Too many times, I’ve been part of creative brainstorming sessions or meetings and the topics of direction and target audience never want to be bridged. To some, making something “look cool” is the ultimate goal because “more people will want to look at it or keep it.” Let’s be honest with ourselves. “Cool” is a… Read More
Author: Patrick Magyar
Patrick joined the Proforma family in May of 2012 after 4 years of working for small marketing and communications firms that specialized in graphic and web design. His expertise is in the area of creative, working as a graphic and web designer, creative marketer and manager. Patrick graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and a Minor Degree in Computer Graphics from the University of Akron, in Akron, OH.
Patrick is an avid fan of all things sports and has a soft spot in his heart for the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He takes every opportunity to spend time with his beautiful wife, Kristen, and their 2 boys, Landon and Cameron.
To many, creativity is thought of as a “God-given” talent or quality that one is born with. An idea that you’re born with the ability to think differently or “think outside the box” instead of learning a process to get you to a certain result. As a creative, I often hear people say they “aren’t… Read More
White Space Does Not Equal Wasted Space
Not everyone has an eye for design and not everyone has a design team available to them. If you follow this one simple tip, you will have your ads looking like masterpieces in no time! PRO TIP: EMBRACE THE WHITE SPACE Yes you read that correctly, don’t be afraid to embrace white space when designing.… Read More
4 Business Practices I Learned from Intermittent Fasting
For a long time, like many, I’ve had a difficult time losing weight and keeping it off. A major part of the issue was my decision making. I always opted for the foods that weren’t good for me and given the option, I always chose steak…it’s my weakness. Couple that with a lack of motivation… Read More
Make it Memorable!
Your direct mailer has been sent. Weeks of preparation led you to this moment. You wait anxiously for responses… …and they never come in. You put all your time and effort into it! You double checked your list, the art was branded and the message was on point. What happened?? Well, beyond popular belief, the… Read More
The Give and Take of Creative
When dealing with a creative project, whether it’s a design critique or a concept review, it’s important to remember that all creative is subjective. Meaning that the interpretation of the art is influenced by one’s own feelings of the piece. Also keep in mind that your own views may be very different than someone else… Read More
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast… Yourself
Tucked away somewhere in that mushy brain of yours is something so scary that you suppress it every time an opportunity presents itself. You guard it so tightly that nobody even knows it exists and some of you may even be embarrassed by it. Every so often it creeps back out and it’s very existence… Read More
Brand Marketing: Be Bold, Take Risks, Evoke Emotion
Building and sustaining a brand from the ground up can very difficult and labor intensive. Getting your name out there can feel like an impossible task, especially in an economy crowded by many people selling the same services or goods that you do. So how do you differentiate yourself? What makes you any better than… Read More
How to Hire a Great Graphic Designer
We’re Hiring! This phrase strikes either optimism or fear, and sometimes both into most business owners looking to expand their business, especially in the creative department. How do you know if a candidate is qualified? Did they go to a reputable institution? What exactly should I look for in a graphic designer? Here are a… Read More
Whoop, There It Is
I am obsessed with statistics. Whether its sports related, web analytics or sales figures, I love numbers. It quantifies the activity that you are doing and provides validity for the time and effort you’ve put forth. You get the understanding of what you are doing right and what can be improved upon in all aspects… Read More
When It Comes to Advertising, Personality Sells
Nobody likes plain. Face it; plain is boring. You don’t see someone ordering a pizza and when asked about toppings, say “Just keep it plain.” That means either you have a food allergy (which is ok) or you scoff at awesome (which is not ok). If you’re watching TV and a commercial comes on that’s… Read More
Successful Brand Iconography
Brand icons are the visual story teller for a company and almost every successful brand has one. These icons are viewed and immediately give the consumer a glimpse into the brand without requiring a dissertation to understand it. Our brains begin to recall old commercials and past experiences that have built the brand in our… Read More