Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : GDF Calendar Website - ideas and registration of interest
budafist
06-05-2007, 09:48 PM
Please register your interest here :)
GDF Calendar Promotional Website will consist of:
A story on Ana *
A story of GDF * (*These 2 can be on the same page if required)
A gallery of selected works from the calendar (these images can be randomly dispersed on the other pages rather than having aseparate gallery)
Order page (pre orders are most welcome, but there must be a note of when shipping will commence so that people that pre-order aren't left wondering where their calendars are).
List of all those involved with links or emails to contact
Sponsoring
I'd like to get this website underway before printing etc because the sponsoring page is where we can direct potential printing or stock sponsors. Also if we get pre orders, this can pay for the printing/stock as we will need to pay our suppliers before we can give any money to Ana and her family.
We will need people with the following skills/experience:
Hosting
Webdesign
Online shopping/ordering experience
Copy writing
Anything other positions and/or things to be included you can think of?
"Technical" Terry
06-06-2007, 01:17 PM
I would like to sponsor (depending on price), and I'm one hell of a poof-reader! Also, I think that we/I could combine #1 and #2 to put out a press
release. Let me know.
__________________________________________________ ______^proof^ lol
P.S. If I do the press release, I can't promise that I will only use one space between sentences.
I'll proofread too. Always good to have another set of eyes.
I already volunteered to do the website, which would include the hosting, design, shopping cart/ordering feature. If anyone else wants to do it pro bono too, let me know, maybe we can work together?
I also think we should focus it on the "idea" of what we're doing for Ana. I mean, we are obviously giving this year's revenue to her cause, so she'd be the focus of attention, but I personally think it would benefit us to stay away from "anascalendar.com" type of branding. That cuts us short for any future endeavors we take on. Something like GDF Gives Back (alright I admit, I watch Idol HAHA) or something to that effect. Those of you who have better branding and marketing skills than moi can help come up with a better idea, then the logo guys can get on with it, and I'll whip up a website.
as an afterthought: I only mention I think this would be the best route to go because I think it would be beneficial to try and cross-market this thing. Ideally, we could really generate a good chunk of change to help out the families we feature! But it might be a hard sell if it says "Graphic Design Forum" on it (not because this place is hard to sell, but rather people who might not normally think of graphic design things [ie, my MOM] might want to purchase a calendar).
carter the artist
06-07-2007, 05:10 AM
designed4acause.com is still open...
budafist
06-07-2007, 05:20 AM
That's a good one Carter :)
urstwile
06-07-2007, 05:23 AM
That's a really good one Carter! I concur.
carter the artist
06-07-2007, 06:23 AM
Thanks guys, one day I might try to get myself into a creative field... I might just have a knack at it.
actually... should it maybe be a .org?
urstwile
06-07-2007, 07:41 AM
Designers give design
Design for a difference
Just a couple of ideas. :)
I really like designed4acause.com
Not only does it leave it open to new things, but if let's say there are old calendars (or other works) that someone wanted to purchase just for the art, they could be available.
Red Kittie Kat
06-07-2007, 05:50 PM
Carter ......... I really like that :)
D-Frag
06-07-2007, 07:16 PM
agree with carter, but it should be .org since this is non profit
carter the artist
06-07-2007, 07:41 PM
yeah, I thought about that later, D-Frag.
Mynock
06-07-2007, 07:52 PM
I think we should go with artistsfromgraphicdesignforumdesignforacause.org I don't think it's taken yet, but we better hurry.
budafist
06-08-2007, 12:52 AM
cause4design? Just shortening Carter's one...
Virgo Nightingale
06-08-2007, 04:41 PM
designed2care... ??
Mynock
06-08-2007, 06:18 PM
I like Cause4Design.org
urstwile
06-08-2007, 06:20 PM
Me too.
I really too like the first one, design4acause, but "designforacause" is taken, and that could get confusing (but, might I add, the site sucks lol).... I'm gonna brainstorm out loud, maybe someone can pick up on and expand any ideas I throw out:
give (designgive.org --crap, edit to add, there's already a designgive.com that s a similar designers charity thing)
cause (acausefordesign.org, )
charity (designforcharity.org)
donate (designersdonate.org, donatingdesigners.com)
foundation (designfoundation.org, charitydesignfoundation.org)
alliance (designalliance.org)
love (layoutsforlove.org, designforlove.org, designlove.org* these would be fun to incorporate a big heart into!)
