BLOG.LANCASTERILLUSTRATIONANDDESIGN.COM
My first blog
September 16, 2009
My First Blog Entry!
I would like to say hello to all of you who are reading my new and first blog entry. I'm excited about the idea of presenting my work and thoughts in this forum. It will allow me to communicate with those who already know me-friends and colleagues, but also to those who don't know my work yet. Welcome!
An introduction...
My name is Brian Lancaster, and I specialize in graphic design, illustration (hand-drawn and digital) and painting. I have accomplished a few things during my career including being published in Communication Arts Illustration Annual 41 and producing the Dawn logo for NASA's Dawn mission in 2007. By the way, you can see it at Kennedy Space Center on the bay doors and on the NASA website (http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/DawnKids/activities.asp). See the Featured Client tab on the website (http://www.lancasterillustrationdesign.com/featured-client.html). Soon you will see an expanded description of the process and thinking behind the creation of it. Cool right! What a Coup! I'll share my skill and expertise and describe past, current and future projects and experiences like these and about the ideas and techniques that went into the creating them. I'll write about people and connections I make and relevant topics in my business, and I hope that they are meaningful for you. As the industry changes, and hopefully as I change with it, I'll pass along what I learn. Additional skills/projects include: book cover, brand development, brochure (campaign), conference display, direct mail, flash animation, graphic design-print/web (CSS, HTML, XML) illustration-hand-drawn/digital, logo, packaging, image correction/retouching, presentation graphics, poster, publication design/layout, technical/proposal illustration and web design.
Moving forward
It has been with hesitancy that I had to learn about the current marketing tools and methodologies essential for effective marketing results, and now I am moving forward as I adapt to the swift current. During my career I've been a print designer just moving along thinking that everything was fine. What I didn't realize was that I wasn't moving with the times-adopting new skills as needed. Oh no, I said! I have had to reevaluate my place in the industry which I never thought I would have to do. I know I'm not alone. I hope not. Have you found yourself in the same position? Nevertheless, I've learned a lot and am continuing to learn and use so many new skills and tools. It's mind blowing really.
Marketing musts that I am learning about
Social media and blogging are two of the tools that I am excited about using. Now that my website is up and running, I'm looking forward to making it the most effective communication tool in my arsenal. Knowing that people are busy and aren't likely to call a number in a radio ad or print ad, it has become obvious that I have to have an effective online strategy. Google I tell you! Well, as traditional methods of attracting new clients is giving way to inbound marketing, I'll be learning as much as I can and pass them along to you. I will however continue to use both traditional and inbound marketing techniques as the marketplace changes. An example is my design of the RMDMA (Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association) Workshop and Luncheon direct mail/postcard for the October event. See the News & Links tab on my website (http://www.lancasterillustrationdesign.com/news-and-links.html). Applications such as the ones found in the Adobe Creative Suite-Illustrator, PhotoShop, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Flash are tools of the trade, but now I am learning new ways to orchestrate these along with CSS and XML. I'll be exploring and implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) strategies.
It's been such a great experience writing this first blog. I invite you to visit my website regularly to see fresh work and content. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to visit. I'm excited about the road ahead, and I hope that you visit again. If you have any questions, please send me an email, brian@lancasterillustrationanddesign.com.
You can also find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Thanks again!
Brian
My First Blog Entry!
I would like to say hello to all of you who are reading my new and first blog entry. I'm excited about the idea of presenting my work and thoughts in this forum. It will allow me to communicate with those who already know me-friends and colleagues, but also to those who don't know my work yet. Welcome!
An introduction...
My name is Brian Lancaster, and I specialize in graphic design, illustration (hand-drawn and digital) and painting. I have accomplished a few things during my career including being published in Communication Arts Illustration Annual 41 and producing the Dawn logo for NASA's Dawn mission in 2007. By the way, you can see it at Kennedy Space Center on the bay doors and on the NASA website (http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/DawnKids/activities.asp). See the Featured Client tab on the website (http://www.lancasterillustrationdesign.com/featured-client.html). Soon you will see an expanded description of the process and thinking behind the creation of it. Cool right! What a Coup! I'll share my skill and expertise and describe past, current and future projects and experiences like these and about the ideas and techniques that went into the creating them. I'll write about people and connections I make and relevant topics in my business, and I hope that they are meaningful for you. As the industry changes, and hopefully as I change with it, I'll pass along what I learn. Additional skills/projects include: book cover, brand development, brochure (campaign), conference display, direct mail, flash animation, graphic design-print/web (CSS, HTML, XML) illustration-hand-drawn/digital, logo, packaging, image correction/retouching, presentation graphics, poster, publication design/layout, technical/proposal illustration and web design.
Moving forward
It has been with hesitancy that I had to learn about the current marketing tools and methodologies essential for effective marketing results, and now I am moving forward as I adapt to the swift current. During my career I've been a print designer just moving along thinking that everything was fine. What I didn't realize was that I wasn't moving with the times-adopting new skills as needed. Oh no, I said! I have had to reevaluate my place in the industry which I never thought I would have to do. I know I'm not alone. I hope not. Have you found yourself in the same position? Nevertheless, I've learned a lot and am continuing to learn and use so many new skills and tools. It's mind blowing really.
Marketing musts that I am learning about
Social media and blogging are two of the tools that I am excited about using. Now that my website is up and running, I'm looking forward to making it the most effective communication tool in my arsenal. Knowing that people are busy and aren't likely to call a number in a radio ad or print ad, it has become obvious that I have to have an effective online strategy. Google I tell you! Well, as traditional methods of attracting new clients is giving way to inbound marketing, I'll be learning as much as I can and pass them along to you. I will however continue to use both traditional and inbound marketing techniques as the marketplace changes. An example is my design of the RMDMA (Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association) Workshop and Luncheon direct mail/postcard for the October event. See the News & Links tab on my website (http://www.lancasterillustrationdesign.com/news-and-links.html). Applications such as the ones found in the Adobe Creative Suite-Illustrator, PhotoShop, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Flash are tools of the trade, but now I am learning new ways to orchestrate these along with CSS and XML. I'll be exploring and implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) strategies.
It's been such a great experience writing this first blog. I invite you to visit my website regularly to see fresh work and content. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to visit. I'm excited about the road ahead, and I hope that you visit again. If you have any questions, please send me an email, brian@lancasterillustrationanddesign.com.
You can also find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Thanks again!
Brian
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.
