The Best Time In My Life Is Right Now!

A little over 20 years ago, I lost my job, my wife and I divorced, I had no direction and I was sitting in an empty house missing my two boys, feeling sorry for myself until I realized it could only get better from here. I was wrong, it got a little worse before it got better. I ended up filing for bankruptcy and I lost my house.

After moping for a while and working odd jobs, I decided to go to college and enrolled in a local junior college, then went on to get a Bachelors degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. After college I went to work in the Advertising industry, I met and married my best friend and have been married to her for over 13 years. My oldest son is 25, went to college and is now a Police officer and my other son is 21 and is enrolled to the same college I attended and doing very well.

About 7 years ago the agency I worked for the previous 10 years closed. Unemployed again! There weren’t any jobs in my field locally that I wasn’t over-qualified for and I didn’t want to move out of state away from my children. So my wife and I talked it over and I started my own small graphic design business. Seven years later I’m relatively successful in business and I’m an Adjunct Professor at UCO, the college I received my degree. I have always felt it is important to teach others what you have learned.

This year I turned 46 and I'm busier than ever running a business, teaching college, also my wife and I just had a new baby boy (my oldest son thinks I’m insane). With my more flexible schedule, it's tough, but I’m very happy to say I am able to watch the baby everyday.

Recently I was talking to an old friend and he was reminiscing about high school, and talking about how much he missed those days and he said something that made me feel a little sad. He said that high school was the best time in his life. Can you believe it, here is a guy my age who; for him, the best time of his life was high school? What about all the years in-between then and now?

Well I started thinking about when the best time of my life was. I didn’t have to think long. The best time in my life is today! Every morning I wake up healthy and I think there is no better time in my life than right now. I appreciate my past and those experiences, which made me into the person I am today, but today is great and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

I love my wife. I love my three sons. I love my job. Yeah, I could be better off financially and 50 pounds lighter, but I wouldn’t trade my life today for all the money in the world.

Today is the best day of my life! Now you will have to excuse me I have to go and change a diaper.

©2009 Michael Burke

Graphic Designer, just what the heck is that?

What is Graphic Design?

I get this question all the time from friends, relatives and clients. “What is graphic design, just what exactly do you do?”

When I try to explain it to them, it usually goes something like this.

“See this ad?” “I designed it.”

“Oh, you took that cool photo.”

“No.”

“Then you wrote that great headline.”

“No.”

“Well you must have done that nice illustration.”

“Uh, no.”

“Well, then what exactly do you do?”

As graphic designers, it’s our job to take elements such as, photography, copy or illustration and assemble them into design that effectively communicates a message. Whether its print, web or product-design, graphic designers create visuals that are pleasing to the eye while communicating an idea.

The history of graphic design goes back as long as man has been communicating. Cave paintings found in Lascaux dated around 10,000 B.C. are some of the earliest examples of graphic design. Images painted to convey a story or historical event.

Egyptians used hieroglyphics, pictures representing a word, syllable or sound to convey their writings.

Monks from the 14^th century created beautiful illustrated manuscripts combining artistic illustration with writing to create some incredible works of art.

Today, graphic design is commonplace. It is everywhere you look, every piece of furniture you sit on, every movie or television you watch. Graphic designers influence the groceries you buy, and the soda you drink.

Almost anything you look at in your daily life, a graphic designer has created the look to get you to purchase a product or service.

So when someone asks me what graphic design is, I just say look around you, books, magazines, computers, desks, posters, business cards, Music CD covers, soda bottles, coffee cups, pens, DVD’s, toilet paper packages …ect. Anything human made two-dimensional or three-dimensional that communicates an idea, a graphic designer is responsible.

As you can see, as long as human beings have been communicating, graphic design has had and continues to have one of the most important roles in human history. Communication!

© 2009 Michael Burke

Where's my teaspoon!?

I was going to write some insightful blog on graphic design or marketing, but I found myself a bit nostalgic today. Maybe its the rain or maybe it was the fact that I could not find a teaspoon anywhere but I started thinking about things that I miss. So I sat down and made a list. If you miss anything drop a comment and let me know.

I miss...
Teaspoons- you know the long skinny ones that used to be standard in any silverware you bought? Do they think no one stirs their tea anymore?

Ice-cream trucks- not the silly little vans that come around the neighborhood now, that look like they could steal your kids, but the nice ones with the freezers mounted on back, kind of like a Schwans truck.

Quisp cereal- I don't know I just liked the little spaceman and cereal shaped like little flying saucers.

The Frito Bandito- I know, not politically correct, but he was fun. They used to give you free Frito bandito erasers that went on the end of your pencil.

GI Joe adventure team with the kung fu grip and life like hair- Nuff said.

