Heart Intuition - 100% Accurate Information to Guide Every Choice in Life

We've all heard it a million times before; "Listen to your heart." And while this is a bit of a cliché, there turns out to be some very solid truth nestled beneath the sugary, romantic coating of this saying.

In fact, the more we find out about the human heart, and the power of heart intuition, the more complex we find that this body part really is. We've known for centuries that the heart provides life to the body, through the continuous pumping of blood. But, as it turns out, the heart also imparts life energy in ways that we never dreamed before.

The rhythm of life

As you know, our lives, our very consciousness and power, emanates from the rhythm of the Universe. Now think about the one source of vibration and rhythm that is built into our physical bodies - the heart. It only makes sense that this organ, which provides a constant tempo to our lives, also holds the key to true knowledge, understanding and power.

The heart is so powerful that leading researchers have even found that the heart contains its very own nervous system and brain. In other words, when you are led by your heart intuition, you are being led by a vastly intelligent source of wisdom and information; one that has been with you since your lungs first drew air.

Energy Transfers

When you hear the old sayings about broken hearts and someone capturing a person's heart, it's easy to get caught up in romantic imagery, but there is so much truth to these statements that it is downright startling. You see, as we human beings communicate and interact with each other, there is far more going on beneath the surface than we ever consciously take the time to appreciate.

For example, have you ever met someone and felt that you just clicked on a level that you didn't understand. Maybe you even felt that your energy and that person's energy were completely in sync.

That is your heart intuition, telling you that you've found a kindred soul, a guide, a lesson teacher or, possibly, a lover or soul-mate. Our hearts disperse and receive energy and when that energy is vibrating on the same level with another person's - the real magic of communication between two beings begins to happen. This is much deeper than storybook love, and much stronger than simple physical attraction could ever be.

Tune into Your Heart's Wisdom

While the brain supplies logic and stores information, it's important to get beyond thinking with your brain only. In fact, many people walk around depressed, anxious and out of sorts, because their hearts are crying out to be heard, but people just don't take the time to listen, and act on, the infinite knowledge that their hearts are passing on to them.

Spend your quiet times and times of meditation focusing on listening to your heart intuition. Learn to cultivate positive, creative power by focusing your thoughts on being guided by your heart. And the next time you face a big decision, and feel that pull coming from your heart, don't weigh the logic of the decision, simply trust your heart intuition and move forward. Then you will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you have made the right decision.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053285

Thinking BIG: Tackling the BIG Questions

Avoiding the big questions about your life and your business is really easy. Avoiding the big questions leads to very temporary happiness. Complacency will not help us reach our ideal goals.

So tackle the big questions. Ask yourself questions like these: How are you going to take the vacation you always wanted? How will you reach your ideal weight? How will you finance your retirement or your kid's education? When will you do some of the things you have always dreamed of doing? What problems can you solve for others that will result in financial windfalls for you? What problems or developments do you see or worry about in the future? How can you profit or prepare? How can you greatly improve your niche or improve a problematic business you have contact with?

Isolating yourself from losers and really thinking about questions like these can be profitable. The masses will usually avoid the big questions. The masses may not care if the scam is what's legal. Micromanagers aboard ships (businesses) like the Titanic will continue to talk about stuff on TV, puff themselves up, lose money and micromanage until the inevitable happens.

But this isn't for us. We look for solutions to the problems that face us. We are impervious to the negativity and hypocrisy we get from the foxes that rule the chicken coop. Instead, we will attempt to find solutions. We learn everything we have to learn. We do all the necessary grunt work. We then decisively organize our lives around reaching our lofty goals. We go for it. We scrape the barnacles off our ships and remain on course.

Napoleon Hill warned us about worrying what "they" say. Just assume for now that the "they" are losers. You have heard countless times that people bring each other down. Laggards value "safety" and complacency. Don't let the foxes convince you that people have completely quit bring each other down.

Be unreasonable and follow your bliss. Be decisive. Tell yourself fear is an illusion.

One famous guru says, "If you want to get ricer quicker, solve bigger problems. This is the mindset to have. Every business you see has solved a problem and gotten paid for it. If you want to start a business, this is what you do. Consumers, governments, and businesses all have problems. Your job is to provide the products or services that these people need and do it better and at a better price than anyone else.

