As we end 2009.......

“In life you may not get second chances but you can ALWAYS get a FRESH start!”
-CANE

It's been a bit since I last blogged but I am back on my business. This will be my last blog for 2009 too, so I will drop a little something special for you guys. Shout out to all my readers and I am just a little surprised that I don't have any followers yet...guess no one is interested in 20% off on graphics, well you just might be after this.

I want to thank all my regular clients and everyone else that used my services in '09....In the words of a stripper whose name I can't remember, "thanks for supporting the hustle." I love what I do and not many people can say that about their jobs so I consider myself truly blessed. In 2010 my only resolutions will be to continue to develop as a whole and channel that energy into my talent, to get back to my creative roots sketching, painting and graff...yes graffitti art and bring it back to the table. Also I need to , not so much work on, as be more disciplined when it comes to my professionalism. My biggest lesson learned of 2009 is that if you don't treat what you do with the upmost value, it's a good chance neither will anyone else.

So, in celebration on a.....not so bad year and a better one to come, I am offering prices that I have not since back in the day. The sale is a short one but you are only required to be under contract before it ends. You may also combine your 20% off with the sale prices if you follow the blog and join mailing list which will keep you updated on other promotional coupons and savings. How many designers offer you that?
In early January 2010 I will be updating my services, pricing and payment methods so this is your best opportunity to get it in for the "low low". Also, members of select sites that I am also a member of have a promotion code that they can use for 25% off of design...You can find those sites on my links page, just mention the code in your email or place it in the corresponding field on the rca-media questionnaire form under contact page on rca-media.com.

Wishing you guys a safe end on 2009 and NYE, may 2010 bring you all that you want. Wayne Dyer said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” And on that note, I am out....

Artist on Artist Short Interview

Good Day People! For some of you it is Monday and for others it’s just Monday. Either way you go in and approach it as a new day with unlimited possibilities.

Today I want to introduce you to an associate and talented artist Siona Marques via Artist on Artist - part I, the first installment in a series of brief two way artist on artist interviews. Siona is a very expressive and passionate artist that primarily works in oils on canvas.

Cane: When did you KNOW you were going to be an artist?
Siona: After taking an art class. I remember the smell of the oil paints and they still ‘do’ something to me. There was a whole lot of drama in that class, so I had to check out early...But I learned a few things before I did, such as learning to stretch canvas. I have never bought a pre‐made canvas, I stretch all my own. And I think this adds to the nuance of the artwork, the fact that it is totally and completely handmade.

Cane: Do you feel that art has a social relevance other then aesthetics? And if so what?
Siona: For sure. I think art has the power to move and to change, which is why I like graffiti art. It expresses a lot more than just beauty, or at least some of it. Those artists have no other way to express things such as grief, the death of a loved one, etc. I’ve seen more than one graffiti memorial and they can be very deep. The Harlem Renaissance is another example, a period when disenfranchised folks began to receive creative recognition for expressing their pain in a form that was palatable and empathetic.

Soulmate Part I, 24x24, oil on canvas by Siona Marie Marques




Soulmate Part II, 24x24, oil on canvas by Siona Marie Marques

To learn more about this artist and view more of her work, visit http://www.sionamarques.com/.

---

This is the first installment in a series of brief artist on artist interviews. In the future, some will be in audio format. Antonio "Cain" Smith is a versatile artist stationed in Miami. He works in a variety of mediums and also does web and graphic design work.............

Siona: What motivates you as an artist?
Cane: What motivates me as is artist is that, I love to create. Sounds, colors, dreams, shapes, textures, words, touch. I can be triggered by anything at any time. It's kind of weird but for an artist I guess it's not. My creativity is not turned on 24‐7 but experiencing anyone of those things at a moment can spark it.

Siona: If you could change the world, what would you do first?
Cane: I think educate people, not just "book learning"/school stuff but attempt to rid the world of ignorance. As the cliché goes, "the more you know, the further you go." I have found that our limits are not based on what we know but actually what we don't know.

Acrylic on Canvas (24x16) Art By Cane

To see more of My work, you know where to go….http://rca-media.com/

A Pencil Saved My life

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grows up."-Pablo Picass

I say that I was born an artist....prolly* true, ask anyone that really knows me. I often think about the state of the misguided youth and how f#@ked up it's lookin'. The youth have been reprogrammed under the guidance of mass media bullshit on the screen and radio plus you have parents that are simply not fulfilling that role.

