Looking for Someone that does Graphic design and Websites to help me out.
I am opening my new shop and am trying to lock down some logos and figure out what type of web site I want to use. I have a buddy that can do the website but I want to see my options.

I was thinking of doing it myself I just wanted to hear what programs were simple and good for graphic design. Something that can be used in conjunction with the website.

I need something that is reasonable and won't break the bank!

thanks Orlando

Adobe CS4 is your friend, it can be pricey but it can be learned easily and it works.

also CS3 and CS2 can still be used and picked up a little cheaper.

talk to my brother. his username is Markaplet. he is a professional web designer and photographer

Hey there RockChump. My brother (Jackel) is always pimping my skills out when he can. He sent me this link so I thought I would respond. I don't want to rain on your parade, but rather help you make a better business decision.

As a designer and developer for 13 years I have seen (and fixed) many a websites by DIY types. Not saying it can't be done, but I can say with absolute sincerity that it pays for it's self to find a qualified designer and developer to create your website. And unless your good at picking up applications and have a natural knack for it, creating a website yourself can be both a mental and financial drain. I would compare it's complexity to that of creating a transmission from scratch.

I don't want to say that buddies cant build websites, but you might stop to consider how many sites has your friend built, and is he doing it in his off hours. I have taken over many sites in the last 13 years that were started by peoples friends but never finished after years in development. Often times your friends mean well when they offer their services, but in the end wrenching on the car and playing ball take priority for many.

I really do want to help you get the best experience. So here are a few of my recommendations that will really help you out when approaching a designer.


Figure out a budget. You might expect to pay $500-$2000 for a logo, and $2000-up for a website. Some companies might offer a package deal for less.
Have some sample logos and websites of competitors or companies you admire on hand for reference.
Do a little homework on the companies. You don't want a colege student cutting their teeth on your dime. Make sure you like the work they do. If you look at their portfolio and it all has unicorns and pink flowers, expect unicorns and pink flowers. Get the feedback of friends and colleagues. Sometimes you need a second opinion.


Hope this helps in some small way. Let me know if I can help you any more. I am open to freelance opportunities if interested.

What up Chump. Give me a call at 415-517-2692 I have someone in the area that can probably help you out.

What kind of shop are you planning on opening up?

DIma

A guy I work with does this type of work on the side.
T-Shirts, Web Sites, Logos, Bussiness cards, etc. He's
resonable on price, and I think has designed some cool
stuff, including some shirts and cards for me.

His name is Chris Owens.

Hit up his Email at...

owensgraphics@hotmail.com

He's into motorsports, cars, hot rods, etc. So he
can make some cool motorsports centered stuff.

Tell him Jake sent you.

What up Chump. Give me a call at 415-517-2692 I have someone in the area that can probably help you out.

What kind of shop are you planning on opening up?

DIma

Yo dima what's up. I will hit you up this week for sure I am I oroville spotting an ulimited buggy in the werock haul or crawl we are killing it -83 for the day I think.
The shop will be a all around fab shop with a 4X8 CNC plasma roll bender Electric over hydro tube bender as well as a few other cool tool. I wil primaraly do gates and hand rails as well as the plasma service. I have 2 KOH style cars to build over the winter to get them ready for next wheeling season. I will be doing the offroad fab aswell. I did a clean ass exo on a 79 yota it's tight to the body. I also work with another builder to build the promod buggy I spotted for in werock and calrocs fir the last 2 years.

Thank you for the reply I understand exactly what you are saying it just hard to cough up an extra $2000 on an website after buying all the busnes stuff ue domain, insurance, contractors lic. Business lic. And I still need to put the order in for the plasma which is a good chunk of change. I understand as much as next guy you have to spend money to make money but. I have been laid off for a year and the tractor repair industu has taken a shit. That us what prompted me to start this business.
Sorry for the spelling I am using my Iphone

Figure out a budget. You might expect to pay $500-$2000 for a logo, and $2000-up for a website. Some companies might offer a package deal for less.
Have some sample logos and websites of competitors or companies you admire on hand for reference.
Do a little homework on the companies. You don't want a colege student cutting their teeth on your dime. Make sure you like the work they do. If you look at their portfolio and it all has unicorns and pink flowers, expect unicorns and pink flowers. Get the feedback of friends and colleagues. Sometimes you need a second opinion.


Hope this helps in some small way. Let me know if I can help you any more. I am open to freelance opportunities if interested.

My brother has been doing Web design on the side for about 10 years now. It depends on how complicated you want it, from a one page informative page to a fully interface-able shopping cart page. You can check out his home page at: http://www.mediaprodesigns.com/

You can click the portfolio link and check out all of their work. Let me know if you want to talk to him and I can send you his contact information directly or you can e-mail him through the contacts list on his web page..

Thank you guys for the reply. Just weighing my options

My brother has been doing Web design on the side for about 10 years now. It depends on how complicated you want it, from a one page informative page to a fully interface-able shopping cart page. You can check out his home page at: http://www.mediaprodesigns.com/

You can click the portfolio link and check out all of their work. Let me know if you want to talk to him and I can send you his contact information directly or you can e-mail him through the contacts list on his web page..

There site looks great. a lot of good pages they have put together.
Turns out the have done a website for a good friend of mine that I found in there portfolio and he recommended them. I will contact you brother what is his info.

thanks again guys for you responses. I like the fact of 84's brother is local and I can meet face to face if needed. that is a huge bonus for me to have the ability to meet face to face if need be.

Easiest way to contact him is by e-mail. His address is Tom@mediaprodesigns.com
He usually likes to meet with everybody that he works with in person. I gave him a heads up that you will contact him and you guys can go from there.

There site looks great. a lot of good pages they have put together.
Turns out the have done a website for a good friend of mine that I found in there portfolio and he recommended them. I will contact you brother what is his info.

thanks again guys for you responses. I like the fact of 84's brother is local and I can meet face to face if needed. that is a huge bonus for me to have the ability to meet face to face if need be.

Thanks RockChump, my brother called me up and told me about this post. I'm located in Livermore, so definitely local. Shoot me an e-mail with your contact info to tom@mediaprodesigns.com and we can get a discussion going. (forgive me for not posting my phone# here.. don't want sales people calling my cell)

We can look at your requirements and put together a quote for you. We're pretty easy going and our goal is to make sure we do the right thing for you.

Thanks guys I am heading over my friends house today to talk about it. he worked for Microsoft writing code and is very smart. Tom I will contact you as well to see some other options.

Tom Email sent you way

A friend of mine that has his own site and had several web based companies told me to use www.godaddy.com . Mainly just to get started. I've been looking into it and looks like they have everything covered. Looks like the way I'll get started.

I did use godaddy for the domains. I have a shop mate that is designing the site and have a guy from the board here did some bad ass Logos for me. He can speak up up if he likes but I didn't know if he wanted me saying. check out what I have so far I like them alot so if you don't keep it to your fawking self:flipoff2:LOL