Adobe has introduced some very exciting web and mobile advancements setting CS5 above CS4. The two most exciting advancements appear to be a connectivity and development feature which allows Flash developers to create apps for the iPhone and iPad. Also included is an online marketing suite which should improve workflow from website design, development, and finally web marketing.

These guys and gals apply motion graphics marrying narration, typography, and imagery to communicate your ideas in short, informative pieces. Nowadays on the internet anybody can get their thoughts out, but without broadcasting those thoughts in video form with graphics to facilitate a clear understanding, a lot of messages get lost in the clutter. The idea is golden. The execution is great. Click Continue to see two example videos.

Now designers are creating some very tangible, emotional websites, ads, commercials, etc with the new technologies (but not relying on them,) which learn from the cleanliness of Apple, while embracing the hands-on approach from generations past.

I’d like to have a one-on-one discussion with small business owners. Me, Kevin (designer) and you, business owner. You need a logo. You need a website. You need a web video. You have a few choices. You could consider hiring a designer or studio or design firm to work with you and develop a logo or website which fits you best at industry standard prices. You may consider hiring an intern who volunteers their work for educational gain. You might consider asking your nephew or your artistic friend to submit some logos for you to choose. This is called volunteer work. Your friend does work as a favor or for the experience, without the expectation to be paid. Alternatively, some companies offer “prizes” for design work. In these contests, companies propose a prize for a logo or website design with or without guidelines and designers compete in the hopes their design is selected and paid for. This is called Spec Work, and is “speculative.” To companies considering this method, I urge you to reconsider. In certain disciplines such as architecture, advertising, and broadcast design, professionals may be expected to participate in speculative work. Usually that work isn’t the final product, but is followed by an extended financial engagement to refine, execute, or develop the design further. In communications design this is not always the case, and the design submitted “on spec” is all the client is seeking.