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Greetings!
Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them. - Albert Einstein
Do you ever feel like you're trapped in a box, pushing and pushing against the edges trying to figure a way out? Then, someone from the outside pushes the flap in, and it's suddenly clear what you should have been doing all along.
If at first you don't succeed, perhaps you should try a new approach. That's what I've finally learned after hearing out the advice of my husband. His approach to my business problems was so different and so radical compared to mine that it was absolutely ... perfect. Read on to see the brilliance in taking a fresh perspective on an old problem.
Amy Perzan Merrill
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Design Tip #52:
In 2010 alone, QR usage in Canada grew 442%
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As speculated in my January trend report, QR, or Quick Response Codes have caught on in North America. These codes are read by smart phones which can "scan" the code. Once scanned, you're sent to a web page. What a great way to keep your advertising fresh and current! |
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A New Approach to An Old Problem
I had to overcome my preconceived notions of so-called business solutions in order to finally solve my business problems.
Issue: I was overloaded with work so I thought that an assistant was the way to ease the burden of the extra administrative duties. Cause: My company was growing faster than my procedure manual. So what did I do? I hired an admin assistant. And then a new assistant when that one didn't work out. And so went the cycle. Inspired Change: Multiple assistants later my husband finally forced me to think outside the box. I kept saying "I don't need help with design" because I didn't see it as a problem. He pointed out that if my design processes were functioning so well, why not hand more work off to that department and stop trying to hire an admin assistant. This was brilliant - sending out more design work freed up my time to create better systems for my operations which has now allowed me to bring on a part time assistant to help with repetitive tasks.
Issue: I've created a monster where I get hundreds of emails a day. I'll often get 5, 10, even 20 emails regarding one design draft which is a problem for a couple of reasons: 1) I overlook information when too many directions are being given; 2) sometimes we've already started on the next phase based on the first email sent so when the client sends another we have to spend extra time and redo something, which is often billable to the client. Cause: I maintained that email is the most effective form of communication because it allows me and my clients to respond to each other when it's convenient for us, and, it creates a paper trail. Inspired Change: Just because email is instantaneous, it doesn't mean that it has to be utilized that way. People, myself included, can take a little time to look and think things over before responding. I'm now implementing a system for project management where the client is accountable to sending one collective email as a response to a round of design development. |
Thinking Inside the Bag
Tips for using impractical thinking to solve practical problems
If you find that your preconceived notions are not helping you solve a recurring problem, perhaps it's time for you to revamp your way of thinking. Ask yourself: "What is the opposite?"
Brainstorm. Everyone knows this one but how do you do it, especially when you're a one show wonder? A couple of suggestions:
- Start a discussion on Facebook
- Type key phrases pertaining to your issue into a search engine such as GOOGLE and see what articles and pictures pop up
- Take 20 minutes and start writing, even if it's a nonsensical phrase to start with that you keep repeating (such as "I have no idea what to write"), it will eventually turn into something, allowing your mind to open up
- Think like an inquisitive two-year-old and ask yourself why and how your problem arose and why your immediate response didn't resolve the problem. You'll likely find that there can be multiple solutions to a single problem.
- Look through a magazine in absolute random order and rip out anything that appeals to you (do this regularly and you'll start and "inspiration" folder or board; this might be images of the type of environment you wish to create for yourself, graphic design elements you like, etc)
- The typical brainstorming bubble page. Start with your main issue in the central bubble, then have off-shoots of the secondary issues that will branch into detailed points. This may seem too obviously simple, but it really can work because it allows you to get your thoughts onto a page and out of your head. For example: for me, my main issue that will occupy the central bubble would take on the title "Typical Tasks for Meringue3.14" - broad categories would be "admin", "accounting", "design", "production", "IT" and "customer service" - then each could be broken down further to determine which tasks could be delegated.
Remember, you have be open to anything so that everything can help inspire you.
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Customer Q&A
1) What fonts are suitable for my website? Any of the following fonts are acceptable for web, just be sure to use no more than two different fonts so that you keep your site looking clean and professional. - Arial (sans serif)
- Georgia (serif)
- Trebuchet (sans serif)
- Palatino (serif)
- Verdana (sans serif)
- Geneva (sans serif)
- New York (serif)
- Times New Roman (serif)
2) What's the difference between serif and sans serif? The dictionary definition explains that serifs are semi-structured details on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. A typeface that has serifs is called a serif typeface (or seriffed typeface). A typeface without serifs is called sans serif (from French sans, meaning "without"). Some typography sources refer to sans-serif typefaces as "Grotesque" or "Gothic" and serif typefaces as "Roman."
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Check out our recently completed jobs on Facebook 
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ATTENTION MERINGUE3.14 CLIENTS! Important Archive Information To have a successful business is to have loyal clients. Because of your business I'm able to run my business and for that, I say "Thank You"!
To all of my clients that had design work done more than 5 years ago and have not since updated your files, they may have become outdated in terms of software. Luckily, we have means currently to open and update these files for an hourly rate (usually $45-$90 for a file). Unfortunately, come June 30th we will be "recycling" the older software which means that we will be unable to open your files without purchasing transitional software; in most cases, this will not be as cost effective as rebuilding in the current software will be. Notify me on or before June 15th to have your files brought up to date while keeping fees to a minimum.
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Amy Perzan Merrill is a graphic designer in Calgary, Alberta. Her company, Meringue 3.14, specializes in creative branding and cost-effective print solutions for small business. For more great tips on how you can turn your material into powerful marketing and communication tools, subscribe to "Designer", Amy's monthly ezine.
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