant crank installed on the second floor of the jail rotated the cells and opened up to three cells at one time. On each level, a small door opened to allow the prisoners to exit their cells, one cell at a time. Because the jail only rotated in one direction, if a prisoner on the backside of the facility needed to be let out, every cell in the facility turned until the prisoner needing to be let out had arrived at the small door.

Council Bluffs resident Donna Perdue visited the Squirrel Cage Jail for the first time this summer after having lived in the area her whole life.

“It is the meaning of the word punishment versus what we have today, which just seems like you are going to camp,” Perdue said. “This is punishment. You wouldn’t want to come back.”

To read more, visit http://detoursmagazine.com/winter-2009/43-destinations/109-criminal-carousel-

Freedom vs. Limitations in Design

Ever finding yourself complaining of having too many limitations for your next design project? The writers of graphicdesignblog have devised a list of drawbacks for each. Below, I highlight the top three of each...

Downsides of design freedom:

Time consuming - Lack of restrictions enables a designer to think of more concepts. More concepts means more choices and more choices mean more time. 

Getting away from the subject - Designers can sometimes find themselves consumed in the brainstorming process, while continuing to step away from the main topic. 

The Regret Factor - “If only I had chosen the other design.” The more design options, the greater the dissonance.

Downsides of design limitations:

Cramps creativity - Many designers find that excessive limitations cramp their style - and their creativity. Designers require a little wiggle room for that dynamic idea to take form. 

Boredom ensues - "A designer bound by design limitations is like a lion trapped inside a cage." If a creative person continues to find him/herself in cramped design quarters, boredom will enter. 

Slows the process - Limitations create hoops for designers to jump through, which serves to slow the growth as a designer.

Making Those Great Ideas HAPPEN

Don't let that next great idea fall by the wayside - only for your competitor to sniff out and pick up. Carry that idea from conception through execution through five simple steps:

1. Avoid a Reactionary Workflow - Rather than focusing your effort on reacting (to phone calls, e-mails, tweets, etc.), stay proactive to get ahead. One way to do this might be scheduling yourself some time to focus on that big project - rather than the 37 other daily, routine items you need to accomplish.

2. Strip Projects to Three Primary Elements

      A: Action steps

      B: Backburner items

      C: References

   

3. Measure Meetings With Action Steps - During your next staff meeting, have everyone share the progress on the project individually to show the steps that were overlooked. This will also create a sense of accountability.

4. Reduce Your Insecurity Work

"Insecurity work is stuff we do that (1) has no definable outcome, (2) does not move the ball forward in any way and (3) takes up so little time that we can do it multiple times a day without realizing it. Still, it puts us at ease."

5. Survive the Project Plateau - The Project Plateau is when deadlines and project management overtake the excitement for the idea. This is often when new ideas appear to de-rail the original project.


If even coming up with an idea seems like an uphill battle, watch this brief video about coming up with great ideas...

Looking Back at Graphic Design

It's no secret that the father of graphic design is none other than Mr. Paul Rand. Rand is best known for his corporate logos, such as IBM, UPS and ABC. Hmm... Ever heard of those companies before? Thought so. (For a compilation of all the logos Rand designed, click here.)


In the words of graphic designer Louis Danziger:
" He almost singlehandedly convinced business that design was an effective tool. [. . .] He more than anyone else made the profession reputable. We went from being commercial artists to being graphic designers largely on his merits. "


Rand believed that good design comes from "natural talent, relevant ideas and mutual respect" - not just market research. In 1993, Rand wrote that today's graphic design is no longer dynamic and forward moving - but rather average at best.


Rand believed that content and form go hand-in-hand - without content there is no form and without form there is no content.

As Rand himself puts it: Design is everything. Everything!

Portfolio Polishing

The term "portfolio" gets tossed around more these days than any actual ball. But just how should you as a designer go about preparing to share it with others? Well, YouTheDesigner has a few suggestions:

The key of a portfolio is selecting the right elements...

...ask others whose opinions you respect for their recommendations. Keep it fresh and relevant to the particular position/project you are interested in.

Because we are all creatures of habit, we enjoy consistency...

