San Diego Recommendations

This year will begin my third year being a San Diego Local. I'm still learning what spots to go and new placed to try. I've created a list of places to Go, Eat, and things to do in San Diego that are all pretty close by to my home. Sometimes friends ask for recommendations and these are the general things I recommend to them.

If you ever find yourself wanting to visit San Diego and need some suggestions or recommendations, go to my list located "here" for all three lists combined.

Enjoy exploring San Diego! There's lots to do and the weather is (almost always) agreeable.

Why Hire A Graphic Designer?

For the classic entrepreneur, you have a great idea, business, or product. You have greatness upon you! As a graphic designer I'm not writing this article to get you to hire me (thought it would be appreciated), I am writing this to try to help grow your business and part of that is through hiring a Graphic Designer. 

1. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS CREATE ORIGINAL DESIGNS

If it seems to you that a Graphic Designer might be an unnecessary aspect of your business, then you are wrong. These days there are so many programs and websites that help design for you such as vistaprint, costco, goprint, moo, staples, etc. We like to call these "cookie cutter designs" because they are all the same shape, size and feel. However, cookie cutter designs mean one thing: you and probably a thousand other people out there have the SAME DESIGN! Hiring a graphic designer means you will get an original design that no two people have. This will establish a one-of-a-kind brand for yourself that no one else can use. (If someone steals your design, it does give you a right to legal action).

2. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS CREATE QUALITY DESIGNS

Have you ever seen a design like this that looked TERRIBLE? The information was all over the place while the images were pixelated and distorted? A graphic designer will create beautiful and clear designs that will draw customers to your business NOT scare them away. Plus, if you plan on using social media for your business, there are different size files that need to be made. Instagram, twitter, facebook, and yelp all require various file sizes for optimal viewing. A graphic designer will make sure all the designs are top quality.

3. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MAKE A UNIFORM BRAND

With just a glance, can you tell the difference between an advertisement for Target and Walmart? If you can, then you've successfully identified their brand. Branding for your business is vital these days. It establishes trustworthiness for the customer. They see your brand style and know what they can expect from your business, be it quality service, low prices, trendsetting styles, etc. A good graphic designer will be able to create a branding for your business and will use a style guide to be sure that all your designs and promotions meet the criteria for your brand's marketing and style. 

As a graphic designer, please know that we are here to help your business thrive. We hope this information helps you on your business endeavor. Our goal at AAM Life Designs is to deliver professional results with quality service. We hope to one day work with you in the future! In the meantime, please subscribe to our articles and follow us on social media. 

If you are curious if we can be a good fit for your business, contact us so we can stay in touch!

Branding For A&M Design Print

If you followers didn't know, I am the Granddaughter and Niece of a local print shop owner in Corona, CA.
Over 30 years ago, my grandpa opened up a print store with an old school printing press to add to his list of businesses that he owned (I think I heard at one point it was about 5 at one given time but he's owned like over 15 businesses in his lifetime). Today, that print store is still up and running and with the passing of my grandfather, has now been under new management; my uncle. I love helping out the business whenever I can and also encourage local clients in California to print through him for the best price.
Lately, AAM has been putting a lot of work into branding for A&M Design print. Here's a sneak peak of the new and updated logo. It's still a work in progress but like all logos being re-branded, it should be an EVOLUTION of the old design and not a REVOLUTION.

I'll be posting the benefits of branding in a soon coming article, as well as what you should keep in mind if you're hoping and planning on getting yourself a new logo or brand look.

Valentines Day Party Games Giveaway

 

Doing a Valentine's Day party? Here's two printable giveaways that I made for a Valentines party my cousin and I threw for our family. The first is a poster for guessing how many hershey's kisses are in the jar. The second is the printable sheets for the guesses of the partygoers. The Third page is a black and white [budget friendly I might add] sweetheart bingo game. Simply have the partygoers put sweetheart candies all over the bingo sheet and the moderator takes out a sweetheart candy from a bag one by one. The moderator then shouts out the Message written on the sweetheart and the partygoer with the message takes one off. If you can't read the message, I recommend telling them the color then they can take out a sweetheart with the same color. We had a rule though: no doubles! So if they have more than one heart with the same message then they can only take off one heart still.

We played "blackout bingo" which means the player with all their sweethearts gone wins!

Sample - Watercolor Floral Bridal Shower

I think with each party I help with, the more I go all out! Here's some samples of the graphics I designed for my friends Bridal Shower. I made the Front and Back of the Invitations, an address poster, and two game handouts specially for this shower. It came out great! If you're looking for someone to handle all the graphic details for your party or shower I'm the girl! 

Sample - Pumpkin Baby Shower

If you are hosting a baby shower then go all out! That's what my cousin did when we hosted this adorable Pumpkin Baby Shower. I not only made the invitations but I also made a list of prayers for the baby to give to her momma. A new baby in the family is a time to celebrate!

Sample - Birthday Invitation

Why yes, I do design for myself and I'm not ashamed of it! I designed this invitation for my Daughter's first birthday Party a the beach. Things went wonderful and the weather was perfect! I loved how cute the flamingos turned out and how cute my daughter is. *pats self on back

Sample Invitation Card - Airplane Theme

I had so much fun designing this invitation for my friend's College Graduation Party. The venue was at an airport hangar and the invitation conveyed the venue perfectly! Sometimes going the extra mile for a great invitation is well worth it!

Side note, names have been changed as well as phone numbers. 

Yearly Bill Recorder and Weekly Planner

I love starting my year off right. Especially when it comes to the area of organization and saving money. 

I designed a week planner that can be printed at home via color or greyscale and a bill log you can keep all year long and mark off when a bill has been paid. 

I hope you like it!