Method to the Mayhem

Calvin Lee, Principal and Creative Director of Mayhem Studios, a small award-winning design studio located in Los Angeles, was interviewed by the FreelanceSwitch website written by Kristen Fischer, Self-Promotion Made Easy: An Interview With Calvin Lee. The interview discusses self-promotion and spec work with the designer.

The Studio would like to also thank Jeff Fisher, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives for writing about the Studios FreelanceSwitch interview on his blog, Identity Crisis. It's very much appreciated!

About FreelanceSwitch
FreelanceSwitch is a site for freelancers. Whether you’ve been freelancing for years, have just started or are considering making the switch, this is the place to get all the information and support you need.

About Kristen Fischer
Kristen Fischer is a freelance writer living at the Jersey Shore. She began writing Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs during 2004, after experiencing many trials and triumphs while forming her copywriting business. She released her second book, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life in Spring 2007.

Labels: Calvin Lee, Design, Design Competition, Design-Awards, Freelance, FreelanceSwitch, Interview, Jeff Fisher, Kristen Fischer, Marketing, Mayhem Studios, Self-Promotion, Spec Work

Posted by Calvin Lee at Monday, May 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mayhem Studios logo design for client Calvin Lee Design will be included in David E. Carters next book, Big Book of Design Ideas 3. The book will be released by HarperCollins in late 2007.

Big Book of Design Ideas 3 is an endless stream of fresh design ideas, readers can turn to this reference source containing numerous inspiring examples of fine graphic design for projects of all kinds. The book contains an assemblage of visual concepts from all over the world. Categories include designs for annual reports, books, calendars, catalogs, editorial layouts, exhibits, labels and tags, letterheads, menus, outdoor advertising, packaging, posters, promotion materials, shopping bags, T-shirts, and even more.

With over nine hundred examples culled from the work of leading professionals in every area of the graphic design field, this volume can become a brain-storming partner on a daily basis for professional and students designers alike, and also come to the aid of entrepreneurs, freelancers, restaurateurs, consultants, and anyone else who needs ideas for designing personalized printed materials.

About David E. Carter
David E. Carter is the best-selling editor/author in the history of graphic design books. Since 1972, he has produced more than 100 books; all David E. Carter graphics books are published by HarperCollins of New York City, with distribution in more than 120 countries around the world.

Labels: Big Book of Design Ideas 3, Calvin Lee Design, David E. Carter, Design Competition

Posted by Calvin Lee at Monday, October 29, 2007 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mayhem Studios recognized for design excellence. The Studios' works will be featured in David E. Carter’s next book, Big Book of Layouts, which will be in book stores soon. The book will feature outstanding design layout works from around the world.

Mayhem Studios contributes to Logo Nation Article, Say NO!LOGO to Speculative Work

Mayhem Studios contributes to an article for Creative Latitude, Logo Notions written by Jeff Fisher, Say NO!LOGO to speculative “contests” and identity design requests. We were honored to be asked to contribute to an article concerning Speculative Work and Contests. How it negatively affects the creative community.

Jeff Fisher, the Engineer of Creative Identity for Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, is the author of "The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career. He can often be found preaching what he practices through speaking engagements at creative industry events around the country and writing for various design-related magazines and webzines.

Creative Latitude is a worldwide community that unites various creative disciplines for collective promotion, education and ethical business practice.

Mayhem Studios' recently completed projects

Recruitment brochure/flyer for Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Fe Springs. Mayhem Studios helped Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Fe Springs in developing the right message in their recruitment efforts. Which was a success, resulting in a great turn out.

Energy Contractors Product Sheet. Mayhem Studios helped Energy Contractors design a product sheet which is appealing and conveyed the proper selling points of their products, which helped to increase sales.

Clayton Real Estate brochure for Clayton Reality. Mayhem Studios created a dynamic promotional piece that set Clayton Reality apart from the rest of the Real Estate companies. Which has increased their clientele dramatically.

Labels: Big Book of Layouts, David E. Carter, Design, Design Competition, No Spec

Posted by Calvin Lee at Wednesday, August 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mayhem Studios recognized for its graphic design work. The Studios' own stationery design along with four other logo designs will be featured in David E. Carter’s, American Corporate Identity 2007 Book, which will be in book stores later this year.

Mayhem Studios clients include Downtown Entertainment, Emtek Products, Inc., and the Southeast Student Film Festival. Which are among the winning logo designs that will be featured in the book.

American Corporate Identity 2007 shows the freshest, most inspiring corporate identity work from the best and the brightest design firms in the US over the past year. This reference covers seven categories of design including logos, letterhead, complete identity programs, corporate ID manuals, package design, environmental graphics and signage and corporate brochures.

Labels: American Corporate Identity, David E. Carter, Design, Design Competition

Posted by Calvin Lee at Saturday, April 01, 2006 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I am always trying to find new ways to promote myself and getting my name out to potential clients. Submitting design projects for competitions, winning and being published in books is a great marketing tool. Many potential clients look through design books for prospective designers to work with that fits their style and look.

That's why my marketing budget has shifted to design competitions but it also can be very costly. I only enter competitions which give me more bang for my buck. Ones that give you the most exposure and reaches the largest audiences. Competitions that are published/distributed nationally and worldwide.

Information on submissions for design competitions may be found on Graphics Books, books by David E. Carter and Rockport Publishers.


Other Design Competitions of interest

• American Design Awards
• Communication Arts Magazine
• CMYK Magazine
• Creativity Annual
• Design Graphics
• Graphic Competitions
• Graphis
• HOW Magazine
• PRINT Magazine
• Step Inside Design
• The Summit Awards
• Workbook Competition

I was successful that three of my business card designs were chosen to appear in "David E. Carter's, The Big Book of Business Cards," which is in bookstores now.

Labels: Business of Design, Design Competition, Marketing, Promotion

Posted by Calvin Lee at Wednesday, January 04, 2006 | Permalink | Comments | links to this post