I see some folks look at their kids and say, "they learn so fast these days" it has less to do with these days and more to do with the distribution of information and how it's basically being absorbed. With that being said, I feel that creativity being encouraged at a young age teaches a child independence and how to use what’s around them and give back, not just take away. Whether it is through, music, dance, visual arts or writing. A child that can immerse themselves into something creative and nurture that into a craft and discipline as they develop in age has a better chance of staying away from the heartbreaking garbage that we have allowed to plagues our youth. Not to say creativity is the only way to keep kids in line, a good ole fashioned ass whuppin' can do the trick too, as some of us may have learned.
My point is....well there ain't no real point per se, I was digging the quote and decided to run with it. Also, I know that, if it wasn't for art I am uncertain what I would be doing or decisions I would have made in my life and looking back at the ones I could have made.....thank god for that pencil.

*prolly=probably, relax it's just slang/phonetics

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Like The Phoenix From The Ashes

Good morning. Success is buried on the other side of frustration. Unfortunately,, not many want to work to get there. - T. Robbins
(Remember) Life's an occasion.. RISE TO IT! God is Love-Rev Run

I have had occasions where I have been working on a project and I just hit a wall. My response sometimes is to fall back and go back in when my mind is fresh and clear. This is a good idea but you risk loosing time as well as your edge.
When loosing time or edge are a cost too high to pay, you just go all in. There are many cliché sayings I can hit you with but the bottom line is that, if you want something bad enough you have got to dig deep. When you have reached that moment where you feel that you have done all you can, your effort will show you different.
I have said this before and I am saying again, "once you hit bottom, there is nowhere to go but up". We may find ourselves surrounded by frustrations as well as distractions. Work through them, the only thing that separates you from your goals is your tenacity.....RISE!!

Your Image is everything and everything else is just an image • August 18th, 2009

A tag line of mine used to be, “Your Image is everything and everything else is just an image”. This is as relevant today as it was the day I came up with it. A visual impression can sometimes be more powerful than your business name... consumers may not always remember your business name after seeing it the first time but the colors and the design of your logo should give them a more vivid memory of your business. These are just a few reasons why you should invest on a good, effective and memorable design for your business logo.

When clients come to me for a logo design they are often looking for text and a symbol, just a symbol and in some cases just text. Text only logos can be very effective form of branding when you consider the logos of companies like FedEx, Dell, The Home Depot, Ebay and Kellog’s.

Color and font style plays a big part but even the simplest logo, like a few above can be effective branding.

The complexity of a logo or lack there of for that matter should not be taken as a determinant of its value. The value of a logo is determined by what stands behind it, ask yourself how much do you value your brand and service and that is how much your logo is valued. Whether as complex as and containing as much symbolism as the Presidential Seal or as plain as HBO’s logo the purpose of your logo is to represent you and your organization/company.

Logo Design
A new logo design doesn't have to cost you thousands of dollars. A new logo design can invigorate your business, therefore you don’t want to rely on just anyone with a copy of Photoshop to create the symbol that your organization will become known by over the years ahead, you may well get less than you bargained for. On the other hand one should not be cheap when it comes to something as important as your image. Business owners should know that the most vital part of promotional material is the message that it communicates to the customers. That is why even the logo has to be carefully designed and created to make sure that it gives the right meaning.

When designing a logo the first and most important element is the idea. You have your business idea, product or service, the next step is naming it and once you come up with your name the process of giving it an identity begins.
When you contract RCA-Media* for a logo design job, the first thing that you will be asked is, “what do you want?” During your consultation we will go back and fourth over your vision of your logo. It’s always important to have some sort of an idea of what you want. Some companies offer unlimited revisions, but it makes the process so much easier when you have ideas of what you want. Details like colors, font styles (bold, elegant, script,…), what type of images, if any, that you would like to use makes the process less tedious for both parties.
Once I have the details I need to start with, I deliver comps. Based on the information gathered during consultation and my creative flow, I will deliver up to 8 comps. It is then up to the client to choose the best out of those comps or even elements from different comps to build on and begin revisions. If none of those comps are appealing to the client, a second consultation is done to narrow the idea down and more comps are submitted. 3 rounds of comps are my limit and again, this is why it is important to have some idea of what you are looking for. My set turn around time for a logo is up to 5 business days with good communication but I have worked on a design for up to 2 weeks. This is good for the client because they get exactly what they want but it’s not so good for me because the time put in exceeds the cost. So, to keep things balanced if the client has still not approved a design within that week there will be an extension fee. There are also times when a designer comes across a client that is difficult to please, because of this communication is very important and the designer should not have to pay for this difficulty.