From time to time, you will encounter dolts, political, religious, and social hypocrites and other people trying to get you to abandon your goals. Remember the psychotic micromanaging game player at the grocery store or the office that really gets nasty. Those people will pop up from time to time. Be wary, but do not fear them. Insulate yourself against them with cash (for a lawyer), burglar alarms, a good cushion of savings, and be sure your friends are really your friends. Don't let these trolls confuse you. Stand up for yourself when they knife you.

I realize this is impolite talk. But it's reality.

Start asking the questions you must. Begin your planning. Be decisive and take action. Find advisors who are competent. Don't make excuses. Get busy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7053608

Are Architects and Designers Worth Their Weight?

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Body:

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Knowledge can be categorized as follows -

* There are things you know

* There are things you know that you don't know

* Then there are things you don't know that you don't know.

We are all at our best when we live and work in environments which are aesthetically pleasing and function efficiently. Form and function are uniquely personal and we all aspire to live and work in environments which reflect our personal style. We know what we like. We know what we want.

However, it is the knowledge that falls into the second and third categories which presents the most compelling reason to use architects and designers.

Architects and designers are qualified and trained in their disciplines. They have access to industry contacts and product information which is not readily available to the public and broader industry. These are the things we know that we don't know.

But even more significant is the knowledge which architects and designers possess about the effect of proportions, dimensions, perspectives, surfaces, textures and colours not only on a structure itself but on our physical and emotional reaction to a structure. These fundamental elements of design can heighten our response to a structure - they can turn a house into a much-loved home, energize an office environment and turn an outdoor space into a haven. These are the things we don't know that we don't know.

Whether a project is residential or commercial, it is invariably a significant financial undertaking and the process can be time consuming. Mistakes are costly and the impact of both financial pressure and time constraints can turn what should be an immensely enjoyable experience into an absolute nightmare.

Architects and designers can alleviate that pressure. Once you brief your architect or designer you can leave it to them to create a design and source the materials and products which deliver the desired outcome.

They have the potential to create a design which you simply couldn't have comprehended by yourself but which you love. They have the potential to source materials and products which you didn't even know were on the market but which are perfectly suited to your project.

The involvement of an architect will ensure that the orientation of the house and the placement of windows, doors and overhangs together with the selection of materials and products produce energy efficiencies, that the dimensions of rooms ensure that they suit their purpose, that the relationship of rooms encourage fluency of movement and that the dimensions, placement and allocation of benches, cabinetry and storage spaces facilitate an efficiency of lifestyle. The time and cost savings which these initiatives deliver is considerable.

Comprehensive architectural drawings and specifications will maximize the prospect of your builder and sub-contractors completing your project without error, without the need for variations, on time and on budget. Materials and products sourced through your architect or designer will cost less. They often pay wholesale - you pay retail.

Crisanne Fox, Head of Australian Design and Interior Design Consultant for prestigious international French provincial and home wares company Ashton Grove, says that in most cases home owners are often unaware of the various ways designers can save them money. "The common misconception, regarding interior designers, is that once employed, a designer will not only cost you money to retain but also force you to spend a fortune on each and every item. The truth is that, in most cases, a good designer will actually save you money by working with what you already have, and combining that with the overall vision you have in mind for your home or space."

According to Ms Fox, 'many interior designers have the added skill of being able to source items at wholesale prices, and also have access to a much wider variety of products and home wares that are not generally available to the public, and the benefits for the time-poor homeowner begin to emerge.' The other factor to consider, which is actually more common than most people think, is that many homeowners tend to spend quite a bit of money decorating their homes, only to later realize that one or several key pieces in a room simply don't work together. 'When you're talking about central feature pieces such as couches, coffee tables or dining room tables this then equates to an incredibly substantial amount of money that must be re-spent six months down the track trying to rectify the problem. With a designer, you pay them to get things right the first time and eliminate any margin of error and this is exactly what they do," Ms Fox added.

A misconception is that, by retaining an interior designer, the whole house or at least a whole room needs to be fitted out - not so. If you have your basic pieces you can bring in an interior designer just for the finishing touches; anything from curtains and fabrics to just a few cushions for the couch.

Possibly the biggest mistake made by home owners is in the garden. Home owners often fail to allocate part of their budget to the garden and erroneously think that they will save money doing it themselves - not so. Landscape architects and designers will create opportunities and movement in an outdoor space to ensure that it will be used for its intended purpose. They address important issues about irrigation and drainage and, importantly, they make plant selections based on what will thrive in the context. Again, they purchase plants and materials at wholesale. Any money spent on a garden without the input of a landscape professional will be wasted if the top soil washes away, the plants die or if the space is simply not inviting so is not used.

