New Virgin Atlantis Logo

Here is my new logo for Virgin Atlantis. The shape of the object around 'Virgin' is now a lot more simpler. Also I have changed the placement of the word 'atlantis' and altered the kerning to bring the letters closer together. Also I have changed the colour of the word from black to a mid toned grey.

Double Page Spread

This is my double page spread for Virgin Atlantis. It is basically an altered version of my billboard poster

 

What Makes A Successful Freelancer?

Pros
  •    Independent with all projects
  •    Easier to start business
  •    Decide when you work
  •    Choose when you work and your holidays
  •    Tax & VAT: Claim a percentage of expensive and overheads against your annual income
  •    Opportunity to create a business that is as you want it to be (a venture that truly reflects your enthusiasm, passion and values)

Cons
  •    You will be the alpha and the omega
  •    You will be responsible for costing and quoting, generating sales, attending meetings, taking briefs, production, invoicing, cleaning
  •    Responsible for debts
  •    If you don’t work, you don’t get paid
  •    Try not to be sick or hung-over

Use ‘F’ Words
  •    Fear:
     ~ Motivational tool
     ~ Fear of paying bills
     ~ Fear of loosing success
     ~ Don’t let it control you
  •    Ferocious
     ~ Approach like a lion, attack and devour
     ~ Chase and hold on
  •    Focus
     ~ Laziness is the bane of most freelancers due to no management of supervisors
     ~ Staying focused = Success
     ~ Eliminate distractions
     ~ Use technology to get more done
     ~ If you are really lazy use a calendar with a reminder via email or text message
  •    Fast
     ~ Work faster = Paid faster
     ~ Impress client by doing great work in fast time
     ~ Work hard and fast and reward yourself when your done
     ~ Working faster doesn’t mean producing low quality work and cutting corners
     ~ This means slicker, streamlined designs
  •    Feedback
     ~ Seek often, show concepts and ideas as often as possible
     ~ Saves hours of revision
     ~ Aim for the clients centre
  •    Fun
     ~ Enjoy what you do
     ~ Not all projects are fun and things DO go wrong
     ~ If your stressed have a break, get out, go for a walk, watch television, etc.

What You Need
  •    Communication
  •    Dedication
  •    Desire
  •    Drive
  •    Empathy
  •    Energy
  •    Enthusiasm
  •    Expertise
  •    Honesty
  •    Humour
  •    Intelligence
  •    Knowing the price of ‘a pig’
  •    Passion
  •    Personality
  •    Professionalism
  •    Time management
  •    Trustworthy
  •    Values

What About Your Studio?
  •    Outside
     ~ Location
     ~ Accessibility
     ~ Parking
     ~ Transport Links
     ~ Amenities
  •    Inside
     ~ Atmosphere
     ~ Décor
     ~ Defined Areas
     ~ Equipment
     ~ Facilities
     ~ Furnishing
     ~ Layout
     ~ Lighting
     ~ Smell
     ~ Storage

5 Questions For Freelancers
  1.    What is it that I do?
  2.    Why should customers care?
  3.    Is there a need for what I am offering? (Unique Selling Point)
  4.    Will there be sufficient demand?
  5.    Will that generate sufficient reward for me to move my business forward?

Design Workflow

Stage 1

• Enquiry
• Research
• Brief
• Estimation of cost & production
• Conception work
• Concept Presentation

 Stage 2

• Application of concept
• Final Artwork

Stage 3

• Proof Printing

Enquiry and Related Research

• Web
• Contacts
• Previous Work
• Pros & Cons

Brief

• Part 1: Sit, Look, Listen to what the client(s) want
• Part 2: Take notes in verbal brief, this helps you to remember everything and form an 'estimated cost'

Estimate of Costs

• Rough estimate of cost and email client based on the brief so far
• List what needs doing and then break down into separate costs. Always follow up estimate with client(s). This will save time, focuses the clients attention and produces a formal estimation
• Both you and the client should clearly understand both costs and requirements of the proposed project
• Create a branded proposal
• Consider creating a Adobe InDesign document based on 'ballpark' email. This can help you keep time and looks very professional
• At the end of each part and process of the project give a total cost for that section to show how the budget is spent. Keep each element seperate (e.g. Web design and web development are different sections)
  Consider...
• A section for your terms of payment
• A section for any project start-up costs (any software, services, or materials you don't have and need)
• A section for a deposit... a contentious point but worth considering

Production Schedule
Time management (offline monthly template). Time management is the key to everything (move on to the next step in time and finish the project itself in time).

Once estimate of costs and production schedule is completed, create a 150dpi PDF document and email it to the client. This will give both you and the client a detailed outline of the project and make you look professional.

Concept Work

• How many concepts? Based on the budget, bigger budget with lots of time will need more concepts than a project with a small budget and time period
• Application of concept - Use on letterhead, business card, website, vehicle, etc.

Print specification & quotation

• How it's supplied
• Format
• Printing
• Delievering
• Billing

Artwork Stages

• First stage artwork
• First stage amendments
• Final artwork approval

Reproduction, colour proofing and proof  approval, 'Show & Tell'

Press Pass

Designer goes to the printers and looks at the items(s) being printed, check quantity and quality.

• Pros - Check quality. Being in right place at the right time if something goes wrong and rectify it. Dealing with the press minder
• Cons - Time consuming, very early starts and very late finishes, hanging around for hours, dealing with printers

Delivering Invoice is the BEST part of the process!

Job Bag

• Copies of emails (dated) (to and from)
• Desk diary (calls, emails, letters, work done, etc.)
• Proof
• Samples