How did you get started in this business? I've always loved to draw, and in high school I had the opportunity to intern at some local ad agencies. After attending Mass College of Art in Boston, my first job was at the Museum of Science publications dept, and was employed by a variety of design studios in the Boston area, Motivated to expand my illustration work, and with the generous help of a friend with temporary office space, I launched this business in '94.

Do you live there? My partner and I bought the building in May 2001, and we live above the office area. Here's how to find us in Bay Village.

My nephew will design my project for free, can you beat that? Go for it, remember you get what you pay for. Will your nephew be off surfing when your website fails? Can he prepare files for print? Before the printer or publisher rejects your nephew's work, turn to a designer that has experience and skill preparing files for print and electronic media. We also provide remedial design work. Prices escalate in direct proportion to your nephew's age. But really, some of best accolades come from the production end, as we prepare your files in a professional and efficient format.
If you have an idea or sketch that you'd like professionally rendered, email, fax or bring it by our office. It can be a helpful starting point for creative development. Here's more information about how we work. And hey, be sure to send samples of your nephew's work. We love a good laugh.

What do you like most about your business? It's heartening to work with clients with a commitment to social responsibility, like Wainwright Bank, and Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility creating illustration and graphics for a good cause.
Large-format projects are a favorite as well, such as the SoWa poster. I enjoy traveling, and like to use drawings from various adventures as inspiration for new projects.

What's toughest about running the business? Chasing after delinquent billings. I've never been ripped off by nicer people! It can get discouraging, and it's tough being creative with that attitude.

We recently fired our designer and want to get our files back. Who actually owns the layout and image files, them or us? You are buying the reproduction rights for that particular printing or electronic posting that the designer has created. According to the Graphic Artists Guild, "Original artwork, and any material object used to store a computer file containing original artwork, remains the property of the artist unless it is specifically purchased. It is distinct from the purchase of any reproduction rights."
Sometimes we include an "archive" charge, to provide you with complete files for your archives, for the reprinting of that same project in the future. Usage for other projects must be agreed upon in advance. Find out more about copyright law and original artwork in the Graphic Artists Guild website.

What's the difference between what you do, and just downloading stuff from the Internet and moving it around? (real question!) I wear the big boots, and I kick ass. Seriously, artwork on the Internet is not high enough resolution for print, and if you're using it for a website, you're either stealing, or using art that your competitor used last year.
I like to take an original approach to your project, whether it's logo design, a brochure or spot illustration, keep in mind your goal, and reach your audience in the most effective way. I have experience and creative skills. Click here to see some samples.

Make my logo bigger! Okay, it's not a question, but it is a frequently-heard comment. Your logo doesn't need to be bigger than the headline. Look at most advertising, the best work keeps the logo in a consistent color, size and position across a range of materials, with a specified amount of white space around it. It's not size, but a commitment to branding consistency that matters. Click here to see samples of corporate identity design.

What's camera-ready art? It depends... It could be a high resolution photostat, a film negative, a print-ready pdf document with an ink-jet proof. Ask your printer or media rep for specific material needs, including specs for image format, resolution and color proof requirements. Most publications supply guidelines for preparation of artwork for reproduction.

I see some of your work in Spanish, are you fluent? No, pero aqui hablemos Spanglish muy bien. Es mejor corregir su propio trabajo, but we've caught a few typos in the past. And we've used online translation with entertaining results.

What are you reading? I recommend "Eats Shoots & Leaves" The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation" by Lynne Truss to many of my clients and editor-friends in search of a good laugh while proofing their newsletters. And don't miss "Out of Eden: An Odyssey of Ecological Invasion" by Alan Burdick, my brother!

Can I use these cool cloudy question-mark graphics on my website? Sure, for a usage charge. All of our work is copyrighted, so that means no money, no honey! But if you like what you see here, you'd love what we'd come up with for your own site! Check out other samples here!