Think back with me for a moment . . .

Do you remember learning in kindergarten the A, B, C song?

Did you ever think that a few letters could make or break you business wise?

Well, I’m suggesting that they can. Particularly in today’s economy and the culture we find ourselves in.

Let me explain.

“A” stands for Above
“B” stands for Beyond
“C” stands for Call
“D” stands for Duty
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

How many graphic designers or graphic design/web design/advertising agencies or marketing folks do you know that do business by their A, B, C, and D’s?

Probably not too many. It’s a dog eat dog world out there. Competition is keen; everyone is out to get what they can get. Going above and beyond the call of duty is not the norm. That’s exactly why it should be.

Whether your client is a huge account or a tiny one, practice your A, B, C, and D’s with them. Soon you’ll discover that your world seems a little nicer, your clients perhaps a little kinder.

Recall the joy and the pride you felt when you had learned your A, B, C’s? Trust me, it made a huge difference in your world then, and it can make a difference in your world now

The logo for The Freedom Project has been posted above.  I welcome any feedback, preferably the good kind!

I’m also encouraging folks to read the info associated with the big freedom project. It’s important stuff . . . kingdom work as I like to call it.

In the meantime, other artwork or sites may be mentioned and posted as well. But more on that later.

I just finished a big project, a 16 page newsletter that is actually more like a magazine. It’s a 4-color process piece that’s printed on gloss text, bleeds, and otherwise nicely done, if I say so myself.

The client is an orthopedic practice in the town I live in. Next week will also mark another milestone for them, the go live date of their new website. LA Associates was fortunate enough to work with them to design the site. It will go live, as mentioned, next week, but will not have one particular feature available yet. That feature being live testimonials. We plan to take video of “satisfied” patients and publish their stories as well. It should be a fun exercise as well as do an excellent job at promoting the practice.

Folks like to see (and hear) other folks talk about their experiences. It gives assurance, it gives credibility, it even gives comfort (those that aren’t sure if the surgery is right for them, for example).

Check out the site by the middle of next week: www.mtbj.net. Drop by with a comment if you’d like and you can be assured I will pass on the good ones to them. If you don’t like it, say that as well, the goal is to make the site user friendly for the MTBJ user community.

And next post, look for the logo for The Freedom Project as mentioned previously.

So what does the title mean?

Graphic designers can help shape or fashion, if you will, how things are perceived. Take for example a logo. Think of a logo that is quite famous . . . for arguments sake, say the Nike swoosh logo. What do you perceive from that? It’s nothing more than a check mark in reality but it’s not how it’s thought of by any means. It’s perceived as meaning determination, excellence in sports, competitive, “cool,” fast, etc. Now the company of Nike, did not purposefully intend all those “words” to be associated with a check mark. It was branded that way by the types of commercials, clothing, print ads, web ads, etc. But it all started with the design of the logo.

Think on the power of that for just a moment.

LA Associates Advertising Agency understands the “power” of graphic design. In fact, it’s a joke spread by us with some of our clients whom we have a bond with especially. But even in that joke, there is care and caution exercised because we never want to be seen as a company without integrity.

And because this “power” is understood, we occasionally partner with projects that truly matter in the scheme of life . . . . kingdom work is what I like to call it. Or to express it another way . . . using the power for good and not for evil.

Proudly LA Associates Advertising Agency has a long history of this mentality. And today, we’d like to announce our alliance with a client that is embarking on a truly worthwhile and important endeavor. As One Ministries has decided to reach out into the world of Sudan and do something that truly matters . . .

Read about it for yourself. www.thebigfreedomproject.blogspot.com

LA Associates Advertising Agency will be designing the logo and all the supporting materials that will be necessary for this to be achieved.

Using “power” for good and not for evil . . . it’s not for the faint of heart!

Keep the plates spinning . . .

Clients depend on that.

Availability . . .

How much is too much when it comes to work?

In this world of instant information does it mean that you have to be “on” 24/7/365? Creative people especially need to look away, so to speak, once in a while. A good road trip will do that for you. Drive the road less traveled (despite the cost of gas) and let your eyes and mind rest on the ordinary . . . more than likely it’s in the mundane you find inspiration.