Mazzarello Media & Arts

FAQs

• What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

  GRAPHIC DESIGN Our graphic design experience spans the spectrum from brochures and t-shirts to signage and CD labels. The knowledge we have gained from this variety gives us confidence to deal with anything that comes our way. We eagerly anticipate new projects and the challenge of discovering an interesting and exciting design. View our portfolio. SOCIAL NETWORKING In an world where everyone is on Facebook, cats are on Twitter and people everywhere upload mashups of Gaga and Tony Bennett to YouTube, we know the importance of Social Networking. It's a tool that is often underused, but when used appropriately can be incredibly beneficial to your business. We will set you up and strategize how you can use Social Networking intentionally. BRANDING A consistent and well-branded organization sets companies apart from their competition. When a company's business card, letterhead and website cohesively tell a story, people make connections. A reliable brand reaches people on a deeper, emotional level. EMAIL MARKETING Emails are a great way to stay in touch with your audience. But when people have overflowing inboxes, your newsletter better stand out. A nice looking email is a great start, but equally important are things like useful information, when and how emails get sent, and consistent display in Google Mail or Outlook. We understand these needs. WEB DESIGN Web design is a forever-changing medium, full of tech-talk like “Web 2.0,” “Cascading Style Sheets” and “Search Engine Optimization.” Don't worry, we know the lingo. But when it gets down to it, the most important thing is to design a beautiful, useful, easy to navigate website that your audience can find. We do that. CONSULTING AND STRATEGIZING Getting people together is the best way to invent creative solutions. We're happy to consult in-person and dream with you about ways to develop your company's identity. You'll be amazed at what an hour and a cup of espresso can do for examining a problem from different angles and coming up with unconventional ideas.

• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

  As a graphic design studio and a married couple that pretty much spends 24/7 together we found it was important to build a necessary interruption into the rhythm of our lives. That break serves as a milestone in our year and allows us to focus on a goal and build momentum towards it. Rather than have our time be marked by the fiscal year or chronological year, we measure time by these times of reflection and refueling. we don’t know what this will look like for us in 5 years but for the last decade we have spent these breaks refueling and devouring creative inspiration while traveling. As professional creatives we have found it to be important that we refuel ourselves with inspiration. That time of refueling and inspiration refills our creative tanks that we draw from each and every day for our clients. We first do this on a micro level by working Monday through Thursday and reserving Fridays for reading design magazines like HOW and Communication Arts, hikes in the redwoods and visits to museums. We hold memberships at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Oakland Museum of California. On a more grand level each year we set aside 2-5 weeks to travel abroad. Why travel? Why not something else? When we travel something amazing happens. Our eyes are opened, our minds expanded and we dream greater than we had before. We then can draw from the inspiration throughout the rest of the year. Travel exposes us to many forms of creativity that touch all our senses. Languages are very stimulating to our ears, mouth, and mind. Signage, art, and architecture are very stimulating to our eyes. Food stimulates our palate. Here are some highlights from the last 2 years: Swimming in the Tyrannian Sea of the north coast of Sicliy Viewing the The Caixa Forum Museum in Madrid Evening vespers at Christ Church Oxford Fica (afternoon coffee and pastries) in Stockholm gardens Wandering the passages of the Paris Metro Evening sunset view from Lisbon’s hilltop Castelo de São Jorge Dazzling ceiling and windows in Barcelona’s Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família Majestic beauty of Cordoba’s Alcazar Visiting the Mazzarello cemetery in Naso, Sicily Taking a boat through Nyhavn, a 17th century waterfront in Copenhagen.

• What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

  Be sure to look at the portfolio. Ask what experience they have in managing projects. Find out if they have ever worked as an in-house graphic designer or for an agency or if they have only worked for themselves. Be sure to ask for references and testimonials.