Author: Channing Maddox Palacios

Why a Business Card?

On June 7, 2022

In Collateral Material, Collateral Material

Business cards are vital when it comes to the marketing and PR side of companies. You want people to be able to find your information when needed. Business cards help people always have your information on hand and ready to find your contact information at anytime. I highly suggest keeping business cards on you at all times so when people ask, you will be able to deliver.

Creating a business card can be so exciting and fun, but also overwhelming. If you are not one to be super creative, that’s okay! There are many different website that let you choose from templates or having designs already laid out for you where all you have to do is enter your own information. A site that I love using is Canva. They have so many different options for all type of designers. Canva allows you to start from scratch or fill in your information. If you are wanting a free option, then Canva is the way to go. Here are some of the options that Canva allows you to choose from.

If you are very tech savvy and love creating all on your own, I highly suggest InDesign. It allows you to create all of your own dimensions and exactly what you want to put onto your business cards. InDesign does cost money to buy so use that if you are wanting to design more things with the application. Otherwise, Canva does allow many of the same things that InDesign does.

Here is a great YouTube video from Linda Ward that explains how to create your own business cards in InDesign

When designing a business card, you want to first look at what your competition business cards look like. You want to have a card that is unique to your business and your own style. Make sure you business card is not too overwhelmed with information and is easy for your customer to read and understand. I suggest making an inspiration board on Pinterest that will allow you to see what aspects you like on other business cards and what you do not like. Let your personality shine through your business card. You want people to be excited to work with you! Let your designs flow and get excited from your inspirations! Happy designing.

Why is being creative so difficult?

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 4, 2022

In Uncategorized

Creativity takes time. Time is something that I do not have a ton of during this season of my life. I really enjoy sitting down after a long day and getting on my computer or phone to just sit down and create things, but after such a long day, my brain tends to stop working. I feel so burnt out of ideas and I just do not know how to create things. It is so frustrating. Either way, I still must be creative for my classes, so here is an EXTREMELY rough draft of my first business card for the Oklahoma City Zoo!

OKC-Zoo-Business-Card-1-1 Download

Like I said, extreme rough draft. I enjoy the ideas that I have, and for every backside I would love for different animals to be on the business cards so that people can have the chance to get to know the animals a little more personally. It is very hard to do branding research when it is not a super popular thing for zoos to have business cards. I definitely challenged myself, but it is very fun to create things like this, even if they are only seen by a few people.

When it comes to business cards, you have to think about how this is the impression you will leave with your customer. You must understand that this is one of, if not the only thing you leave with them so you should understand what you are communicating with them. A business card is super important for a communications strategy, it is a huge mean of communication by itself. Making sure that all of the necessary information is provided on the card is vital. It allows your customer a way to easily contact you whenever they need.

Inspiration and mood boards can help when it comes to designing because although you may like a bunch of different things, by putting them into those boards, it is easier to see what you like the most. You want to make sure everything fits with each other so putting them all together in one place where you can see them easily allows you to do that.

The Rise of Zoos Around the World

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 2, 2022

In Uncategorized

Zoos have become more and more popular around the world throughout the years. As they have begun to grow, so have peoples worries about if zoos are truly doing good by the animals. It is important to fo research about the zoos that you are wanting to visit to understand how much they are doing for the animals.

For my public relations design class, I have chosen the Oklahoma City Zoo as my organization for an assignment. A competitor analysis will be done over how other zoos market and what they look like from a branding point of view. The Oklahoma City Zoo works closely with many zoos around the country, so the competitor analysis is purely marketing and nothing to do with what zoo is more effectively working on conservation. Most zoos chose to work together as they all have similar goals and missions.

I have chosen the St. Louis Zoo for my competitor analysis as it was another zoo that I grew up going to. I would like to compare the difference in branding and marketing in the upcoming days and would love to see the evolvement over time. I believe all zoos should have very similar images and messages. We want to keep our wildlife safe and allow them to live long and prosperous lives. Here is a Pinterest board of the different marketing and branding that has stood out to me about the St. Louis Zoo.

Brainstorming!

