Logo Design Archives -
Therapeutic Journeys gets a total marketing package!
On 21, Mar 2013 | In Graphic Design, Website Design | By Karri Hill
Brand Identity, Marketing Collateral & Website Design
Therapeutic Journeys, LLC, a brand new company offering a wide range of hypnotherapy services is our latest client!
We started less than two weeks ago, with a logo and a website layout started by another developer that didn’t have the time to finish the project on schedule. The logo was good, but needed a different color scheme, so we prepared 4 different color options and settled on a rich blue-green.
Because the deadline was very tight, we worked quickly on the print marketing collateral, so it could go to print and be in the client’s hands in time for a speaking engagement. His marketing collateral included business cards, letterhead, envelopes and a gift certificate.
As soon as the print items were sent to the printer, we jumped into the website development. Their new website has been developed on a WordPress platform. It is responsive, which means it will automatically detect and display optimally on any device it’s viewed on… desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. It’s also retina-ready for high definition devices.
They’ve got functionality to send email newsletters from their website. This particular function is far faster and easier than working with any of the off-site email marketing providers. They can literally drag and drop recent posts into their newsletter and be ready to send it to their subscribers in minutes!
We’re happy to say that the client has everything they need to start their new venture in style, and in only a week and a half. Good luck to you, Therapeutic Journeys, we look forward to watching you grow!
Here’s what the client had to say:
You have been amazing to work with. The quality and efficiency you’ve brought to this project have exceeded my every expectation.
Using Effective Graphics in Design to Engage Users
On 15, Feb 2012 | In Graphic Design, Website Design | By Karri Hill
Design is one of the most important considerations when you’re contemplating upgrades or an overhaul to your website or print materials. While there is no substitute for appropriate messaging, the design of your printed piece or your website is the first thing a user responds to. Design often determines whether a user engages in your message or abandons your website, deletes your email newsletter or tosses the brochure you spent a lot of money on. You have only a few seconds to grab someone’s attention, and you have to get it right.
“Graphics” generally refer to:
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The overall layout.
Is the piece designed in such a way that it’s easy to navigate or read? Does it lead the viewer through a logical progression of the message at hand?
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Color.
Color sends a powerful psychological message, and it’s important to understand how it will affect your users. What colors are most appropriate for what types of businesses? How does color influence perceptions of your business and actions by your prospects?
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Illustrations, clip art, charts, icons, line art, etc.
The types of images that are created with a graphic design program or illustrated. Icons are a really effective way to communicate a message without taking up a lot of room on a page. To be most effective,icons need to be familiar and clearly indicate what they are meant to communicate! Think of a shopping cart icon on the top of an e-commerce website. You instinctively know that if you click on the shopping cart, you can complete your purchase. It’s familiar and it takes up a lot less room than a link that says “Complete your purchase here.”
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Photography.
The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” could not be more true. Consider the following:
This is a photo I took while designing a website for a local bakery. If memory serves, they are cake balls dipped in chocolate. While there should definitely be a description to make these delights as tempting as possible, the first thing any viewer is going to see is the photo. The photo is going to determine whether someone reads the description, and no amount of text can possibly communicate the yummy-deliciousness like this photo can!
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If you really want to engage your audience, use photos of people.
Photos of people draw us in and can create an emotional connection. While not appropriate for every design application, they can be used very effectively to help communicate who you are, and they can immediately form a bond with your audience if the subject is someone they can relate to in important way.
Used properly, graphic design can engage, influence and convert your audience into action.
Would you like to find out more about how effective graphic design can improve your brand image and your marketing materials? Call me at 614-507-0705, or send me an email. I’m always happy to answer questions and find ways to help improve your marketing program in many different ways.
Lehner Signs Gets First Website!
On 29, Nov 2011 | In Website Design | By Karri Hill
Lehner Signs has been in business for over 25 years, but this is their first website. In an age where franchises dominate the sign industry in many metro areas, Lehner Signs is locally owned and operated by sign professionals in Columbus, Ohio. That lends a depth of experience and service to their customers that the franchise operations can’t match. They’ve been around since signs were largely done by hand, but have kept pace with the latest innovations and technologies.