In the end, the client is pleased with the work completed and the designer doesn’t feel as if they sold themselves short. To put this very frankly, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Great design takes time, research, hard work, discipline, experience, talent, and great communication with the client. When you take shortcuts (especially in price) you sacrifice these things and in turn sacrifice the quality of the logo. I understand that clients are usually looking for a good deal, but really cheap design is not it!

The information in this blog is just a few things to consider when contracting a designer and for a designer to think
about when taking a job.

RCA-Media Pricing • July 26, 2009

As a freelance designer it took me a while to learn the difference between giving affordable pricing and selling myself short. Sometimes it can be difficult to turn potential clients away because of their small budget especially when there are bills to be paid.
On the other hand, one cannot afford to compromise the integrity of their work or time invested. So how do I land the client without dropping my price? By offering some sort of incentives.

On top of my reasonable fees, my clients can expect a range of money saving and budget friendly solutions.
The first of these solutions is a payment plan made up of weekly or bi-weekly* installments. The way this works is, the client pays a deposit of 50% or no less that $150 while the balance is broken up into no more than 3 installments. This option is available only on projects $300 and up and can either be paid via invoicing or auto-pay*. Bi-Weekly installments will require auto-pay and there is a 20% discount for choosing this option.

The second solution is customer referrals. In working freelance, word of mouth and reputation is a big deal. In fact, it is the main ingredient in being successful in this business. With that in mind, I offer rewards to clients, friends and associates that assist me in developing my success. Rewards such as free design work, credits towards upcoming projects and CASH up to $200 for send me first time clients. New client must be under contract before rewards are received. This works out well for most people that have an upcoming project, being able to get work done for free or save up to $200 can be an attractive incentive when the budget is tight or they just want to save.

The third option that I have available is simply offering specials to any potential clients. To find out about these specials, visit my site or follow my updates on any of the social networks that I am a part of.

The fourth and final money saving option is to, subscribe to my blog and save 20% off of your next project. Not only will you be saving 20% off of an upcoming project but you will also keep yourself informed of the latest specials that I have to offer.

Armed with this knowledge, clients can feel confident that they are getting great pricing along with the quality service and work that I have made a standard. Quality work at a fair price is not that hard to find and RCA-Media offers opportunities to save even more without clients ever having to ask for a “hook-up”.

*Bi-weekly installments require clients to pay via auto-pay/EFT. Save 10% by choosing this option.
*Installment payments are only available on projects $300 and up.

July 26, 2009
Antonio C Smith
Raisin Cane Arts & Media, LLC.
www.rca-media.com • www.raisincanearts.com

Twitter R.O.E*

Hello, I jumped on the twitter train earlier this year. Not only has it become a marketing tool, a way to share but also a social thing. I often post my works in progress, with images, tweet news, events and what I am doing from time to time.
For those of you who are interested in following me on my daily tweets, view pics that you probably won't see on my website including works in progress, feel free to follow me, http://twitter.com/raisincanearts.

• A couple of things though, don't just follow me to follow me. I got a gang of people on my buddy list on other social sites that I don't interact with in anyway at all and don't need more somewhere else.

• Also, just cause you follow me doesn't mean that I will follow you, frankly speaking. I kind of limit it to friends, associates, networking opportunities and people that have something interesting to say, I am not on twitter just because everyone else is.

Thats it really, pretty simple. If you fit in one of those above catagories, I look forward to you!

*Rules Of Engagement

2 Outta’ 3 Really Ain’t That Bad.... • Created 11/11/2008

"You can't base your life on other people's expectations."-Stevie Wonder

As a designer I have learned that, ones creativity is not as important as skill and during my school days...and still sometimes today, I have to struggled with that realization. Essentially, at my core, I am an artist but the artist and the business man are two separate entities working together with two separate motivations. Integration takes place by balancing and not attempting to make those separate entities one.

