Loco About Logos

So I met with the lady who owns Las Dos Damas and started working on her with the logo. So far, I've taken about a hundred pictures (or so it feels) to try to get a perfect background and set up for the La Dama card idea. I need to somehow photoshop a card that has two ladies on it, making it the Las Dos Damas. The ideas are still a work in progress. My favorite picture is this one:

The two cards in this jewelry display hand aren't the actual La Dama cards, but I figured, with enough patience, I could photoshop them out and put in the La Dama cards. Only problem? This is way too much stuff for a logo....I need to create a simplified version. Perhaps it's time to hit the sketchbooks and then modify my sketches on the computer. I was thinking about the typical La Dama card (go to other blog for reference) but her blue outfit would be some bohemian looking pattern, along with putting the two ladies on one card.
I was also asked this week to do a logo for my friend, Tina McClain, who partially owns (I say this because it is family owned) a beauty school called Trenz that specializes in aesthetics. We brainstormed a lot of ideas together, but I have been so busy with Las Dos Damas that I haven't had time to focus on Trenz quite yet.
As for Terra Java, I need to organize advertising for a music showcase that may be coming up. First, we need to figure out a date and who is performing...yah, kinda the most important part of the whole event. But after we figure out that, I can survey people on how they discovered Terra Java before and after the event, as well as ask Chef Omei if the event increased popularity (aka sales).
I was also thinking about doing a poll on Terra Java's facebook asking which pastry or sandwich or coffee (one genre of their menu items) is their favorite. First, I have to talk to Chef Omei to see if she approves.

~Until My Next Adventure

Super Duper "Why Did I Do This To Myself" Busy: Part 2

I finally finished the sign for Terra Java. I just need to get it laminated and put it out. Here's the picture of the poster for the traffic on the other side of the road:

I was surprised. Getting something laminated is a lot cheaper than I expected. They can laminate both of my posters for only $30. I thought it was a pretty good deal (and it looks a lot nicer than me wrapping both of them in packing tape or saran wrap).
Now onto the topic of social networking: unlike Terra Java, both Ray Eyewear and Las Dos Damas want me to only post something one to two times a week. For example, only post a picture and an update each week. Or, post a picture and a message with it saying that it's on sale or that it's the last one, etc...But it feels strange to neglect a site for that long...so don't tell them that I told you this, but I am going to post a lot more pictures that I took on their pinterest and tumblr pages...shhh....
I still need to look up a good rate for stamps and stickers for Terra Java. The logo will be relatively cheap because it's only two or three colors and clean cut font (pretty easy to master). The logo I am working on for Terra Java will probably cost more, but I will still work on the logo and see if Chef Omei likes it.
Besides that, I need to contact more local artists and musicians. I just can't rely on the few people I contacted. When I'm done, it will feel like I emailed half the Phoenix population.
Also, I need to think of some more ways to reorganize the store Ray Eyewear. I already reorganized it, but I'm sure there's another way to get more attention to all of the items in the store. The people who own the store said that I should wear one of the shirts from Las Dos Damas while I'm in the store (free stuff!), which does help, but only if I am in the store more. Which doesn't look like it's gonna happen any time soon with my work schedule...oh well.

~Until My Next Adventure

Super Duper "Why Did I Do This To Myself" Busy: Part 1

Juggling three - oh, wait, four - jobs is a lot to handle for anybody. I am working as an Intern for Terra Java, I am working as a hired advertiser for Ray Eyewear (which will soon become called Ray Glasses, though I personally think Eyewear sounds better) and Las Dos Damas (a brand name that sells their items in the same store as Ray Eyewear), and I got a job at a burger and taco place called The Stand near my house.

So I have to keep track of everything and make sure I am dedicating enough time to each job. I just set up the facebook page for Las Dos Damas (translation: the two ladies), I updated the facebook for Ray Eyewear, and I am almost done with the sign for Terra Java's new hours. So far, so good. I am going to work on the logo for Las Dos Damas on Wednesday with the lady who owns the brand. We are going to use cards from the game Loteria; there is a specific card called La Dama. There are a few different versions of the art for the card, but the most popular looks like this: 

I don't like the look of it that much, mostly because the products she sells are bohemian style clothing and accessories handmade from India and Mexico...so the style of this doesn't really work, but, then again, a creative background or set up can change the entire feel of this card. 

