No matter the size of your business, having a logo is important. People underestimate the power of branding. Having a well-defined logo tells people you’re established and reputable. If you don’t have a logo and you’re thinking of starting a business, this is one of the essential first steps.

If you do have a logo and you’re unsure if you need to rebrand yourself, ask yourself these questions:

- Does my logo accurately represent my company?

- Could I stand to gain more business from a professionally-designed logo?

- Am I attracting the right demographic with my identity?

- Has my philosophy/message changed and my logo now seems outdated?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to re-brand.

Think of your logo as the face of your business, having a well-designed logo that represents your company is essential to having a successful business. We as humans connect with brand identities and logos are how most consumers remember companies.

Having a professional logo that is updated and modern can help with:

- Attracting  New Customers

- Stand Out from your Competition

- Keep Loyal Customers

- Earn Trust with Professionalism

So if you think you need a logo or you need to update your logo, first step is to contact your local Graphic Designer!

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The Brief:

Collecting information from the client is the most important step, you really need to understand your client very thoroughly before you get started. Some designers will ask a client to fill out a questionnaire to help them better understand what they would like.

Research:

After collecting the design brief and understanding it, next is getting to know your client’s business, this is a crucial step in making a logo successful. Research includes reading on the industry itself, sometimes on it’s history and on it’s competitors.

Visual Research:

This is research into the actual logo style. This is where we seek out a look, a style, an approach or attitude, usually to attain a period or style that we are unfamiliar with, or to refresh ourselves with what is new or successful. A designer will usually look at logo’s from similar businesses and critique them, this is where they might get inspiration from.

Sketching & Mind Mapping:

This is the stage where all information is put into play, the designer will sketch out some logo ideas onto paper. When a logo is sketched onto paper it will be unique and will add a dimension to the experience and the whole identity.

Reflection:

Taking breaks is as important as the research and design brief. It is so easy to get stuck in a creative cul-de-sac and get tired of a project and this is why designers take breaks. By taking breaks the designers ideas mature and develop in the back of their head. Most designers also use this stage to get feedback from others.

Presentation:

This is where the designer presents their work to the client. Most designers will present the client with 3 or 4 of the best logos, others will show a range of logo’s to see the client taste. During this stage minor changes may be made (eg colour, positioning, etc)

Celebration:

In a survey conducted to 75 top designers, when the job is finally finished and approved, 31% of designers celebrate by drinking beer, 12% head for chocolate, 22% head off to bed to catch up on sleep and the other 35% can’t celebrate because they must start on the next logo design.

When giving a brief, every designer interprets in their own way and if an assignment is given to 100 different designers, it would return 100 different logos, few of which would resemble each other.

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A client has a simple question of ‘How Much?’ The client expects a simple answer – a dollar figure. The client then feels frustrated when they couldn’t get an immediate answer. Another client did get a dollar figure from several graphic design firms and went with the cheapest – then was shocked that the actual cost ended up being much higher, after the firm had added all the pages and features the client wanted.

Price estimates can be frustrating for both clients and graphic designers. Here are a few tips on how to get an estimate that is accurate and fair:

1. Be Specific:

The price will depend on what you want. For example if you were looking at getting a booklet designed. How many pages? What size book? Need copyright? Need photo’s? How many booklets do you need? It all depends on what you want and need.

It is the same for a copy writing project. For a client to ask ‘How much do you charge to write a brochure?’ is like asking a contractor, ‘How much do you charge for building a house?’. A graphic designer would need more information before answering that question.

The more specific you are about what you want, whether it be a website, brochure or a catalog, the more accurate the estimate will be.

2. Work It Out:

If you do not have all the answers, be willing to sit down with the graphic designer and work out details of the work you require, a good graphic designer will be willing to help you work out the details and make recommendations.

The graphic designer will understand what you want and what you can afford, they can help you work out a solution that achieves your goals within your budget. Just because a graphic designer sends you a quote doesn’t mean it will be the final bill, you may receive a higher bill at the end.

A client had used an online website to get their logo designed at a much cheaper price than the local graphic designer would have charged. The client was happy with their logo until they discovered they did not receive the logo in a vector format and was only supplied with a jpeg & png files. This made it hard for the client as they needed to put their logo on big trucks and billboards but were unable to as the logo was supplied to them as a low resolution file. The client was unable to get in contact with the original designer and ended up going to their local graphic designer and having the logo retraced and supplied in all formats that were required. The client ended up paying more for the logo then they would have if they went to their local graphic designer to begin with.

3. Be Realistic:

You have a budget of $300 and would like a booklet that advertisers all your products that are in your store plus tells the story of how your business started. Not only do you need the design work done but you need the booklets printed plus your photo’s edited as you had got your friends, friends nephew to take the photo’s who has no experience in photography (don’t laugh this happens more then you think). Let’s be real $300 for a booklet that has 48 pages plus and photo’s that need to be edited?

4. Come Prepared:

The graphic designer will need to know as much information as you can give them, this will help with the correct price of the project. You may not have all the answers to these questions, that’s fine. No professional graphic designer will expect you to know the details of graphic design. But make sure you come prepared with what you do know, your business, your product, your goals, your budget. Have an outline of what you want, maybe bring in some brochures or examples of work you like. Have a good idea of what your message is for your clients who will be given these designs, this means know your customers or potential customers and their needs.

So if you are looking at hiring a graphic designer, make sure you come to the table with as much information as possible. Understand the designer needs your input, it’s your business and the better the designer understands your business, your goals and your needs the more accurate the design quote will be.

