Leo on the Loose

Happy St. Patrick's Day free printable

2010-03-17T05:40:50-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! This cute free mini holiday printable is compliments of one of my favorite ladies, Kristen of Domestifluff, Paper Crave and Nonpareil. Thanks K!

© Domestifluff. For personal use only. Not for commercial use.

{image credits Domestifluff}

Tutorial :: How to Password Protect Your Illustrator PDF

2010-03-16T02:00:00-07:00

Designers, there are a lot of unethical people out there who are trying to use, duplicate and flat out steal your work. I just read a great post over on Decor8 about people who think DIY means "Duplicate It Yourself." The post received a lot of comments and I am not surprised. This subject seems to be on the design/art community mind lately. Please double check that your PDF's are protected. Do not forget about the option to copyright and trademark.

Tutorial works well for

free printables you offer on your website or blog
printables that you are selling on Etsy or Big Cartel
PDF artwork approval to an unpaid client

ILLUSTRATOR CS3 TUTORIAL ON HOW TO PASSWORD PROTECT YOUR PDF'S

1. Save Illustrator artwork file as a PDF.
**After I save the PDF, I always open it in Illustrator and outline all the fonts and flatten the artwork. This way you will not accidentally outline your Illustrator file. Then I do a "Save As" PDF and do the following steps:

2. Uncheck the "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" box.
**If you only uncheck this box, people with certain versions of Illustrator may be able to open your artwork and grab all the graphic elements.

3. Select the Security setting. Check the "Use a password to restrict editing Security and Permissions settings" box. Enter a password you will remember in the "Permissions Password" box.

4. You can pull down "Changes Allowed" and choose the option that works best for you. Select "Save PDF" button.
{This step is optional. I do not make any changes and just leave the options as the default. Sometimes making changes here can make your PDF show up blank.}

5. You will be asked to re-enter your permissions password. Enter password, select "Ok."

6. Warning will probably pop up. Select "Ok." If allowed, select "Save PDF."

7. As a final step, I try to open the PDF in Illustrator. It should not let you and it should pop up a window to enter a password. If the file opens in Illustrator, something went wrong. Try tutorial again. I would recommend you send one test file to a trusted design friend who will be able to try to open in Illustrator. They should be prompted to enter a password.

NOTE : If you need to make adjustments to the PDF file, simply open PDF in Illustrator, enter the password when prompted and your file will open right up.

mmm...Monday :: Steak Fajitas

2010-03-15T06:11:41-07:00

INGREDIENTS

Marinade
1 orange, juiced
2 limes, juiced
3 T canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 T fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 t cumin
1 t salt

2 1/4 pounds of skirt or flank steak, trimmed of fat
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
12 flour tortillas, warm

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. Places steak in a shallow container, and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight to tenderize meat. Drain the marinade from the meat. Grill the steak in a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat for 4 minutes each side. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let stand. In the same pan with the steak juices, add the bell peppers and onions. Saute the mixture for 3 minutes until the vegetables are limp. Thinly slice the steak against the grain on a diagonal. Spread some guacamole on a tortilla, top with a few slices of steak, peppers, onions and salsa. Roll up the tortilla to enclose the filling. May also serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.

**When my husband needs some healthy and tasty protein, this recipe is one of his favorites! {Found online and prepared for my husband the first time by the amazing cook that is my sister-in-law!}

{image credit Mark Sunderland}

Freelance101 :: Resources and References

2010-03-11T12:07:22-08:00

Whether you are a newbie or a veteran, it is always a good idea to have some go-to references. Here are some of my favorites!

+ books & e-books ::

/ The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career / Jeff Fisher
This was the first book I purchased and it has been invaluable to me ever since. I have mentioned this book many times on my site. I recommend it to everyone contemplating freelancing. It is a small book, quick read, provides form examples and straight to the point references. Plus his personality is a bit snarky and I love that!

/ How To Start a Freelance Design Business / Freelance Folder e-book
$12. Includes: 2 page "Getting Started Checklist" and a 45 page PDF with an appendix full of resource links.

/ The Unlimited Freelancer / Freelance Folder e-book
$19. 200 page PDF e-book. Pretty much covers anything and everything in the world of freelancing.

/ Creative Inc. / Authors Joy Cho and Meg Mateo Ilasco
This book is scheduled to be released Fall 2010 by Chronicle Books. I am very excited about the collaboration potential from Joy and Meg. Plethora of information between the two of them.

Joy is a well known freelance designer with a popular blog, Oh Joy and products in Anthropologie. I am very excited to read about her personal freelance adventure and her advice on running a freelance business. She answers formspring questions in great detail. I love reading them. You can also find Joy's answers via Twitter and Facebook.

Meg authored Craft Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business and Craft Inc. Business Planner. I have and use both books for my product based packaging and paper goods business, finch&hawk. These books are full of helpful resources for crafters looking to turn their talent into a business.

+ web :: There are a ton of helpful websites on the internet, but these are the few I check on a regular basis.

/ Freelancer Folder / Love all the different categories on this site. You can find the answer to pretty much any freelance question and the forums are a great way to stay in touch and get helpful advice from other freelancers.

/ Freelance Switch / Very similar to Freelance Folder. Love the 101 Essential Freelancing Resources link!

/ Just Creative Design / Covers a variety of design topics

/ DesignLuv / A bit new to me, but seems to have some interesting articles.

/ The Savvy Freelancer / I particularly like the 31 Days to Start Freelancing link.

+ remember :: If you have any specific freelance questions you would like to see answered, shoot me an email or write it in the comments section. I will be happy to hunt down the answers.

Also, I just wanted to remind everyone that I am taking all Fridays in March off from posting to work on some personal design projects. Have a great weekend!