For the extended hours, I already have poster #1 made. This one will go on the sign that we put outside and will face oncoming traffic. For poster #2, I will have to make it slightly different because it will face traffic on the opposite side of the road...a little harder to read tiny print from there. Here's a look at the completed poster #1:

For other fabulous pictures (please believe me when I say that the picture I took for the stores are much better than these), look up Las Dos Damas, Ray Eyewear, or Terra Java on facebook. I update all their sites with photos (although I don't take the photos for Terra Java). I mainly am using Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Yelp, though I think I might try to venture into the world of Instagram. 

~Until My Next Adventure

Advertiser's Block...not as catchy as Writer's Block

I wonder if this is the correct way to approach this....
I have been doing everything I can think of for the two businesses I am working with right now: Terra Java and Ray Eyewear. This week I have mostly been working on Terra Java's social networking and community outreach. Next week I will work a little bit more on Ray Eyewear. But I am wondering...am I going by the correct approach for Terra Java?
In order to spread the news that Terra Java has extended their hours, I have contacted every blogger and newspaper and magazine I can think of in the Phoenix area. I explained about Terra Java and my position and that we'd welcome reviews on the place and the extended hours, but I feel that this way is too pushy and  "needy" so to speak. I have updated all the social networking sites and plan on doing that more tomorrow as well (did you know that the social networking sites digg, plaxo pulse, geist, delicious, reddit, and technocratic favorites even existed? I sure didn't). I am also thinking about putting out a sign in front of Terra Java, or one of those tarps that people hang under their neon signs that say things like "grand opening" and "summer sale!" I just need to get my hands on a tarp...time to get creative. Besides that, I don't think I am doing this advertising thing correctly (at least for this circumstance). I will need to get some advice on advertising this one...
Also, I am working on getting customized stickers and stamps for Terra Java. These stickers and stamps will have the logo on them and we will be able to put them on various things, like to go cups and boxes. Maybe eventually, when the business is farther down the road, we will be able to get fancy customized coffee sleeves, mugs, etc. Until then, stickers and stamps is much cheaper (and just a little more fun).
On the note of Ray Eyewear, I am waiting to hear back about the log in info for all of the social networking sites and the website. They need a lot of help on their social networking, way more than Terra Java. Ray Eyewear has a lot of potential, but it just needs to get updated. I think it will be much easier to advertise Ray Eyewear on social networking because there of all the social networking sites dedicated to pictures only or that attract mostly picture oriented viewers, like pinterest and instagram. So far, I have only rearranged some of their store....ok, almost all of their store. But I think the rearrangement will help make their non-eyewear products more obvious.

In the meantime, here are some prototype logos I am working on for stickers/stamps for Terra Java. Not sure if they will be used, but it's a fun thought. Tell me what you like:

The World of Emailing and Chocolate Goodies

Contacting people by email is extremely convenient. It's simple, easy, and quick. The one problem? People are so busy with work, family, and other time consuming activities of life that people forget almost entirely that email exists.
Also calling. Because of email, texting, facebooking, etc, people have decided not to answer their phones. Even I do it. It's as if calling requires some mental effort that nobody wants to put in anymore. Perhaps it's even a fear of talking on the phone...having to talk with a complete stranger you can't even see and hoping that this stranger is not a telemarketer or some scary axe murderer from a horror flick (this last part might just be me). And then the one time you answer, it's a telemarketer, thus encouraging you to not answer your phone.
Anyways, back to emails. I have been trying to get a hold of various people this week: Arcadia Daily News, Phoenix News Times, many various local artists, and a few local bands/singers/musicians. Only two people have gotten back to me, and they were the two bands I contacted. The rest I must wait for. I have hopes for the new papers, but the artists...well, let's just say that there is a reason they aren't becoming more well known...(hint, it's because they don't communicate in a timely manner).
Besides emailing people, I have been busy updating all of Terra Java's info on websites like yellow pages, urbanspoon, yahoo listings, local eats, etc...I have also been trying to help Ray Eyewear out. I took pictures of his products and rearranged his whole store today (he literally let me move all of his furniture, glasses, and accessories into all different parts of the store). That was pretty exhausting, but at the same time rewarding. I'm hoping that the redesign will show off that he sells more than just glasses.
My next mission for Terra Java? Design a new logo (I am not sure yet if it will be just for fun or if it will become a new logo....we shall see), keep contacting people, advertise the extended hours (this might involve some fancy schmancy flyer making), and look for a good rate on customizable stamps and stickers for terra java to go boxes and cups.

