MassFX Creative Group

Lessons Learned

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:24:08 +0000

Well we have reached the start of another year. We have looked back over our successes and failures and achieved personal and collective growth. We look forward to what is ahead and are excited about the challenges we will face each day. We must not lose our pursuit of excellence nor our thirst to succeed. Reaching the top step of the ladder should not be our end, it should lead to a new set of steps to climb. Constantly challenging ourselves outside of our comfort zone and testing ourselves to the outer limits. This should be a year of fulfilling one more item than the last year. Growth is a marathon and not a sprint there will be hurdles along the way and there will be bend but don’t break moments. Through these test and trials we will gain even greater strength and greater victories. I hope each of us continues to press toward the mark!

Printing Basics: 3D Design

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:46:27 +0000

One of my favorite sites to check out awesome work is Structural Graphics. They offer great alternatives to the hum drum basic flat printing concepts we are used to seeing.

Printing Basics: Letterpress

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:15:25 +0000

I loooove letterpress work! You can always get a great look, especially when the designer makes use of negative space. Creativity is endless when letterpress applications are factored in. Here a few examples from a website I frequent to check out the work they do studioonfire.com Whether its emboss, deboss, perfed, or folded these guys continue to impress. Keep up the awesome work!

Printing Basics: Understanding Print Processes

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:11:04 +0000

One of the most troubling issues I have come across with designers as well as clients is understanding the best print process for their projects. Here we will focus on them, take note that you should be familiar with them as the way your project turns out will depend on it.

We will start with sheetfed offset printing, name derived from the fact that individual sheets are fed into the press. Sheetfed offset printing is for mid-sized quantities. The presses can print 4 color process up to as many as 8 colors with coaters and UV attachments.

Web Press – Web press is for large quantity magazines and booklets. The paper is fed off of huge roll, similar to the look of bath tissue. the print stock is normally thin text weight papers. Newspapers are a perfect example of a web press job. The print job gets cut after each completed part, for example one complete magazine.

Digital Printing – digital printing is for small jobs, normally what you would get from Kinkos, stock normally comes at a maximum size of 12″x18″. While digital printers have come a long way, some use toner rather than ink which you get from the other two processes. Toner doesn’t always recognize the screens and PMS colors that may be in your design. Technology is catching up quickly as the high end devices can accomplish your color needs.

I hope this does answer a few of your print questions…until tomorrow

You Gotta Be A Flashlight

admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:34:17 +0000

You gotta learn to be a flashlight…A flashlight never loses its focus its always facing forward never looking back. It continues to shine as long as it has life. Even in darkness it can light an entire room and not lose its way. A flashlight always shines its light on others…

Knowing Your Purpose

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:56:36 +0000

Been a minute since I have posted…Another Dallas ice and snow storm has impacted another day of work. However I’m attempting to work from home sitting next to the fireplace. Looking at the fire, I’m thinking did all the elements that went into generating this heat know that was their intended purpose? The wood, matches, even the fireplace itself, or even the flame in which they create? Do many walk this planet everyday not knowing their true purpose? What greatness are we meant for and are we seeking it out? Or do we just live a mundane existence? Many complain of unhappiness in their home and workplace, yet make no attempts to change the atmosphere. Limitations have already been place in their minds of I can’t because of…instead of I can and will. Looking at ourselves is not an easy task as we sometimes see ourselves as finite beings with limited resources. God said He made us in His image so why would he then plant a stop sign at the gate of imagination? Traits of fear, nervousness, anxiety, and worry come from within. You must fight through the clutter and congestion of confusion to develop yourself and purpose in which you are meant for. For some it will be easy, for others it may be a battle, but there is a victory waiting for you. Everyone has purpose in this life and it must be fulfilled.

Today’s Lesson…

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:06:42 +0000

a lesson in humility…a lesson in patience…a lesson in faith…a lesson in long-suffering…a lesson in perseverance…a lesson in determination…a lesson in charity…a lesson in love

What are your lessons for today?

Search Yourself First!

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:59:21 +0000

In any business you will have high highs and low lows. As an entrepreneur, at times you may experience lower lows than expected. And while everyone around you seems to think having your own business is a picnic with a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, they have yet to notice how many storms there were before the rainbow came out. This path is not for the weak at heart or the mentally unstable. The film 300 comes to mind as 300 men enter into battle only thinking of victory and not considering defeat. When all may look lost you must press forward into battle, look defeat in the eye and says “let’s dance”. I recommend searching yourself first before plunging into a solo venture of this magnitude as you will truly find out what you are made of. No vacation time, no sick days, grab your beach chair and a bottle of Robitussin and head to the office. I have to take a line from Jay-Z “I’m not afraid of dyin, I’m afraid of not tryin…books can guide you, but your heart defines you!”

Keep chasin your dream!

You Should Invest In Your Dream…Not Me.

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:32:47 +0000

Being in the creative design industry, its amazing how many business owners don’t invest in themselves. No marketing collateral, business cards, or even a dedicated budget to grow their business. The idea of “build it and they will come” or “we don’t advertise our work speaks for itself” clearly identify that a branding expert is necessary. The other side of that coin is the individual that wants the agency to put forth the creative to be paid for in some form of company referral, my favorite “I can get you so much business”. This video speaks directly to my point.

A Fan of One….Not Really of the Other

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:52:14 +0000

I was scrolling through the on screen cable guide and came across Oprah’s Master Class feat. Jay-Z. While not being an Oprah fan(not hating, I’m just not her demographic), I am a fan of Jay-Z I got on board at “In My Lifetime…Vol 1″ (by the way he views this CD as a failure) and have followed his career for some time, even interviewed him via phone when I was in radio. I had to see what was being offered by the OWN network. I really liked the presentation as it wasn’t the normal question and answer, it felt more like a conversation with the audience. I liked the black and white and simple look of the graphics as they didn’t takeaway from the presentation. It really kept you focused on the guest. If you missed it check it out.