Star Wars

   I've got Star Wars on the brain lately. I need to introduce the legacy to my kids, but not sure how. I want them to enjoy it, but they might be too young and perceive it as boring. Which episode should I start with- old or new trilogy? Pardon my ignorance- but which one has the Ewoks?

Lucky 13?

    Of course I'm working on Memorial Day! Organizing, etc- I keep all of my logos in archived folders containing 200 or so files. Today I needed to start a new one, but to my dismay, I had to create the dreaded #13!

What does this mean?
Will all the files be corrupt?
Will business cease to exist once I make this folder?
Should I give into my superstition & skip Archive 13 altogether?
Do they really do that on elevators/floors of buildings?
Do you fear or embrace #13?

!

Very short movie review

If you'd like to feel better about yourself, watch The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, it's on Netflix.

Favorite photo

Going through some old stuff last night- I found this awesome picture of my Dad when he was a kid- love it.

Fight!

    I would pay to see these people fight each other. Food network is on quite often in my house, and I find both of these hosts incredibly annoying. Since the blond spikey hair guy is considerably bigger than Rachael Ray- I would give her some sort of stick or staff to fight with, maybe a pool cue...

Manhattan

Had my first Manhattan last night. Albeit a simple concoction, it was pretty good.

Afterwards, I trimmed the tree in our front yard... not so good.

Name this guy...

(No, it's not Tom Selleck)

Thata Boy!

Congrats to Miles for graduating from Kindergarten last Friday. Here he is, standing in front of his muscular self portrait!

Advice

Business has been great this year, but visits to my website/traffic has been lower than last year. Do any business/web minded folks out there have any new advice on how to increase traffic without spending a ton on cost-per-click or banner ads?

Have a great weekend!

Ya gotta read this...

Potential Client: 

   Sorry I missed your prior email, Matt.  While I understand your policy, I don't feel comfortable putting a $50 deposit down on work I've never seen. Again, being a small business, you can't just throw money at things in hopes they materialize.  I hope you can understand my position. Thanks again!

R.

Me:

  I totally understand, and even though I've created 4,000+ successful logos using this specific business model, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I went ahead and created a logo for you with the anticipation that you'll love it, without requiring any deposit, or commitment to the project.

    This is what we in the industry call "spec work". Now, because of the unique nature of the project- I felt free to use some extra artistic license. The proof is attached, just as a draft. Please let me know what you think, honestly. I look forward to working with you on this project!

-Matt

Potential Client: 

   I completely respsect your point of view.  I thank you for going the extra effort on the logo.  The logo, however, is not what I'm looking for.  That logo isn't portable, in essence.  How would you put that logo on a shirt, for instance.  I don't take away the feeling or eco, organic, beautiful, etc. from that.  I think you were going "girly" route...which I can appreciate.  ha!  However, this is a luxury brand, and in fact geared toward a demographic of 25+ women.   Kitty cats don't reach that demographic. Thank you so much for your time.  Much appreciated!

R.

Me:

   First, I'm really glad to be working with you on this project & happy to see that my time hasn't been wasted. See the revised proof attached. I think this really screams luxury. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'd wear a shirt with this logo on it any day. Please let me know when it's cool to send over an invoice for the work done thus far and we can start to get this project wrapped up asap. Do you like the font? It's called Papyrus - a little edgy, but I think it works...

-Matt

Potential Client:

  Thank you. Very cute, but its not a logo. Not what I'm looking for. But I appreciate your effort. You had received the links I provided, yes? What is detailed in my initial request is what I was looking for. Thanks again!

Me:

   I guess in the end....

Check it out!

This is probably my best personal ad/newsletter/promo to date:

Could somebody please proofread it for me before I email 8,000 contacts?

STL Coffee Shops...

