ArtBistro

Anyone...anyone? I wouldn't mind some input about the blog. I know someone has an opinion.

jlongone says ...

 Guess what.  I went to your blog and I think it is very professional and is just as good as some of the big designer sites that i follow.  If anyone else is reading this check out this blog.  Unfortunately on the net and yes this site too, it is so difficult to attract any attention to the work or at least any attention that is important enough to mean anything or get you anywhere in your career.  It is a huge pond and all the fish are gasping for air.  

It is difficult to attract attention all right, I question my decision daily as to why I left my job to become an artist without even having a plan or knowing a single soul in the art world. What I suggest is that you pick your target audience and maybe have some cards done and give out everytime you meet someone or to everyone you know. I am thinking that is another effort to get exposure and people to look at your work.

Just an idea.

I should have told you vistaprint.com (I believe) offers 250 cards for free. You will have to choose one of their designs they have several to choose from. I just never remember to carry the cards with me.

ravinsilverlock says ...

business cards are always a good think, but do a design of your own not a templet design.  You want to be taken seriously, not some fly by night thing. I design buisness cards  as well as a I am sure others do as well. One last thing.  One thing I am working on now. Get your own site..  a (youname).com  Work on driving people there. It is free to registar a personal site on google

 

I would definitely do my own design for the card, that may take a while, I'd want to do it in Illustrator.

Eventually I want to get my own site, but more than likely it will look bad because I don't have to time to put into doing it well. I barely have the energy to update my blog as often as I do, I'm trying though. Making a website is hard, and trying to find the right look, even a good template. I'd rather to do it later, in the future. I don't even know where I'd start.

 Good point PatsyC.

JLauritsen says ...

A few notes from me as to what has been discussed so far.

For the blog:

It takes time to build a following on your blog.  Just having it active for the last month won't be long enough without advertising.  People need to know it exists.  Add the link in your signature for your emails, and even here on AB.  Do get business cards (more on this below) and tell everybody you know about it. 

I do recommend getting your own domain.  Preferably free of advertising.   Godaddy has some of the cheapest around.  Skip going to the bar one night in college , or a meal out here and there, and you will probably save the money to get the godaddy domain up and running. This allows you to put your portfolio, blog, and anything else all in one spot.  Easy to find, easy to navigate, easy to share more with the people that find you.    

For the business cards:

Do not do the free ones from vista print, your wasting your money... I know, that makes no sense right?    Well, in the business world, time is money, and your wasting your time doing their free cards.  Look at it this way, your a graphics major, which means you have access to all the programs, and you have the mindset to design your own cards.  About $50 is all it takes for printing cards with your own custom 2 sided design.   Do a search on the web to find print companies, some printing places will even offer samples of their print quality. 

BTW the free cards from vista print are 2 sided,  one side for your comapny, the other side for Vista print to advertise...  Which means, after you give that card away, and the consumer puts it down... if they dont have your side showing, then Vista print gets the advertising.   Cards can get thrown away by consumers if they don't pay close enough attention.   

 

Your blog is all about Aesthetics.  You admire the great designs.  Don't cut yourself short by not making your own designs great. 

Thanks very much, you have some great ideas.