PayMo: Excellent Time Tracking Tool for Small Businesses

As a small business, We are always looking for tips and tools to better business operations. A few months ago IsrylDesigns came across the site paymo.biz and now we have an efficient way to manage projects and invoice clients.

PayMo's user-friendly interface allows us to easily navigate through all of its useful tools.


Dashboard
The dashboard shows a quick view of upcoming milestones and tasks, a color coded bar graph of the hours worked on each project, and a snapshot of the total hours worked by day, week, and month.


Milestones/Tasks
Keeping track of deadlines has never been easier. A great feature of the milestone tab is the email alert. When you add a milestone you can set a time to have an email reminder sent. Tasks are lists related to the milestone. Once a milestone or task is complete simply click on the box and it will delete itself from the list. All of your changes will be stored on your dashboard so that you can keep track of all of the company activity. 


Timer
The timer allows the user to track time by pushing one button (start) or (stop). The timer runs in the background while the user is working in another program. Should the user forget to stop or start the timer there is a way to manually enter the time.


Clients/Projects
Add all of your client details including uploading a logo or picture and contact information. This information is then populated in the invoice section streamlining the invoicing process. Once your client(s) are added, you can then add the projects, milestones, and tasks related to them.


Users
PayMo has a variety of options depending on the needs of your business. The free version of PayMo allows up to 2 users and 3 invoices per month. The upgrade version only $9.99 allows for unlimited invoicing. You can track your freelancers/employees time and include that in project billing. To upgrade your account, just click on the upgrade button on the right side of the page under Invoicing. Note: You can cancel the upgrade at anytime but you do have to click on the downgrade button to do so.


Invoicing
One of our favorite features of the site is the invoicing tool. Create a simple and effective invoice by uploading your logo. Click on the client you want to bill and their information will automatically populate. An invoice number is generated and you can click the paypal box to allow your client to pay online using their credit/debit card. The invoice will create a link that you can email to your client. Save trees and time! Note: You need to set up your paypal account before generating a paypal invoice.


Reports
Keep up with your company's hours, and finances using the reports tab. Paymo will generate reports based on hours worked by project, hours worked by user, and financial statistics. Now you can keep track of your companies productivity and financial growth all in one tool, PayMo!


IsrylDesigns is always looking for ways to make our business more successful. If you know of any tech tools, design opportunities or just want to connect email us at info@isryldesigns.com.


Thanks for letting us turn your design dreams into reality!

Interview with Andy Cruz - Art Director, House Industries

Here is another interview related to my thesis on Stereotypography. Andy Cruz, Art Director for House Industries was courteous enough to answer the following questions:

1. How long have you been designing type?

We started house industries in 1993.

2. How does House Industries approach the design of new typefaces? I imagine that inspiration comes from different places for each designer at House Industries? Is there a common mantra for the designers of House Industries? Where does your inspiration to create a new typeface come from?

Often type collections grow from personal interest/hobbies (toy packaging, punk rock, sign lettering, etc.).

Tiki Type & Stereotypography:

In an 2004 Letterspace article by Rob Giampietro titled, "New Black Face," he says that stereotypography in graphic design "has been increasing as design is becoming a cultural force". Siting that House Industries recently (as of the date of the article release) released Tiki Type to signify Polynesia. http://www.studio-gs.com/neuland.html

1. What was the original purpose behind the design of the Tiki type font?

I was always fascinated by the lettering used to promote Polynesian theme restaurants from the post WWII era. from the architecture to the logo embossed on the restaurant's signature Tiki mug, it was the American version or fantasy of what the south pacific "might" be

like. urban archaeologist have dubbed this the "Polynesian pop" movement.

2. What was the design process like when House Industries first conceptualized Tiki Type?

Digging thru our favorite Hawaiian LPs, matchbooks, menus, and other ephemera for prime lettering specimens. from there we try our best to distill the aesthetic but produce a font collection that would have relevance in today’s market.

3. What audience did House Industries have in mind for Tiki Type?

The graphic design trade.

4. What were the goals, if any, for the future of this font?

To expose designers to the history of Polynesian pop and offer a tool that might make their job easier. all delivered in the form of a pop-culture art history lesson (in this case the tiki craze that ran from the mid 1940 to the late 60s).

5. Do you consider Tiki Type a stereotype of Polynesia?

More of a stereotype of the lettering used promote America's distorted view Polynesia.

Rudolph Koch, designer of Neuland's Black Face originally designed this typeface to for the setting of important texts such as church related texts. However, this typeface was later discounted as "garbage" and was used with racist imagery of African Americans on tobacco and cotton products.

6. What do you think makes a typeface a stereotype?

Context and familiarity.

7. Is there an appropriate use for cultural typography?

I hope so. Imagine how boring it would it be if there was no cultural flavor in typography.

10. Do the designers at House Industries ever have any dialogue about stereotypography or stereotypes in design?

We love mixing stereotypography and clichés into our work. For us it's a treat to see good designers take one of our "theme" collections and use it for something that has nothing to do with the source material it was born from.

Hope you enjoyed this interview. Check back for more design related blog posts. And visit our sister site for more personal development posts. http://www.divadiariesbythediva.blogspot.com.

~IsrylDesigns!