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So I have decided I will be advertising specials every now and then. I will be posting them on my facebook page: facebook.com/cdesignzwagga

Business Cards I have designed can be seen either on my website or facebook page.

Keep your eye out for some great deals, below is our first special for 2012!

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Part of a Graphic Designers job is to typeset all text that is put into a design. Typography and typesetting combine an art and process that only really succeeds when invisible. In many respects, the layout of your book/magazine is comparable to the background music added to a film. It’s primary duty is to make your text clear and accessible, but ideally it should also enhance the meaning with mood and style. Much creative energy goes into this art, which is the subject of passionate debate among it’s practitioners. Typesetting includes making informed choices of typeface, point size and leading to enhance the readability and message.

When it comes to designs with a lot of text I think typesetting is very important and is a must. Next time you are looking for a Graphic Designer make sure they know what typesetting is, just because their designs look cool and funky is the right message getting across? A Graphic Designer can design you an ad campaign and people may look and say wow that looks great but if the audience is not getting the message what’s the point of the campaign? Has it helped you and your business…. research is most important.

I learnt typesetting when I attended Shillington College in Melbourne while studying Graphic Design, some people hate typesetting but for some reason I LOVE IT, I love when a client comes to me and wants me to design a book or magazine or anything with a lot of text.

I have a bad habit of looking through magazines and picking out everything wrong with the text, so bad my mum has even picked up on what’s right and what’s wrong when it comes to text…. she has never been taught but she knows good typesetting when she see’s it

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Second week back at work and I have not only been doing graphic design work, but I have also been blogging! I have been asked to keep a blog on 2 websites, Tresor Paris and Ozsocks!

For the Tresor Paris website I will be keeping people up to date with who’s wearing Tresor Paris and how others are wearing it, plus letting people know who’s advertising Tresor and where it can be seen plus lots more. You will be surprised just how popular this jewellery is, it is huge in London all the celebrities are wearing it and it can be seen in the magazines and newspapers.

Ozsocks is a business/website run by our local fire fighters. I will be educating people about the health benefits of these socks and making sure everyone knows just how great these socks are. If our hardworking fire fighters are wearing them they must be good

Make sure you all have a look at my blogs and keep your eye on them for the latest updates and news. I will also be updating my blog as often as I can, last year I got a little lazy and had no idea what to write, but this year is a different story.

Here are a few screenshots of some posts I have written on both websites, make sure you have a look and while your there check out what the websites have to offer. I am a huge Tresor Paris fan and yes I have lot’s of it The socks I don’t actually wear but I have heard lots and lots of great feedback from the guys, they love them! I might even get myself some socks for winter!

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My first week back in the studio and it has gone so fast! I have had a great start to the year with lot’s of work piling up and lot’s of new clients. I had a great christmas break, happy to be back at work and keeping busy.

A few projects I am currently working on are:

- GWS Motorsport Bathurst 12 hour race, I am designing all the advertising for GWS including cars, trucks, brochures and lot’s more.

- New Chocolate business logo

- Book cover for a local business

- Blogging on 2 websites, including jewellery2u.com.au & ozsocks.com.au

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What is colour blocking?

A lot of colour, in bright blocks! Colour blocking is combining different colours that support and compliment each other. Are you brave enough to try it? If your having trouble blocking colours try complimentary colour blocking. Why? Complimentary colours are natural opposites so they work well together. When it comes to colour blocking there isn’t really any rules, mix and match colours to your liking, and whatever you do, don’t be afraid to colour block outside of the lines!

Here at That Creative Place we have been colour blocking with our new business cards. Have a look and let us know what you think We would love to see your colour blocking.

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A business card is a downright necessity – much more than just our ‘calling card’, the business card is the socially accepted way of introducing yourself politely to a new or prospective client. It is an expression of you and your company and as a reminder, it plays an important role long after you have met the person.

If you are without business cards, there really is only one thing you can do – put in an order for more business card printing pronto. But before you do, it might be the opportune moment to review your business card design. So what characteristics make for a well-designed business card?

There are a tonne of things to consider when designing a business card. What type of card do you want, what finish and what do you want it to have and will it be a customised shape? And if that’s not enough, you also need to think about embossing, texture and weight. The list goes on and on.

You will hand out your business card every single day – it is an important expression of you and your company so make sure you take the time to have it professionally designed and printed. If you have an artistic or design type business, use your business card as a chance to show off your skills!

10 things to think about when designing and printing a business card!

1. Make your card stand out from the rest of the pack

2. Enough space to contain all necessary info

3. Easy access to contact information

4. It won’t end up in the trash

5. It could be remembered by the recipients

6. Consider using double sided cards

7. Keep it simple

8. Consider bright, bold colours

9. Must have company logo

10. Have your business cards pinnated on good card-stock

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I have been busy helping out Livestream Australia on a website which has just been launched yesterday. The product range is amazing and I’m sure it will be just as popular in Australia as it is overseas.

I worked with Grant Harper from Livestream Australia all afternoon on the colour palette for the website as well as the slideshow banners. I must say the advertising these guys have done for this website is amazing. The website had around 1000 visits just yesterday, and the facebook page was also launched yesterday and now has around 280 likes.

If you are after a website, iPhone App I suggest you get in contact with these guys. I have worked on a few projects with the guys and I always learn something new and am amazed at what they can do.

If you are interested their contact details are 0411 098 338 and they are located at Creative Place 199 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga.

Check out their website and their facebook page!

http://tresorparisaustralia.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/TresorParisAustralia?sk=wall

Here’s a screen shot of the website.

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