searching for the right image for cover art!!!!!!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007, 16:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Amy's logos look good. Maybe ask her how she got them done.

Deby Cedars · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007, 21:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Todd, that image is not near funny enough for you. I think a pie in the face photo of you would be better than that one.

Heather Ruby · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007, 03:54 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm feeling like an idiot now. Not only is "THE MIC" my main website graphic, but I just put it on my freakin' demo CDs as well. Swell. AGHAHAHAHHHH!!! Obviously, I missed the webinar Saturday. I should not have gotten into the car to run errands when I did.. I KNEW that I would miss it.

That said, Deby, I really LOVE this website I ran into tonite. They obviously do branding well. Here it is..just food for your thoughts.
http://www.emeraldforest.com

Heather

Gina Figliuolo · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007, 15:55 (GMT) Post subject:

As a graphic designer (anyone need some demo cover art done? Laughing

) I have a little trick I use if I'm stuck when I need to come up with appropriate imagery.

I'd suggest doing a keyword search on a stock image site, or in a pinch, you could even run a Google images search here: http://images.google.com/ (though your results will be much more random than if you use a stock image site). Plug in words that apply to your style and you'll be presented with visual representations of those keywords. It'll probably give you some great ideas, things you might never have thought of!

Good luck!

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

One more thing . . . once again, I gotta refer folks to the Sound Advice website; there are some REALLY awesome graphics examples there:
http://www.voiceoverdemos.com/graphics.html

And the matching website, http://jamieblythevo.com

Another one,

And http://carrieleepatterson.com

One more,

And http://lynnemagnavite.com

I just love these!

Craig Koepke · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007, 18:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Maya, good advice as always. Kate know your throwing out some free advice? Laughing

One thing though, the graphics are very nice on the ones you have shown. Others that I have seen are so, so and very pricey to boot.

Tell me, does the person see themselves in those graphics? Am I supposed to imagine that the personal image I see conjurs up a thought in my mind what that person might be like?

Now take for instance C. Patterson, am I to think that she is a flower child from the late sixties? I doubt it? Is Judyth supposed to be serene, romantic and somewhat mystical?

You also have a person on the SA demo page that has the Titantic resting on top of a mountain. Am I to assume that he sees himself shipwrecked in this profession?

Personally I don't think it has much to do with who you are as much as it has to do with what catches the eye. Paying someone hundreds and even a couple of thousand for artwork can be risky.

Personally you can go to your local college or university and find many graphic design students who would jump at the chance to try there hand at working up somethng for you and at a very reasonable price.

I may be way off base here but it just seems that your individual personality and the graphics even from professionals aren't going to give me any idea of that ones personality.

For what its worth,

Craig Wink

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Craig Koepke · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007, 16:35 (GMT) Post subject:

That's true Maya in many respects.

Owning a business for over 25 years, working with the University of Northern Iowa and there business management classes as an advisor for 5 years, the one thing that I learned over the course of years is that branding takes time and a bunch of it. The problem is Maya, I don't know that individual from Adam if I'm the agent. I don't have time to try and interpret what that individuals graphic is trying to say about them. The other graphic you liked with all the blue in it, isn't that open to interpretation? To me it has absolutely no eye appeal at all, but you like it. How is the agent or client going to see it? You get to know some of these individuals because you meet them when they come into the studio, so you might get an idea of what they are like. Also age of the agent will be a contributing factor. Such as C. Patterson's graphic. Myself growing up in the late 60's, Vietnam war raging, love and peace, psychedelic patterns, that graphic has flower child written all over it from my perspective. Something I realize you can't relate to simply because it was before your time.

I'm not knocking there designs, but what I am trying to say is we tend to put to much emphasis on some of these things. In reality to start with it is not branding as much as your graphic has to simply be eye catching, intriquing, the same as when you write a resume, it has to catch the attention of the person doing the hiring. The brand will come in time as hopefully your name has been out there for awhile, from a variety of things that you are known for, the graphic being one small part of the equation. For the time being the graphic just needs to eye catching, because no one really knows you and frankly they don't have time to get to know you.

University graphic design people are not the only solution, but I tell you, they will work there hind ends off for you. Its like us, after all its their first or one of there first paying jobs. This also does not mean that this is the only way to go, but it is an option for those who don't have the hundreds or even thousands to throw down.

For what its worth,

Craig Smile

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Craig Koepke · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007, 18:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Maya,

I certainly respect your thoughts on all of this. I just cannot buy into all of this seeing from past experience the things that I and other associates went through in business with advertising. One thing I will agree with though, and that is that you MUST continue to bombard these people with your name. I had businesses get down right annoyed with me, the guy says "I'll call you when I'm ready." I told him that if I wait for you to call me you will be buying from the first guy that comes through the door when you think you're ready whether its me or not. He agreed and we set up an appointment and he turned out to be one of my best customers and personal friends to this day. Also why is there tele-marketing even though most of us hate it? IT WORKS!!

BTW I think the one with the Titantic on top of a mountain is one of the most eye catching graphics I've seen in along while. I would look at that one just out of curiosity. He was fortunate to have a friend that was that inspired.

Oh and University students? Everyone starts somewhere and since it seems to be what appeals to the buyer, what is there to lose if you like it?

Fun chatting with you Maya. As Robert Jadah stated, its our sandbox and now and then we throw sand.

Craig Very Happy

Bobbin Beam

Thanks everyone for the great tips so far. After last week's webinar I have zeroed in on something new for myself, which I will first discuss with my agent before implementing.
I really do enjoy Mr. Mic head tho (lol)
Best,
Bobbin

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007, 20:18 (GMT) Post subject:

So.... it's an ix-nay on ammy-Pay....? Smile

Deby Cedars · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007, 06:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Ronald,
Your going to have to explain pig latin to me. I never have understood it. Confused