Meridian Design Newsletter :: July 2007

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:13:00 GMT

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MERIDIAN DESIGN NEWSLETTER
written by Heather Gordon
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

---------------------------------
In This Issue:
- Meet the Designer
- The Occasional Blog
- Print Services
---------------------------------

I've been preaching the virtues of online newsletters and blog tools as one of the best ways to keep your clients informed but haven't bellied up to the bar for that digital routine. So that ends now. Please feel free to follow my example.

MEET THE DESIGNER
=================
After 12 years as a freelance designer, I realize that many of my clients have not one clue about my professional past. Shame on me. And while I loathe self-indulgent autobiography, the time has come for me to give a quick sketch of my rather unusual set of abilities and experience.

My formal education is as a visual artist, a painter specifically. I earned my Bachelor's (BFA) from University of Florida, and my Master's (MFA) from New Mexico State University. I taught basic design, drawing, painting, and art appreciation to youthful, budding minds at NMSU and taught children and teens during the summer months.

I have regularly exhibited locally and nationwide. In 2002, one of my paintings was purchased by the French Consulate in Atlanta. In 2005, my paintings were reproduced in three national journals and I was given an award for Emerging Artist by "Best Of North Carolina Art & Artists" publication. In 2006, I was accepted and exhibited in four juried shows and won an award in an international art competition in Cleveland. Over the last two years I have also completed several commissions through art brokers and design firms.

Although I adore painting, I possess an entrepreneurial spirit. So it comes as no surprise that after graduation in 1995, I moved to Asheville and started True Blue Art Supply, a retail store. I ran that business for a decade and sold it in 2005. While I owned True Blue, I created two online retail business, Artpaper.com and CheapArtSupply.com. Both are still in operation today and were purchased as part of True Blue Art. At the height of its online sales, Artpaper.com grossed almost $400K in one year. I learned a great deal about marketing, online promotion, and search engine optimization (SEO) during that time, and all of it, the hard way.

I established Meridian Design in 1995. I have never advertised my services (except for charity, twice) and I have kept busy with work by references from my current clients. Today, I work with clients from coast to coast and in Canada. In 2002-2004, I was both a panelist and a keynote speaker for three seminars in association with the Asheville Area Arts Council. These seminars provided information focused on web design, online marketing, and search engine optimization for artists. Looking back, I realize that my teaching experience has helped me develop invaluable training techniques for my clients. Further, my visual arts background combined with my retail experience allows me to respond to my clients with creative vision and financial sensitivity when developing print and web solutions.

This year, I spend my days and nights on website development and completion of a series of new works for an art broker. Last fall, I returned to school to begin the pursuit of a Master's in Computer Science. I expect to complete this course work by 2010 and expand the scope of my freelance career. In my free time, I walk my two big dogs around the neighborhood, spend as much time as possible with my family, and try to finish my long list of home repairs.

Links for further info -->
-----------------------

My art website:
http://heather-gordon.com/

Artist Seminar Series articles:
http://meridiandesign.net/ASS2003/main.html

Using Establish Websites to Sell Your Products:
http://meridiandesign.net/PDF/UsingEstablishedWebsites.pdf

THE OCCASIONAL BLOG
===================
I've started a blog where I will post when I feel the urge. I guarantee you that these will be short and sweet comments and info blurbs. Feel free to post comments and get a discussion going. The first post is up and describes what I'll be writing about when the mood strikes.
http://meridiandesign.net/wordpress/index.php

PRINT SERVICES
==============
Did you know that Meridian Design offers print services? I design business cards, rack cards, brochures, flyers and more. I can handle all the file set-up and submission to a print agent of your choice OR you can use an online service. I have used a few online services and can make recommendations based on experience.

Get my current rate sheet:
http://www.meridiandesign.net/PDF/rates.pdf

Finally, a disclaimer. You have been added to the Meridian Design email list because you are a current client. If you don't wish to receive the newsletter in the future, please use the link below to unsubscribe.

Until next time,
Heather Gordon

Subscribe to Meridian Design via email by entering your email address below: