I brake for Bodoni

Yes, creatives like different things than the rest of you normal folks.  We're a bit off sometimes (okay, so sometimes might be pushing the envelope), and we appreciate (and criticize) things other people don't even see: the leg of a chair, product packaging, creative building signage, color combinations, annoying clip art, glaring errors and typos on billboards and signs, and, yes, fonts.

I love fonts and the art of typography.  Perhaps you didn't even know typography was an art, but it most certainly is.  Someone had to create that great script font that constitutes the Coca-Cola logo or the header of The New York Times.  I have the sick, and often cursed, ability to identify fonts when driving down the road and passing billboards in the distance.  While you're still trying to figure out what those 87 words were on that jam-packed billboard, voices in my head are screaming with each new view: "Arial Narrow, Optima, Tahoma (oh my gosh, it's Tahoma), Franklin Gothic, Helvetica Rounded and Hobo, oh my!"

Once in a while I take in some beautiful typography online and I thought I'd share some of these sites with you, the typo newbie.  There are some spectacular and inspirational designs here for anyone who appreciates how words themselves can be art.
Hoefler & Frere-Jones
Typography Served
I Love Typography blog, which in this posting shares some fabulous iPhone apps for typo fans
And, a fan favorite: What the Font? (where you can upload files to tehnologically figure out what they might be--it doesn't get any cooler than this!)

Creative deadzone? Not exactly....

Sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of a bit of a creative deadzone (at least in respect to creative cultural and interesting artistic events and happenings, like independent film showings, modern art, museum exhibitions, high quality public speakers, etc.)  Toledo and Cleveland both have world-class quality art museums that offer wonderful special events and exhibits; but I'm smack dab in the middle of the two of them and not particularly close to either.  One of my current clients, the Port Clinton Artists Club is bringing some wonderful workshops and artists to the area, including an event this weekend (see www.portclintonartists.com).  They are trying to get me to join, but I'm not much of a visual artist when it comes to paints, charcoal, pencil, crayon or anything else that requires me to leave my safe haven of the computer mouse and tablet.  At least, I should say, right now I'm not much of an artist without my technology; someday I would love to have more time for painting and creative visual expression that is outside my comfort zone.

I do make it a point to get to as many events as I can at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where I am a member.  In my recent e-newsletter they showcased a film screening that is coming up on January 27, 2010.  I have never seen a photography exhibit I didn't enjoy, and my love of architectural design grows by the day.  This screening, of a film about the amazing works of Julius Shulman, looks like an amazing showcase of his talent and brilliant eye.  Make sure you check out the trailer here and the info about the Cleveland screening here.  I am hoping it works out that I can make it to the screening, so if any flog readers want to meet up there, just drop me a note at amy@aha4creative.com.

I love it when an identity comes together...

I was out for some meetings today and happened to pass by a client for whom I designed a new logo recently.  It was very a very fun design, giving me a chance to capture the emotion of this amazing organization.

As I drove by today I noticed their new sign, which I had not yet seen.  Sometimes these are such emotional moments; I feel like it's that first day your little "baby" goes to kindergarten or college, when they leave the nest and really come into their own.  That probably sounds beyond corny to all you flog readers, but it is such a beaming moment to see firsthand how my work can change the direction and face of an entire organization.  I become the proud parent, happy about passing the torch on to new ventures.  I'm certainly not saving lives, curing disease or changing the world, but it pleases me when I can help represent and present an organization such as Joyful Connections in the light that it deserves.

Taking it to the next level

It's the new year....fresh snow, fresh hope and fresh resolutions.  This year I've decided I'm going to make this flog a priority.  Whether you still want to tune in....well, that's to be determined!  I promise to share as many helpful tidbits and creative inspirations as I can in 2010.  It seems to me every business needs a booster shot this year, or at least that's what we're being fed from the big dogs.  I don't take this lightly and I've really been doing my homework on finding information that will really help you market yourself and your business.
There are so many things in the works here at aha creative, that I can hardly contain myself (but, for your sake I'll try) and I look forward to sharing these new developments soon.
Today, I want to share a success story and tips to recreate it for yourself.  A client of mine just recently told me how she finally took my advice and sent out hand-written holiday/thank-you-for-your business cards.  She took the time to hand write a personal note to each and every one of her clients.  The work she does for her clients is mostly virtual, in fact, she has only met a few of her clients in person.  Sometimes we all forget that email, facebook, LinkedIn, mail, texting, tweeting and faxes leave a cold and impersonal touch on the business day.  I've been telling her (probably more times than she wanted to hear) that good, personal communication with clients and thanking them sincerely for their business can create so much goodwill that it translates into loyal, happy, lifelong customers and clients.
Needless to say, she now believes me.  She made a point to let me know that about 20% of her clients picked up the phone to thank her for the personal notes.  20%!  Simple, handwritten notes of honest gratitude....remember that, people!  Think about the return on investment of some generic holiday cards and postage.
For a few more suggestions along this line, I hope you will download and read my new download, Thank you. Thank you very much., which is the first download available in the aha creative learning resources library.  Many more documents and resources are in development right now, so check back often to see new creative resources to help you and your business!