Graphic Design Freelancing

i-Imagination's Write Up

2012-02-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

Out of the blue, Ashley Jones, the business editor at the Queensland Times, calls me up offering to run a feature story on the Better Business page with i-Imagination being the subject matter. Of course I leapt at the prospect and below is the end result.

If you can't read it here, visit our website at i-Imagination and click on the thumbnail image in the feature section.

Just for the record the first 'i' in our name stands for 'information' giving us the catch phrase 'Information with Imagination'.

Former Work Colleagues

2012-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Now at 50 years old, I look back at all the companies I worked at in my past only to recollect some fond memories of former colleagues. It occurred to me to try and locate some of these people on the internet, unfortunately, due to multiple names the same, this became quite a difficult task.

So I have resorted to my blog to see if by chance anyone else, or indeed they themselves, may do a search of their names, and this blog might just appear.

If you know, or you are:

Matt Bailey, former production manager of the now defunct Auburn Advertising in Leichhardt, Sydney, who grew up in Wagga Wagga (I think) feel free to contact me on 0421 669 877 or email phil@iimagination.com.au.

Greg Jones, former production manager of the now defunct Auburn Advertising in Leichhardt, Sydney, who grew up in Coffs Harbour, feel free to contact me on 0421 669 877 or email phil@iimagination.com.au.

Astro Cabrera, current owner of Adstream Media & Marketing, former Art Director of the now defunct Auburn Advertising in Leichhardt, Sydney, feel free to contact me on 0421 669 877
or email phil@iimagination.com.au

Auburn Advertising was one of the longest stints I had in one place during my working life, and feel that I formed not only a strong colleague relationship with these guys, but also a strong friendship. As I was also a mobile DJ, I recall DJ-ing Matt's Brother's wedding reception, as well as other functions that Astro, Matt and Greg attended.

Come on guys, give me a call and let's catch up.

Visit my website at www.iimagination.com.au and maybe give me some creative input (I can take criticism) .... that's an in joke!

Cheers
Phil

Internet chat abreviations

2012-02-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

Ever sat in a chat room on yahoo or facebook or twitter or msn and someone types 'BRB' or 'ROFLMAO' and you've looked blankly at the screen? Well I have! Fortunately my wife is more versed with the anagrammical way in which messages are conveyed through chat rooms. I hope the following definitions help any readers to better understand what they are reading! (Included are some common anagrams that have been around for some time now, and not just on the internet):

A/S/L or ASL = age sex location
ASAP = as soon as possible
B4 = before
BBS = be back soon
BF = boyfriend
BFN = bye for now
BRB = be right back
BTW = by the way
CYA = see you
CRAFT = can't remember a f@#king thing
DH = dear husband
DW = dear wife
FB = facebook
FML = f#@k my life
FUBAR = f@#ked up beyond any repair/recognition
FYI = for your information
GF = girlfriend
HB = hurry back
HTH = hope this helps
LOL
1 = lots of laughs
2 = laughing out loud
3 = lots of love
LMAO = laughing my ass off
NE1 = anyone
NFW = no f@#king way
NM = nothing much
NP = no problem
NW = no worries
OMG = oh my god
PITA = pain in the ass
PLZ = please
PPL = people
R = are
ROFL = rolling on the floor laughing
ROFLMAO = rolling on the floor laughing my ass off
ROFLMAOPIMP = rolling on the floor laughing & pissing in my pants

RU = are you

SNAFU = situation normal all f@#ked up

THX = thanks

TMI = too much information
TTFN = ta-ta for now
TY= thankyou
U = you
WB = welcome back
WBU = what about you
WTF = what the f#@k
WTG = way to go
WT? = what the ....?
YW = you're welcome

Hope this clarifies things a little or should I say:

HTH and BFN but BBS PLZ and THX for viewing.

Translation:
Hope this helps and bye for now but be back soon please and thanks for viewing.

Don't forget to visit i-Imagination for all your graphic design requirements.

Phil

Living In the 70s

2012-02-02T14:26:00.001-08:00

In the 70s, I was a mere budding teenager whose only goal was to get his licence (a story for another entry) his own super leaded guzzling car, (Unleaded was a loose dog), so he could cruise around and be cool like the Fonz, yes I even had a motorbike or two. But this entry is to give a 70s spin on terms in common use today.

For instance, the mobile phone. Thirty to forty years ago a mobile phone had a range of about 4 feet from the wall or bench top. Unless you pulled the chord from the wall and tossed it across the room in disgust, acka Russell Crowe style. Mind you, if it didn't break from the impact, you wouldn't be able to talk to anyone until you plugged it back in again.

