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T-shirt design contest and proceeds from its sales will benefit the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

Recent events in State College, Pennsylvania have mobilized alumni to form Proud to be a Penn Stater.  This network of alumni, students and fans has a goal of raising $500,000 for RAINN.org.

“As Penn State Alumni, we wanted to get the focus back on the children and victims of sexual abuse,” said Joe Witte, Vice-President of Mycroburst.com.  “RAINN.org is an outstanding organization and the support from alumni and students has been phenomenal. We’ve raised more than $100,000 in less than 36 hours, which is truly amazing and shows the concern for these victims and the strength of Penn State’s network.”

To assist in this fundraising, MycroBurst has asked our creative community of designers to develop a t-shirt design. The design will convey the support the Penn State community has for the victims of sexual abuse. Proceeds from the sale of the shirt will go to RAINN.org.

To submit your designs, visit the contest now!  This $400 guaranteed contest ends on Monday!

About RAINN

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotlines (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with over 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country. The hotlines have helped more than 1.5 million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter!

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The holidays are right around the corner, what a perfect time to reconnect with your customers!

How can you do this in a way that is memorable and helps your business stand out?  We know how, holidize!

Holidizing is adding a bit of the holiday season into your brand’s designs!  Sprinkle it on your logo, company emails, website, marketing strategy and more.

Holidizing your brand’s designs is a great way to distinguish your business and increase your revenue. It can be included in holiday cards, email communications and on your website. Let us help you holidize your brand!
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Why holidize?

There are several reasons (and benefits) why holidizing this season is a great thing to do!

- Adding a little holiday flair to your logo design not only makes your brand stand out from others, it also shows a bit of your company’s personality! A holidized logo can become the center piece of your marketing for the holiday season. Use the holidized logo on your website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for extra impact.

- Use your holidized designs on social media to keep your customers engaged. Then, tweet about extended store hours, special events or one day only coupons.  You could even reward your twitter followers that retweet.  Facebook offers location specific posts.  Post these to let customers about events and specials at your company.  Including a coupon that can only be used during the event is always a great idea. These small posts will help drive traffic and revenue directly to you!

- Show your appreciation of your clients by sending them a custom, holiday greeting postcard! Your clients are the main reason your business is successful – why not thank them? We couldn’t think of a better time to do so! Sending a custom, holiday greeting postcard will definitely exude the time you put in to pick just the right design to thank your customers!
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What parts of my brand can I holidize?

At MycroBurst, the options are truly endless!  Here are a few ideas to get your holidizing started:

-Your logo! Revamp your current logo with a touch of holiday cheer.

- Advertisements. Holidized ads definitely stand out apart from a typical ad!

- Company emails. If you’ve seen ours, you have seen that we’ve revamped our email header – it’s a refreshing update for the season!

- Greeting Postcards. Create a CUSTOM card that includes the holidized to thank your clients!

- And more!  You could even holidize your vehicle with a car wrap or magnet – your choices are truly endless!

Don’t want to wait to long – especially if you need to get something printed.  The holiday season will come and go before you know it!  So, go now!  Visit MycroBurst to launch your project !  While you’re there, check out this custom greenting postcard contest on of our project holders started!

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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Trademark and copyright are two words that often confuse logo designers. In layman terms, both essentially stress on, “no-copying, no-cheating.” However, in theory and in practice, both terms have different approaches. Logo designers are often naïve about trademark and copyright issues; therefore, through a series of posts, I will try to help both our designers and clients to understand the basic difference between these two terms. Once you understand the differences, it will be easier for you to protect your work. This will also enable you avoid logo design mistakes that could lead to a trademark infringement case.



What Is A Trademark?

According to the definition obtained from law journals, a trademark is defined as, “A word, symbol, or phrase, used to identify a particular manufacturer or seller’s products and distinguish them from the products of another.” It is the identity that distinguishes it from the rest of the industry. Example: McDonald’s logo is a trademark that distinguishes its burgers from the burgers of other competitive companies such as Burger King.

There are laws that protect a company’s trademark from being copied or re-created. Companies that wish to protect their trademark register with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (you may have different laws governing trademarks depending on the country you live in). Once registered, the companies holding the trademark have the right to sue or file a case against any other company or designer who has a logo design that resembles their trademark.



What Is Trademark Infringement?

Logo designers or design companies that violate trademark laws by copying or re-creating existing logos commit an act known as, “trademark infringement”. In technical definitions, trademark infringement actually means, “similar trademarks creating consumer confusion.”

Because trademark is a brand, it is required to be unique. If there are two trademarks resembling each other, the consumer will be confused about the brand, leading to brand loyalty and brand identity issues.

If matters are not settled between the two parties, the consequences of a trademark infringement case could result in a hefty fine or at worse a lawsuit. However, it is rare that any case of trademark infringement is taken to court. The process is often lengthy and companies prefer to sort out the matter amongst them rather than to go through a law hassle.

This however is not true in the case of globally recognized companies. They would go to any lengths to protect their brand image from being replicated. For example: In 1976 NBC’s logo was a stark resemblance of a Nebraska PBS station and the network had to spend $855,000 to solve the case.



What Is Copyright?

Generally, copyright is not used for a company’s logo design. Copyright protection begins once a piece of art is created in a fixed form. It is typically used for protecting artwork or creative works by individuals. However, in exceptional cases, there are logos that are creative masterpieces and can be protected by copyright laws. As a logo designer, you can protect your work from being copied by stating the item to be copyright protected. Anyone who wants to utilize your logo artwork must first contact you and ask for permission.



