I'd Like Some Tips On Graphics Please :-)

I have to agree with Bill.

I'll do it for you and I don't charge an arm and a leg for my work.

Here is a sample of what I can do with MS Paint.



Let me know if you want to hire me. J/K

Seriously, If you do outsource the graphics be sure to check out
previous works the designer has done for others if you can.

There are many graphic designers here on the WF.
I would check them out first. You will find specials on their work in
the WSO and Warrior For Hire sections here.

Have a Great Day!
Michael

Bill Farnham - Thanks Bill, I've got to get out of the home project mindset and realise I'm building a business here. ROI is definitely something I need to pay attention to, it's slipped me up in the past certainly.

bladecantsleep - I'd like to think that I'd be earning enough with the result of using the graphics to make the expense a non-issue... but it could be something I look into in the future... it's all about development... thanks

Brent Mihalov - I guess that's similar to people wanting to get into Pay Per Click advertising... yes it can make you a lot of money, but there's a big expense involved in the first place too. I get your point... and I'll take a look and see what's involved, cheers

hwhite - I did not know that Fascinating... see I love graphics, I think it looks so pretty... I guess I'm not a 'no-frills' kinda guy. Good advice though... I'm hoping most of the images I'd be after would only be a few KB though... headers, sidebars, footers and a product image (maybe a logo), with the other images saved for the product itself.

Michael Mayo - It's so messed up that I liked that cover You made clouds and everything! Thanks a lot for the buying advice though... do you actually design graphics, or is it purely MSPaint you focus on?

Karen Blundell - Right... totally right. Again, I have to remember that this is a business. I still want to manage the operations entirely myself, content creation and such (I'm a writer after all...) but for other areas, I've spent too much time on half-arsed efforts when I could have hired someone to do it well. I think this is one of them certainly.

Karen Barr - I agree... I thought about learning DreamWeaver a little while ago... got hold of a tutorial book and my mind started to bleed. I simply have no interest in it and it'll take ten times as long because I just don't get excited by it. Graphics would be the same. I'm a writer and a people person... there's plenty enough there to keep me busy Thanks!

sbucciarel - Thanks again... I don't want to be a graphics person... I'm a content person I'll check out the WFH section and look for a few designers... I think I know what I'm after and I'm sure the good ones will give me some advice as well.

chi-whiz - Well said on all account Chi I agree... I was freelancing for a while myself and I wouldn't have got this far without it. It's tough to get into and make a good go of it because people really do want to do everything themselves. I admire those who want an understanding of their operations 'from the ground up' but that doesn't mean you have to do it yourself, does it? You COULD build a complete business from scratch all by yourself but it would take months. Why miss out on all that profit when you could get in running in weeks? Besides, I like the idea of a Dream Team.

jbsmith - Short and sweet, thanks Jeff. I understand completely and it's taken a while to get into that mindset. I know what I'm good at and it's fortunately the bulk of the business I've chosen to do. I'm happy that way.

timpears - I appreciate that Tim, thanks That's a good point and a useful resource as well and it would do for most folks. But one thing I've realised in the past few months is that quality pays. I learned that from my freelancing, competing against low paid writers. I was able to command a high end fee based on the fact I supplied the best and it brought more success to those who were serious about their business. Guess I should follow suit

Thanks to everyone for chiming in... it's much appreciated.

If you have no interest in being a designer, the best bet is to outsource.

But that being said, it'll do you no harm to play around in Photoshop to plan out ideas and get a feel for the creative process a designer goes through.

It might also pay to learn the basics if you need to customise any of the graphics a designer does for you.

I am glad you liked their sample graphics. Email them for price sheet (they reply quickly).

Best of luck with your project, Toniy!

Have to agree with the post above, outsource it mate

It's already been said, but hiring a freelancer is an experience everyone should try at least once. Elance is generally good, but I hate them for ignoring my customer support messages.

Benefits:

You can have someone design everything you want, for less than the cost of buying Photoshop.

You don't waste time trying to learn something you don't enjoy.

You can build up working relationships with people you can instantly contact if something goes wrong. If you go about it the right way, they will even do it for free.

Drawbacks:

It can be difficult to find a freelancer who is actually as talented and useful as they claim to be.

You're from Swansea so they won't understand your accent on skype. haha bit of Cardiff rivalry for ya :p

Good luck mate, PM me if you need any work done. (I'm awesome)

Hi Toniy,

I agree with Bill, don't skimp on this.

(And with that said mrbawb advised), perhaps you could find someone on Fiverr to get it done.

Asa Williams - I think you have a good point Asa... division of labour wasn't created for no reason at all now was it? Although they do also say the specialisation is for insects... so....

Domenic Carlson - Totally right and that's what I want to avoid. Fortunately I've got some guys working at it now so I should be all set!

Christophe Young - Thanks for the tip Christophe, I'll check them out! I like the idea of having an established relationship with a designer too... or I could just get it set up once and re use the same template over and over!

Thanks again folks