When asked about the difference they bring to the table, Eric Lehner noted not only their years of experience, but the level and variety of services they offer. Because many of their clients are real estate companies and real estate developers with recurring sign needs, Lehner signs offers total sign management services. They design, install, remove, and refurbish or re-install graphics so that the same signs can be used multiple times, offering a huge savings. “Where our competition offers storage, we offer inside, climate-controlled storage,” says Lehner. “The difference is that the signs require less work to refurbish to like-new condition, saving money, and they also last far longer, which leads to even more savings. We know our customers appreciate that we are trying to save them money.”
The project for Lehner Signs included refreshing their logo, website development on a WordPress platform, professional SEO, social media profiles and integration with their website, and marketing consulting.
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brand identity
On 03, Feb 2011 | In | By Karri
Creating brand identity is a science and an art.
Brand identity design is called a lot of things. Logo design, corporate identity design, logomarks, logotype, trademark, brand design, branding… It can be overwhelming and very confusing for businesses in need of a symbol that says, “This is who we are.” and “This is what we stand for.” We design more than just logos, we design a brand identity system designed with the foresight for how you will use your identity now, as well as in the future.
Good brand identity starts with market research.
Brand definition is a formative stage fueled by knowledge gathered in discovery. The goal of this stage is to define or refine the fundamental building blocks of your brand identity. A collaborative process leads to clear statements of vision, mission and market positioning endorsed by your key decision makers.
Great brand identity is communicated with great graphic design.
The creative work of corporate identity development builds on this foundation, from naming your company, products, and services, to logo design meant to convey a unique visual style and reinforce the identity you wish to craft. We approach this work from a variety of angles to provide a range of creative concepts, and when a direction is chosen, the concepts are refined to the client’s satisfaction. Brand usage and style guidelines promote brand stewardship and consistent application of your brand in all future communications.
Logo Design: What should I consider?
On 04, Aug 2010 | In Graphic Design | By Karri Hill
Perhaps you’re getting ready to launch your brand new company, or maybe you’ve been in business a while and can finally afford to hire a designer. Whatever the situation, having a logo designed for your business can be exciting and daunting at the same time.
You want the coolest logo ever, but how do you decide what to include, and which one of the choices is right for your business?
When I design a logo, I consider the following things (among others):
1. Does the proposed logo strongly relate to your company, products, or services?
2. Does it convey the brand image of your company, product, or service in an accurate way?
3. How quickly and easily can it be interpreted by the viewer?
4. Especially with small companies on a budget, will it reproduce well in black & white for inexpensive printing without losing the idea?
5. How will it be used? Web, print, signage, billboards, vehicle signage, t-shirts, hats, etc…
6. Is it simple enough to convey what you do and your brand image quickly if it’s on a billboard or vehicle sign, viewed at 50 mph?
7. If it might be used on an embroidered shirt or hat, can it be reproduced in that medium easily…without killing your budget?
8. Will it detract from the medium it’s used in? Will it complement the message or overtake it?
Your designer came back with a dozen designs. Which one will you choose?
Shame on your designer for making your job so hard! You are suffering from choice overload. The process of elimination is important. Narrow it down to 2 or 3, and let the remaining ones lurk on your computer taskbar or print them out. Walk away. Several hours or a day later, look at them quickly, and see what you gravitate to immediately. Your consistent first impression is probably the best (your customers aren’t going to give it more thought than that).
Cheap Market Research:
Show your choices to others, and take only their very first impression. Email the two options to customers, post them on your Facebook page, take a vote. This will give you opinions and make your customers feel important and invested; you are engaging them, and this is always good!
Putting your favorites into a design mock may be very helpful.
What does it look like on a business card or on a web page? This can often lead to design considerations you may have overlooked! This will also lend perspective. Remember, your logo is important, but it’s only one part of the marketing materials you will use. Don’t let it get lost, but don’t let it take over and eclipse your message!