creative director
professional objectives | miquael motion media & graphics
the Mission | Something to Consider
Most of our customers don't know more than they should about what we do or how we do it. Sarah might know the benefits of having a dynamic presence on the web for example, but very little about what that entails. What is the difference between a static Html site and a dynamic XML site? What are the advantages of one over the other? Which one would best facilitate Sarah's needs? How does cost figure into the equation? What about domain identity, hosting and web site maintenance? Sarah doesn't speak the language, is unfamiliar with the technology and fearful about this strange, new territory. She feels vulnerable and uncertain and out of her environment - and gaining her trust here is always going to be the first step we take. We will talk you through the process, answering any questions you may have - but mostly listening - and often times listening to what's NOT being said. A good percentage of our success is as a result of our ability to accurately interpret what a client sometimes cannot effectively articulate. And besides, it is most difficult to know what your client needs, if you're not a very good listener. We present ideas that support your objectives and keep you engaged and as involved as you would like to be. Some don't want to know more than they need to about the process - they have other responsibilities and simply want the job done. They require accountability, commitment, loyalty and above all else, Results. When you leave your lively-hood in someone else's charge, It's good to know that it's in trusted hands.
For that rare client who knows exactly what they want and how they want it, we will play whatever part is required - even if it means directing them elsewhere within our network. Some customers would be better suited to learn a process or two themselves, to help ensure that they feel that secure sense of hands-on control that they may be familiar with.
We know how hard it can be to let go of a process that you have nurtured into being - and having to turn it over to another because of limitations in your knowledge of a technology. We also realize that many times the key to success is in the ability to surround oneself with a knowledgeable team of talented people, who know the parts that we don't. My network has been that team for many customers, for many years. Your company may be new to us, but chances are your industry is not. We are Everything Marketing and Creative - all under one big umbrella. Everything that you have employed creatively over the years - we more than likely know the technology and application. We are always open to learning new things as well... Learning after all, is how we continue to grow.
Understanding what you have in us is the first step. Allowing us to do what we do for you is a close second. If you chose us believing that we were a good match for your project, there's no better way to get your investment's worth than by just stepping back and letting us do what we do - for you. You don't pay for what doesn't work or what you can't employ - that's our policy. There is a catch though; you have to trust our experience and expertise in what we do. We have clients who initially didn't have the ability to see the outcome of a specific process as vividly as we did. He, through trust alone extracted himself from his concerns and left us to do our work. Like he knew is job - we knew ours - better than anyone else in fact. Our years of experience are just as vital as every other resource that we employ. As predicted and without a hitch our results were accurate and favorable to a fault. That happy customer is still our customer - for many years now. So, from time to time we still see fear in the eyes of those new to this digital technological world of infinite possibilities, and we reach out to them with solutions, ideas and results.
process director
rich flannigan
project manager
lynda k. middleton
photography
charin ingram
stylist
m.y. deloach
creative support
courtney joliff
I would request all potential clients to view my work in person or through my online web site portfolios and network-galleries before initiating a project. Knowing that we have your trust and confidence goes a long way towards ensuring the effectiveness of the resulting work. In many ways, your designer is like many other professionals that you might trust your important processes to - like your physician, attorney or accountant. You may not completely understand what they do or how they do it, but you make a conscience decision to trust them to make your best interest a priority, and your satisfaction paramount. The initial decision to retain their services may have had something to do with your belief in the quality of their work and experience in their respective areas of expertise.
Some examples of what one might look for in a designer's style are; technical abilities - can the artist employ current or newer technologies - Is his or her style to your liking aesthetically - can the artist take the project from conception to completion - what is the artists level of understanding of your needs and objectives - can he or she facilitate your timeline - professionalism - will personality or other differences be an issue - available resources, materials or supplies on-hand to facilitate your project - willingness to consider your (or other outside) input - flexibility... and the list goes on and on.
You may never find all, many or even most of these attributes perfectly in line with your expectations, but that will be the case with any professional you consider for employment. It is you however, who has to prioritize these areas of importance "before" settling on one. It is not fair to the artist, yourself or your project to select an artist "willy-nilly" and then attempt to change or impose change in mid-project.
If you know or have a good idea of what it is that you want - depending on the degree of your knowledge about the process and its final outcome, you might make getting an artist who is open and willing to work alongside you throughout the project, a priority. This is important because many professionals resent a client who appears to be directing the project from "over his or her shoulder." Many artist require a great degree of (if not complete) creative freedom. This is where your trust and confidence is required. Many projects are mistakenly taken to a graphic designer that may have only required the services of a good full service printer for example. Here the old saying "you get what you pay for" may be only half true. For example; a small budget will not necessarily limit your input with an artist who doesn't mind (or who needs) your creative advice or input. And on the other hand an unlimited budget will not necessarily insure that your input will be welcomed with an artist who works best when left alone. Few artist take issue with making adjustments and fine tuning or even accepting your input once his or her visions have been realized. If you allow an artist to complete the process unmolested only to find that you don't like it, most professionals will be more than willing to work with you to resolution. This however, is seldom the case if you choose your artist wisely beforehand.
It may unreasonable to expect a designer to be fully accountable for poor or unexpected results, if he or she wasn't fully in control of the process.
Q Creative Services and MiQuael Motion Media has a number of different styles and artists to choose from, and are more than happy to refer a potential client in another direction if we mutually feel that a match cannot be made. Please know that what we provide as artists, comes from within. The effectiveness of our work and the customer's complete satisfaction is our ultimate goal with each and every project. The time committed to any project cannot be regained once spent. And therefore it is our objective to get it right (or as close as possible to right) the first time, so that with minimal of fine tuning and tweaking, we might have perfection. But again, the first step is in selecting the right artist for the job to begin with.
There are no "by-standers" in business - You're either part of a solution, or part of a potential problem. I try to illustrate this point by setting the example; I want your business - but not at the expense of your success.
When you do find a designer who meets your needs use them! A good artist can be your secret weapon. In today's economy having the ability to compete unfettered by cost concerns is a wonderful thing - and KEY to successful branding and name recognition.
To be able to start (or continue) to produce - slick, quality promotional pieces, dynamic web applications and broadcast commercials to help bolster your product or service, is invaluable. A good design team will enable you to continue to "look the part" even when the rest of the world is feeling the effects of a weak economy. It is in these times when keeping your brand visible is even more important. Goods and services will still be in demand - however, it is the affordable ones that will continue to prosper. It Is your objective to continue to receive your share of any spending that is occurring. So, keeping your brand strong and visible during such times is the job of your creative team. A good team constantly has a finger on the pulse of current market conditions. It is the lifeline that facilitates all that we do. After all, we are marketing specialists. Our tools are of a creative nature. We know how to continue to do what needs to be done - despite adversity. We are your In-house creative team, that doesn't take up space on your property, or exist on your payroll. We are there for you whenever you need us just like a permanent employee - without the cost. Take advantage of this feature, and you're already a step ahead of the competition.