Then there is the PS. Kids today would know this to mean Play Station, but when I was young it was the bit you put at the end of letter because you forgot to say it before, and speaking of letters, they were handwritten or typed, hence the PS (saved you re-writing the whole letter), put in an envelope, a stamp stuck on the front, dropped in a mail box (not an e-mail box) and you waited 6 weeks for a reply! PSP is a jumbled up version of PPS, the second forgotten comment on a letter.

The only X-box I remember from the 70s was the black and white warning in the bottom corner of Playboy or Penthouse or the ilk.

When it comes to the Wii, we did that in the toilet, but we didn't spell Wii that way!

Microwave was a young long blonde haired wanna be surfer's nightmare!

A computer system, if you were lucky to have one, usually had its own building the size of a warehouse and stored a massive 4 kilobytes of information and needed ducted air conditioning to stop it from overheating.

The web was built and maintained by the spider outside your bedroom window, in the corner of your room, under the house, in the bush etc.

Colour TV was the new fad which we didn't get till the old HMV black and white finally gave up the ghost. Plasma was a term used in Star Trek TOS, LCD was an error of letters by someone who was on LSD and the TV took up a whole corner of the lounge room (not much has changed there).

We were pretty oblivious to events going on around the world and usually didn't find out about anything important until days, neigh weeks, after the event. These days we can find out what happened 60 seconds ago, just about anywhere else in the world.

A laptop, clearly is self explanatory. It obviously was the top of your lap, where the fur ball cat could be found, or the lap dog, depending on your fancy. A desktop amazingly was where you put your pens/pencils, assorted stationery, telephone and writing pad.

An iPod referred to your experience with a group of whales, of which there were more of because the Whalers couldn't or wouldn't travel this far away from their home ports. And an MP3 player was a boom box that took about 15 size C batteries to work without being plugged into a wall.

The DS was the initials of an obscenity that you bellied at someone you didn't like.

We didn't have remote controls, we actually had to get out of our lounge chair walk over to the TV and change the channel, turn up the volume, adjust the brightness and contrast (that's about all black & white tv's had). When remote controls made their first appearance in the 80s, they were still attached to the unit by a chord which meant the lounge chair could only be about 4 feet from the TV.

We have progressed from seeing the Movie of the Week on a Sunday at prime time, once a week or going to the cinema or one of the many drive-in theatres to get our special dose of a hollywood blockbuster TO video players and Video hire shops, TO DVDs and now Blue Ray movies that we can buy at will in many shops, watch at any time of the day on any day of the week on Pay TV, or if we are really brave, download off the internet. Don't even think about going to the drive-in, most of them are now car parks or places for markets to gather.

I could go on, but I'd be here all day, But then I am anyway, since I freelance from home. Next entry I might concentrate on internet jargon and the many initials we use to abbreviate what we want to say.

Don't forget to check out iImagination's website and feel free to employ my services.

Phil

TIME IS RELATIVE

2011-08-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

I know that time is time, and passes by at the same rate all the time. 1 minute is 60 seconds, 1 hour is 60 minutes, 1 day is 24 hours, and so on.
SO WHY IS IT WHEN YOU ARE WAITING FOR A DAY TO ARRIVE SO THAT A CERTAIN THING CAN HAPPEN THAT YOU ARE ANXIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO, DOES THE DAYS SEEM SOOOOOOO LOOOONNNNNGGG!
You see we are waiting for the house we are moving into to be finished being built. Only a few little things left to do, but we can't move in till this coming Friday. We've known this now for over a week, and I gotta say this last week and these last few days have been the longest days of my life. And yet I know that is not possible! I did the math! It's illogical to feel this way. And yet, probably like a lot of other people in similar situations, I do!
You know, I can arrive at a train station up to an hour before my train is due. I grab a newspaper, read the horror stories, do the crosswords, maybe a brain teaser or two, patiently waiting for the train to pull into the platform. But the minute, NEIGH THE SECOND, that that train is late, I start pacing back and forwards, wearing a pathway in the platform surface, and going through another pair of cheap joggers.
Perhaps people should lower their expectations to avoid disappointment, but if we did that, then technological advancements, indeed advancements in any field would stagnate.
Finally, to put in the token plug, If you have high expectations, don't want to wait any longer than you have to, because your TIME IS MONEY than i-Imagination is the Graphic Design Studio you need to be contacting for all your design needs.

