Having style. That’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about for awhile. Something I’ve wanted to get off my chest and out into the open. So what if you know Photoshop? So what if you can name off cool fonts? So what if you know the anatomy of a spread? The thing that I believe separates one good designer from another is having style.

I think of having style as what do you like to draw? Do you draw the same anime characters that everyone else draws, or do you have your own style? Do you add your own twist? Style is very personal and can’t (or shouldn’t) be copied. Style is what makes you you. What is your style? Some things that may define your style are:

• Color (e.g., black & white, earth tones)
• Shape
• Balance (asymmetrical, or symmetrical; I prefer symmetrical things–unbalanced drives me nuts)
• Contrast (e.g., subtle, drastic)

The thing about having style is don’t be afraid to show it! You can’t be all things to all people! True, when a client wants pink on their Web site, you give them pink. Now, you try to first advise against it, and teach them why pink would ruin their image, but if they’re paying, then who’s to complain? But as a designer, you have a lot of freedom of how a design should look, and it should have your style imprinted upon it. I believe style is makes good designers great! Its what makes each individual artist unique. Just copying and tracing somebody else’s work is not original nor creative. Anybody can copy.

I’m laughing before I even write this. So what is G Spot Exchange? From what I can gather from their Web site, they are a internet services reseller company. You buy an account, then you, the individual, can resell domain hosting, Web hosting, and a myriad of other services.

I created a yellowpages.com advertisment, and I wanted to see if it was up yet. I went to yellowpages.com, typed in Web Designers and selected Houston as the city. I was scrolling through the ads until G Spot Exchange caught my eye. I thought, “Wow, do people even think or consider what their name may mean to other people?” I sent it to my friend Kyle and he commented about the part that reads, “Get Your Business Off … ” Too funny. So if you would like to see my ad, I am 4 spots below the G Spot.

So I’m not much into blood, horror, or gore, but I just might have to see this film!

I just received my funky business cards in the mail. Oh boy are these going to be lamerrific!

Now, I know what you may be thinking.

1. “2 cards? That’s weird. You have to pass out 2 cards?”

Yes you do, but consider this. I ordered a box of 250 business cards for $28 and bought a hole puncher from Hobby Lobby for $2. That is a total of $30. Now, to design something that is either folded, includes a die cut, or is manufactured in some way, how much do you think that would cost?

2. “It looks complicated. How will people understand what to do?”

Business cards are designed for handing out during face to face contact. These will not be mailed, but will be handed in person. I’ve been to plenty of networking events to know everybody just hangs out to chat. Nobody is in a hurry or is running out the door. So basically this is how the conversation will go:

Mr. Money - “Do you have a business card?”

Me - “Sure do. Here, let me give you two. Now, when you get back to your office and you’re bored, look at what you can do!”

Then I take three seconds to show them my gimmick, allow them to exhale with bewilderment/excitement, then cash in my million dollar check. Plain and simple.