Ok brain is done for a few. expand please
WannaBrie
06-09-2007, 10:46 PM
I like Mynock's choices artistsfromgraphicdesignforumdesignforacause.org :eek:Seriously, though, this is good...Cause4Design.org. Also, I could do proofreading and copy writing and/or editing...
I put my vote on cause4design. I really liked Carter's original, but this one is simpler. The "a" in designed4acause throws me off.
JPnyc
06-12-2007, 10:57 PM
how about, thisforumisasit.com :D
JPnyc
06-12-2007, 11:21 PM
Yeah but continue with the extension;)
budafist
06-12-2007, 11:30 PM
Yay! I get it! My time has finally come!
sit.com...
JPnyc
06-12-2007, 11:56 PM
;)
CamarotaDesign
06-13-2007, 05:39 PM
i think I like cause4design.org the most. carters is good, but this is simpler.
I volunteer to do some flash banners or something.
Yeah but continue with the extension;)
http://www.smileyhut.com/laughing/hysterical.gif NOW I get it.
morea
06-13-2007, 06:04 PM
this forum is a sit dot com?
yeah, yeah... I get it. I'm just being a pain.
http://www.smileyhut.com/laughing/hysterical.gif NOW I get it.
Me too. :o
Drazan
06-20-2007, 11:16 AM
We need a decision on what web domain to go with. I'll be registering the domain and providing hosting for the site.
Jade
WannaBrie
06-20-2007, 12:43 PM
Perhaps a poll is in order?
"Technical" Terry
06-20-2007, 02:25 PM
Yes, lets get moving on this. I am getting a little discouraged as to how long this is taking. Do a poll that lasts til next friday (06/29) and close the door on this chapter.
Navian
06-21-2007, 12:10 AM
An Idea, we should do a poll on the site name, once we get the name, we can do a design challenge :) for the site name logo, then poll the logo. As semi-mentioned in http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27196
Fredrich's thread.
Just a thought.:o
"Technical" Terry
06-26-2007, 08:11 PM
Glad to see that the poll is open.
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28127
"Technical" Terry
06-26-2007, 08:30 PM
I already volunteered to do the website....
Do you have anything that needs proofed yet? or need some help with a couple of pages??
budafist
06-26-2007, 09:59 PM
Drazan and C.E. are in charge of the web/hosting/design stuff.
It looks like there is a winner for the project name but voting doesn't finish until Friday so get your votes in!
"Technical" Terry
06-27-2007, 01:09 PM
Drazan and C.E. are in charge of the web/hosting/design stuff.
Ah, sorry, I missed Dazen's post. My post was mostly seeing if there was anything that I could do to help out. It has been 21 days since we officially decided to produce a website. I have not heard of any progress yet. I don't think that we need to wait for a domain name in order to start outlining a site.
I agree that the site aspect of the project should move forward.
I don't know if this has been decided, but I'll bring it up since the site name appears to be Cause4Design. Will the focus of the site actually be about the collaboration of designers creating a work for a cause or the Anna Calendar.
My thought is if you want to to continue with projects such as these, then the focus in one sense should be on the collaborative effort with a huge emphasis on the current project. Does that make sense?
One more question. Has someone volunteered for the writing of the stories? I came in so late on this project, but if someone could direct me to the history of the site and/or how this project got started (is there an original thread with the idea?) or info on Anna, I could at least get it started.
A thought that crossed my mind for the web site is some of the images are so intriguing that it might be interesting to find out more about them from the designer/artist themselves. For example, why did they choose the week they did, choices for images, inspirations, techniques and/or processes, etc.
WannaBrie
06-28-2007, 03:03 PM
Could we get everyone to write a little blurb about thier piece perhaps? That would certainly get the ball rolling for content. Just stuff like what Tea just pointed out.
"Technical" Terry
06-28-2007, 03:31 PM
Could we get everyone to write a little blurb about thier piece perhaps? That would certainly get the ball rolling for content. Just stuff like what Tea just pointed out.
May I suggest a web page that has fields that each designer can fill out. Then the data is consistant, in one place, and someone won't forget to put their name on it (cause it will be a required field). It doesn't need to have a bunch of splashy graphics or anything since it won't be for the public, just a convient place for the designers to quickly submit their info.
WannaBrie
06-28-2007, 04:02 PM
That sounds like a good idea, it would certainly be easier than one person trying to wade through s bunch of text files.
balou
06-28-2007, 04:37 PM
I don't think we should display each and every calendar page on the website. Keep a little something for discovery. Maybe we can have a random image generator for 3 or 4 of the calendar pages pulling from a library of all the pages?