THE FOOTBALL PSYCHE OUT

2011-08-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

It wasn't enough that the weather gods in Queensland decided to turn on the worst day of the week for the day that the South Sydney Rabbitohs flew in for their round 25 clash with the Brisbane Broncos. The teaming rain that brought visibility to mere metres. Driving rain that stranded an already stressed Rabbitohs football team on the airport tarmac.
They then had to negotiate, the torrential rain in a vehicle competing with space on the road with the hoards of traffic headed for Suncorp Stadium to witness the Wallabies and All Blacks come head to head, while the tired, stressed, wet and cold bunnies tried to honour their commitments to meet with their dwindling fans who had already waited some 60 minutes, who also got wet and cold.
But then, to top it all off, the hotel staff where the Rabbitohs were staying decided to prematurely wake the already worn out team with a 6.00am fire drill. I mean really, if this wasn't a ploy by hotel staff to help psyche out the Bunnies from the ensuing clash on the field, then the easter bunny really does lay chocolate eggs.
That's my take on it anyway. Needless to say, the resting of Nathan Merritt and John Sutton didn't help. And lets face it, and I'm sure Fetuli Talanoa is a lovely bloke, but when it comes to First Grade Rugby League, he just isn't up to it!
The Brassall Bunny, (formerly known as "Casino Rabbit" on Talkin' Sport).

Great Email

2011-07-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Darren Taylor, from Merriman Controls, one of our valued clients had this to say about the recent trade magazine advertisement we designed for him today. This response came after just ONE (1) proof! (to view it bigger click HERE)

So if you would like a no fuss FIRST and ONLY proof of your advertisement or any project that you require, you should visit iImagination's website to see how we can help you and if you need Industrial piping and fittings you should visit Merriman's website today!

New Projects Completed

2011-06-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

I would just like to announce that iImagination has recently completed two (2) projects for different clients giving them their own unique internet presence.

Merriman Controls in North Wyong, New South Wales, required their products pages to be updated to a site that we also created. I'm pleased to advise that those pages are now live for all to see.

My mate Andrew Oakeshott at Kodiak Data Cabling, has finally requested a full blown site instead of the one pager that we threw together some years ago. His site has now gone live, but we are still awaiting content for the testimonials page.

If you have any requirements needed to be done by a professional team of designers, then be sure to contact us at iImagination first.

TV stands for Total Void

2011-06-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

You are probably asking what the hell is this guy talking about! Where do I start. First the powers that be canned Stargate SG1, after 11 seasons, that doesn't seem so bad. What was bad was that they replaced it with Stargate Universe. An epic failure that drifted right away from its ever successful predecessor into a format that was more of a cross between Star Trek Voyager and the new version of Battlestar Galactica. The writers lost the plot with all the drama and seriousness in SGU where the actual Stargate was the least used hole in the series. The tragedy in all this is that when the long awaited and desired decision to can SGU finally came, they also chose to shelve the planned Stargate Atlantis movies which we were looking forward to with baited breath.

There is now no decent SCI/FI not scyfy, as they now call the channel, anyway no decent Sci/Fi series left to watch notwithstanding reruns of SG1, SGA and Star Treks.

Add to that, my new favourite series, NCIS, is in hiatus until the northern hemisphere's fall, and our southern hemisphere's Spring. Again we are left with re-runs.

It is my opinion, and only that, that Television programs, and their respective writers, have hit an all time low, where there is nothing worth watching emanating into our living rooms. We have these you-beaut widescreen LCD or Plasma televisions and they are dishing up crap to watch on them. It's almost enough for you to sell your big expensive TV set and return back to the bored, I MEAN BOARD games.

So now I have all this idle time, visit my website and contract me to do some work for you. I have plenty of time to spare, plenty of time, really A LOT OF TIME!!!

Sheets and their sizes

2011-05-06T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my random thoughts. I have often wondered why sheets don't have their size on their tags.

When you buy clothes you buy them by size, right? And throughout the life of the clothes, or until the tag falls off and/or fades, the size is always there for all to see. But not so for sheets.

The size of a sheet is clearly marked on the packaging, when you first buy it. But what about when you've used it, washed it, folded it, and put it in the linen closet with all the other same colour sheets. Then you go to use it again, but wait! I have kids who use single sheets too, and they are all grouped together. WHICH ONE IS WHICH? You can't look at the tag, because there is no "DB" or "QB" or "KB" (if you are that lucky) or "SB".

You end up having to UNFOLD the sheets till you find the one you want, then REFOLD the sheets and put them back. It gives me the Sh@$ts.

