1. If it’s on the internet, it’s not copyrighted. Wrong. Every picture, article, song, video, and design is protected by copyright law. As a rule of thumb, if you would like to use an image you found on the internet, contact the author and get permission. If permission is not received, don’t use it.

2. If I can’t find the author of an article, I can use it. Nope. Anything that is created has an original author. In the digital age where people think anything on the net is fair game, it can be exceedingly difficult to track down where the article originated if it has been re-posted multiple times but, again, that doesn’t mean that the original author has given up his rights. Don’t publish anything that you don’t have permission to use.

3. If it doesn’t have a copyright notice, it’s not copyrighted. You guessed it….wrong. As I stated above if it was created, it has an author and it is by default copyrighted. While it is good practice to watermark your photos and designs or include the standard ‘Copyright [dates] by [author/owner]‘ on written pieces, leaving it off does not relinquish your rights as copyright holder.

4. If it’s an old photograph, the copyright has expired. Maybe, but probably not. The shortest Copyright Term is the lifespan of the author plus 70 years. Photographers, for example, might transfer the copyright to another member of the family prior to his/her death thereby ‘renewing’ the copyright. Once again, ask for permission from the copyright holder.

5. If I change it 10%, it’s a new work and I am the copyright holder. This is just ridiculous and completely wrong. I’d like to ask: what exactly constitutes 10%? Changing the font? Reversing the photo? Applying special effects? Replacing one name throughout an entire story? This is hands-down the biggest, most widely held, completely incorrect copyright myth out there. The notion that a photograph can be scanned and reversed and is now no longer the original work of the photographer is simply stupid. If you cannot use the photograph without the permission of the author, why would be be allowed to use it for manipulation to create your own work? The same principle holds for design. Derivative works can actually be considered property of the owner of the original work with the major exception of parody which is a super gray area for which I am not properly educated to elaborate on.

6. Ideas cannot be copyrighted. True. An idea cannot be copyrighted but the work based on that idea can be. This is where copyright law starts to get confusing. I understand it to mean, in a story for example, a woman’s husband is having an affair, she finds out, the story unfolds. This is an idea. VS. Jane, a high powered attorney, finds her husband Curt, a car salesman, cheating on her. Jane and Curt’s characters are copyrighted as are the actual words used to tell the story and what actually happens in the story.

7. If I don’t make money off of it, it’s not infringement. Wrong. It’s like saying, if I don’t get caught, I never committed a crime. I believe this idea stems from misinterpretation of ‘Fair Use’. Each case determining fair use is different and takes into consideration many aspects of the alleged infringement so don’t assume that you can use whatever you like just because you don’t make a profit by using it. I write this blog without profit, that doesn’t mean that I can simply hunt around the internet for articles I find interesting and paste them here as if I came up with them myself. In fact, even if I gave the original author full credit without gaining his or her permission to reproduce the work, I’d be in violation of copyright laws.

This is, of course, not a comprehensive explanation of copyright laws and I am by no means a lawyer (so don’t take the above as legal advise). The myths listed above are simply the one’s I encounter most frequently in my day-to-day life as a designer. There are many more out there so when in doubt if you didn’t create the work, you shouldn’t use it. If you’d like more information regarding copyright and intellectual property laws, visit http://www.copyright.gov/. For more information on copyright infringement, visit http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html.

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© iStockPhoto, bykac

Tip of the Week:

Why is Color important? Well, I could probably write an entire book answering this question…but for now, I’ll try to stick with the basics. Whether working on a logo, an advertisement, a branding campaign or just a simple business card, the colors your choose are equally as important as the information you include. Color evokes emotional, sub-conscious responses; we are conditioned to stop at red lights, we know pink baby clothes are intended for a girl and blue for a boy (personally, I take issue with this ingrained sexism….but that’s a whole other blog), wedding and christening gowns are white because they denote purity. This is all because the human psyche automatically assigns a specific feeling to a specific color without the person even being aware of it. In design, it is crucial to have a firm understanding on how color will effect the average consumer.

For example, you might be tempted to use your favorite color in your business’ logo design but are unaware of what that color is saying about you. Lets say you own a high-end jewelry store and your favorite color is bright red. You might be attracted to a bright red logo vs. the same logo in a deep red, simply because you think the bright red will stand out in advertisements and, well,  you just really like bright red. What you could be missing is that bright red can represent sexy, passionate, dynamic and stimulating but it also represents impulsive, demanding, dangerous and violent. Deep red, on the other hand, sends a message of rich, sumptuous, elegant and refined. I don’t know about you, but if it were my store, I’d want to send the right message to potential customers.  This is why it is important to choose your graphic designer carefully. Pick someone who knows the emotional meanings attached to colors and will be able to guide and educate you, ultimately resulting in a beautiful, well designed logo/advertisement/collateral that sends the right message.

