I have decided to use my Blog to add things that I have learned through the years regarding website design and basic computer technology in general. My Blog for today is regarding Windows XP and IE8 and the viewing of websites. If your computers operating system is Windows XP and you don't want to upgrade to a newer OS then you may experience difficulties when trying to view some websites. For some reason IE8 is not compatible with Windows XP. There is supposedly a "hotfix" from microsoft that will fix the problem. I tried it this morning on one of the computers here that is still on the XP OS, the fix didn't work. There is also a possible option to run all websites in a compatibility mode to view the pages correctly. This didn't work either. I am not a huge fan of Internet Explorer anyway due to the fact that when I build webpages IE seems to always have some issues that need extra coding in the pages in order to view them correctly. So I opted to simply install Firefox on the computer and simply view the sites on there. Which worked without any complications. In my opinion, Firefox is the way to go.

Graphic Design is Visual Communication

Graphic Design is visual communication through the presentation of the layout and design of a product and the impact that the layout and design has on the potential customer or viewer of the design.

Whether it be a web site, brochures, animation, flyers, business cards, letterhead or corporate identification; the way you project your company is how the consumer will remember you.

The use of legible typography and colors also make a huge impact on graphic design. Typography and fonts used in a logo are extremely important. If the words say one thing but the font portrays something else a potential consumer is likely to not remember you, your product or your company. For instance if you are promoting a tough and sturdy product but the font you choose is light and airy, the brand will not be consistent with the product and is less likely to leave a positive impression with the viewer. If the brand is done correctly and leaves a positive impression eventually when someone sees your brand they will know exactly who you are and what you have to offer.

The focal point should be what the main idea of the design is. Too many things popping out all at once when viewing a webpage could loose a potential customer. This includes text that seems to have little or no organization and an overload of colors, as well as having a lot of flashing objects on a web page….unless that is where you want the consumer’s eyes to focus.

Your first impression may be the only chance you have with a potential customer.

Photo Retouch and Restoration

I have updated my entire websiite at http://www.moonlightgraffix.com. One of the updates was to my photo restoration page. You can now upload your photo directly to me. Below are descriptions of the services that I provide.

Minor Restoration would be a photo that is slightly faded, needs to have the color restored, the picture needs to be sharpened and/or small scratches, blemishes need to be removed.

Also in this category is the case of a ripped photo where you have all the parts to combine.

Combining 2 photos with the same background; I would take the 2 photos and make them one…this is good for events where someone couldn’t be there but shows up later and you want them included in the photo.

Combining 2 photos with different backgrounds.

I will also colorize a black and white with the colors specified by you.

Detailed Restoration is for photos that are severely faded, missing areas that need to be reconstructed, deep creases and a torn photo that is missing a part.

If you deliver the photo to me in person, I immediately scan it into my computer and return the original to you.

http://www.moonlightgraffix.com/photoretouchpage.html

My prices are on my pricelist page at http://www.moonlightgraffix.com/pricelist.html
as you will see I am extremely reasonable and my prices are at or below my competitors.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Website design starting at $100

WEBSITE DESIGN STARTING AT $100.00

Now that I have your attention; website design that starts at $100 means that I charge $100 for the front page. For any linked pages it is $50 each. I titled my article this way because after doing a bit of research I found that some companies that advertise this way, get the prospective customers in the door and then hard sell them into purchasing their products. With me there are no hidden charges and no hard sell. All pricing is decided up front.

Our website design is from scratch, meaning we do not use templates; everything that is put into your site comes from you. An idea is passed from you to me and I do the research, run the ideas by you and after you approve them I complete your website. Once the site is complete if you need assistance with loading it to your server, I do that completely free of charge. Once your site is uploaded, if you should need further maintenance on it the fee would then be just $25 an hour.

Logo Design consists of again an idea passed from you to me, I do research and come up with 5 different concepts which you look over and once you have chosen one I complete the final. Along with logos for print, I can also do an animated logo for your computer applications.

I also do various types of work on photos such as photo retouch, which is simply retouching your photo that maybe has a few dust scratches. Also Photo Restoration which is restoring an old photo to look like new, taking out scratches, sunspots, places where it has faded and bringing out the clarity or Photo Manipulation where I take a picture and change the background or combine two photos or possibly even removing something or someone from one of your cherished photos or changing a black and white to a colored print.

Check us out at http://www.moonlightgraffix.com

Call today and ask for Jeri at 707-365-0388

Or email jeri@moonlightgraffix.com

Your company's online precense

Your company’s web site should show your company’s uniqueness, not the usual template oriented, looks like everyone else’s website. You want your website design to stand out from the pack. It needs to be visually appealing and extremely functional. The prospective consumer needs to be able to get the information that they are looking for quickly or they will just go somewhere else and you will loose a customer.

I do not stay on sites that are overloaded with all sorts of text that is basically plastered all over the page. The use of too many colors is also not appealing, or graphics that flash can also pull from the main content on your site. That is where a well planned out web design service comes in.

I research your competitors sites, draw up a plan and once you approve it, I begin the design. Once the first page is completed I attach it to my site and then wait for your approval and comments. Then I make any necessary changes and load the pages as they are completed to your site.

I also research keywords for you and add them into your source code so that search engines will be able to find your site easier.

I design all websites without the use of a template which gives you more control over exactly how your site will look and function.

Your logo design should also be unique to your business. Research is also completed and I put together 3 samples for you. Once you decide on which one appeals to you I then finalize it.

If you would like to animated the logo for your web applications I will do that as well at no extra charge.

My service does not stop there. Why not add the logo to a business card design, stationary, flyers or brochures? These services are offered under my graphic design department.

Ever have a great picture taken that you truly cherish, but later on in life you find that one of the people in that photo brings back memories you no longer wish to have, I can change the photo and make a new one that will have only the people or things in it that you currently cherish. Or maybe its an old family pic that has been damage I also do repairs on that as well to remove all blemishes, cracks or just general damage that occurs over the years.

There is also a page on my site that is dedicated to exquisite, handmade, one of a kind, embroidered greeting cards. They have been painstakingly created by my mom. I have this page on my business site because none of us are truly successful without our family.

website design

Tired of all those websites that look almost exactly the same? Want something that's unique to your business. We can do that. How about a logo designed for print with an accompanying animated logo for your computer applications? We can do that as well.

At Moonlight Graffix our customers really do come first and are included in their design process. First you would contact us with your ideas for your design, we would research other sites in similar categories to get ideas for yours, after you approve the direction that you want to take the work begins to create a website that is uniquely yours.

Once you have approved your site, if you have already purchased hosting, we can then upload your website to your server, this if a free service to our website customers. After it is up and running we aren't just going to drop you as a customer, you are then eligible for as needed maintenance to your site at the rate of $25. an hour.

Our prices are at or below our competitors. All pricing is decided up front, there are no hidden costs.

Specializing in photo restoration and manipulation and able to remove blemishes, scratches, unwanted items and people from your cherished photos or to add a different background or colorize an old black and white.
Check us out at http://www.moonlightgraffix.com

Call for a free quote today and ask for Jeri at 707-365-0388