When will manufactures add those all important 2 letters to their tags so we all know what size the sheet is WHEN IT IS FOLDED!

Please!

A twitter here, A twitter there!

2011-05-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

iImagination has joined the many millions of people on twitter. Still not really understanding how it all works, suffice it to say, I selected various talents, who I admire, to follow, who I might add, are yet to follow me, but that's OK, I'm nobody special, although I could offer them Graphic Design services, should they need them.

For example, my mate Russell Crowe, who I have met and is a really nice bloke, despite what some concierges might say, could utilise my services for our South Sydney Rabbitohs.

However that is not the purpose of this blog entry. I merely wished to point out that in the days of "low-tech" when mobile phones were only on Star Trek. When computers took up a room the size of a house and needed air conditioning to keep the air clean of dust. And if you wanted to play a computer game, it was off to the Arcade with a pocket full of change.

Well back in those days, famous or talented people were admired from afar and perceived as someone to aspire to, to strive to be like, to imitate and so on. But technology such as the Internet with Facebook and Twitter, mobile phones with the increasing number of apps you can get for them, has brought those famous stars back down to earth as we realise that in a lot of ways we are already akin.

Russell Crowe tweated about a 5 km walk which included an encounter with a red belly black snake, which reminded me of a time when walking at a beach not far from Russell's home of a similar experience.

Pauley Perrette tweated a picture of her and her significant other with a face full of pizza. I mean who of us has never dived head first into a delicious disc from the mediterranean.

Soon to be mum, Alyssa Milano is often tweating about every day events that happen in her life.

It's not as I first thought, a vehicle for each to push their own barrow, but it is an insight into the everyday events that happen to us, but it's happening to them, who at the end of the day, are just like us.

I guess you can say I am officially a twitter convert. Just keep twittering, just keep twittering.

Religion or not? What was the question?

2010-11-26T04:47:00.000-08:00

Now before you think I am some raving religious fanatic, or bent on starting my own cult following, I would like to dispel those fears in the very first sentence, so DISPEL already. The fact is this age old question has caused more fights over history, spilled more blood and disunity between neighbouring countries, neighbours in general, even family members, than any of us would care to remember. So I thought I would have my 2 bob's worth on the subject.

Having been baptised as a baby and then been force fed religious doctrine all through my childhood and teen years, as an adult, seeing all the bad in the world, I began to question all that I was asked to believe. Naively I came to the conclusion that earth was hell, and we all needed to go through hell to get to heaven. A valid thought, but maybe misguided. Then a book fell in my lap (not literally), and I started to read. No it wasn't the bible, nor a book on scientology. The book was called "The Celistine Prophecy". Now although a novel and as such was fiction, it lead me to, ironically, a revelation.

Imagine this scenario: Suppose Jesus did exist at some point in time, for arguments sake, let's say from 1 A.D. to 36 A.D. (I think it was). Jesus was born in a period of time where there was little understanding in the sciences. A period where running water was down at the creek, and night light was in the immediate vicinity of an open flame. The only engine was the "American injun", and the only ones that were buried in a tomb were the Pharoahs (and their mummy's). And yet they could still purify, melt down and mould Gold and other precious metals. Go figure!

But what if Jesus was just a man? Now before you start labeling me a blasphemer and the like, what if he was a very astute man and saw not just the world but the universe for what it is? Energy. A tree is energy. Millions and billions of atoms moving at a certain rate that enable us to see touch and utilise the woody growth. But there is other energy that we can't see, that we can't touch, taste, or smell. Just because it's not tangible, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Isn't that what they taught us about God? This energy is all around us, even in us as we respire and expire the very air that surrounds us. So it's everywhere, even inside us. Hey, that's what the priest said about God too.

In Jesus' day, few things captured the imagination of the populace, but God and/or Gods always got them talking. I believe Jesus thought by explaining his philosophy as it is set out in the bible, the people of the day would embrace and understand his ideas better. And so it was. Parables of good will, and outlandish tales that easily explained the way of the universe. I mean you can't really believe we all came from two people, "Adam and Eve". Of course Adam is symbolic of males and Eve symbolises women. Well it wasn't Adam and Adam. (That one will get the homosexuals ranting).

What if God is another term for the Universal Energy, of which we are all apart, and as such it is all around us, inside us, and we are it's image! At communion we partake in the consumption of it, in prayer we talk to it, at night we imagine the stellar skies are representative of it. This make sense!

