Free Doris Day Font Now Available

Finally, my all time favorite actress is available in font form. Well, not exactly. But if you’re a fan of the 50s there’s an exciting new font to check out.

It’s called Doris Day, and is described as “a stylish little brush script from designer Mario Arturo”. This typeface was based on a 1940 book The ABC of Lettering by artist J.I. Biegeleisen. It includes both upper and lower case letters.

Great for those vintage 1950s designs you’ve been working on. Best used for large headlines, not so good for paragraph text, though. And it doesn’t include numbers.

If you love Doris Day as much as I do you’ll find this font a must have addition to your design collection. I have been a huge Doris Day fan since I first saw her movie Jumbo in 1962. I was a mere child. Since then I had the great pleasure of meeting Doris Day in person while volunteering at a few of her animal charities. She was very friendly and gave me her autograph.

Download the Free Doris Day font here (for both Mac and PC).

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Design Website Design

07 Jan

Creative Juices’ 30th Anniversary

January 7th marks the 30th Anniversary of the beginning of Creative Juices. It was the day my then partner, Max Parker, and I applied for our very first business license.

We started working out of my parents’ house in 1981. With a reconditioned Compugraphic typesetting machine and a drafting table we began. The customers trickled in and business took off.

Soon Creative Juices moved into a nearby storefront on Hawthorne Blvd. After a few years and growing pains, we moved to another storefront in downtown Torrance, in between a thrift store and a shoe repair shop. There was a Newberrys across the street and a tasty bakery down the block. They had really great tuna sandwiches and huge chocolate chip cookies.

Max soon left the juice factory to create Dogs of Design. We still worked together and moved into a new industrial park. Several moves and years later Creative Juices is now located in my own home office and Dogs moved to El Segundo.

The graphic design industry has changed quite a lot over the years. From typesetting and paste up to desktop publishing and the internet. In spite of all the ups and downs of recessions and the new online world of design, Creative Juices continues on. The future is online publishing, content creation and marketing. I look forward to many more years of learning and growing my business and yours. Check out more of the history of Creative Juices.

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Creative Juices News

06 Dec

Setting Up Apple TV and MobileMe

MobileMe Account Setup

I was excited to learn that Apple TV includes MobileMe. I clicked on the menu and was asked to “Add a MobileMe Account”. The way to enter text using the Apple TV remote is tedious, at best. You use a click wheel and scan through the letters onscreen. It’s the same way with Verizon Fios TV, which is also a pain.

I attempted to enter my MobileMe account but was given a message saying it did not exist. After some research I learned that maybe if I changed my MobileMe password, Apple TV would recognize my account. I did this and received the same results.

Apple Tech Support to the Rescue

Out of frustration I called MobileMe support and learned that I had to have photos in the MobileMe gallery in order for it to work. I uploaded some photos and indeed it did work. Over the years I have found Apple tech support to be very helpful.

Photos Only for Apple TV and MobileMe

Apparently MobileMe on Apple TV is only for photos. You do not get access to your calendar, e-mails or any other content. This was disappointing. I wish I knew that from the beginning. It would have saved me a lot of trouble setting it up.

Overall I have been very pleased with Apple TV and especially Air Play. I can easily play audio from my iMac, MacBook as well as my iPhone and iPad through my Panasonic TV and speakers. Unfortunately it does not work with Sirius radio yet. I look forward to more functionality in the future.

Apps Computer Tech Support Helpful Hints iPad iPhone Software Technology

16 Nov

How to Switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org and Save Your SEO Ranking

Why Should I Switch to WordPress.org?

WordPress.com is a great way to begin blogging. It’s a free service, easy to set up and use, plenty of free themes and plugins, and, well, free.

But WordPress.com does have it’s limits. For one thing, your blog’s domain name is branded for WordPress (yourblogname.wordpress.com). If you’re serious about your blog and/or website, it is vital to promote your own brand name in your url. Yourblogname.com, for example, is more professional and promotes name recognition. Being your own entity is much better than being part of someone else’s.

Also, you cannot easily monetize your WordPress.com blog. For now they do not allow Google AdSense, for example. That is why a self-hosted, WordPress.org site is a much better choice. WordPress.org is also free but there are more options and functionality. You just have to find a host and pay yearly hosting fees and domain name registration. Getting a unique, professionally designed creative WordPress theme to fit your brand image couldn’t hurt either.

I’ve been using WordPress.com for a while now. Can’t I just start a new blog using my own domain name?

Of course you can. But if you’ve been blogging for a while you will have probably built up a following. Search engines will have already found and ranked you. People may have already bookmarked your site or linked to you.

You don’t want to lose that ranking or those links. And while you can and should migrate all your blog posts to a WordPress.org system using your new url, it is also a good idea to redirect your old url to the new name. That way, anyone who has bookmarked your old site will be instantly redirected to the new site. And you will maintain your search engine ranking and permalinks.

WordPress.com now offers Offsite Redirect Support for $12 per year. I am not an affiliate of WordPress and am not getting paid to promote this service. I just think it’s a good idea. But don’t forget to renew the redirect yearly. You will not get a reminder.

Blogging to promote business. Branding Helpful Hints Marketing 101 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

19 Oct

Why Your Website Should Be a Hub of Information

Websites Are No Longer Just a Showcase

The days of showing pretty pictures and awesome special effects are over. People want information and they want it now. A good way to lose your audience is to have them wait for a Flash splash page to download.

Make your website a hub of useful content

Today it is important to fill your website with “useful” information. Write about what you know. Show your voice and passion. Explore how to do something in your field. Comment on related news events. Review products. Create a links page that points to related sites your audience might be interested in.

Include a blog on your website. This will allow you to regularly post information related to your business, product or service. Writing a series of articles greatly enhances your search engine optimization. People, and Google, like to know the site you have is current and relevant. Plus this is a great way to get people coming back to your site.

Easy to Navigate

Your website should have an easy to understand navigation system. The look of your site should be clean and simple. The text should be large enough to read clearly and should be on a white or light background. Did you know white type on a black background is difficult to read? It strains your eyes. A lot of people click “next”.

Link to your social marketing efforts

Twitter is a great way to send out mini blasts of information. Facebook is great for social networking and letting people know about you and your business. LinkedIn is also a good place to have a business presence. YouTube is great for video tutorials and product reviews.

But all social networking should lead to your main website. This is where you have room to show what your business is all about and teach new things about your business.

Branding Business Practices Helpful Hints Marketing 101 Website Design

28 Sep

Todo is Now in the Clouds

Having just written about Appigo Sync version 1.2.0 I feel I must also talk a bit about today’s update to version 1.2.1.

This new update occurred just a day or so after the previous update. This time I had no problems with duplicate content or the inability to sync. Everything worked fine.

Now that the iPhone update is optimized for iOS4, it remains open unless you close it in the multi-task bar. Because of this, it does not automatically sync after initially opening unless you manually press the sync button.

New Todo Online Service

For $19.99 per year, Appigo is offering Todo Online “Over-the-Air-Cloud-Sync”. What this does is sync your todos, projects, checklists, alerts, etc. with an online cloud service. This means you do not have to sync your Todo app with your computer and Appigo Sync. So you can sync your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iCal with the online service, no matter where you are, and even view your todos on any computer. And it’s always up to date.

Of course, if you have daily access to your “base” computer with your iThings, and you’re the only one using your iStuff, I’m not sure what the benefit is over the free Appigo Sync software, other than having a (hopefully) reliable backup.

What is not clear yet, is if this new Todo Online service will sync up with the new iCal MobileMe when it comes out of beta. This is where iCal content is only stored online and not on your computer. We shall see.

Apps iPad iPhone Software Technology Uncategorized

19 Sep

How to Add a PDF File to a WordPress Page that Doesn’t Open an Extra Page

Adding a pdf link to your WordPress page gives a link. But when you hit the link online sometimes a new page opens, usually with a comments box. You then have to press the link again.

Here’s an easy way to avoid that.

Upload/Insert “Add Media”
Find pdf file and either upload it from your computer or locate the file in your “Media Library”
Click “Show”
Where it says “Link URL” hit the button that says “File URL”
Insert into Post

Hit the "File URL" Button

You will then have a link. Hitting the link will either bring up a dialog box asking to open or download the file or will do either of those depending on your browser’s preferences.

Computer Tech Support Helpful Hints Software Technology Website Design

13 Sep

Blog your way to Business Success

Blogging is a great way to promote your business

One of the most popular parts of the new Web 2.0 or Social Media is blogging. Using the format of blogging to help promote your business is a powerful way to reach new clients. The whole purpose of writing a blog is to constantly create new content. All search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing, love blogs because they pick up on the new content, especially if it is optimized correctly. This is a great way for your blog to be listed high up in search results.

Blogging Tips

How does this relate to your business and it’s success? Just follow these simple steps:

Create content that people want to read. You want to be a useful resource, so make sure whatever you’re writing about is something people will learn from.
Include keywords, but make sure the copy is easy to read, short, to the point and useful.
Bulleted items and lists are very helpful for those who skim.
Make sure to include a link to your website (unless your blog is your website). Don’t include too may links to your website as search engines may interpret that as spam and reject your site.
If you do link to your website, it’s best to link to a specific “landing page” that covers the topic of your blog.

Why not write a new blog post every day?! It’s a great new habit that will pay you back with more people interested in your business. It doesn’t have to be very long. Just interesting.

Want more information? Call Chuck at 310-791-5803.

Blogging to promote business. Branding Business Practices Helpful Hints Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

08 Sep

Take Control of Your Website

Are you a New or Small Business Owner?

Smart Preservation

Then you really need to get a website. Let the world know you exist.

The question is, where do you start?

Start your own blog/website.

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS). It has a completely accessible back end that is easy to learn. You will be able to add an unlimited number of pages, posts and plugins with unbelievable functionality. This includes photo galleries, PayPal shopping carts, Twitter and Facebook links, calendars, search engine optimization and tons more.

Market your business by adding content

Search engines love it when you add new content to your website. So do readers. Adding useful content to your site on a regular basis is a great way to increase your Google page rank.

Starting your company blog also helps to connect you with potential and current clients. It’s a way for you to be creative too.

Custom Designed Templates

Stand out from the crowd. There are plenty of free WordPress templates available. But you want your website to be unique.

It’s easy to get your own company website.

I can design your custom template and set up your entire site.

Many options are available:

Domain name and hosting. I am an authorized GoDaddy affiliate.
Quick lessons on how to access your Admin page and make changes yourself.
Search Engine Optimization. Includes Title Tags, Meta Description, Keywords and Registration with major search engines like Google and Bing.
Widget setup. I’ll install the most popular and useful plugins to meet your individual needs.
Backup and maintenance available. Keep all your plugins and WP operating system up to date and your files backed up online. You can also get a regular backup of your files emailed or sent to you on disk.

Call Chuck at 310-791-5803 for more information and prices.

I will design and set up your unique website that will meet your budget. Special package deals available upon request.

Advertising Branding Website Design

01 Sep

10 Reasons an iPhone 4 is a Great Business Tool

Having used a Mac since desktop publishing took over the graphic design industry I am a big fan of all things Apple. I consider my iPhone more as a mini-computer than a phone because it’s so versatile.

These are just some of my favorite business related apps. If you’re on the go a lot, an iPhone is a great way to keep productive. It’s also great while sitting on the sofa in front of the TV.

E-mail: The iPhone syncs with your iCal and MobileMe account seamlessly.
Facebook: Stay in touch with all your friends and clients.
Twitter: Set up your favorite list and keep up to date.
Bam Analytics: Set up your Google analytics and keep track of how your websites are doing wherever you are.
Lynda.com: If you have a spare moment you can watch a video lesson on the latest software applications. Check out a FreePass today.
iBooks: A great way to catch up on your business reading. Even load up your own pdf files and e-books to keep up to date.
Go Daddy: Find and purchase a domain name or check your mobile mail.
Lucy Phone: Never wait on hold again. Find a company, call it up, and your phone will ring you when the call goes through.
NetNewsWire: Keep up with the latest news feeds. Syncs with Google Reader. It’s my favorite news reader as it is quick and there’s a convenient Mac app too. Great on the iPad and iPhone.
Instapaper: Save a web page or newsfeed and read it later in Instapaper. A great way to catch up when you have a spare moment.

There are many more useful business related iPhone and iPad apps, but these are my favorite, so far. What are yours?

Business Practices Helpful Hints iPad iPhone