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 2, 2022

In Reflections

I have never been a very good brainstormer in the moment. It always happens during random times of the day like when I am driving or doing the dishes. This will definitely be a blog that I come back to and will have to add to as we go, but that’s the wonderful part about having a blog.

I will be using different types of designing platforms like Canva and InDesign to be brainstorming the different designs in my mind for the Oklahoma City Zoo. I want to focus on the animal aspect of the zoo and what the Oklahoma City Zoo stands for: conservation. I would love to incorporate any type of animal that has come to the OKC Zoo for rehabilitation. I think another great idea would be to have images of the babies that have been born in the Oklahoma City Zoo like the baby giraffes, elephants or the upcoming tiger that is expected during summer of 2022.

Lola, the Sumatran Tiger, will be giving birth sometime this summer

These images will allow for more of a connection with the animals and how these visitors are helping these animals rather than just walking around, staring at them all day. Some people may have heavy feelings about zoos, but it is important to do research to understand how much the Oklahoma City Zoo is helping out our wildlife.

My Annual Summer Obsession

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 1, 2022

In Uncategorized

For as long as I could remember, I have gone to the Oklahoma City Zoo at least once every summer break. Once I was old enough to drive myself and my sister was born, it turned into almost a weekly occurrence. I have a zoo membership and would love to work for the Oklahoma City Zoo.

The Oklahoma City Zoo + Botanical Garden

The Oklahoma City Zoo has over 1,000 animals amongst its 100-acre lot. The core value of the OKC Zoo is their conservation efforts for wildlife. They are extremely caring and want to teach their visitors how they can help their conservations and are very transparent with what they are doing at the zoo. While the OKC is the largest zoo in Oklahoma, they work closely with many other zoos around the U.S.. They are not focused on the competition. They want to provide a safe place for these animals that have come to their zoo. The OKC zoo is transparent with their visitors and allow different opportunities for people to go behind the scenes to see what the zoo does on a daily basis for these animals

The OKC zoo works closely with neighboring zoos like the Tulsa Zoo and the Denver Zoo, so that all of the zoos are available to provide whatever is necessary to any zoo at any time. With different habitats at different zoos, if there is available space at one zoo, but not one at another then those zoos will send the animals to that zoo with the available zoo.

The Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed two African Painted Dogs to their Predator Pass habitat from Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

I will be designing collateral material for the Oklahoma City Zoo. While I do know quite a lot of information about the Oklahoma City Zoo, I will be conducting research in order to fulfill enough research for my collateral material.

The Stress of Something New!

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On May 27, 2022

In Uncategorized

InDesign is one of the coolest, but most stressful applications I have ever had to use! Of course, it all must come with practice, but it is very stressful trying to learn how to work it at first. Especially when you have an assignment due and you didn’t plan your time accordingly throughout the day. However, I did enjoy it and believe that it is a vital tool to use while in the Public Relations Industry. You must be able to have some kind of creativity in your veins when being in the industry, so it is important to take time to practice and you can end up creating amazing designs through working in InDesign!

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop is another wonderful tool to use when trying to create designs. There are so many different tools that allow you to move things and take things away that you did not even know were possible. It is so amazing how you can completely change an image from a dark, gloomy photo to something beautiful and bright. Taking time out of your time day to watch and learn how to use this application is vital. It can be very difficult to work around photoshop without some sort of help. I recommend using the video that Adobe so kindly provides for you. It is a great tool and explains everything very thoroughly.

Adobe Photoshop

Always remember, a good design takes time. It WILL be stressful and you might feel like giving up, but just take a deep breath. Close your laptop and come back later. Your design will be there and so will fresh ideas. Watch some videos about how to elevate your designs and always take the time to learn new things. Start your work a few days in advance (unlike me) and make sure you like everything about your design. Finish it, and then come back. It is amazing how many different things our minds can come up with when we are doing laundry or the dishes.

Happy Designing!!!

The Beauty of Typography

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On May 24, 2022

In Reflections

Typography is one of my favorite things about creating graphic designs. Finding that perfect font that you feel conveys your message perfectly and effortlessly is such a rewarding feeling. Typography helps words come more to life when the reader is looking at the advertisement. Understanding how bold and large typography can make a message seem intense and action must be taken while more dainty and script can help make words be more meaningful and heartwarming.

