SMPS Virtual Workshop: Elements of Design (May 7, 15, 22, 2019)

  • Registration Closed

There are important design elements for putting together the best-possible work for your proposals and marketing materials. In May, we’ll share them during Elements of Design. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already dabbled in design, this three module virtual workshop will help you stand out from the competition.

Each module is 90 minutes in length.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This course will take a look at some best practices for social media and how visuals fit within your strategy. We’ll go over ways to develop a social media strategy, the importance of compelling content, and some tips for maximizing exposure. We’ll look at how to create visuals that work and the differences between each of the key platforms. We’ll even go over some resources to help you quickly and easily create and use effective, web-friendly graphics.

    Armed with the basic graphic skills learned in previous sessions, now we’ll take a look at how those graphics can be applied outside of proposals and presentations. There are big differences between the way we use visuals in printed documents and presentations versus social media. Each platform has its own set of rules; do you know what works where?

    This course will take a look at some best practices for social media and how visuals fit within your strategy. We’ll go over ways to develop a social media strategy, the importance of compelling content, and some tips for maximizing exposure. We’ll look at how to create visuals that work and the differences between each of the key platforms. We’ll even go over some resources to help you quickly and easily create and use effective, web-friendly graphics.

    Designed for marketers newer to the social-media-for-business space, this course will go over some basic tips and tricks to emphasize your company’s story. Whether you’re just starting to develop a social media presence or managing an existing one, you’ll gain the foundation to use social media as an effective marketing tool.

    During this 90 minute module, participants will:
    • Learn how to identify your audience and develop a strategy to reach them
    • Explore how to create compelling content that attracts attention
    • Learn some tips and tricks for maximizing engagement
    • Learn how to create quality visuals that support your social media strategy

    Karen Kurta, CPSM

    Senior Graphic Designer, Cushman & Wakefield

    A three-time marketing excellence award winner, Karen Kurta excels in graphic design, photography, and proposal writing, specializing in assembling complex pieces into concise and cohesive marketing materials. Her career spans various industries including construction and commercial real estate. For eight years, she managed complex proposals and developed presentations, graphics, collateral, advertising, and project photography for two global construction firms. She’s currently a senior graphic designer for Cushman & Wakefield—a global commercial real estate firm—where she provides graphic design, photography, and marketing support for over 40 brokers in two markets.

    Karen is also the owner of a Central Florida-based photography business specializing in real estate, portraits, and fine art.  

    Each virtual workshop is approved for 4.5 continuing education units for the Certified Professional Services Marketer program and 4.5 learning units from the American Institute of Architects.

  • Contains 2 Component(s)

    This course will cover the basics of photography as it applies to the A/E/C world. We’ll talk about stock photography, how to use the stock sites, and how to choose the right images. We’ll explore hiring professional photographers and go over some tips and tricks for working with them. We’ll learn about copyright and what that means to you and your company. We’ll even share some tips for taking and/or improving your own photos.

    Photography plays such an important role in the world of marketing. The quality of the graphics you use to represent your brand can help or hurt you. 

    We all can’t be experts in photography, but we want to use compelling images in our marketing materials. Should you use stock photography or your own photographs? How do you make sure the photographs you use tell the right story about your company?

    This course will cover the basics of photography as it applies to the A/E/C world. We’ll talk about stock photography, how to use the stock sites, and how to choose the right images. We’ll explore hiring professional photographers and go over some tips and tricks for working with them. We’ll learn about copyright and what that means to you and your company. We’ll even share some tips for taking and/or improving your own photos.

    Designed to help marketers who are a little less graphics savvy, this course provides the fundamental photography knowledge you need to take your marketing to the next level.  Whether you’re improving your own capabilities, working with professionals, or simply wanting to help your staff capture better images, you’ll gain the foundation needed to raise the bar.

    During this 90 minute module, participants will:
    • Learn how to use stock photography sites and know what to look for to create more effective visuals
    • Discover the benefits of using professional photography, when it’s necessary or not, and how to better work with professional photographers
    • Learn about copyright, what it is, and how it applies to what you do as an A/E/C marketer
    • Explore tips and tricks for taking your own photographs—including project photography and headshots

    Karen Kurta, CPSM

    Senior Graphic Designer, Cushman & Wakefield

    A three-time marketing excellence award winner, Karen Kurta excels in graphic design, photography, and proposal writing, specializing in assembling complex pieces into concise and cohesive marketing materials. Her career spans various industries including construction and commercial real estate. For eight years, she managed complex proposals and developed presentations, graphics, collateral, advertising, and project photography for two global construction firms. She’s currently a senior graphic designer for Cushman & Wakefield—a global commercial real estate firm—where she provides graphic design, photography, and marketing support for over 40 brokers in two markets.

    Karen is also the owner of a Central Florida-based photography business specializing in real estate, portraits, and fine art.  

    Each virtual workshop is approved for 4.5 continuing education units for the Certified Professional Services Marketer program and 4.5 learning units from the American Institute of Architects.

  • Contains 2 Component(s)

    This course will cover what you need to know to take your marketing materials, proposals, and presentations to the next level. We’ll talk about graphic file types, the difference between RGB and CMYK, and how photo resolution affects the end result. We’ll look at the significance of color and font choices and explore some simple ways to customize stock graphics. We’ll go over some tips for streamlining page design and optimizing files for email versus print. We’ll even share some resources where you can learn more.

    Nothing turns your audience off faster than having poor quality visuals. Having a basic understanding of graphic design elements is essential for today’s marketer.

    There are millions of options; how do you know which compelling graphics and images to use? Where do you begin?

    This course will cover what you need to know to take your marketing materials, proposals, and presentations to the next level. We’ll talk about graphic file types, the difference between RGB and CMYK, and how photo resolution affects the end result. We’ll look at the significance of color and font choices and explore some simple ways to customize stock graphics. We’ll go over some tips for streamlining page design and optimizing files for email versus print. We’ll even share some resources where you can learn more.

    Designed to help marketers who are a little less graphics savvy, Graphic Design Basics provides the fundamental knowledge you need to enhance your marketing materials. Whether you’re improving your own capabilities or simply wanting to work better with your graphic design staff, you’ll gain the foundation needed to raise the bar.

    During this 90 minute module, participants will:
    • Learn about graphic file types and resolution and when how to best use each one
    • Discover why color and font choice matter and how to make better decisions about them
    • Learn some basic techniques for choosing stock photos and graphics for more effective visuals
    • Explore ways to streamline page design for more readable, organized documents
    • Discover resources for learning more about graphic design

    Karen Kurta, CPSM

    Senior Graphic Designer, Cushman & Wakefield

    A three-time marketing excellence award winner, Karen Kurta excels in graphic design, photography, and proposal writing, specializing in assembling complex pieces into concise and cohesive marketing materials. Her career spans various industries including construction and commercial real estate. For eight years, she managed complex proposals and developed presentations, graphics, collateral, advertising, and project photography for two global construction firms. She’s currently a senior graphic designer for Cushman & Wakefield—a global commercial real estate firm—where she provides graphic design, photography, and marketing support for over 40 brokers in two markets.

    Karen is also the owner of a Central Florida-based photography business specializing in real estate, portraits, and fine art.  

    Each virtual workshop is approved for 4.5 continuing education units for the Certified Professional Services Marketer program and 4.5 learning units from the American Institute of Architects.