Who is Calvin Lee and Why He is Important!

I had the opportunity to chat with and get permission from Calvin Lee to post some information about him and his work.  He is a very successful web designer from Southern CA.  I follow him on twitter and consider him a web guru! Read him, know him, follow him, and ask him if you want the best in web design! Here is the interview by Dave Harfield, with permission from Calvin.

Five Questions with Calvin Lee of Mayhem Studios

by Dave Harfield

So who’s Calvin Lee? If you’re a designer who’s into social media then you really ought to know…

He’s Principal & Creative Director of Mayhem Studios, an award-winning design firm located in Los Angeles, California, developing identity and brand recognition for the business sector across the United States. He also serves on the Creative Latitude Management Team and boasts a twitter following currently pushing the 20K mark. If that’s not enough then Mr Lee also features in the new book by Steve Gordon jnr titled 100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers: Insider Secrets for Working Smart & Staying Creative.
Calvin recently took time out from creating identity and branded collateral pieces, annual reports, brochures, logo design, advertising and interactive web sites to share his thoughts and experience with Web Designer magazine. Thanks Calvin.

Links
http://www.mayhemstudios.com/
http://twitter.com/mayhemstudios
http://www.mayhemstudios.com/blog 
Creative Latitude Management Team
100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers: Insider Secrets for Working Smart & Staying Creative

Describe yourself in five words?
Spiky haired designer with Twitter addiction

Which design tool makes the biggest contribution to your creative output and why?
Photoshop is the most used in my creative process. The reason: I’m able to quickly and easily layout a design in a rather short amount of time. The tools within Photoshop are incredible. The ability to restack the layer order, non-destructive filters and effects. Photoshop also has the ability to drop in vector graphics without losing quality. Making changes are a breeze, really speeds up my process.

Tell us what you consider to be the most useful technique in the design/development process?
I always start any project with research, more information the better. Then sketch out small quick thumbnails of my ideas with pen and paper. This really helps me with developing the concepts and layout. I use a pen, so I can’t erase. The point is to explore, as many ideas as possible and not having to worry about how it looks. Once I have the concept nailed down. I jump on the computer.

Web creatives love designer fonts. What’s your favourite and why?
Avant Garde has been my favorite font since I was in college. It has remained my favorite to this day. Avant Garde is elegant, classic and clean. I also like how it’s a bit wider then most fonts, it gives you a much better readability.

What is the one tip that you would give to anyone trying to get into the industry?
Networking is one of the most important tools in finding work, clients and projects. Get the word out to friends, family and anyone you know. Let them know what you do and you’re looking for work. Most times, someone has a connection that will get your foot in the door.
Also sign up for social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Bizik and portfolio sites. From my experience, Twitter is the best way to network and connect with potential clients.

Fine Example of Customer Service

Happy Thursday to All:

Today, I confirmed something that I always knew and appreciated.  I have always told people that if they wanted a good course in customer service. one should work at either Nordstorms or In-N-Out Burger.  I had lunch today and In-N-Out and was treat graciously as ever.

To me customer service is something that is taught. Customer service is all about applying good manners, respect, common sense, and company support.  The folks at In-N-Out Burgers know great customer service.  From the cashiers, to the food preparers, and the clean up crew, everyone smiles, says "excuse me" and thanks you for your business.

In this day and age of challenging economic times, each and every customer is valuable.  A negative experience can spell doom for a business, for the business may lose a customer for life. The folks at In-N-Out are the best at what they do.  I always speak highly of them and have never had a negative experience.  Some big companies should take note and implement a strategy similar to the In-N-Out people, it may mean more business and less lost business.  

Everyone can learn a skill or two from In-N-Out Burgers.  The next time you walk in, pay attention to the fine example of customer service, it makes the food taste that much better!

It's August 6, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495

Complimentary Foreclosure List - Services

Happy Wednesday to you All:

I recently received an email from a client who was asking about foreclosures. He wanted to know if there was a away to get a weekly updated list on all bank owned properties that went on the market in a specific area.  He had the minimum square footage, the number of bedrooms and baths, the preferred lot size, the garage space minimum, and did not want a two story home.  I told Raul, "Absolutely"  

Raul, in his search, is so specific, that it makes the job easier for me.  I can search an area, a price, a street, proximity to a school, the age of the home, whether the home has a pool or not, and even the type of roof.  The list that I send to Raul has about 3 properties a week on it.  He likes it that he does not have to purge the list of homes that do not interest him.

Since I have begun to provide these lists, more clients have begun to ask for a specific list.  So, I offer this to everyone! Anyone looking for a property (home, land, ranch, etc.) can ask me and I can provide you a list.  Whether it's a foreclosure, short sale, private sale, or probate sale, I can get the list for you.  You set the parameters and I will do the rest.  All complimentary! It's a service I do not mind offering to the public.  The more knowledge one has about the market, the easier it is to make a decision. Any real estate questions, please ask.

It's August 5, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495

Disclosure Law - California

Happy Tuesday All:

In real estate sold in California, there are certain disclosures that are mandatory for most sellers to provide to buyers.  These disclosures are designed to give the buyer an assessment of the property through the "eyes" of the seller.

One of the first things Realtors will do after sitting down with a homeowner and agreeing to market their home, is to do a visual inspection of the home.  The agent can get a first hand look at the home and ask the owner questions about improvements, problems, additions, etc.  It is the duty of the homeowner to disclose to the buyer any material fact that may have an impact on the buyer's decision to purchase the home.  For example, if the owner completed a room addition, without a building permit, this should be disclosed to the buyer.  The disclosures will ask the seller to answer a number of questions regarding the home and neighborhood.  It is important to answer these questions "truthfully" and my motto is "the more disclosure the better."  

