MayDay

Fantastic set of pics - I remember saying to my S.O. that I wish I'd had my camera with me (and that we didn't have prior plans!). smackem, I believe that building is located where Columbus Road meets Center Street (just east of the Center Street swing bridge).

Whenever I work for someone on a freelance basis, I have to consider a few factors: 1. The project's intended use (high volume mailer or a one-time poster?) 2. The project's complexity (illustrations requiring days to complete or simple text/graphic blocks?) 3. The client's budget (high-end for profit company or grassroots low-budget non-profit?) 4. The potential for future business from said client? Now, some designers will say "I charge $50 an hour" which may sound high, but in some markets that's the going rate for some freelance work. Operative word = some. Most local bar owners I know don't have $1500 to fork over for concert poster work. That's where #3 and #4 come in. You may want to try a leading question by saying "I'm new to the design business but my friend who works in design usually charges X per hour" and get a feel for his reaction. If his eyes leap out of his skull, you can say "but because I'm starting out, I can offer a better price". You might also want to consider what they can offer in trade. If I were to do a concert poster for a bar that happened to be a favorite hangout, I'd seriously consider taking a tab rather than a fee. One thing I've learned is that it's very easy to price yourself out of work in smaller markets - I wouldn't undercut yourself, but just be realistic. And make sure you have your agreed payment in WRITING - do not go by a verbal agreement. An email agreement can work but it has to be very explicitly stated what your terms are. When a client realizes 1. they can afford you and 2. you produce quality work - they'll come back to you and more importantly they'll refer you to other people. As far as printing - I personally try to avoid handling the printing myself. My usual rule of thumb is to ask the client if they have a printer (they almost always do), and the only time I contact the printer is at the beginning (to get specs, what formats they prefer, etc.) and the end (to make sure they got the file I sent). Honestly, it's one of the biggest areas of potential headaches that designers can encounter - there's a reason a lot of design firms have people dedicated to trafficking and buying print (Print Buyers) - and those people tend to be tough as nails because they need to be to keep printers in line and on time. Finally - if you do hand off the file rather than deal with the printing, be ABSOLUTELY sure to draft a licensing agreement. You can google "graphic design licensing" or something close to get an idea. Just a simple piece of paper can come in awfully handy if you see your work being replicated beyond the scope of the initial commission. If a client ever balks at signing it, walk out the door. Hope that made some sense and helped. Feel free to ask if you need more help.

Just a little nitpicking (it IS what I do best): "Key Tower - the tallest building in Ohio, tallest between Chicago and NYC," Technically no. The Bank of America tower in Atlanta is 1,023 feet and although it's not located along a straight line between Chicago and NYC... well, you get the idea. Also, Key Tower will lose that title shortly when the 975-foot Comcast Center is completed in Philadelphia. "The Federal Reserve Bank Branch (1/12)" There is nothing "branch" about the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. It is one of twelve Federal Reserve Banks, period. It has branches in Cincy and Pittsburgh and a check processing branch in Columbus. ..... I have to second X's nomination of the Flats - if you ever get the chance, go to the Stonebridge viaduct and just spend an hour or so. It's one of the few spots where you'll see everything he mentioned.

Folks, please post here if you're planning to attend, even if it's tentative. That way, we'll have a good idea of who to expect. If you think you'll join up later in the day, send me your phone number (mobile, obviously) via PM. Thanks!

Honey, as long as we see a 12-ish story quality-constructed condo tower fully occupied on that site, I don't care if they have Martians working overnight! :-D

Hmm, I took those photos at approximately 8:40ish this morning and I count about 9 stories max. If they work that quickly, I say get them started on the County Administration building! :wink:

Oh it has a ways to go before it gets to peak - I think they've been working on the lower levels recently (rather than adding height):

Mmm... sushi and key lime pie... Speaking of Halite - go there on Tuesdays when you have $20 to spare. You get an appetizer, entree, AND dessert all for $20! Not a bad deal at all! Oh, the Watermark has been closed for a while now. I could be mistaken but they might be open for catered events.

How about people confirm their plans to attend on this thread! :-)

"So many people from Ohio want a product like that closer to home." It's been my observation that they do and they don't. Sure, people love that intangible vibe of the livelier areas of Chicago, NYC, etc. But then they balk at taking public transportation, or the background din that comes with a higher population density. They love the areas where people live in modern high-rises with glamorous shops but then can't understand why they should have to pay to park (monthly or otherwise). Lord knows they love spending money at little boutique shops but would never be able to fathom why they should have to pay more than $700 a month for a one-bedroom apartment just around the corner from said boutiques. It just amazes me that there can be such a disconnect as to why things aren't the way they should be in Cleveland.