Maybe I'm jumping the gun here a bit but I think we should take care not make this a blatent venue for self promotion. It is after all for charity. If we do descriptions of the artwork and your inspiration, it should be just that. Not a mini online resume. Most of the calendar pages have your contact info on them already. That's my opinion anyways. What are your thoughts?
I don't think we should display each and every calendar page on the website. Keep a little something for discovery. Maybe we can have a random image generator for 3 or 4 of the calendar pages pulling from a library of all the pages?
Maybe I'm jumping the gun here a bit but I think we should take care not make this a blatent venue for self promotion. It is after all for charity. If we do descriptions of the artwork and your inspiration, it should be just that. Not a mini online resume. Most of the calendar pages have your contact info on them already. That's my opinion anyways. What are your thoughts?
Some good points.
Considering the above, most of the calendar pages include the designers e-mail or web address anyway.
WannaBrie
06-28-2007, 05:27 PM
right, that is a good point. Maybe the only personal info then should be about "us" (the gdf'ers) as a community?
budafist
06-28-2007, 11:25 PM
Yes, I think it should only advertise GDF as a community.
Also good point about only a few images used for promotion. How we will decide on which ones are beyond me!
Drazan
06-29-2007, 01:34 AM
I think the only personal information is the names of the people who contributed on a seperate page of the project. But no more than what was allowed in the calendar page.
aka: Month: name - web or email
It's nice to acknowlege those that have contributed, but I agree that there shouldn't be a bio or "ad space" on the site.
balou
06-29-2007, 01:41 AM
I'm thinking one vector, one photo and one drawn/painted to go in the press release.
Here's some thoughts I'm just shooting out there:
1. We should also have a cover page to the calendar - maybe two pages. First page being a cover for the calendar and second page being text describing the project and it's cause. We can pull text from press release Tea and I are working on.
2. After the web domain is decided upon, should we use that for a title of the calendar? We should have it made into a logo. Dare I say it? Should we accept submissions from GDF members and vote? I cringed a little there.
3. Should we put the GDF logo in there somewhere? Do we need to get permission from corporate? Who would be the contact for this - Ben? Steve? Mr. Jupiter? (heehee - just had a Jetson's flashback)
4. Will someone tell my brain to shut off already? It's 8:41 pm and I need to do the dishes, wash a load of clothes and go to bed. Sheesh!
I just want everyone to know I'm still on board with helping on the site and stuff. I'm just getting married in just over a week so I've kind of had my mind elsewhere for now. I'll be back in better shape in about 2 weeks (like, the week after next Saturday LOL!!)
I'm thinking one vector, one photo and one drawn/painted to go in the press release.
I like that idea.
4. Will someone tell my brain to shut off already? It's 8:41 pm and I need to do the dishes, wash a load of clothes and go to bed. Sheesh!
Mine works like that 24/7. Somedays that really sucks, but you're never at a loss for ideas.
Congratulations C.E. on your upcoming wedding! I bet your brain is really on overload!
"Technical" Terry
06-29-2007, 02:26 PM
Is there someone in charge of this project? If I am responsible for a certain part, I have not gotten any confirmation. At the beginning of this thread, I mentioned that a press release could be formed and to let me know if you (whoever is in charge) wanted me to create it. I never heard anything. Not a "we've already got that covered" or "we'll get back to you on that" or even a "damn terry, you sure are stupid".
So, I will restate my original position. I am willing to help. At the minimum, I will proof any document, related to this project, in a timely manner. I am capable of helping in other areas as well, but I think that they are suitably covered. However, I will not just start taking it upon myself to produce whatever material I deem fit. If no one says, "Terry, proof this and have it back within three hours.", I'll just be sitting here twiddling my thumbs.
balou
06-29-2007, 02:53 PM
Terry,
There's no executive assignments or anything but Buda has kind of taken on the organizing the help task. Tea and I are working on the press release. Tea is writing it up this weekend. How about if we run it by you for ideas and thoughts and proofreading? PM me your email address and we'll add you to our emails. Thanks for your eagerness to help out!
balou
budafist
06-30-2007, 03:52 AM
Ditto what Balou said.
Anyone else that can help, put it out there (again if you mentioned it earlier, sometimes I forget these things).
Balou and Tea and working on the copy for the website and press release - they will be essentially the same stuff.
C.E. and Drazan will be working on all the web stuff.
balou
06-30-2007, 02:28 PM
What's the target date for the website to go live?
Are we going to need to do some pre-sales to raise funds for printing/cases/shipping/distribution?
tuliptree
06-30-2007, 06:35 PM
What a great idea. While I would like to help out with the creation part, I don't feel like I have much to offer yet without being hand held. So I'm not much help there but...