Again, there is a misconception that, by retaining a landscape architect or designer, the whole garden needs to be done - not so. Starting a garden is the most important step. Many people endure a dust bowl in their backyard for the duration of their time in the house only to put in a garden in the lead up to selling the house. From inception you should at least put in some infrastructure, some trees and some shrubs. Your landscape architect or designer will be able to provide you with a comprehensive planting schedule which can then be implemented in stages. An established garden adds value to your property.

Another common mistake is to retain interior designers and landscape architects and designers after the architectural project is complete. Interior designers and landscape architects and designers can and should be involved in the project from inception. This in itself delivers valuable cost savings by streamlining processes and avoiding duplications. For example, architects, interior designers and landscape architects and designers all have a positive input on lighting and flooring. Standardization of these elements will have a significant impact on the design integrity of the structure. Sometimes an architectural feature becomes unnecessary because the effect can be achieved through homewares. Other times the purchase of large items of furniture can be avoided because the functional requirements can be achieved through cabinetry. The placement of plants in the garden can have an impact on the need for window furnishings. A dialogue between your architect and your landscape architect or designer from inception will best deliver water efficiencies in the house and garden.

When you work with both architects and designers from inception you are best equipped to ensure that your home or office achieve your spatial and visual requirements and are fully decorated when you move in. "Many people don't realize that aside from colour and visual appeal, designers are experts in space, technical design and drafting, and it is these skills that cross over with the role of your architect to save you money in the long run by making sure you get the home you have always wanted from the laying of the first piece of cement. There is nothing worse than finally finding that perfect dining setting or lounge room ensemble, only to get it home and realize that you did not allow enough space when deciding on the placement of walls during the initial design and construction phase," explains Crisanne Fox.

Another misconception is that, in using architects and designers, you end up with a space which is a reflection of their style not yours - again, not so. The secret, however, is to retain architects and designers whose style you love. Just as we have our own personal style, so too do architects and designers. Historically there has been limited access to the design profession so there have been many instances of architects and designers being obliged to undertake work which does not really reflect their style and of home owners struggling to describe their desired outcome through lack of reference. Sourcing an architect or designer whose work is an exact match of your project expectations will streamline the process, promote an effective dialogue and, ultimately, save you money. The benefit of successfully matching design professional to client is one of the core motivations in the development of Domain Design.

Jason Grant, Melbourne Editor for Australia-wide interior decorating magazine Inside Out, agrees. He feels that one of the easiest ways for a designer to save you money is by choosing one whose style reflects the vision you have for your home. "We work with quite a few interior designers on a range of ongoing projects for the magazine and one thing that you will notice is that every designer has a unique look or signature style." Using both print and online resources to source design professionals will achieve significant time efficiencies.

And ultimately, the intangible benefits of health, success and happiness to be derived from living and working in environments which are a triumph of form and function transcend quantification. These are benefits which architects and designers can deliver.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/977230

Decked Out in a New Designer Purse For the Holidays - A New Designer Handbag is Good For Your Health

Want to make a difference in this year's gift-giving? Make a smart investment. Use the information in this article to begin Google research for all your 2006 discount designer handbags and purses gift-giving needs. The search terms found in "ITALICS" will locate the perfect resources to fulfill all your shopping requirements without leaving the comfort of home. Copy and past the italicized search terms into the Google search box and voila! Let your fingers do the shopping to save wear and tear on your feet!

Here are some trusted tips, research, and websites for your holiday discount designer handbags purchase. Whenever in doubt, go to Google.com, copy & paste the italicized words in the search box, and hit the Enter key.

Nowadays, we pay a few hundred dollars for a new pair of designer jeans, and our designer jacket or designer cashmere sweater costs a bit more. Our Manolo stilettos top the charts at several hundred dollars. Then we explode with a fabulous designer purse or handbag with a much higher price tag. Why? Why not!

If it feels good, do it. Carry a designer handbag to make the designer outfit you painstakingly put together look great! And, pick a classic. Select a designer purse you'll want to keep around for awhile. Don't be boring. Pick your new purse with style, pizazz, texture, pattern, embossed leather and color. This season's designer purses are adorned with logos, chains, charms, colorful trims and bold large sizes.