Is he my favorite architect? No. Do I agree that a lot of his buildings are isolated sculptures with little regard for their surroundings? Yes. Still, I think it would have been an awesome sight to see this on Cleveland's lakefront (the Progressive Insurance Tower):

"I would highly recommend though, that you get a Mac with OS X on it." Amen! 8-)

^Amen - quite a few groups in Cleveland need to be aware of that. Whether you're a non-profit or a for-profit global conglomerate, your web site is your calling card and it should be a one-stop place to get information. It's your press kit, your business card, your resume, your newsletter, it's everything. If Parkworks is a registered 501©3, they could solicit someone to update their site. When I make recommendations to people for just about anything (from restaurants to charitable organizations) - the first thing I do is direct them to a web site. If there's no site, or worse - a site with outdated information, how can I possibly be expected to know what's going on? Don't have a site? Don't plan to get my business (or donations).

Yikes! Three million to update a website? :wink:

Ok, one thing I've realized in this town - "still alive" can mean catatonic/comatose for a decade. If you know someone, anyone - could you please pass along the message of... well... just hum the theme of "Jeopardy" and I think they'd get the point! Yeesh!

Uhh, I'm the one wearing the green shirt, NOT the blue wings but thanks - I'll still buy ya a drink if you make it to the forum meet :wink:

"There are only 15 miles between downtown Warren and downtown Youngstown." As the crow flies - that 15 miles can easily translate into 30-40 minutes with rush-hour traffic. Add that to the commute into Greater Cleveland and that commuter is going to be one unhappy camper. I know from experience - a former boss commuted from Howland to Stow, and they were the crankiest, stressed-out person you ever met. I'm not saying that people AREN'T commuting from Youngstown/Warren to Cleveland/Akron but the effect on their quality of life isn't a positive thing, $550K notwithstanding. Sure, they're saving on their housing costs but the quality of life wouldn't be worth it to a lot of people. The thing is - while you've pointed out a pricey home in Shaker Heights, there are plenty of wonderfully livable homes in Greater Cleveland for $250K (or even less). I'm all too familiar with Fifth Avenue - a lovely home only goes so far if you can't leave it without fear for your safety.

Yes, but that's Warren which is quite a distance to the northwest of Youngstown proper (i.e. downtown Youngstown). Barring some sort of turnaround in population that brings Cleveland up to that of say, Chicago - I don't see Youngstown becoming a "suburb" or a bedroom community anytime soon.

"Oh, and I'm not sure what you mean by "your people" (gay,metrosexual,woman?)" Sorry I didn't clarify - gay. "Our views on standards of living are polar opposites and this has caused problems in our relationship and I am quite certain we will be at each other's wits ends when trying to "agree" on where to live/how much to spend." :lol: Yep, that sounds like true love to me! Actually it's good that the two of you complement each other - sort of like "The Odd Couple". "What is a roumaki? It's an appetizer made by wrapping bacon around a water chestnut (some people include marinated chicken livers). "And, I am excited about having a fireplace. I've never had one of my own. God forbid if i turn it into an entertainment center." Just a heads up about that - a lot of places will have non-functioning fireplaces. They're non-functioning for safety reasons but they do add a lot of architectural interest. What I'll do is get a short list of companies and send them via private message.

It sounds absolutely retentive for them to have to eliminate a proposal because of two minutes, but this is 2006 - anyone in the public sector is (justifiably) put under incredible scrutiny, internal and external, to make sure their t's are crossed and their i's are dotted. If the commissioners decided to "let it slide" just because of a two minute glitch, everyone in the media would be all over it claiming favoritism.

Okay, your g/f needs to understand that here is how things work (at least in my world): when people arrive to your home/apartment for that fabulous dinner party, they're going to spend more time "oohing and ahhing" FAR more about the interior of your place than the exterior. When you're renting, you can always dismiss the exterior as "well, it's historically interesting" or "it's a tad utilitarian for my tastes, but the concrete helps with soundproofing" but then you can spend the rest of the evening regaling them about the choices you've made about the dining room table, the roumaki, or how that period non-functioning fireplace makes for a perfect spot for the TV. It sounds like she needs one of "my people" to translate for you :wink:

Someone needs to tell ColDayMan that Sammy Davis Jr. died a while ago. "as an west sider, you must be catholic, so just go read the old testament." No thanks, I've dated too many Catholic guys as it is :-D

I always get a chuckle out of people who work downtown and have obviously never dealt with the midges before. You can tell when they go through a revolving door by bumping it (thus sending the midges into a frenzy) instead of a gentle push, and then their subsequent freaking out and "Chun Li Fists of Fury" attempts at swatting them away. Simple word of advice - don't BUMP the door, just give it a gradual push and you'll have less of them swirling about you.

It's featured on the front page of wkyc.com - I'd say that's a start :-)

If we can get a pic of ColDayMan doing a kegstand, my life would be complete :lol: Here's the official info site for the meet: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/forum06.html