{image credit AnouckS}

Freelance101 :: Getting Started

2010-03-11T05:59:13-08:00

The number one question I am asked is "How do I start my freelance design business?" This can be an overwhelming question. It can even make people too afraid to begin. I had no idea where to start! Four years ago, I grabbed a Starbucks, sat down and jotted out a business plan to do list. I decided I would tackle three main components first. Finance, Branding and Legal. {This one is long, but worth it. Hang in there! Stay tuned later today for my favorite freelance references.}

+ finance :: Have money set aside and/or hold a part time job for start up costs. Here is a list of what you will need to begin your design company.

/ Savings / Consult your spouse or your checkbook to make sure you are financially ready to take on feast or famine living. I am married to a "Normal" so we have one steady paycheck coming in.

/ Computer / I started with a laptop to be more mobile for onsite work. Now I have a laptop and a 24" iMac. When I work out of state, I can work in the client's office during the day, then go to the hotel and continue to work on the laptop for my other clients.

/ Software / Always own your own software. You never know when your computer will crash and you will need to rebuild it. Trust me. It will happen.

/ Printer / I would recommend investing in a laserjet. Quicker prints and high quality proofs to show your client.

/ Scanner / This one may be optional depending on your design process and if illustration is required.

/ Point-n-shoot Camera / When used correctly, pns cameras can take stunning portfolio pictures. Also good to have for sneaky in-store competitive analysis. {phones work well also}

/ Website URL / These days it is imperative that you have your work online. Social networking is very important and you must have an online presence. Most of the blog software can "domain map" or push your .blogname.blogprovider.com to just your .designcompanyname.com url. In my opinion, it looks more professional. GoDaddy offers inexpensive URLs.

+ branding :: The fun, yet difficult part for a designer. All paper elements should look branded and cohesive.

/ Company Name / I used my name to keep it simple. Check URL availability.

/ Logo and Business Card / It is hard to design for yourself. Don't over think it Just get it done. Warning. When I was an Art Director and I saw someone's resume come across my desk with a logo made of their initials, I knew it was someone fresh out of college. Red Flag. In my opinion, no initial logos.

/ Invoice / Great example in Jeff Fisher's book. Should have a space for the Job number, your contact and client contact information and brief description of deliverables.

/ Estimate / Looks the same as the invoice with wording like Est. and estimated total.

/ Contract / Great example with exact wording from Jeff Fisher. Another version can be seen here. Everyone should have one. How you use it is up to you. You should also have a lawyer check it over to see if they see any loopholes.

/ Fax sheet / All elements should be in black.

/ Mileage Sheets / I designed 6 up on a page and they sit right by my computer. You should keep track of business mileage to expense at tax time.

/ Job Binders / Everyone will keep paper trails from clients differently. I use the Avery presentation sleeves and keep all invoices, estimates, printout, briefs, sketches, emails and presentations in them. Label each binder by year so you can quickly find your information should a client ask.

/ Portfolio Template / Can be designed at a later time. Always stay up to date with your portfolio.

**helpful hint** As a freelancer, I have a finished product portfolio AND a concepts portfolio. The final project result will never be your original design intention. Clients always make changes. It is nice for a potential client to see your design concept abilities and even solutions that did not make it to final. Warning. Respect your current client's confidentiality agreement. DO NOT show concepts from an on-going project. Bad karma and bad ethics! Concepts should clear when the job is off press or on-shelf and public.

+ legal :: This can be the scariest one to tackle. Art schools are not teaching business courses. In my opinion, they should be!

/ Name Your Business / Click here for some tips.

/ File Business Name / File your fictitious name or "DBA" "Doing Business As." I am "Doing Business As" Vale Design. Click here for some tips and related articles.

**helpful hint** Research your state requirements for starting a business. In Illinois, I had to apply for an Assumed Business Name through the County Clerk's office. The announcement had to be notarized and was required to run in the newspaper for three weeks. They even sent me a snazzy looking certificate of ownership. However, I did not have to do anything when we moved to Indiana.

/ Open Business Bank Accounts & Credit Card / Another reason to have money set aside up front. Keep personal and business separate. Will be easier to keep track of business expenses at tax time.

**helpful hint** I write notes after each transaction and Job numbers by each deposit once the invoice is paid. Definitely helps at tax time for cross checking receipts. You can also use electronic software for banking and invoicing if you feel more comfortable and as your company grows.

**helpful hint** You should get in the habit of saving a percentage of each paycheck for tax purposes. I have always saved 25-30%. Better to have too much set aside at tax time, then not enough and having to dip into personal savings.

/ Locate an Accountant / CRUCIAL! Find one who specializes in small business. Feel free to ask for client references. You must trust this person.

/ Determine your Business Type / Your accountant can offer advice. This can change as your company grows or your needs change. This will also determine how and when you pay your taxes. Information on business structures from the IRS here. Business structures you will choose from:

• Sole-Proprietor - Most freelancers start out as an SP or LLC
• Partnership
• S-Corporation
• LLC or Limited Liability Corporation

+ last word of advice :: I would recommend keeping a "Business" binder. I use mine to hold every business related piece of paper, i.e., tax forms, contract master copy, invoice check stubs, bank information, website information, yearly invoice totals, etc. To me, being successful means being organized.

+ later :: Stay tuned later today for my favorite freelance design references!

{image credits Harry Halibut}

Supermarket Finds :: Great Design Straight From Designers

2010-03-10T05:38:30-08:00

If you have not wandered around the Supermarket lately, head on over. For those of you unfamiliar with the Supermarket, it is an e-commerce site, with a gallery feel, featuring inexpensive stunning products from designers, photographers and artisans. Just make sure you do not have anything to do for the rest of the day!

1 :: plastique* 2 :: mina georgescu 3 :: labokoff 4 :: yumi yumi

{image credits Supermarket}