Happy New Year, we hope 2012 is a happy, healthy and exciting new year for you, your families and business.

Most of the team have been gallivanting across the globe over Christmas, but we are all back renewed and reinvigorated - and we look forward to working with you soon. We welcome Annmarie Mansour who takes the new position of Account Director.  This edition, Joanne McGuiness, Senior Graphic Designer shares her thoughts... 

Felicity

From Joanne’s corner:

Last week while getting acquainted with my new hairdresser Steven, he asked, "so what do you do for a living?"  When I said I was a graphic designer he said something that really made my blood boil, “sure with windows vista aren’t we all graphic designers these days?” This comment really struck a chord, my heart rate began to rise and I almost drew blood as I bit my tongue. 

It made me think, was he right? Is there less need for professionally trained graphic designers? Has technology replaced us?

The answer is NO and I can tell you why in 3 simple words... QUALITY, CREATIVITY and IMPACT.  I was very tempted to respond with “I have hair dye and a mirror at home; I think I’ll cut my own hair", but he had scissors in his hand.

Graphic design put simply is visual communication; visual problem-solving using text and/or graphical elements.

When you need to communicate a message to your audience whether to persuade, explain or grab attention - how do you do it?

Your options are verbal or visual.

Once you use any visual medium, with text and imagery or even just text this is considered graphic design. Take for example a poster, logo or brochure. The elements have been carefully combined and placed, to communicate an effective message through compelling visuals.

There are a wide variety of communication tools in order to convey a message on behalf of a client to a particular audience. The main tools of graphic design are type and image.

You may well ask yourself, “Why should clients hire a professional for their graphic design services and not DIY?"

If you find yourself thinking, “I do have a good eye for design and my brother has the New 5.5 Adobe suite” or worse, “Word has a great selection of design templates to work from,” be sure to consider ALL the points below.

Perception is the first step to recognition in business. If you do not give full respect to the power of your branding and graphic design you may pay for it in the future.

If you launch your business into the market with a low quality logo from an inexperienced graphic designer you will undoubtedly be perceived as a low quality brand who may produce low quality products.

Zadro Communications is thrilled to introduce our new Account Director, Annmarie Mansour.

A creative and passionate marketing and communications professional with12+ years' experience across a variety of industries, Annmarie brings a wide range of knowledge and skills across marketing, communications and media relations to the Zadro team.

With a demonstrated track record in all things strategic, Annmarie will be responsible for supporting clients through innovative approaches to their marketing and communications and helping them to consistently exceed expectations.

On Friday 10 February 2012 Australian leaders will battle it out at Meetings & Events Australia’s (MEA) highly successful lunch debate, The Conversation Table.

Hosted by one of Australia’s most popular stand-up comedians James O’Loughlin, invited VIP guests will debate; ‘Education v’s Experience: A fresh schooled approach or a wealth of hands-on understanding?’

Battling it out will be Dominic Thurbon - a dynamic Gen Y honours student, political scientist and Chief Creative Officer of ChangeLabs who will argue for the value of education.