Adams Fairacre Farms’ use of social media was minimal when I arrived on board. I was and am tasked with engaging with Adams customers on various social media platforms. My exciting photography and engaging designs, combined with interesting text, elicits engagement.

Facebook:

• 10% average monthly growth rate each month since taking over
• 2-4 engaging posts a week
• Respond to positive and negative feedback
• Answer customer questions
• Link to relevant, engaging articles
• Post photos from Adams events
• Run promotional drawings and campaigns using self-created Facebook Apps. Use cross-platforming on other social networks to engage maximum of customer base.
• facebook.com/adamsfairacrefarms

Twitter:

• 15% average monthly growth rate of followers since taking over
• Live tweeting during Adams special events
• Share and Retweet beneficial information to our followers
• Answer customer questions
• Run promotional drawings and campaigns using Retweeting and Mentioning. Use cross-platforming on other social networks to engage maximum of customer base.
• @AdamsFarms

Instagram:

• Recently created
• Engaging photos of Adams Events
• Used in combination with Facebook and Twitter
• @adamsfairacrefarms

I successfully moved the Adams online store, which sells fruit & gift baskets as well as gift cards, from an inferior platform to the super integrated and feature-rich Ecwid shopping cart. In addition to the integration, I also photographed all the product images.

In consideration for this store, not only did it need a significant aesthetic improvement, but we also needed a solution that would be scalable to include more departments as managers become ready.

Platform: Ecwid & WordPress
Website Address: www.adamsfarms.com/store

Features:

• Complete integration with existing site
• Completely customized CSS to match existing website
• Custom delivery zones
• Admin & Customer receipts for fulfillment of purchase
• Complete integration with existing payment gateway
• Scalable
• Low Cost
• Allows customers to share purchases on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
• Mobile Store
• Facebook Store

Though I did not do the original design, I am responsible and entrusted with the development of new features and improvements of the site. Brand consistency is of top priority and the development of this site.

Platform: WordPress
Website Address: www.adamsfarms.com

Original Content:

• Adams Blogs: 1, 2, 3, 4

Development:

• WordPress
• CSS
• Blog, News, and Events Content
• Photography
• Social Media

Photography:

• Adams Harvest Fests ’12: 1, 2, 3
• Adams Blood Drive
• Adams Dutchess County Fair ’12
• TV Commercial at Adams
• Adams Lawn & Garden Show 2012 – Pok

Personally Developed/Designed:

• Adams Video Page

A friend of mine recently started his own business. He was in the midst of designing his business cards, so I quickly mocked some design options up for him. (Not sure if he wanted my help or not…but he got it…☺ ) I had such a good time making up the designs that it inspired me to come up with some business card designs for my freelance work.

I already have a logo that I made some time back, so it was really just a matter of using that design to make some business cards. I’m pretty happy with the result.

An interesting dilemma came up as I was designing them. Should I focus more on design, or on usefulness? I suppose at some level, this dilemma comes up for all designers. Everyone wants to create a sense of awe when someone looks at your design. In fact, deep down, you’re hoping that someone will give you a job just by looking at your business cards, or single piece of work. But if a user can’t figure out how to contact you later, they might just give up.

The problem I encountered was deciding what information to put on the card. Will someone be upset with me if I don’t put my phone number on there? It’s not that I mind giving out my phone number – but it just wasn’t fitting in the design. What if the font size on a non-crucial element is too small? Will people be turned off and chuck the card in the bin?

In the end, the design trumped. I realize that most designs for clients require a bit more pragmatism when it comes to information, but if I can’t push the envelope for my website and marketing materials, then I don’t think I could be very happy with myself. And since I’m the client in this case…I aim to please.

The focus is on the most important aspect of the card – my website address. When someone references my business card, I want him or her to go to my site. That’s where they can get more information. I think about the way that I use business cards. I take a quick look, put it in my pocket, stick it in a drawer, and eventually throw it away. If I do see it again, I use it to look up information about the contact…on the web. Rarely, if ever, do I keep a card to reference someone’s phone number.

Anyway, feel free to give me your thoughts.

These are the mock-ups for business cards and pens that I made to support my freelance work.

I was going for a minimalist, modern design that would match the branding represented on jalopyhead.com.

Click here for the corresponding blog post: Designing for Myself

Lucas has grown in many since moving back to the States. Both his physical and mental skills have greatly improved. It’s been such a joy to see him enjoying life. He loves cars, trucks & trains more than anything else. In fact, the way to coax him into going to Sunday school is by saying something like, “Lucas, I think they have a truck for you!” (It works every time.)

He also like balls, which of course thrills my heart since I’m also a fan. He gladly joined me in playing basketball on this afternoon. We were at Anna’s school picnic at a State park. Despite his fear of heights (he’s our timid one), he overcame for a few seconds to dunk the ball. He actually wanted to do it several times, which, of course wore me out.

Picture notes:
My wife took this picture and I edited it. I did my original edits (cropping, B&W) in iPhoto and then moved over to Photoshop to add the puzzle effect. I also removed my arm pit shadows as it was distracting and the first thing I looked at. (See original and cropped B&W.)

Lucas Dunking B&W Cropped

Lucas Dunking Orginal