:: FAQ . Many of your graphic design, printing and marketing questions and concerns have already been asked and answered. But, if you don’t see a specific question listed here, please Contact Us. Once we provide an answer for you we will add your Q&A to this section.

• What do you believe is the purpose of graphic design?

• How can I see samples of the work GrooveMaster Graphics does?

• What happens after I hire GrooveMaster Graphics?

• How will GrooveMaster create the artwork for my project?

• What software does GrooveMaster Graphics use to create the artwork for my project?

• I noticed your logo has a musical theme. How did the name GrooveMaster Graphics come about?

• Where does GrooveMaster Graphics get the pictures for my artwork?

In a word, communication. Graphic design is not just about colors and typefaces, layouts and effects. The ultimate goal is to deliver the message that is being sent. A graphic design must grab attention, hold interest and guide the reader down the road to where the message is actually received. A good graphic design takes the copy writers words and delivers them to the audience in an effective way.

You can see them right here on our web site. Click here to go to our portfolio page. You can also read what clients have said about our work on our clients page.

First we will talk with you in general about what your needs are. After the basic requirements are determined you will receive a comprehensive questionnaire to complete. The questionnaire will help to fill in details about requirements, goals and expectations. Next you will receive a written contract detailing the terms, fees and timelines of the project. Note that 99.9% of GMg contracts are on a per project basis, not hourly. Once development starts you will receive a series of drafts followed by revision cycles as specified in the contract. After the final revision is complete you will sign an approval form stating that the artwork is complete as agreed to. Lastly the artwork will be sent off to the vendor that will be outputting it. We will make sure that the vendor is receiving files per their specification.

After receiving a completed project questionnaire, GMg will start by brainstorming and sketching ideas based on the text copy provided. After some basic ideas are on paper they will be transferred into industry standard software applications running on Apple Macintosh computers. There they will be developed until the final version is completed.

The software includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Our unique company name originated like this. In the words of owner Gary Swiontek “It’s a result of my wanting to keep a connection with my musical past. Near the age of seven I began accordion lessons. Yes, a squeezebox. From there I took up the French horn, guitar, electric bass, piano and, lastly, string bass. I received a bachelor of music degree from DePaul University where I played in the concert and jazz bands, not to mention a variety of other bands along the way. My DePaul experience launched a career as a full-time musician taking me from local lounges, clubs and banquet halls to theatre venues across the U.S. and Canada. One of my strengths is having good ‘time’ or rhythm which helps me ‘lay down the groove’ in an ensemble. I still lay down the groove, today, on gigs whenever I can. There you have it. By combining my musical and design creativities into a business – what else would I name it but GrooveMaster Graphics. Hence, the musical staff and bass clef in the logo.”

Clients sometimes provide pictures if they need to be very specific to the client. For example, pictures of their product, facility or staff. If additional images are needed the designer may choose to hire someone to photograph, draw or electronically create the image or he may look to stock agencies for an image that already exists. Stock agencies have thousands of images in their libraries and just about any image you can think of is available. The end user receives certain rights to use the image in a particular fashion after paying a fee. The image is not sold but instead is licensed. Licensing comes in several flavors including Royalty Free and Rights Managed.