Do you have any ideas how you are going to promote (I know press released and website have been covered) but one area I might be able to help is with selling copies fund raising style. I've been doing it for 11 years now for two different non-profits (Natural History Museum and for a local Humane Society). I've been database admin for both, as well as copy writer/campaign coordinator for many fundraising campaigns. Copy writing seems covered, so would it be any help if I offered database services? I could collect data from GDF members who want to send material to friends/family (I have many people I could go to to sell copies, but if we all did that, couldn't we compile a pretty sizable list of people to do a mailing to (ie a letter explaining the cause and either an order form or just info to direct them to the website to order) I could prepare a data file to send to the printer to be mailed out.
Or would it be easier and cheaper (obviously the above would require additional printing and mailing costs) for us to each go out grassroots style and ask our own friends and family)?
Just throwing that out there...
tuliptree
06-30-2007, 06:46 PM
On second thought, after thinking it over, posting and then thinking some more (sorry), maybe its not worth spending extras on a mail type campaign, but doing an email mailing (and again, I am not talking about purchased mailing lists or anything, just grass roots family to family and friends type list), but rather just emailing info pointing to the website for purchase. Could that be a coordinated effort via a standardized fundraising email? (and now maybe I'm back tracking into already thought out territory at this point)...but again, if there's any leg work needing done in this realm, don't hesitate to ask me.
budafist
06-30-2007, 11:24 PM
Wow tuliptree, I hadn't thought of that.
What do you need from each member?
We should PM you a list of email addresses to:
People that would be interested in purchasing a calendar for themselves
People that may stock calendars for their business
Charities involved in similar missions - they may have an interest in Cause4Design.
Press.
Plus anyone elseI guess we need to be careful it isn't spam....it's spam isn't it?
Virgo Nightingale
07-01-2007, 03:36 AM
That may come across as spam. And get the delete button before they really realize what it is and who's involved.
I think we'd see better results if each of us emailed more personalized messages to our friends and families. If they personally know who it's coming from and realize it's not spam, I think they'll be more interested in the cause and trust that it's not a scam.
Is there a way to send a blast email to every GDF member? It isn't really spam if it's directly coming from a forum they signed up for, is it?
tuliptree
07-01-2007, 04:54 PM
Yeah, that is true, if it were a blanket email it would look pretty spammy (I DON'T LIKE SPAM has an all new meaning these days).
My original thought was if we considered an actual letter type piece the data could easily be customized so that every letter that went out to a family member would have it be signed by the GDF member they are related too. But again I don't think its worth it cost-wise or time wise, on re-examination.
As for an email campaign, a standardized email could be written up with perhaps a photo of the calendar and a link to purchase them. Of course then GDF members can add to the letter, and personalize it. But if there was a standardized email to stary with, it make mobilize more GDFers because the meat of the letter would be already written.
It would be a pretty simple task really, if copy is going to already be written for press releases etc. I can help with the email copy if you wish if someone provides me with other copy that is written.
Drazan
07-01-2007, 05:08 PM
We could make a downloadable email to have people send as their own. And they can add in whatever they want to make it personal.
Or even one of those pages "If you got an email with this link..."
balou
07-02-2007, 01:35 AM
I agree with Drazan. If we have a pdf or something we can post a link to and members here can download it and distribute it directly via email to their contacts.
tuliptree
07-02-2007, 02:43 AM
Me too. Sounds like a great idea for you to go that route, simple yet effective--I think it could potentially reach a broad audience.
Perhaps at this point I'd just be adding an extra step if you have someone writing copy already, though I could look at the final copy for the email through a fundraiser's eyes, if you wish. I am up for any part of it, but I also don't want to add an extra finger in the pot, I know that can get cumbersome! :) Just think of me as your in a pinch gal (hmm that sounds funny somehow...)
balou
07-04-2007, 03:22 PM
PRESS RELEASE:
We're working on it.
WEBSITE:
Is there a timeline on the website? We're working on the press release but I don't believe we should send out a press release until we have a live website to start taking orders. Is there something missing to make it happen?
PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION:
What's happening here?
budafist
07-06-2007, 12:49 PM
PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION:
I haven't received many quotes yet. In fact I think I only have 1 from the print company I work at (which was only for comparison as printing in New Zealand would mean insane shipping charges).
We should get the website up first - including an info page for sponsors. That way we may be able to get a discount on printing/stock/cases. I think people will take our cause much more seriously and feel better about sponsoring if we have a website up and running.
I'll start a thread for the logo design.