In the meantime, take a gander at these delicious Valentine's Day goodies...

Something Most Interesting has Happened...

Prologue: Yesterday, I went to Terra Java, the coffee shop I am working with, and I talked to Chef Omei about what next steps to take for advertising. The shop is already doing so well, but there are still more avenues I can hit. For example, the local newspapers (Arcadia News, Camelback Quarter, etc) have never done a story that was just about Terra Java, and the advertisements need to look different and be put in different places, perhaps the Java Magazine in Arizona. We need to advertise her Valentine's Specials more both on social networking sites and community wise; get more artists, musicians, and other talent into the store; and contact writers, food bloggers, and groups/clubs to come into the store. I have already emailed a local artist and a phoenix food blogger (hopefully they get back to me soon), and I am starting on making more contact connections through facebook, twitter, pinterest, tumblr, yelp, etc...

The Interesting Part: So I ended my meeting with Chef Omei and, while walking outside, I thought to myself, why not take a look at the stores in this shopping center. Maybe they could be good places to collaborate with for ads or events? As my brain was turning as to how I could pull that off, I walked into the first store that I thought could be a potential collaborator: Ray Eyewear. It seemed artsy enough to be something that Terra Java would like. As I was looking around at the really awesome glasses, jewelery, and other accessories, I was greeted by the guy behind the counter. We started talking about this pair of glasses I had suddenly grew fond of, which started to spiral into a nice chit-chat conversation, which then spiraled into him revealing that he was the owner and he was offering me to also help him in his social-networking and website advertising.
I stood there, flabbergasted, and the only way to describe the look on my face was with this phrase: "what just happened?"
I was getting hired by other people without even knowing that I was soliciting my abilities. It is so exciting! To think that this could be more than a senior project; it could be a starter-up business. For now, I will have to wait on more details with the next meeting I am having with him later today.
But this chance...it could be really big.

In the beginning, there was Social Networking

If you were ever wondering how the average teenager occupies their time, I have now discovered it.
Social Networking.
Yes, that crazy thing used by those crazy youngsters is actually used by many businesses to advertise and also gain more contacts. Being in charge of the advertising of Terra Java, it is my job to take care of the home pages of the business on every social networking site I can think of.
And thus starts the internet advertising.
While the process may seem simple (for example, "oh, I will just put my business info in and maybe explore a little on the site") it is actually very very difficult. And there are very very many of these difficult sites. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Pinterest, Yelp, and even more that I can neither think of nor fathom. Nor do I want to fathom them. Putting your info into the system is the easy part. Then you have to upload all the pictures, sometimes having to make and take pictures to upload, which takes hours for perfectionists like me. Then you have to keep the pictures, event info, and updates all, well, up to date. Then, after you've gained a handle on that, you have to start reaching out to contacts.
What do you mean by "contacts", you may ask? Well, "contacts" is a short way to say "people who may be interested in a business like yours and who may like to collaborate with your business in some manner." For example, the business I am advertising for, Terra Java, is a very artsy coffee shop and would like to find friends on Facebook who are local artists who might like to sell their artwork in the coffee shop. Connecting the dots to what kind of contacts you want to have is the simple part. Finding all the contacts, however, will take some time. Local talent, clubs/groups, and foodies are much harder to find on the internet than nationally know celebrity icons; however, it is always more fun to discover these local, down-to-earth people. Discovering them is a challenge, but also a reward, similar to creating the photos for the websites.
So far, I have been working on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Hopefully, by the end of this week, I will have gone through Tumblr and Yelp as well, along with any other social networking sites I can find.
The hobbies of an average teenager are exhausting, and the results take a while. In the meantime, please admire these photos that I spent a day creating/editing for the websites: