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Just the Right Logo

 

Graphic Design can mean different things to many people.  A strong identity design – logo and supporting materials – can be the edge to help your business realize its full potential. When you team a strong identity with an advertising campaign you are sure to boost awareness of your company and create additional recognition to drive customers to your business. Quality graphic design is the hidden reason for the success of many companies. Sub-quality design can be the downfall of companies that do not take advantage of the experience and expertise of a graphic designer.

The Logo design process should begin with a client consultation to define business the need and the business points to stress.  Then, through the design experience, the ideas generated should be taken to design reality. The type of design proposed depends on the type of business to be identified and promoted.

The Logo should summerize the business in an iconical fashion.  During the design process, the Graphic Designer, uses some very simple rules that keep a logo design effective and working for many years. 

1)  A logo should be unique and as simple in design as possible. A business becomes known by its logo.  It should be simple enough to be recognizable from a distance - and rememberable. Even a toddler can recognize the McDonald’s logo from a mile away!  Strong lines and letters work well.  Simple and simplistic should not be confused.  The best logos have something unexpected like the subliminal arrow in the FedEx logo. 

2. A logo must translate well to one color printing. Think of some the great logos….Nike, McDonald’s, Adidas, Honda….they all translate well to one color so printing and producing “vectored” versions for signs, promotional items, and embroidery is simplified.

4. A logo must be scalable.   It should be aesthetically pleasing in both small and large sizes, in a variety of mediums. This is one of the most important aspects to remember.  A good rule of thumb is the “business card/billboard rule”: Your logo should look good on both.

A Graphic Designer with experience will immediately work from the 4 rules above.  These are a minimum. 

December 24th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Business Cards, Graphics, Logos | Leave a comment

Business Cards are NOT Meant as Scratch Paper

When thinking about a business card, think of more than just a means of presenting your name and number.  Consider using both sides to promote yourself AND your business.

Traditionally, business cards are a means of handing a potential client your name and phone number and are typically printed on only one side.  This practice leaves half of the usable “real estate” blank and begging to be filled with miscellaneous information such as….the dog groomer’s phone number….Yes, your business card, meant to promote your business, may be used as make shift scratch paper! Prevent business card abuse by filling the back side with useful information like:

1) a listing of your services

2) a map to your location

3) an appointment card

4) a calendar

5) a discount coupon for your services

Let your business card serve as a promotional tool as well as a source of contact information.  Including a special offer on your business card encourages the potential client to keep your card longer.  The special offer may also serve as a “metric” for you when it is brought into your business for redemption.  Everyone loves to save a bit of money, and you would like to know that the advertising dollars spent of the design and printing of your business cards was well spent.  Give extra copies of your special offer business card to your good clients for them to share with friends.  This way, you have a built in salesforce for the price of a business card. 

Using the back of your business card for an appointment reminder (if you are in a service related business) encourages your client to hang on to your card until the next appointment.  It also serves as a constant reminder of your business and the services you offer.  It may also serve as a referral tool for your client to show to others that may need your service. 

At Barrett Graphics, Inc., we specialize in Two-Sided Business Cards. We encourage all of our clients to use the entire card to promote themselves or their business. Our business cards are always full color, 14 pt. card stock with either matte or glossy fininsh. We also offer UV protective lamination on one or both sides of the card. This lamination produces an ultra high quality card that is both durable and eye-catching. We work with our clients to custom design your business card to reflect your personal style or your business goals.

December 24th, 2008 | Tags: , , , | Category: Business Cards | Leave a comment