PIXL Designs

We often hear the phrase, “less is more,” but what exactly does it mean? 37signals explored this in a blog post that resonated with me. I think it does imply that more is better, when the opposite is often true—that less is better. I think we need to apply this concept to our designs. Quit worrying about trying to achieve perfection, worry about trying to do better with less. The problem with “less” is many people interpret this as “I can work less and make more money.”

This is not what we’re saying.

You have to work hard in order to make money. So why complicate your work by doing things you don’t understand or don’t have the skillsets to achieve. I’ve often heard that you should never turn down a design project because you can outsource to someone who can do the things you cannot. This is crap. How can I uphold my design distinction and brand if I’m outsourcing?

Now, before you jump on me about how outsourcing is a great way to grow your business, keep in mind the focus of PIXL Designs. We aren’t growing a million dollar company. We have a mission and a vision that is about relationships and integrity. Working full-time in addition to running a freelance business doesn’t enable us to branch out wide and try to have this huge company so many want. To us, less is more. The less distractions and nuances we have, the better we can become by focusing on our strengths.

I have recently been testing out some video software for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee as we prepare for our annual celebration in April.

Here’s a clip of something I shot yesterday with our Panasonic AG-HMC150P camcorder. Video was shot in full 1920x1080i HD and edited in Final Cut Pro, Motion, Color and Photoshop (used this for the black vignette on the edges of the video).

Tomorrow we’ll be exploring some various financial tools to help in freelance design. Be sure to check it out because these are some essential tools we have found to work and keep us on track with our business.

Lately I have been pondering the term UI – User Interface. The reason I have been doing so is I think it transcends Web design and computer graphics. Now UI is everywhere and is being redefined as how you interact with various ‘interfaces’ throughout your day. As a freelancer, my UI is how I interact with my clients and my artboard.

If I am trying to get my clients to buy into my services, but don’t have a portfolio to show off. Then I have bad UI.

If I am working on projects for my clients but don’t give them any timetables or progress reports. Then I have bad UI.

If I do really great work but don’t take the time to explain why I designed something in the way I did. Then I have bad UI.

It is essential as freelancers that we take the time to ask ourselves what experience we are designing for our clients. The beauty of Apple, DisneyWorld, and Southwest’s successes are defined in the experience you have using their products or services. Next week I’ll be sharing some of the practical things we have incorporated into our business to help it run efficiently and smoothly, while giving our clients a consistent experience. We aren’t perfect, but we have definitely recognized the need for a great experience. Then we have good UI.

PIXL Designs is relaunching with an improved look and focus. For the past two years we have been hard at work learning the ins and outs of running a design business. We are happy to have served more than 11 outstanding clients (I won’t embarrass the not-so-outstanding ones by listing them here). We are really excited to report that between 2008 to 2009 our business grew 25% in revenue and our Web traffic increased 854% with visits from 54 countries! During this time we designed Web sites, direct mail pieces, email news updates, high school soccer shirts and even trade show videos. It was an interesting year, but now it’s time regain our focus, renew our service commitment and reach out to ministries in need of our design services.

Refocus
We are constantly working to hone our business ideals and craft. Through some trial and error this past year, we are slowly but surely understanding why we offer what we offer. It is really hard to stay consistent with your mission and values when clients pull you in many directions that may compromise these. In the past we worked hard to just please our clients even if it compromised our integrity at times. We are moving forward and refocusing on our values and maintaining our integrity which is so important in today’s business world. In addition, we are not only delivering design services to clients but we are answering the question of why? Why did we choose to do this design in this? What is the significance of it and how does it add value to you as a customer? These are just a few questions we will be answering for our clients as we refocus to help them market and brand themselves.

Service
We have always been committed to quality service. But we have learned much more on what this means in the past two years since launching PIXL Designs. If we feel a job request is beyond our expertise or technical skill level, we will work to partner you with some of the vendors we love and trust. We have developed partnerships that we believe will deliver the service you deserve. We are not afraid to say no to a project. But rather than leave you at the door, we want to help bridge that gap by increasing our level of service to you through the different partnerships we have formed.

Ministry
Here at PIXL Designs, we view our business as a viable tool for ministries to take advantage of. We offer great rates to churches (especially church plants) and other ministries. We are Christians that believe what we do on earth can often have an eternal significance. And so we stay up-to-date on ministry trends that can help your church or ministry reach out to more people in new and creative ways.

If you are looking for help with Web design, graphic design or marketing then don’t hesitate to start a conversation with us today! We are primed and ready for an exciting year and can’t wait to help you achieve the results you need!

Finally, you will notice some changes going on here as we’ve retooled PIXL Designs while we are participating in Beta testing with Standard.Theme, a new WordPress theme produced by John Saddington. John has an amazing focus and ministry through his designs for NorthPoint Community Church and various others including Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson located here in Nashville.