  

 A recent Facebook conversation has me feeling like a St. Louis coffee shop connoisseur, so I thought for today's post, I'd list my top 5 (maybe I can score a free cup of Joe for the publicity):

1) Northwest Coffee (CWE): Tucked away in a pocket + cool to see the on-site roasting.
2) Kaldi's (Clayton): Best tasting coffee in town, usually crowded in the morning.
3) Shaw's (The Hill): More refined than the others, good place for a meeting.
4) Coffee Cartel (CWE): Open 24 hours + delicious brownies.
5) Cairdeas Coffee (Dogtown): Super friendly service + right down the street from my kids' school

Now I want a cup & there's none in the house.

Mission Accomplished!

Thanks Wife.

New Project...

Big Mac

    I hate Mc Donald's and try to dodge it whenever possible. However, after reading this article about a man who just ate his 25,000th Big Mac- I've developed a sudden craving. Now I want one. Must eat Big Mac today. Say it with me, nice and slow: Biiiig Maaac.

Have I been brainwashed?

Work in progresss

Here are some projects I've worked on this month.

Check out some more on my portfolio page.

$150 Leap of Faith

    I finally made a purchase/business step that I've been putting off for a long time. I bought my own hosting account from these guys. Up until now, I've worked with a phenomenal web guru Willy- who hosts my sites and helps me with my technical questions and concerns.
   The natural course of events however, pointed me to the realization that I need to have my own hosting account for any client that needs a site designed. The price and terms were right, thus supporting this decision and fueling a new business endeavor of my own- wish me luck!

I don't know what's better- the song or the video...

Billy Goat Chip Company

   One of the best feelings, as a designer- is to go into your local store & see your work displayed for all to see. I designed the original logo for these guys & soon they will launch this new flavor. If you're in the St. Louis area- try them out!

New logo

Working on this design today. I really liked this concept, but the client is going in another direction...

My daughter Izabel

She's "gifted" :)

Foxy

Working on this today...

Brew review

    The "Hop Toddy" ale made by Schlafly is a limited release, available at the end of April- so I was pushing my luck yesterday when I tried to buy some. Long story short: thanks to my lovely wife, I scored 2 of the last (presumably) bottles available.  Shlafly's description doesn't quite do it justice: "This wheat ale is brewed with local wheat and honey, with a hint of concentrated lemon juice. A dry-hopping with Citra hops and aging in bourbon barrels makes it the beer equivalent of a hot toddy."
   This beer is phenomenal- firing on all cylinders, as they say. Hoppy, but not too bitter, malty, sweet with citrus notes and a little bourbon burn. It's amazing that at 9% abv it could be a "sessionable" beer, meaning- I could sit down and drink 3 or 4 small/tulip glasses easily. My only regret is I should have saved one of the bottles, but did share with my neighbor. Critiques may say this beer is too sweet, but if I were only able to have one type of beer for the rest of my life- this would be it. I'm curious to find out what other craft beer connoisseurs like The Hopostle think of this treat...

Weekend Getaway

    This weekend we took a train to our state capital, stayed in a hotel for a night, swam, went out to eat & came home. It was an excellent weekend. While the the food & hotel were average, the train ride was amazing. The kids & I had never been on a train before, which may have enhanced the experience. Any form of transportation where I can walk freely to grab a bloody Mary at will- is excellent in my book. Consider me the next Amtrak spokesperson. Thanks to my wife for the excellent idea & for taking some rad photographs- I hope everyone had as great of a Mother's Day as we did!

Happy Mother's Day from Mr. T!

BFFs

Maxx & Betty

Gazelle me.

My wife got one of these yesterday. I'm tempted to use it- I might buy one of those hats with the attached pony tail to get the full effect.

Have you heard...

Patio is "the new" office.

Now I just need a laptop w/ a screen you can see in the sunlight.

Ad Advice

Throwing this ad together for my kids' school publication/booklet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated on the layout- before I send a final draft. Thanks!

Advertising

    This week I'm designing an ad for my kids' school publication/catalog. Describing my service is sometimes challenging, as I am not the best author/copywriter. I also have to determine if I should show some logo examples in the 1/2 page ad, and which ones? Any advice is greatly appreciated...