...through type of paper or web page, placement, style, spacing, et cetera. Avoiding errors in this area, especially in the graphic design field, is crucial.

It's also important to prioritize your pieces...

...within the portfolio itself. What do you want a potential employer to see first? What do you want them to see last? If it is a hard copy, keep edges smooth and use quality adhesive to keep everything set.

Give us some context...

...by adding a title and brief description to each pieces. Again, consistency is key in this area.

Keep the portfolio up-to-date...

...and upload or add new projects as you complete them. Cycle out older ones that don't represent your quality of work any longer. Don't leave portfolio updating to the night before your big interview!

*There are all kinds of websites out there that host portfolios - for free! A few popular examples include Coroflot, Carbonmade, and FigDig. Another option is to set up a blog site on Blogger or WordPress.

Designer, Meet Client; Client, Meet Designer

If you're ready to take your design work to the next level, taking on a "client" or two may be a great way to get started. Additionally, there are a few things that may help you establish yourself as a budding designer, as recommended by YouTheDesigner:


1. TESTIMONIALS

• Have clients write brief testimonials about your service, personality, work, etc.

2. "DESIGNED BY" LINKS

• If designing a website for client, work in a "Designed by" link

3. PRINT DESIGN CREDITS

• Try to get a design by-line with your smaller clients, as larger clients may not be willing to budge on the topic. 

4. LOGO USAGE RIGHTS

• When it comes to your CV or website, ask for rights to use the logo of former clients. This will help potential clients see what you've done in the past... and name drop,too!

5. CONTACT DETAILS

• If you only work over e-mail or by phone with a client, you may not have their full address. Be sure to ask for their full address to keep on file... Think Holiday cards and promotional postcards!

6. FUTURE BUSINESS

• Now that you have their contact information, let's put it to good use... A few times a year is likely a safe bet.
• Clients will often seek YOU out if they want new work so keep your contact info up to date with them.

7. REFERRALS

• In this line of work, word of mouth is key. Consider offering previous clients a finders fee, so if they refer you, they get a small percentage or a flat rate finders fee. This may bring in way more referrals.

Check out the video below for a bit of design humor...

Be "Chure" About That Brochure

Brochures are an important aspect of any professional's career. Whether you proofread, prepare content, or design them, planning is the key part of the equation. Keep the following four points in mind...

• What is the function of the brochure?
• Will the brochure be mailed out as part of a direct mail campaign or handed out to individual consumers?
• What else will go with the brochure?
• Is the brochure you're working on just one element of a kit or a stand alone?
• Who is your audience?
• Will the piece be given to buyers, sellers, donors, potential employees, volunteers, or some other public?
• What will they want to know and in what order?
• Consider what information is most important to your audience. If you have someone's attention, he/she is likely to read the whole brochure.

To get started in Microsoft Office, check out this short tutorial:

A few examples of brochures to get your creative juices flowing...

(Photo courtesy of servusys.com.)

(Photo courtesy of logodesignguru.com.)

(Photo courtesy of blog.brochureprintingonline.com)

P.S. As always, avoid clip art and stock photography!

Colors Can Be Key

Basic knowledge about the power of colors and how to use them can go a long way. For example, are you aware of the basic associations with colors? Check out associations of a few basic colors, listed below:

RED	Strength, health, vigor, lust, danger
ORANGE	Encouragement, stimulation, attraction, kindness
YELLOW	Knowledge, charm, confidence, jealousy, comfort
GREEN	Finances, fertility, luck, success energy, ambition
BLUE	Tranquility, understanding, patience, truth, peace, wisdom
VIOLET	Power, sentimentality, tension, wisdom, high ideals

For a full list of colors and all that is associated with them, click here.

For an interactive color experience, click here for a link to a Poynter Institute presentation that encourages exploration with colors.

When you aim to incorporate several different colors into your next design project, check out the Color Scheme Designer which helps you to select which colors to use together - whether you are aiming to using different shades of one hue or 3-4 complementary colors, this is a handy resource for visualizing your color choices!

As communication professionals, it is important to remember that color associations vary from culture to culture, so be sure to do your homework before incorporating color into your next presentation with that international client.


