Graphics and Branding
October 31, 2009
WHAT IS BRANDING?
I found a really awesome definition of branding on www.whatis.techtarget.com which explains exactly what a brand consists of.
“A brand is a product, service, or concept that is publicly distinguished from other products, services, or concepts so that it can be easily communicated and marketed.”
So, in other words, a brand makes a company Recognizable. It gives it its own individual identity. This goes for small businesses, corporations, or even bloggers.
So, when clients come to me asking for graphics, I always ask if they already have a logo image to use. Your name, logo, and colors should always be incorporated into whatever graphic is produced, whether it be a header, button ad, Ecover, printed materials, or anything else.
I found a really cool example that www.brandidentityguru.com used to explain branding. They related it to a piece of pie.
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“The cherry is a brand’s promise. The ice cream represents all your products and services. The apples are the corporation itself—the corporate environment. The crust is the structure of your company—not the building (although how it looks is still a part of branding). Of course the cherry gets the most attention. It’s your name in neon lights, your fancy new logo, and your overall visual appeal. If a prospect buys a slice of your pie just for the cherry then you’ve done well!“
Wasn’t that great? It really helps put things in perspective and actually shows us that often times, people do respond more to the Visual Aspect of your brand through your logo and design. So, it is even more important that you come up with a logo design that will carry on your visual identity.
If you start from scratch with every graphic that you have made, people will not recognize you. Everything should tie together so that if one of your clients sees your affiliate ad on another site somewhere – they will automatically remember who you are and what your site represents. This goes for bloggers as well. Your button ad should match your blog header and site design.
Here are a few examples of work that I have done for one of my clients which includes a good representation of consistant branding throughout:
Header for Website:
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125×125 Button Ad:
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Box Graphic:
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CD Design:
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Overall Site Design:
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As you can see, each graphic includes her logo, her picture, and the colors from her website header and overall site design. The titles can easily be changed to include other subjects, but the design should stay the same.
So, if you have not created your own individual brand, then be sure to get on it ASAP! DPK Graphic Design is here to help! We would be happy to discuss your graphic design needs and come up with a logo design that will represent your company and brand in the best way possible. We want to create an identity for you, your website, your blog, your company… that will stay fresh in people’s minds.
The Importance of a Custom Logo Design
October 9, 2009
Why Do I Need A Custom Logo Designed?
Making a good first impression is key in gaining prospective clients. Chances are, you won’t get the opportunity to sit down with them over a cup of coffee and convince them that your company is the best fit for their needs, especially if your business is mainly online. Referrals are great. A website is great. But more importantly, you need to capture the client’s attention through a logo design that truly represents your business in a memorable and professional way. A well-designed logo is your way of having that cup of coffee with the client and gaining their trust and respect.
- What does your company “Look” like? “Feel” like?
- What is the personality of your company?
You want your customers to know right away what your company stands for and how they’ll benefit from your services. All this is accomplished through a well-designed custom log0. Your logo should take those specific business personality traits and convey them visually in a way that the client will understand.
Logo Creates Identity and Branding
If you are a start up business, you really need to have a solid logo to create awareness that you have plunged into the market. Launching new products in that case would be backed up by an image which is your identity and which makes your business and your products or services stand out positively. Of course, quality of your products or services holds prime importance, but your logo plays a vital role in giving those products or services instant recognition and credibility among your target market.
Your prospects don’t need to know right away that your company consists only of you, or that you just started up two months ago, what they really want to know is, “Can you get the job done?” If you really can get the job done, then make sure they feel confident with your company at first glance. It can be love at first sight with the right logo. A well-designed logo that relates your company’s personality and professionalism will establish rapport between you and your prospects, and will in turn boost business.
A custom designed logo, has the ability to convert itself into a powerful brand which is recognized by all. Think about the popular companies like Nike, Coca Cola, and McDonalds. They each have logos that are recognized worldwide. We know Nike by the swoosh. We know CocaCola by the unmistakable red. We know McDonalds by the arches. And the list goes on.
Through a custom logo design, you can be the business that others will remember – the one that stands out against your competition. So, if you do not have a properly designed logo, you may be missing the chance to be truly identified.
A logo also represents your business on company letterhead, website, brochures, ad campaigns, business cards, emails and more. So, if you do not have a logo or you are not pleased with your current logo design, we can help! We can take your ideas – your vision – your brand, and create an individual identity that is all your own through one simple graphic logo.
Chances are, you won’t get an opportunity to sit down with prospective clients and convince them over a cup of coffee that your company is the best fit for their needs. So, how does anyone ever gain new clients?
Well, referrals are always nice. However, in order to really capture a prospective client’s attention and gain their respect, your logo is your best bet.
And nobody spends time looking into a company whose logo looks like it came off of a free CD, right? Of course not! A well-designed logo is your way of having that cup of coffee with the client, of convincing them that your company is the best fit for their needs, and of gaining their trust and respect.
Elements of Good Logo Design
What does your company “look” like? “Feel” like? What is the personality of your company? You want your customers to know right away what your company stands for and how they’ll benefit from your services. All this is accomplished through a well-designed custom logo.
A logo encompasses all the feeling and personality behind a company. Who you are, what you stand for, and why what you have to offer is better than the competition. Your logo should take those intangible “personality” traits and convey them visually in a tangible way that the client will understand.
Look Professional
Your prospects don’t need to know right away that your company consists only of you, or that you just started up two months ago. Sure, they’ll find out eventually, but what they really want to know at first is, “Can you get the job done?” Don’t make subliminal excuses by sporting a logo that screams, “We just started two months ago and didn’t have time to put together a corporate identity!”
If your prospect asked you face-to-face, “Can you do what I need you to do?” and your answer started off by saying, “Well, it’s just me, but I’m pretty sure I can get the job done,” I don’t think your prospect would stick around to cut a deal. You wouldn’t make excuses like that face-to-face, so don’t make them with a poorly designed logo.
Build Confidence
If you really can get the job done, then make sure they feel confident with your company at first glance. It can be love at first sight with the right logo. A well-designed logo that relates your company’s personality and professionalism will establish rapport between you and your prospects, and will in turn boost business.