Another confusing thing of religion was ages. We are lead to believe that Moses was some 500 years (or whatever term for time they used old). But how exactly did they tell time in those days. It's not like you could buy a wristwatch from the local gold moulding factory. Were there any Swiss around back then anyway? I'm guessing that calculating the passing of time, was done with the sun rising and setting, and the moon going from a whiter shade of pale, to a full blown light globe over the lunar 28 days. Ahhh a starting point. Say Moses was 500 new moons old, that would make him, going by today's calender, around 38. A pretty long beard for 38!

Well I'm sure I have raised a few eyebrows with my little slice of philosophy, I'm still trying to come up with a way of having my money and spending it too. Perhaps you can visit my site at iImagination for all your graphic designing needs. Cheerio and GOD Bless!

Santa's Not Parading

2010-11-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

The New South Wales government, the Federal government and the Business Managers in and around Sydney, through their combined lack of support, has forced the Sydney Christmas Parade in to hibernation for the second year running, maybe even extinction, as the man trying to bring some christmas spirit, and charity awareness to the greater community of Sydney, is now verging on bankruptcy after pouring millions of dollars into a dream that only a tiny few believe in.
Now I have always voted labour, but it seems that the Sydney Christmas Parade Trust gained more support from the Howard Coalition government, then either the labour state or federal governments.
Because the entity was registered as a Trust, it is deemed as a "For Profit" organisation, although in the years of it's existence, it is yet to show a profit. As such is required to pay an enormity of bills to the state government in order to proceed. For example, there is a requirement of paying in excess of $80,000 just to have the police present. I mean, really, Pay the police force TO DO THEIR DAMN JOB.
I am furious at the government for not helping stage this gala event that heralds in the biggest retail period of the year. And yet, the GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS, are allowed to parade their lewd and in some cases (such as 2009) naked bodies AT THE TAXPAYER'S EXPENSE. There seems to be a lapse in judgement here, and one questions as to where the priorities of the "powers that be" really are.
Macy's has had a christmas parade since the 1930s. It is now an event that draws a massive crowd every year. WE COULD'VE HAD THE SAME. Adelaide have their annual event, from which we were to feature some of their floats this year. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
Once again I and iImagination are appalled at the lack of support for an event that brought charities to everyone's attention, at a time of year when they need to be recognised.
To you Anthony Mead I tip my Hat, and congratulate you on what you tried to bring to Sydney. I sympathise with your plight, and pledge iImagination's support to you in your future endeavours.
MERRY CHRISTMAS (or as the state and federal governments and the businesses in Sydney would say BAH HUMBUG).

To Advertise or not To Advertise, Why even ask the question

2010-11-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

It seems to me these days that business managers and owners are more inclined to cut costs and/or expenditure in order to raise their bottom line. This knee jerk reaction is doomed to failure and has finite results, as eventually any increases in profits will once again flat line, leaving no breathing space for future increases.

Manufacturing profits through price hikes and layoffs is detrimental to the economy and to the quality of services and products. MARKETING is the only true way to increase profits through increased awareness leading to a broader client base. Instead of reducing expenditure in the area of advertising and marketing, business managers and owners should INCREASE, yes increase expenditure in advertising and marketing.

If all businesses adopted the tactic of reduced costs/expenditure coupled with increased prices, then the businesses that use each others products and services would lose again, having to pay higher prices for their consumption.

iImagination can show you how you can utilise your marketing dollar affordably and effectively, aimed at your target market.

Don't back yourself into a wall leaving you no where else to go, rather broaden your catch net and outplay your competitors with lower prices. Make your profits through the quantity of clients rather than asking your current clients to pay more forcing them to look elsewhere for comparable products and services at cheaper rates. Contact iImagination now, visit our website or email Phil.

About iImagination

2010-10-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

i-Imagination is the name of my business and we are located at Casino in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales Australia. You can view my business website at http://www.iimagination.com.au and find out more about the products and services we offer. One particular product I am very keen about is our Planner series. It includes "My Shopping Checklist", "My Holiday Checklist" and "Moving House Checklist". They have been researched and designed to be ascetically pleasing while performing a very useful function of time and money management. Check it out at http://www.iimagination.com.au or http://www.iimagination.net

Welcome

2010-10-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody. I'm pretty new to this but I thought I would start my own blog. Mainly to bring awareness to the fact I'm a freelance graphic designer and to hopefully generate some new business (I'm honest), but any freelancer is welcome to post ideas, suggestions, ask questions regarding any problems or tasks they need to accomplish.
Thanks for looking.
Cheers
Phil