The list of hot designers seems endless. To name a few, some of the top handbag designers include: Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Coach. Don't be surprised when you go handbag shopping. The prices range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand each.

Remember George Karlin's stand-up routine about "stuff?" Well, now we have surrendered our stuff to be contained in fabulously designed expensive purses and handbags! Plus, remember the famous Loreal` cosmetics TV commercial proclaiming "I'm worth it." Owning a new expensive designer bag is now part of the psychology of fashion. We are worth it. We work hard for our look, and it feels great to carry a famous designer bag! Our stuff is carried in style because we are worth it.

When you find yourself people watching at the airport or shopping mall, focus on the purses women (and men) are carrying these days. The designer handbag craze is not isolated to one sex. There are almost as many fancy manbags for the guys as there are fabulous styles for the women. So, if you are thinking about upgrading your man's appearance, pick a standard basic to begin his new adventure. A suggestion is a LATICO designer handbags black leather messenger bag. It's a standard, basic, clean style for any man on your list.

Famous designer labels are the standard -- the norm today vs. days gone by. For the most part, you'll see Gucci designer handbags recognizable by their traditional stripe or horsebit motif in leather, GG monogram canvas and/or mixed with leather and canvas designs. Gucci designer purses are for all age groups. Personally, I'd save the Gucci gifts for Mom, Auntie and the more mature women on your holiday shopping list.

Juicy Couture offers metallic leathers and adorns the bags with pom-poms, chains, charms and the signature "J" logo on zipper pulls and hang-tags. Juicy leather bags are made of soft and supple Italian napa. The bags are comfortable to carry and cater to all age groups. A Juicy Couture designer purse is the perfect gift for any female aged 13 or older. Most of the purses are lined in a signature Juicy Couture lining. If you want to see the teen on your holiday shopping list grin ear-to-ear hand her a Juicy Couture designer handbag. Any size, shape, style or color will do the trick!

Marc Jacobs designer handbag styles are timeless and seasonless. They can be carried all year long and never go out of style. The signature push locks and pockets decorate Marc Jacobs purses. They use durable, scratch resistant leather in smooth, pebble grain or quilted styles. Engraved hardware on zipper pulls is standard. The bags are usually quite roomy and come in a variety of colors. Marc Jacobs is a little pricier than the Juicy bags and will make her not only smile, but probably give you a big smooch! If you are looking for stocking stuffers fill 'em to the brim with MARC JACOBS designer accessories monogram animal shape pencil sharpeners. Anything with the MJ monogram will bring a smile to the face of your young fashionista's face!

Coach designer purses are an all-time favorite. Every closet should have at least a few to pull out when all else fails. Coach accessories are great for everyday use and available in a variety of styles, colors, sizes and designs. Coach makes a signature CC logo pattern in monogram canvas. There's also smooth and pebble grain Italian leather styles. Colors range from patchwork to solid basics. You can't go wrong with a Coach purchase for the holidays. One of our favorites is the COACH designer handbag 3574 signature duffle monogram shoulder bag. Coach also has small leather goods in wristlet styles, wallets, key cases and picture keepsakes. Small evening bag styles are also available for the person who does not like carrying a large bag. The COACH designer purses white canvas bronze leather is ideal for gift-giving.

Louis Vuitton designer purses are seen everywhere. The LV monogram canvas when purchased brand new is very expensive. Yet, often found at resale shops when a woman wants to upgrade to a new bag. Resellers like LuxuryVintage.com offer a deep discount on pre-owned Louis Vuitton designer handbags. Be careful when shopping online for Louis Vuitton. There are tons of knockoffs being sold as authentic items. When making an online purchase, it's always smart to confirm the authenticity with the site owner prior to submitting an order.

Prada is easy to spot. The Prada triangle logo is an icon in the fashion industry. Prada designer handbags are made of leather or durable vela nylon trimmed in leather. With the release of this year's box-office hit "The Devil Wears Prada" sales have increased for this famous designer label. Please remember, angels wear prada too - especially your little angel! There are several styles to choose with large embossed leather PRADA logos and embroidered PRADA enscribed on the font of many 2006 designs. One of our favorites is the PRADA designer purses BR3464.

Fendi designer purses are adorned with the famous FF logo pattern. The F's are available in a large FF pattern or a smaller ff motif. Both jacquard prints are fashion icons and available in a variety of colors with matching small accessories available, too. A classic Fendi is always a good choice for a gift, especially for someone special. The classic FENDI designer handbag baguette designer purse - 8BR000 is at our top of the shopping list for all ages. Yet, if you are looking for a monogram key case under $100, select a FENDI accessories 8AP002.