Pepsi in a tall glass bottle- Nothing like that ice cold glass bottle with the sweat running down the side of the bottle then trading in the bottles for money for comic books.

The original Battlestar Galactica- Not that I don't like the new version, but I liked the old one that had absolutly no message what-so-ever. Just mindless Fracking fun!

Sure I could think of other things but you get my point. Maybe I'm just getting older and looking back or maybe it's because I'm a new dad and I would like my son to enjoy some of the things I enjoyed. Maybe I'm just cranky that I can't find a long skinny teaspoon to stir real 100% bad for you sugar into my tea! I guess I'll just pull out my Mego Capt Kirk and Mr Spock and go play with my new son.

Let me know some of the things you miss...


©2009 Michael Burke

Brand Identity

There are signposts ahead. how do you guarantee your customer pays attention to yours?

The Dictionary defines the term “brand” as a type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name.

Historically, branding started out as an identification mark used on cattle and horses. But as time went on, it evolved to define ownership of a product no matter whether it was livestock or people.

Today branding doesn’t have the same negative overtones it developed in history however, branding is just as important today for identifying ownership of a product as it was in the past. Brands now include companies, not just the products they produce. It’s not unusual for the company name to have as much brand value as the product itself. For example: Clorox is the company and the brand, but Clorox also owns other brands you may have heard of such as, Kingsford Charcoal and Brita water filters.

Walter Landor, founder of Landor Associates says, “Products are created in the factory, Brands are created in the mind.” Good brand identity helps build a good company.

Branding is what the customer thinks about your product, so making a brand identity tangible to the customer is extremely important for a company.

How can you accomplish it?

Finding the right partner is a place to start. Advertising, Marketing and Graphic Design agencies specialize in helping to create effective brands. There are so many ways to reinforce your brand that we can’t even start to cover everything in this short article, so I will try to discuss some of the ways to develop your brand.

Alina Wheeler, author and speaker says; “Brand identity is the visual and verbal expression of a brand.” One of the best ways to develop your brand is the old fashioned “Word of Mouth.” Get your customers to tell everyone they know about your product or service.

Here are a couple of tips you can do right now. One way is simply to ask your customers to tell others about your company. If they are satisfied with your product or service they will probably be happy to do it. How hard is that?

Another way is getting your customers to write testimonials that can be placed on your website or in a brochure. These are just a couple of things you can do on your own to start developing your brand awareness.

Visually reinforcing your brand is another important way to get the customer to remember your brand.

The most important way to start visual reinforcement is to develop your identity. Remember how brands started out? An identification mark used on cattle and horses. Each brand was registered and unique, no one had an identical brand. So creating the right visual identity or mark for your company or product is the most important first step to establish brand ownership. Having a well thought out and registered creative logo provides a tangible visual mark immediately identifiable as your brand.

Tom Watson, former chairman of IBM said, “Good design is good business.”

Brand reinforcement requires understanding and leadership from the top down. If the principals of a company don’t understand their brand, how can they expect their customers to do the same?

All aspects of brand development need to be structured and coherent. Everything should tie back into the look, feel and message of the brand. For example: If your direct mail ties into your website and your brochures visually tie into your direct mail, the television and radio should emulate your company message and all of these should tie into your identity. Remember, the value of your brand is priceless. Solid marketing strengthens your brand value providing consistent and clear messages.

Another important thing to remember about branding, is getting your message across. You must understand your customer and their lifestyle. Research and strategy are essential in brand development.

Strategically, you must have a clear set of goals that produce measurable results. Finding the right marketing partner can help you define your strategy to build your brand. It is a long process that is almost impossible to do alone.

And a final thought, naming your company or product is only part of the branding process. Effective implementation of branding strategies is what makes a brand successful. Remember, your ultimate goal is to sell. Whether it is a product or service, your company can’t remain invisible. Developing your brand and making a lasting impression in the minds of your consumers, can be the life or death of your business.

©2009 Michael Burke

Are Ethics Still Important?

When I was a kid, my parents and grandparents took the time to teach me ethics.

They didn’t do it by sitting me down and say son, today we’re going to learn about ethics. They taught me by their actions, by what they encouraged me to read and allowed me to watch on television and movies and encouraging me to participate in organizations such as Boy Souts, 4-H and FFA.

So I grew up reading about people like King Arthur, Abraham Lincoln, and watching John Wayne, Captain Kirk and Superman.

Growing up I was also a big fan of the Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy and Doc Savage. All three of these characters were slightly before my time but they all had one thing in common, the were all the “good guys” and they all had ethics. Each one had a code for how they lived and encouraged others to live by their same credo.

So I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the creeds of the Lone Ranger, Doc Savage and Hopalong Cassidy then you can decide how or if they relate to the ethics of today.

