Online Branding and Package Design

[avetiquette]

So far, my experience in IM has been lots of fun. I've made no money at all, but I've had a blast designing and developing products. I'm wondering if my best bet for making money is to stick with what I do best, which is design.

I'm thinking about creating a Branding and Package Design service. Basically, I'd take a product concept and build a look, or a vibe around that product. I do things like effective color schemes, ebook cover or other package design, and other elements of the branding process.

This Branding service would give any product a more professional look, and ideally improve sales. There are also opportunities outside of the IM market as well with things like product mock-ups, unique avatars, and other non-sales related purposes.

You can check out some of my designs here: MobileMe Gallery

I'm really just trying to figure out if this would be a profitable service. I've seen people offering ebook cover design for over $100. That made me think that I could make some money with my design talents. Please let me know what you think, or if you'd like a box of your own.

Thanks,
T.R.

[Don Schenk]

Hey T.R.,

Your work looks nice. There is a Warrior Products and Services part of this website. Might be worth a try.

Out of curiosity I went over to Patchler. Intersting concept. The only question I have is how did you get permission from Lenny Kravitz and his publisher to use "Fly," especially on a commercial venture? Way cool if you did so.

:-Don

[sbucciarel]

There are many experts on branding on Elance.com and if I were you, I'd start offering my services there before trying to go it on your own. Your portfolio is not dialup friendly so I didn't look at it to see if you would be competitive with the many branding/packaging experts that are online or on Elance. The Elance services for packaging are mostly for physical products though. Do you do that or just virtual products?

If just virtual, Warrior Forum and Namepros.com and other forums have services sections to offer ... WF has a classified section or you could do a WSO.

[avetiquette]

Originally Posted by Don Schenk

Out of curiosity I went over to Patchler. Intersting concept. The only question I have is how did you get permission from Lenny Kravitz and his publisher to use "Fly," especially on a commercial venture? Way cool if you did so.

:-Don

Hey Don. Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure what you mean by the Lenny Kravitz reference though. As far as I know, I don't have any Lenny Kravitz stuff on the site. Can you clearify?

[Don Schenk]

Hi T.R.,

The link in your signature took me to Patchler, and there is a video in there of photo images with "Fly" as the music. Did someone else put it there, or were you able to get permission?

Just curious.

:-Don

[avetiquette]

Originally Posted by Don Schenk

Hi T.R.,

The link in your signature took me to Patchler, and there is a video in there of photo images with "Fly" as the music. Did someone else put it there, or were you able to get permission?

Just curious.

:-Don

I'm not sure what happened. In the video section of the Patchler Wares webstie, there was an embedded Youtube video of mine, with an instrumental song I did. I just tried to go there, and it saying it's a private video now. I'll get it all cleared up.

But to answer your question, I did not get permission to use that song. I don't even like Lenny Kravitz, but I guess that's a matter for a completely different forum.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know.

[Don Schenk]

Cool! You are a creative person and understand. Many aren't.

A photographer friend of mine wanted to use a popular recording (by a popular artist) as the music on her website - without permission and with buying the rights. She could have found herself in hot water by doing so.

Finally she realized it would be the same thing as having someone copy and use her photographs without permission or paying her.

BTW, what is your instrument(s)? I made my living as a musician for about 15 years - many, many (add one more many) years ago.

:-Don

[williamrs]

Maybe you should offer your services at Scriptlance.com. There are tons of people there looking for this kind of work, and if you have a fair price you can make some cash there.

[sashagrey]

wow, that is some really nice work! I wish I needed a virtual box for something... anything.

[avetiquette]

Originally Posted by sashagrey

wow, that is some really nice work! I wish I needed a virtual box for something... anything.

How about a virtual bag, bottle, can, cd, dvd, book, magazine, or brochure?

[avetiquette]

The Website is Up! MyFakeBox.com