Finding the right typography for your brand can be hard, and that is why it is so wonderful. I suggest taking that time to look at every font that you find interesting and try to find one that you feel represents yourself the best. I went back and forth for days trying to figure out what I felt fit my personal brand perfectly. I wanted the message to be clear as to what my brand was, but I also wanted my personality to shine throughout. It takes time and you have to allow that time to take its course to feel happy with your decision. I highly suggest using Canva to play around with different fonts and finding your right type of style. It is a fun way to get creative with your ideas.

If you choose to use two or more different types of typography, it is important that you use fonts that pair together well. Using two different type of script fonts can be confusing and difficult to find the information that people are looking for. The game Type Connection is a fun way to play around with different fonts and seeing what matches well together if you are having a hard time finding two fonts that you like. Here was my perfect match!

Typography can help make or break an advertisement so always play around with different types and find what you feel fits best with your vibe and brand, then sit on it for a few days and make sure you still love it! Make sure YOU love it before you put it on every part of your brand/company.

Heart Eyes for these Ads!

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On May 24, 2022

In Reflections

During long road trips, what is your favorite thing to do? Personally, I love playing the alphabet game. I think the best way to get all of your letters is by looking at billboards along the road. Do those billboards ever catch your eye for a little longer than most?

Unfortunately, I was not able to go out to take pictures of different billboards around my town as I am sick in bed at the moment, but here are a couple of my favorite billboards that are so pleasing to the eye.

This Dr.Pepper billboard by Lamar is just absolutely stunning. The powerful reds that allow the white lettering to pop is such a pleasing contrast on this ad. I may be a bit biased as Dr.Pepper is my go to drink no matter what time of day, but the balance throughout the billboard is a wonderful example of a near perfect billboard ad. The message can be easily read as people are going down the road quickly trying to get to their destination. The different elements throughout this billboard help unify everything to become one big art piece.

This billboard made by Luis F. Cavalcanti is made from pure kindness and trying to uplift people during dark times. We all know how difficult the last two years have been for everyone and while times are starting to become better, it will be a time that we will never forget. These types of billboards have become more common throughout the United States as people are just wanting to make others feel good. The gorgeous colors that compliment well, while also getting a clear and concise message across are working together in a great way. It can easily be read and the balance of space is used in an effective and efficient way. The rhythm between the lightning strikes throughout the billboard allow for a happy and energetic feeling.

As you will see in almost all of my post, I like to stay positive. I find that things are just as easily understood when you are looking at the positives more than the negatives. I love being able to see all of these different ads and finding my personal favorite parts of them rather than my least favorite.

Hello there!

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On May 21, 2022

In About

My name is Channing Maddox and I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma pursuing a degree in Public Relations and Nonprofit Organizational Studies.

I am an extravert that loves communicating with others and finding new innovative ways to handle whatever life throws at me. I enjoy meeting new people and forming connections with others that allows me to understand people more as individuals.

I love having the opportunity to be in the public relations industry. I enjoy helping clients stay in touch with the latest trend and finding new opportunities to reach out to different audiences than before. I want to watch my clients business grow and thrive while handling different things that happen along the way.

I chose to study public relations because of the endless opportunities that come with the industry. I was intrigued by the number of different things that one could do with just one degree. Once I learned more about public relations, I knew it was the right field for me to study.

My biggest motivation for public relations is knowing that PR professionals will always be needed in the world. New businesses and organizations are forming every day, and those people need qualified candidates to fill specific roles. Another part of public relations that motivates me is how I feel that one can never get bored in an industry like this. There is always something happening and always something that needs to be done.

I am a member of the Theta Gamma Chapter of Delta Delta Delta at OU. This year, I am the Alumnae Relations officer. Through my job, I communicate with alumnae to hold different events throughout the school year, as well as, communicate the wants and needs of the sorority to our alumnae board. I enjoy being able to represent my sorority to our alumnae and want those women to be proud of that their chapter has become. I am also the senior representative of the conduct committee and apart of the public relations committee portion of our philanthropy team.