The Burberry Check pattern is very easy to recognize when you find yourself spotting designer handbags. The traditional tan is also available in a lighter color called Nova Check. Most are constructed of a vinyl treated canvas with leather trim. The moderately priced BURBERRY handbag sling pochette or the BURBERRY nova check flower pot shopper are favorite Burberry check picks.

Chanel is famous for its quitled lamb leather and chain straps. The CC logo is what women go for the most. The CC logo is found on Chanel designer handbags, Chanel designer jewelry and Chanel designer sunglasses. If you want to make a hit with a lady, give a Chanel gift. It's a classic item and literally never goes out of style. A favorite in line with the holidays is the CHANEL designer purse shades of red leather monogram hobo bag. You may even find it at more than 20% off retail online!

Hermes probably tops the charts for prices, and there aren't enough words to express the respect for Hermes designer handbags. The Hermes leather items are hand made and each are given its own serial number to identify the artisan's hand work. Hermes shops are only found in major cities. But, now with Internet Shopping available, a few reputable sites offer Hermes. Again, be careful not to make a purchase for a fake Hermes. They are horrible imitations and an insult to the House of Hermes. Select a reputable online store and don't be sorry later. Auction sites are a risk for making a Hermes purchase. So, unless you know the seller, you may want to stay away from auction sites like eBay for Hermes. Hermes.com offers small accessories, but their shipping and tax is outrageous. Bluefly also sells Hermes but again, the discount is not that great. There's also BrandBoutique.com for new deeply discounted Hermes, and if you don't mind pre-owned, LuxuryVintage offers even deeper discounts plus shipping discounts and not sales tax. Whenever there's a question, send an email to the site and don't purchase until you get all your questions answered.

Designer purses top the charts ranging from the mid-hundreds to thousands of dollars each. Most women plan to purchase several each year. I truly believe the designer handbag has become as popular to the fashion addict as buying a new pair of shoes. Don't let the high cost scare you off. These bags last a long time when cared for properly. Store them in a sleeper bag neatly in your closet. Take your favorite leather goods to a good shoe cobbler for cleaning and repairs. An expensive designer handbag will last a long time, even longer than your favorite pair of boots or stilettos when cared for properly.

With the onset of the holidays, thoughts of giving and receiving can pose a dilemma. Skip the chocolates and flowers this year. Give something that lasts forever! There are certain folks (ourselves included) who are very difficult to buy for. So, what do we do? We ponder and wait until the last minute to make our selection. Think twice about this year's purchases. Almost all women carry a purse. So, it's a no-brainer any woman would love a new designer handbag. Most men use a wallet, some use manbags, and many use a briefcase or messenger style laptop bag. Make your shopping easy, memorable and practical. Invest your gift-giving dollars in an item the receiver will love and adore.

Here's a tip to the wise, and why you should own vs. rent a designer handbag. The following excerpt from an article was found posted on Snopes.com titled Bag-Teria. In summary the article states, "Bacteria on Purses. A study was performed on women's purses. A health team went to a local mall and took samples from the bottom of 50 women's purses. The purses were swabbed with cotton swabs along the entire bottom of the purses and placed into special containers. The swabs were then processed at a local laboratory. The Health Report also showed where women place their purses: public rest-rooms (on the floor beside the toilet), kitchen counters & kitchen tables, on tables & chairs in restaurants, etc. The results of the laboratory tests contained the following most serious result: 1 out of 4 purses - E COLI. Other extremely serious bacteria also were listed, including Hepatitis."

Just the thought of using a purse previously borrowed by a stranger is revolting. Many women carry their puppy in their tote. Should you risk using that same handbag for the market? Not a good idea - even if it gives you a sense of status. You certainly don't want to spread an unwanted illness from a rented purse!

All decked out in a new designer purse for the holidays and beyond is the goal. The investment made for a new leather or monogram tote bag must become a lasting treasure. So, do your homework, and shop online for discount designer handbags and purses at a reputable ecommerce fashion site. And, whenever in doubt, send an email to the website's owner for help, guidance and assistance. Many websites offer personal shopping tips to put a smile on both the gift-giver and receiver for high-end designer purchases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/358638

How to Manage Your Graphic Designer to Get Great Design for Your Nonprofit

Nothing is as compelling as managing the design, of a printed piece or web look for your organization, service or campaign. It's easy to get swept away envisioning the impact it will have on your target audiences. And the creative adventure of bringing that piece, or web design, to life, is usually a welcome change from strategic and administrative work.

