SERVICES
Hot Designs is based out of a home office, by freelance graphic designer, Shanna Blasingame. Services are offered from concept, through layout, design, production and printing.*

WORK STYLE
My style is relaxed and personal, yet professional, working directly with clients from project beginning to end. My office is surrounded by nature and beauty. After spending many years working in formal office settings and agency environments, my chosen atmosphere is stress and traffic free. My two dogs are my co-workers, here to assist my creative process. Overhead is reduced so my clients reap the benefits.

Clients become my partners. You're the expert on your company so you are the best information resource. I use a variety of resources to complete projects–mostly my own skills–but when outside help is needed to make the work better or to finish a project, it's all handled seamlessly. A rolodex of llustrators, writers, professional photographers, programmers and printers, is at my fingertips.

COMPUTER SKILLS
I've been on a computer since the early 80s, when my grandfather bought one of the first Apples. Since then my interest in computers and technology has evolved with the industry. After working on Macs and pc's in a variety of applications and settings, Mac will always be my preference. But I'm familiar with both platforms.

Software applications I work in (or have worked) from most to least usage: Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Freehand, Flash, Word, Excel, Pagemaker, Acrobat, Powerpoint, Persuasion, Framemaker and more. Starting out my first job as production artist allowed me to develop great computer skills, so I can back up my own ideas and execute them.

WORK HISTORY
I've worked as a designer in many capacities: full time positions and freelance work for ad agencies, freelance for a variety of companies and individuals, many on-site production and design assignments through temp agencies, part time on-site and freelance work for Robert Morris University, and endless projects for friends and family. The variety keeps me on my toes. I love a new challenge, and learning all about new companies.

EDUCATION
I began my college years as a major in fine art and advertising. Eventually I switched majors and earned a bachelors degree in business administration from East Texas State University (now called Texas A&M Commerce). More years were actually spent in advertising and art though, with classes taught by Dallas agency art directors and designers working in the field, on-site at times. The experience was worth gold.

In business courses I learned how to write computer programs in Basic C language, took courses in marketing, psychology, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance, all things that a future business owner would cherish. In college, computers were not used in advertising. So I learned basics of designing logos and brochures by hand, drawing your ideas with your pencil, (not using stock photos) and using press type. Computers came into the ad agencies in the 90s, and I had a leg up on it thanks to my well-rounded background. I taught myself the graphics software through hands-on projects.

All of my education and work experience now allows me do freelance, or project by project services for businesses who don't need a full service ad agency.

Background photography: the background photo was taken in my yard. The environment continues to inspire my creativity.

*All printing is outsourced. In some cases a printer is referred and you deal directly with them, with Hot Designs complete technical support.