P.S. Go a step beyond and incorporate the colors of a company's logos into any materials or presentations you might share with them. Or if you are working with individuals, use their alma mater's colors!

Logos Shouldn't Drive You Loco

Logos, logos, logos. As consumers, we are constantly being inundated with them, and as designers, we know the monumental importance of them. To comprehend the importance of logos, look no further than The Gap's new logo, launched on Oct. 6.

The most interesting aspect of The Gap's new logo is who is talking about it... it's not just us design junkies. Mainstream media has even picked it up. Investors are weighing in. Gap's stock values took a hit the day after the new logo was launched.

The company moved from a navy square with "GAP" in all capital letters in a serif type, to "Gap" in Helvetica type with a much smaller navy square that lays under only part of the "p."

(For an anecdotal clip about the typeface Helvetica, watch below!)

At some point in our careers, we will each likely be part of designing a logo or at least a redesign of an old one. Blogger Jacob Cass suggests there are five principles of an effective logo design:

• Simple
• Memorable
• Timeless
• Versatile
• Appropriate

When it comes time to sit down and design that logo, skim through this article: How NOT to Design a Logo for even more tips!

FYI: Info-graphic How-To

Spreadsheets be gone! 


Is your crew still working off those caveman Excel workbooks to interpret data? If you’ve come to realize it is time for a change, it’s time for you to start reading up on infographics. 

 Wild Apricot suggests a few websites that will help you get started:
·         Many Eyes – give them the data you want to work with and go from there! This site offers a plethora of options – from charts and diagrams to maps..
·         Tableau Public – this website has you download free software and then it brings your data to life. Click on “How it Works” to be brought up to speed.


I have a few suggestions of my own, as well:


·         Microsoft Word 2007 – even the basic computer program has really stepped up their game in recent years when it comes to the possibilities for tables, flowcharts, graphs and more! To get started click on “Insert” then “Smart Art.” 
·         Wordle - check out a few "wordles" I created in about 10 minutes, using the text from my Business and Professional Communication Syllabus.

For more info and examples of infographics, check out, GraphicDesignBlog and CoolInfographicsBlog.


To understand the full range of possibilities with infographics, watch A Visual Infographic.

Go Pro with PowerPoint

Presentations are a constant in the business world and increasingly, people are expecting PowerPoint presentations to enhance your verbal message. Below are a few simple tips that will help you step up your game for your next presentation, adapted from ReadWriteThink.org.

• Don't try to "wow" your audience. Transition effects and jazzy slides are okay on occasion, but your audience will be overstimulated if every slide looks like it could belong to a circus.
• Too much text is too much. Keep points to 3 to 6, to be safe. To keep the presentation, bring each bullet point out one at a time, as you discuss them. Remember, though, avoid jazzy transitions for each line. I once had a professor teach me the 6 x 6 x 6 rule for presentations: no more than 6 letters in each word, 6 words per line and 6 lines per slide.
• Experiment! Don't be afraid to give video or sound clips a try... if your presentation is appropriate for it. Annual sales report presentation? Probably no video clips. Recap of the annual weekend retreat? Let's see some videos and photos! One website to try is Animoto. It's free and allows you to upload photos and short video clips to make a video. Free music and backgrounds spice things up, too!
• Colors say a lot. One professional I recently spoke with suggested doing some research on your audience. Which college did many of your audience members graduate from? What pro team do they watch in their free time? There are also certain cultural connotations with colors. Think to yourself: how does a hot pink powerpoint make you feel versus a cool blue?
• Typeface says a lot, too. FunStuff or Curlz MT are probably not your go-to fonts when it comes to a professional presentation. There are two basic types of fonts: serif (include a curl or tail, like Georgia) and sans serif (no extra "do-dads," like Arial). Sans serif has a more modern look and is your better bet in today's world of design.
• It's not all about design. This may seem odd on a design blog, but your content should the drive the design, not the other way around. Think short sentences, action verbs and simple grammar.

We're Working Hard...

Greetings!

This blog is currently under construction.

Be sure to visit us again in the near future to learn more about business communication.

--Amanda