However, the excitement often fades when you dive into the process of finding, hiring, and managing a designer or design team. Let's be honest. It's challenging to manage a designer's creativity into a design take that meets your organization's needs can be challenging. You definitely want to give the designer the opportunity to channel her creative genius into something powerful. On the other hand, you want to ensure that she translates your marketing concept into something that speaks to your audiences and motivates advocacy, donations, registration, inquiries, or whatever call to action you need.

I've run up against this challenge time and again, first as an in-house marketing director in several publishing houses, and at the Foundation Center, and most recently as the marketing firm point person for nonprofit and foundation clients. Over the years, I've devised a few strategies that ensure that the design process goes smoothly. And they really work.

I advise you to take these five steps. When you do, you'll generate the design results that make the greatest impact for your organization:

Step One: Take your time to find the RIGHT designer.

NOTE: Take this step immediately, not when you're in desperate need of a designer.

I have, over the years, developed a stable of about seven good designers. They are all the RIGHT designer, but not one of them is the right designer for every single design project.

The question is how do you find your stable of RIGHT designers? You're likely to need relationships with three or four designers. The number depends on the volume of design work, the range of looks you're trying to achieve, and the diversity of materials and online projects to be designed. My situation is unique. Because I work with many clients with diverse needs, I require more of a range of design skills and price points than would any single nonprofit or foundation.

Here's how to find your designers:

Step Two: Gather favorite design samples Keep a folder of favorites, printed materials you identify as good design in the same range as your organization's image or the image you want to establish. Bookmark website designs in the same way.

Make sure that some of your picks are produced by nonprofits and foundations.

Step Three: Compile your list of prospective designers Contact communications colleagues (make sure you like their design sensibility first, judging by their products) and ask for designer recommendations. Get basic information on pricing, work style, and client base.

Contact the communications director at those organizations who produced the print materials or websites you've tagged. Start by contacting the folks at organizations closest to yours in focus and/or budget. It's most likely, but not a definite, that their designers are the best fit.

Step Four: Hone your list to the top three or four by interviewing ten to twelve designers Contact the top ten to twelve before you have a design project ready to go. At that point, you won't want to waste a minute in getting design estimates in.

Here are some of the questions I ask prospective designers:

How long have you been designing? With this firm/working freelance?
Have you worked with nonprofit organizations? If so, who are some of your clients? How did you get into design work for nonprofits?
Do you design for print and online media?
Could you show me a few samples of what you consider to be your strongest design projects? What is the average size (dollar-wise) of your design projects?
Take me through the design process for a brochure? How about an annual report?
Do you have references I can call?
Will you personally be designing our work, and be my point person? (for non-solo designers)
These are the quirks you'll face in designing for our nonprofit (explain any, from the Executive Director thinking she's a designer--and putting her stamp on every piece--to a boss who always changes his mind completely on what a piece should feature when he sees a design concept)
While reviewing past work is a very important consideration, be sure you also spend some time talking to their clients to find out more about their design process, working styles, and the results of the project.


Step Five: Write a creative brief the moment you get a whiff of a pending design job A creative brief is the most effective way to get everyone (your colleagues and the design team) started with a common understanding of what needs to be accomplished. An effective creative brief gives the designer direction and provides your team with benchmarks against which to evaluate design concepts. Spending the time to complete a thorough creative brief will save you a lot of time up front, and ensure that you get the design product you envisioned. In two pages at most, your brief should:

Define the project and its objectives
List, characterize and prioritize audiences
Present Unique Selling Proposition(USP), one sentence about what makes the organization, program or service unique
List top features and/or facts about the program, service or organization, and its value to audiences
Detail tone or image
Specify budget and time frame
Outline internal review and approval process



These five steps will lead you to strong relationships with the right designers. As a result, I guarantee that your print and online design work will be more effective than ever in engaging and spurring recognition from your target audiences.

Start right now by diving into the stacks in your office. It's likely that, when you do, you'll find some great design samples that will lead you to more effective (and maybe even less expensive) graphic design for your organization.

Nancy E. Schwartz helps nonprofits succeed through effective marketing and communications.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/301249