Should your logo sell you and your product or service? Or should it identify who you are? 20th-century graphic design pioneer Paul Rand insisted that a logo’s purpose is not to sell. Its purpose is to identify. Picture the IBM logo. Would you have any idea what “IBM” stands for if you didn’t already know what it stands for? Rand …
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May
Design Pick of the Week: Fields of Ambrosia
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design
Tags: Deborah Jasien, design pick of the week, Fields of Ambrosia, New Hampshire Made, North Conway New Hampshire
Using animal and insect symbols in graphic design is a highly effective way to connect a product or service with nature. We see how effectively this can be done with my current Design Pick of the Week: Fields of Ambrosia. Founder Deborah Jasien has been crafting her all-natural bath and body products in North Conway, New Hampshire since 2001.
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May
Design Pick of the Week: Art for Water
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design
Tags: Art for Water, design pick of the week, Harrisville New Hampshire
When I first saw the Art for Water logo, I wasn’t immediately sure what the group or business was all about – but I found the image and words so compelling I headed immediately to their website to find out more.
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Apr
Design Pick of the Week: Rindge Recreation Department
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design
Tags: design pick of the week, Rindge New Hampshire, Rindge Recreation Department
Government entities aren’t usually known for their interesting logos. Which is why the dynamic logo for the Town of Rindge recreation department really stands out! The designer who created this logo replaced the letter “I” in the town name with a character whose wide open arms reach to the sky. The figure’s simplicity gives a sense of motion, openness, and …
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Apr
The website for Spa Ambiance in Rye, N.H. announces, “Nature, science, luxury… enhance your life.” What it does not mention is that inspired design can do the same thing – if only for a moment! Watch the logo for Spa Ambiance “fill in” on your screen and you too will be mesmerized. The visual is as soothing as watching waves …
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Apr
Understanding 3 Print Ad Basics
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design, Marketing
Tags: A Cut Above Landscaping, Gold Star group, Ken Yorston, Lakes Region Referral Alliance, print advertising
When sitting with a professional graphic designer to work on a print ad for your business, it helps to understand some of the basic principles of effective magazine and newspaper advertising.
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Nov
9 Places to Use Your Professionally Designed Logo
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design, Marketing
Tags: business apparel, customer freebies, logo usage, promotional magnets, promotional product
You’ve invested in a professionally designed logo – it’s time to show it off! Let’s think beyond business cards and website banners: Pocket folders that include all client paperwork for easy filing and future reference Company shirts, fleeces, and hats (give your employees some options depending on the weather!) Magnets (distribute to current and potential customers) Thank-you notes (then use …
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Oct
How NOT to Design a Postcard
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design, Marketing
Tags: graphic design mistakes, postcard mailings, professional postcard design, small business marketing
Thanks to today’s software and online options, it’s pretty easy for anyone to design and print postcards on their own. Yet the process can still be filled with pitfalls for those without a graphic design background. Below are some of the most common errors – any of which just screams “amateur hour.” And that’s an especially big problem if you’re …
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Oct
3 Reasons You Need a Professional Logo
By: Heather Clifford
Category: Design, Marketing
Tags: business identity, marketing strategy, professional logo design
Numerous printing websites are available that let small-business owners choose from template designs for business cards, car magnets, and other promotional items, and then select accompanying images or font treatments to serve as a sort of business logo. And for many people, this is a great first step in promoting their business. But if you have a solid business plan …
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Jan
A colleague down in the Monadnock Region captured this cute business sign on her camera phone recently. For every parent whose child imagines the dentist being like those crazy scenes in Finding Nemo, this sign suggests that Monadnock Pediatric Dentistry is the calm, kid-oriented environment they are looking for. First, the moose. What kid doesn’t love a friendly moose? He’s …
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