For the past 30 years Robert Pizzo has been one of the country’s leading, nationally recognized illustrator/designers. His client list would make any creative the envy of their peers and he has garnered awards for his illustration in nearly all the major creative competitions, including Print’s Regional Design Annual, Graphis, Society Of Publication Designers, Society Of Newspaper Designers, Creativy Awards, Annual Report 100, Desi Awards, Ozzie Awards and more.

But as anyone who knows the illustration industry will tell you, just being talented is not enough to make it for the long haul. The talented illustrator must equally be the talented businessman. You need to constantly stay before your existing buyers while you reach out to generate new leads.

One of Robert’s best promotional methods has been email marketing, so we are happy to share some of his thoughts on how to use the medium properly.

Robert: Are you looking for cheap “enhancement” meds in your inbox? Maybe a phony degree from a prestigious college? How about a can’t-miss scheme to collect millions from the government of Nigeria? I didn’t think so. Read the rest of this entry »

Marilyn and Mike Sullivan are special people. Not only because they are decent, honest and caring by nature, but also because they have lived through what many of us who are parents can barely comprehend. The Sullivans, along with their daughter Katie, endured the pain and loss of the unexpected death of their teenage daughter and sister, Erin.

Like many brave people who have suffered, Marilyn wanted to channel her anguish into something positive and meaningful. Just released is her book, A Patch of Comfort, A Guide for Helping Someone In Grief, which takes a different approach to dealing with loss than most books. Filled with honesty and even humor, Marilyn’s book grew out of her compassion for her friends as they tried to support and comfort her and Mike while they mourned. Some of her chapters include “Let’s Talk about How Grief Heals and Where You Fit In” and “Let’s Talk about What You May Encounter Trying to Help Someone in Grief.”

I was honored when Marilyn asked me to provide illustrations for the book. I chose a very simple style and have supplied a few samples here for your viewing. The book will soon be available from major retailers like amazon.com.

Hile Design has been selected to create an updated website for Brighton, Michigan–based GKI Foods, a candy making company founded in 1972.

Over the past six years, Hile has provided ongoing package design services for the company. This includes assistance with presentations and sales for GKI’s clients, which include small retail outlets, convenience stores, grocery stores and “big box” chains.

Since their modest beginnings, GKI has grown into a major candy and granola manufacturer. The company currently maintains a 66,000-square-foot plant capable of producing 30,000 pounds of chocolate confections and several tons of granola a day.