Lone Ranger Creed

“I believe.....

• That to have a friend, a man must be one.

• That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

• That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

• In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.

• That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.

• That ‘this government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ shall live always.

• That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.

• That sooner or later...somewhere... somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.

• That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever.

• In my Creator, my country, my fellow man.”

Doc Savage creed

Let me strive, every moment of my life, to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right, and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do. Let me do right to all, and wrong no man.

Hopalong Cassidy

• The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.

• Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.

• If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.

• Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy.

• Your good deeds always come to light. So don’t boast or be a show-off.

• If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.

• Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.

• A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.

• Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.

• Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.

Hokey? Maybe, but I try to follow many of these rules in my everyday life, and teach them to my children and I believe it makes us better human beings. It also makes my mother very happy.

Something to think about.

©2009 Michael Burke

The Value of good Logo Design

Michael Burke
Owner, Gotham Advertising and Design
mburke@gothamok.com

In the years I have been in the advertising and design business, I have seen hundreds of logos. Some of them very good and some very bad; there’s an obvious difference between the two. The good ones define the company and support the brand. The bad ones don’t.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? It’s not.

Good logo design is more than having your company name in a cool type font, or maybe a nifty little graphic illustration. A good logo designer starts off with research.

If you hire someone to design your logo and they don’t ask any questions about your company, run for your life.

When designing a logo, a designer should find out as much about your business as he or she can. It is not unusual for the designer to ask in depth about your business plan, marketing plan, and your product or service. Sometimes, this seems like the designer is digging into your privacy, but it is important to have as much information as possible so the design can work best for your company. After all, the designer is creating the visual identity that defines it.

Think about it, THE VISUAL IDENTITY THAT DEFINES YOUR COMPANY. That’s pretty strong stuff. The logo is the first thing most people see before they even meet you. It’s on your stationery, business cards, note pads, envelopes, products (if you sell a product), store fronts, and the list goes on and on.

Your logo often introduces your company to your customers. Now ask yourself, do you want someone who doesn’t want to know information about your business goals and aspirations to design the image that represents your company to your customers and potential customers? Or do you want a designer who cares enough to ask the right questions and provides you with a well researched and thought out design?

Along with a business plan and marketing plan, logo design should be one of the top three things you do when you start a business.

Steps that should be taken when designing your company logo.


• Initial meeting – An introduction and chance to meet the personality behind the business. It is important to meet the principals in the business because their personalities can help to define the parameters of the design.


• Research - Research is one of the most important, and most often ignored, parts of the logo design process. The designer needs to find out as much information about your business as he or she can. There is no such thing as too much information. The design firm should know almost as much about your business as you do. Research also includes doing copyright and trademark searches. This search should be done by a copyright and trademark attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, the designer should be able to provide you with a name (if the designer can’t give you a name you should worry, they should have someone that they use regularly). This trademark search is for the safety of your business. The search makes sure that no one else is using your name or mark. Finding out this information is extremely important because you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a logo design, thousands of dollars on corporate identity packages and signage, only to find out that some other business has the same business name and similar logo design and that they had it first, forcing you to spend more time and money re-designing and re-implementing your logo. Some companies spend over a million dollars a year just defending their trademark, so research is important.


• Design - The designers will sit down and go over all the information they have accumulated from the meetings and research, and start to come up with ideas. Designers don’t just start picking typefaces and drawing illustrations with no direction or purpose. A good designer will have a good reason for every part of a logo design. Designers are problem solvers and should provide several different designs for you to look at.


• Client input - After providing you with several designs, the designer will ask for your input. He or she will find out what you like and don’t like about the logo designs presented. This is a process that will help fine-tune the design and provide you with the logo that fits your business best.


• Final artwork - After all the research and meetings, it all comes down to the implementation of the final logo design. It is uniquely yours and will be tailored to your business.

Once you have a good logo design in place, it will make the branding and marketing of your business much more effective.

Logo designs are not inexpensive. A good logo design takes time. With the proper research and input from the client, the logo design will be some of the best money you spend. If you want to know how good logo design instantly identifies your business, think of these business names and see what pops into your head when you read them. McDonald’s™, Dodge™, HR Block™, Starbucks™, Best Buy™. These are the types of identifiable logo designs that are well thought out, researched, implemented, and effective, and none of these companies cut costs on their corporate identity design, and spend a lot of money pursuing people who infringe on their identity.

Finally, a good, extensively researched and designed logo supports your brand and makes your company immediately identifiable to your customers and potential customers. It also makes more effective implementation of all marketing materials. A well designed, professional logo is the public face of your business. It represents your company in all aspects of your daily business; the design should be solid, researched, immediately identifiable and knock their socks off!

© 2009 Michael Burke