Difference Between Trademark and Copyright

Trademark protects a company’s brand image, while copyright protects the designer’s work. However, there is a contradiction to this difference. If your artwork is the registered trademark of a company, then your copyright powers on it become void. This means, you cannot re-license your work to anyone else as it is being covered by trademark laws. Therefore, in logo designing, copyright isn’t as strong as it is in other creative fields such as writings, publications, paintings etc.

With this post, I hope you understand your rights as a freelancer, while at the same time also understanding the authority a client has over your work, once it is a registered trademark. Since trademark infringement is one of the major issues in the logo design industry, we will be publishing more posts in the future that will help you understand the relationship between logo design and trademark infringement.

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MycroBurst is extremely blessed to have such a talented design community. We are thrilled to have new designers registering at MycroBurst.com each day! Today we are introducing you to Zorica, one of our newer designers!

Zorica took some time to speak with us and we are ecstatic to learn more about her and why she has decided to join our amazing community!  She has already began growing her MycroBurst portfolio, all designs included in this post are Zorica’s. Let’s jump right into the conversation, shall we?  Introducing … Zorica!

MB: Hello Zorica, I hope all is well with you! What has gotten you interested in designing, in general?

Zorica:  Well, I [went] to a design high school, after that I [went] to the Faculty of Technical Science here in Novi Sad, department of Architecture. Now, I am [studying] for my Bachelor’s degree, I hope [I will get it] soon .

As student in Architecture, design was one of [main topics] in any of my architectural subjects. I use a lot of design programs, surfing internet and reading books [to learn] about design and architecture. I try to find inspiration all around me. Now, designing graphic, illustrative, interior and architectural design [has] become my life style.

MB:  Wow, sounds like you have quite a background in design! Cheers to you!  I see you are one of our new designers at MycroBurst, what has drawn you to our website?

Z:  Nothing specific. One day while I was surfing through internet I saw an e-commercial about MB and the next thing I [knew I] was on your page making my profile!

MB:  Well we’re glad you stumbled upon us!  What are you hoping for while using MycroBurst?

Z: Well, I hope I will win more and more projects! Seriously, I really hope I will have success in MB, meet new and interesting people and make future business partners.

MB:  I think you are on your way to having continued success! Let’s go back a little bit, what was the first thing (if you can recall) that you ever designed?

Z: It was pretty long ago, but I remember [what I first designed was] my first handmade picture frame in elementary school. After, I always [continued to do] creative stuff. My first serious design was in high school; I designed an interior of one apartment.

MB:  Impressive! I see you have quite a variety of design skills and styles. Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

Z: Everywhere around me, mostly in nature.

MB:  Seeing as you have so many exceptional design styles and inspiration, what is your favorite thing to design?

Z: Architectural and graphic design for sure.

MB:  Interesting, having a diverse background can really help you to continually grow your design skills. What do you like best about designing?

Z: Design is way of life, [it is] who u are. I like design of any kind where you can express yourself and show “another side” of you. In my case, l love designing because it makes me happy and l love my job, [from which I earn a living]!  [At] the end of the day we are all doing something for a living, the only difference is that some of us do that job with love and some do not. I love my job and love to design.

MB:  What a great perspective! If you could share three pieces of advice with other designers, what would you tell them?

Z: Be creative; always give your best and someone will recognize that; don`t copy. Your design is your signature.

MB:  That’s quality advice. Now I know you’ve only been a designer for MycroBurst for a short time, but in that time what do you like most about designing at MycroBurst?

Z: MycroBurst is great way to show people your work and who u are.  [Another] great thing is that MB is simple to use, and a good way to make business partners and friends.

MB:  We’re glad you are enjoying your time with us thus far! Aside from designing, what do you enjoy to do in your free time?

Z: In my free time I like to hang out with my friends, read a good book or watch a movie. Also, I  am a big fan of photography so when l have time l like to take photos and “play” with them in photoshop.

Thank you, Zorica, for spending some time with us! We have all enjoyed learning about you and your background in design. We wish you continued success and a long career with MycroBurst!

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Are you running a design contest at MycroBurst and would like Zorica to design for you? Invite her!

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Did you miss last week’s design spotlight? See what Hatter had to say about her design style and experience!

Want to be a designer at MycroBurst — Register now, it’s free!

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Don’t forget to “like us” on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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We’ve done it again! As many of you have seen, we are constantly improving MycroBurst.com to be the best we can be for our project holders and design community. Our newest feature enables project holders to have more options and it also gives designers an opportunity to win extra prize money!

So, what’s this new big addition?  MycroBurst is now allowing project holders to select additional winners! That’s right – if you see more than one design that you like throughout your contest, it could be yours!

Additional designs could be used anywhere - to spice up marketing collateral, make flyers eye-catching, ensure your stationery and business cards leave a lasting impression, and more!

The best part?  Choosing additional designs is a cinch.

Once a project holder has selected the ultimate winner for their design project, they will then be directed toward our additional winner selection page!  This is how it works:

- A project holder selects the individual design wanted.  (Please note:  You can select multiple additional winners – you are not limited to one!  All of the following steps are the same.)
- A prize amount for the additional design is offered to the designer of that design.  We suggest offering the same prize amount that was offered during the contest or more.
- The designer of the additional design then decides whether or not they will accept the prize amount and give the project holder that additional design.

Once the designer agrees to the offered prize, the design will be yours!  Waiting time for  finalized files is the same 2-3 working days as the original contest.

To all of our designers, I imagine you can see the benefits that are present for you too!  Now that there are more opportunities for designs to be chosen by project holders, there are more opportunities for you to win prize money!  When you are chosen as an additional winner, you are given the option to release your designs not only for a prize amount, but for exposure of your skills!

I hope you are all excited as we are, we can’t wait to see this new feature in action!
Don’t have a project started yet?  Start one now!