On the business side of things, I have realized that most people (clients) expect it all and we sometimes push ourselves to deliver beyond our means or ability to fulfill that expectation. Always, as business persons, service providers and accountable human beings, we should not only aim to please but also strive for excellence. The truth is we can't always achieve this to the complete satisfaction of those who's approval we seek.

With that said I have adopted the 2 out of 3 rule of service providers....It's more of a truth than a simple rule. I say rule in the sense that, when one steps to the table, they understand that this "rule" is in effect. The way the 2 out of 3 rule works is, most clients are looking for 3 things when they approach me with a job. Those 3 things are Good, Fast and Cheap design work.....Unfortunately, they will only get 2. If the work is Good and Fast, it won't be Cheap. If the work is Fast and Cheap, it won't be Good. And, if the work is Good and Cheap, it won't be Fast.
This is not because I say so it goes back to my lil blurb on expectations and being able to fulfill them. Let's face it, in life we cannot expect to have it all. Those that are happiest are those that chosen the options best suited for their needs and made the best of them.

I love what I do and it is in my best interest to do what I do well and satisfy my clientele if I want to continue to pursue my career and have longevity.
One should always set their expectations high and far, knowing and accepting that you might miss. But even if you miss your mark, you will be that much closer to it!

A Little Design Service Pricing 101 • 9/28/2008

Money is the sincerest form of respect in business

Sensible business people know that ‘you get what you pay for.’ Why pay a premium to anyone for anything? The strength of a relationship can be gauged by the value that the client receives from you and their willingness to compen­sate you for the creation of that value. Think of the example where a reputable designer goes in to present a written quote to a prospective client and is challenged with, “but we can get this done for less!” If the designer responds by reduc­ing the project fee, what might go through the client’s mind? Either the designer is a sucker, a con artist or worst of all, doesn’t know what the project is really worth. None of these thoughts are particularly flattering in terms of the designer’s professionalism or integrity. If your prospective client really believes that what you are proposing to do is worth the fee you’re quoting, then they should be happy to pay. If there is a problem, go back through your descr i ption of work and deliverables to make sure that the client is comparing apples with apples.



Pricing is determined by value, not by cost

Luxury goods are great examples of the price = value, not cost. Perfumes and cosmetics cost only a fraction of what they are sold for, yet millions of consumers are happy to pay much, much more. Why? Saying they are all suckers doesn’t explain the sustained financial success of the companies that supply these goods. Design is in many ways a ‘luxury’ good. You don’t actually need design in order to do business per se, the way you need a product or service to sell. However, in businesses where competing products or services are physi­cally very similar, design is critical in creating the intangible differences between products--the ‘brand.’ So, if a client has a strategy where distinguishing their product from everyone else’s is of critical importance, the value created by an af­fective design would far outweigh the cost of creating that design. The relationship between price and cost should be that price covers cost and leaves enough to make doing the project worth your time. While price is determined by value rather than cost, it is still important to understand your costs on a project-by-project basis. If you don’t, you can easily end up losing money by consistently pricing your work at less than it costs you to do it. The basic cost items you need to under­stand are: salaries, consumables, rent and equipment leases.



Taken from “Pricing of Design Services” an article by Andrew Lam-Po-Tang

U Only Get Out, What U Put In! POSTED 4/28/2009

"Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."-Thomas Alva Edison

Seems in life the only things that ever just fall into our laps are hot food and scalding coffee or tea...not very pleasant and often unexpectedly. Sometimes when something good does fall into my lap, I like to share it or pass it on. I feel like, this is nice but since I wasn't looking for it, I wont miss it!
I am the type of guy that doesn't expect something for nothing, in my opinion that thinking is ouside the laws of Physics and the Universe. To me life is kinda like that game Mario Bros, your ona quest to save the princess, your main objective, and as you get closer to your goal your journey becomes progressively difficult. While all this is poppin off, as you go along you get to collect your gold coins and magical mushrooms.
It's all about going in and staying on your path. You will be rewarded for your efforts along the way as long as you keep your eyes open for hidden opportunities. Also, you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty...how does that lil cliché go again..."The difference between Ordinary and Extraordinary, is puttin in that Extra!" Kinda cheesy but it's real and it does make a difference.

Lord knows I hate to work but I got unfinished business....maybe I can rest once I save the princess.

Put on your overalls people and get it!