There are several other disclosures that the seller has to complete and give to the buyer.  One example is the Lead Based Disclosure.  For homes being built in an era where lead based paint may have been used, the buyer has to be alerted to the possibility of this.

For homeowners contemplating selling their home by themselves, you may contact me and I can give you a set of these disclosures.  I am just touching on the surface of all these disclosures, because each form needs it's own explanation.  Just be aware, that if you are a home seller in CA, you will most likely need to provide a standard set of disclosures to your potential buyer.  Remember "More disclosure is better"

It's August 4, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495

Cash for Clunkers

Happy Monday to All:

From all accounts, the "cash for clunker" program is a success! Ford Motor Corporation reported a spike in sales volume and several friends of mine, who were on the fence about purchasing a new vehicle, stepped up and purchased.  

Essentially, the "cash for clunker" program is a federal program, which allowed consumers who were driving around a vehicle, that was perhaps, not fuel efficient, to take that vehicle in to a dealership and receive "up" to a $4,500 credit towards the purchase of a new vehicle.  This benefited all parties.  The dealership would be able to sell a brand new car, the consumer would be able to get a credit for their vehicle, and the government would begin getting not efficient vehicles off the road.  

There were a few little catches to the program.  The owner of the vehicle had to be the registered owner for at least a year, the new vehicle had to be more fuel efficient, the vehicle had to be without liens, and the vehicle had to be running.  Also, the new vehicle to be purchased had to be priced under a certain price and get a higher MPG.  These are just general terms, I am putting out.  One may go to the Federal Government site for the actual specifics.

Everything worked to perfection.  Consumers started buying new cars and people were getting rid of non efficient vehicles.  The billion dollars that Congress had set aside for this program is running out or has run out.  To the people who were waiting for a couple of months to buy, may not have access to this program.  I heard through various media sources that there is legislation to try and get another 2 billion dollars for this program.

In my book, this is Federal Stimulus Money at it's finest! The "cash for clunker" program shows immediate results.  I, as a tax payer, would rather see the Federal Government fund monies to this type of program that helps the consumer, over "stimulus" monies that are designed to help financial institutions who "screwed up" and have poor customer service and have malcontents working (see previous blog).  We all should write our representatives and let them know to fund more of these types of programs! The "cash for clunker" program is what we need more of.

It's August 3, 2009 and I am Bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34 - twitter

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495

Assault in the Ring

Happy Sunday to All

Last night I wanted to watch the documentary called "Assault in the Ring" about the controversial boxing match that featured up and coming prospect "Irish" Billy Collins and journey man Luis Resto.  The fight took place on June 16, 1983.  The fight, promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank was to be a major stepping stone for Collins.  The bout was one of the featured under card fights.  The main event included legendary Roberto Duran.

The documentary looked into one of the saddest and disturbing events in boxing.  The 10 round match was a brutal barrage of back and forth flurries.  Collins' face started to swell and get disfigured, but he refused to quit.  After the fight ended and the decision was announced, Collins was handed his first professional loss. Although Resto raised his hands in victory, he too was a loser.

Resto's post fight celebration was short lived when it was discovered that his gloves did not look "right." Collins' father noticed the gloves after he shook hands with Resto and immediately called the officials in to inspect.  It was discovered that padding in the glove had been removed prior to the fight and Resto was essentially hitting Collins with a bare fist.

The documentary looked into the life of Resto and Collins.  Another key player in the controversy is Panama Lewis, Resto's trainer for the fight.  He is interviewed in the documentary and denies any wrong doing.  Lewis is infamous for the Aaron Pryor v. Alexis Arguello fight.  He is heard in the corner asking for a "special mix" drink to give to Pryor. Resto talks about alleged wrong doing by Lewis.  

Sadly, Collins lost his life in a vehicle accident several months later and never fought after that fateful fight. Resto was sentenced to jail and has lived a life of quilt ever since.  Lewis has been barred for life.  

This documentary is a detailed look into that fight, but also has a human side to it. I strongly recommend that you watch this.  Eric Drath did a great job.   

@dwo34 and Muay Thai!

Hello and Happy Saturday:

Last evening in Sacramento, Urijah Faber promoted a Muay Thai (Kick Boxing) card at the Radisson Hotel, featuring Muay Thai legend Master Thong.  The place was packed and everyone seemed to enjoy the card.  There were about 13 fights on the card.  What was different for me, I did not go as a spectator, I went as a participant! 

Before I get ahead of myself, I was not a kick boxer participant, I helped a friend of mine work the corner for one of his young fighters.  TJ Amaba was making his debut and drew the last fight of the evening.  TJ did a great job by winning a unanimous decision.  My experience with Muay Thai is probably as much as yours, I have seen it on TV and in the movies.  This was my first card I ever witnessed. 

My friend Ken, asked me to help him, because he needed someone to wrap TJ's hands.  Since he knows I love boxing and have several friends in Sacramento who are boxers or train boxers, he thought "Dave knows how to wrap hands..." he was wrong!  But, me being the resourceful one, I called my friend Dennis Velez who trains fighters in the area, and he gave me a class on how to wrap.  After a few hours I felt like a pro!  Thank you Dennis.

As the time approached for me to wrap TJ's hands, I was watching the other handlers wrap their fighters hands.  I felt supremely confident.  I wrapped TJ's hands and had one of the commissioners sign off and he said "Great job!"  TJ did not suffer any hand injuries so I may have found my calling in life! Haha.  It was a great experience for me and look forward to wrapping more hands in the future.

Urijah Faber aka "California Kid" did an outstanding job with the show.  Standing only room crowd,  easy access to seating, great fights, a good time for all!  I will be contacting Urijah to interview for this blog. A very interesting guy with big dreams and goals! Much more than a fighter.

It's August 1, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495