Breakaway Graphics will be closed for computer maintenance over the weekend and the first part of the week (7/9 – 7/14). Once we’re back up and running, we’ll be armed with double the RAM and Hard drive space as well as the most up-to-date operating system. After a clean re-install of CS4 (to work out any software bugs), it will be time to try out CS5! For us geeks (a.k.a. Freelance Designers), this sort of thing is really exciting and is definitely news-worthy.

I think every business owner and their employees need to get comfortable with saying I’m sorry in order to have a successful, long-lasting business. As a Freelance Designer, most of my business comes from good customer service that results in good word of mouth so I have compiled a list of my most hard-learned, butt-saving phrases.

1. “I’m sorry”. This seems to be very hard for people to say (especially sincerely). Let’s practice….say it with me: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. There, see, its so so hard. You’ll be surprised how effective these two simple words can be and how easily they can resolve a problem. Admit when you have misunderstood or made a mistake then take the steps necessary to fix it.

2. “I don’t know”. There isn’t one person on the planet who knows everything. Embrace this and don’t be afraid (or too proud) to admit when you don’t know something. Simply acknowledge that you don’t have the answer and then set out to find it. This trait will separate the men from the boys (or the women from the girls…hey, I’m no sexist).

3. “I understand”. As in: ‘I understand why you would feel that way’ or ‘I understand what you are saying’ or ‘I understand your decision’. Your clients/patrons/customers are doing you a favor by using or purchasing your goods and services. DO NOT forget this! Without them, your business can’t survive and by revealing that you understand their position, you’ll gain their trust and loyalty. (theoretically… there are exceptions to every rule)

4. “I will do my best”. OK, so you might be stating the obvious here (I mean, what good entrepreneur doesn’t always do their best?!) But the fact is that by stating this you are not only reassuring your client but also making a commitment to them and to yourself.

As practice, let’s use these techniques with a restaurant patron who is pressed for time and is upset by how long it has taken to get his meal:

Patron: ‘Waiter, do I have to go back there and slaughter the cow myself?! I have an important engagement in 15 minutes and have sat here for 40 minutes waiting to be served my meal!’

Waiter: ‘I am very sorry, sir. I can see that you are upset and I understand why you feel the way you do. I would feel the same way. I don’t know what is taking so long but I will do my best to find out and will be right back with your meal.’

See how nicely that works.

]]> http://www.breakawaygraphics.net/2010/06/summer-is-here/feed/ 3 http://www.breakawaygraphics.net/2010/05/welcome-to-breakaway-graphics-3/ http://www.breakawaygraphics.net/2010/05/welcome-to-breakaway-graphics-3/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 21:31:50 +0000 sheana http://www.breakawaygraphics.net/?p=507 I haven’t done a tip of the week in a long time and I am sorry for neglecting you. So without further ado….the Tip of the Week:

KISS-Keep it simple, stupid. I know, I know….you’ve heard it a thousand times but for some reason everywhere I look there’s an advertisement or billboard with way too much stuff in it. Print advertising is meant to capture the readers attention, not to tell them every detail about the product. I think the best way I can illustrate this is with the images below. Which one is more appealing? Which one just feels like too much work to read? Which one do you think is more likely to get you to their website? Enough said.

Celebrating its 16th year, the Summit Creative Award spotlights works created by small and mid-size marketing firms around the globe.  Recognized for its prestige worldwide, the SCA has become a coveted honor to its award recipients. Entries in 22 creative categories are judged against a stringent set of standards. During the blind judging events, judges search for innovative and creative concepts, strong executions and the ability to communicate and persuade. Of the thousands of entries from 24 countries, Breakaway Graphic’s creative scored among the very best.

“I am honored to be an award recipient in this prestigious competition. The recognition from my peers and top producers in this industry makes it all the better. Being a Freelance Graphic Designer means taking risks…this one paid off!” – Sheana Firth • Owner, Breakaway Graphics

In addition to welcoming Who’s Who to the Breakaway Graphics family, we have also partnered with a second consulting firm; this one based out of Nashville, TN. We have happily become part of both consulting companies offering their clients custom logo designs as well as image branding collateral in Florida and Tennessee.

With lots of different projects and opportunities on the horizon, Breakaway Graphics is staying busy and enjoying company growth and recognition.