Focus on focal point
After many years of working as a professional designer and illustrator, I tend to focus on design all around me. When I notice a great design it’s usually because it has a strong focal point, and you can tell right away this designer knows what they’re doing. Whether it’s a minimalistic layout or a busy […]
The casual typographer
The vernacular long ago dictated “email” over e-mail and “internet” over Internet, and today the rules have finally caught up. High time, y’all.
Your face is Irish
Ever wonder where the beautifully styled Irish type faces came from? You see these fonts often used on signage for Irish pubs and shops, on throw pillows embroidered with charming Irish sayings, and on pretty much anything marketed as Irish or to those who romanticize the Irish. Lyrical and calligraphic, and reads instantly as nothing but Irish. […]
Ode to the Ampersand
The ampersand. The central graphic in the Andiamo Creative logo, it is a favorite mark for a typography geek like me. Originally formed by a ligature of the latin word ‘et’ which means ‘and’, it is a combination of the letters E and T. This can still be seen in some versions of the mark, depending on the font you are using:
Cool signage in Lincoln Park
I just love when people get creative. Last year, we worked extensively with Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce to develop a new brand identity, including tons of print work, HTML emails, infographics and maps and an extensive custom-designed directory website in WordPress. This branding design project was one of my favorites in a long time. I was inspired […]
The true cost of a difficult client
Updated June 14, 2026 I’ve been very lucky in my career. The vast majority of my clients are wonderful people — smart, communicative, collaborative, and a genuine pleasure to work with. I don’t take that for granted for a single day. But I did once take on a client I shouldn’t have. And I stayed […]
Does my logo need to include LLC?
Andiamo works with many small businesses, organizations and start-ups, and we typically start out developing their branding. The question inevitably comes up as we begin logo work – does my logo need to include LLC? does my logo need to include Inc? Ltd? The answer is a resounding “NO.” Nothing makes you look more rink-dink than making a mistake like that.
Fast, cheap AND great – how do you like your graphic design?
To promise great, fast and cheap as a matter of course degrades the creative process and does a disservice to the graphic design industry as a whole. You might be able to pull that kind of service out once in a blue moon, but certainly you can’t promise that every time. Creative inspiration doesn’t turn on like a light switch. And even if it could be done, it shouldn’t be done.
Red flags every freelancer should know
Horns? Red eyes? A T-shirt that says “I’m the devil”? Would that it were that easy to spot. I’ve worked with my share of difficult clients over the years and it can be a tricky thing to see coming. On occasion I’ve seen the signs and worked with the client anyway – thinking I could deal with it and it wouldn’t be too bad. But I’ve always ended up regretting that decision. Some things are just not worth it.
What to do when everything hits at once
Time management. This can be very tricky when you run a small business. Most small business owners wear multiple hats on any given day and just keeping up with work flow can sometimes be a daunting task. I’ve been running my own business for many years and my list of to dos is always full. […]