Why Corporate Branding and I.D. is a MUST…(part#2)

Famous Corporate ID's

A corporate ID is the literal face of your business. Just like your friends and family can recognize your physical face, your customer and potential customers need a way to recognize your business. Without it, you might as well be standing in a crowd with a mask over your face. You could hold up a sign telling folks how nice and friendly you are, but folks will want to look into your eyes to make their own judgement. Well the same is true with a business or organization. 

Imagine for a minute that you have $5000 to donate to a charity. Four of the five charities that you are considering have nice slick corporate packages. (Nice brochures, well presented logo, professionally built website…) The fifth one has nice information, but they failed to budget the expense of presenting their charity in a professional manner.  Instead the just hoped for word of mouth and luck. Guess which charity is not going to get your money?

The organization above may very well support a noble cause that you very well WOULD want to give the money to, but because they had a mask on in the crowd, you assumed they were not a factor, or worse yet…never even noticed them. 

Also we live in a world where assumptions are the rule that many live by. Fair or not, most people make assumptions based on image. You cant portray an image…if you dont have one. Folks will assume that you are unprofessional or uncommited, even if the total opposite is true. 

So in our tough economy, help yourself out. Take off the mask and let the world see who you are. It is an investment a business can not live without.

Why Corporate Branding and I.D. is a MUST…(part#1)

Many people are curious when I tell them what I do. Everyone sees logos all around them, but they never think about how much a part of our culture and memory they are.

Just about every social reaction we have is based on a logo. We are conditioned to look for the little blue box with a”t” in it (twitter). We seldom ever actually see the whole word. Many major companies like Apple and Nike never even use their name anymore….just a symbol.  If you own a business, you need a corporate ID. Your competitors will have them. Why let them look more professional than you?

I was going to blog about this today complete with a list of reasons, , but found a fellow blogger who nails it:

http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing/branding-logos/3579-1.html

Experts urge small business owners to “brand” their businesses with a logo and a set of consistent marketing materials. However, they rarely explain the reasons behind this advice. Read more about Developing Your Company’s Logo. Below are some of some of the benefits of a professionally designed logo and identity system:

1. To look “bigger” and “established.” Home-printed business cards or cards printed with Microsoft clipart scream “small-time vendor” to your potential clients — and that is how they will want to compensate you.
2. To increase your chance of earning venture capital or of selling a business. If you present a well-rounded business package that includes marketing materials and graphics, your business will look more complete.
3. To attract more clients. Some clients look for a well-defined company, and “look and feel” may be one of their criteria for making a purchasing decision.
4. To brand yourself. If you are a consultant, you need a logo in order to build an image and a brand that is greater than your individual identity. Be sure to avoid the Top 10 Branding Mistakes.
5. To convey that you are reputable. A logo and professionally-printed materials show that you are committed to both your business and to your clients.
6. To give clients a sense of stability. You may not have been in business “since 1908,” but if you have invested in your identity, you are more likely to remain firm and relevant in the eyes of your customers. It goes a long way toward building that all-important “trust.”
7. To be more memorable. Forty percent of people better remember what they see than what they hear or read. So to have graphics associated with your business, and to keep those graphics consistent, makes you more likely to be at the forefront of potential clients’ minds when they need your goods or services.
8. To explain your company name. If your company name contains a little-known word or an acronym, the logo can give visual clues to its meaning.
9. To endear your company name to your clients. A difficult-to-pronounce or hard-to-remember company name makes it challenging for clients to hire you. When potential clients need your services, they may not recall a tricky name. But if you reinforce the name with interesting, compelling graphics, they are more likely to remember you, pick up the phone, and hire you.
10. To explain an unusual line of business. If your business is nontraditional or in a hard-to-explain industry, a logo can help to clarify exactly what it is that you do.
11. To differentiate you from your competition. A well-designed logo can have many subtle meanings and can begin to tell the story of how you do business, including the special practices that make you stand apart from the competition.
12. To stand out in your field. A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially when paired with a strong marketing program.
13. To comply with expectations. In some industries, a logo is just expected. In the creative services industry especially, having a logo is an industry standard.
14. To show your commitment. Do it for the sense of personal pride that it will add to your practice.

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What am I listening to today?   http://www.erichutchinson.com |  http://www.trainline.com/us/home

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What’s Inspiring Me Today | Vol. 1

"Luna Harbor" - Paul Tilly

Most designers draw some inspiration from something external. For me these things are pretty cut and dry.

As an ARTIST: When I need some inspiration to paint one of my tropical works I will often visit a gallery, take a walk on the beach, or pop a little Jimmy Buffett on in the mp3 player of my choosing.

As a PHOTOGRAPHER: Well my 2 little girls usually do the trick. But seriously everything is just asking to have its picture taken isn’t it?

As a DESIGNER: It may be music (Often Switchfoot‘s frontman Jon Foreman. He does his best writing on his Solo stuff. – The 4 seasonal E.P.’s are amazing – They are so organic and thought provoking…it gets your mind in motion.) . I also will often just listen to sounds of rain or the ocean on my computer….this clears your mind, while not clouding it with words.

As a PERSON: My inspiration comes from 3 simple places. Faith in my loving Creator, The unwavering support of my Family and the loyalty of Friends.

These editions to my blog will discuss these concepts of inspiration with the goal being to maybe turn my readers on to a new artist, band, or even way of thought. Feel free to add you own ideas…

What I’m listening to today:

Lifehouse  – Smoke and Morrors – Deluxe Edition.

Jason Mraz – We Sing We Dance We Steal Things.

Do something good. Give some work away.

Wikipedia describes pro bono as:

“A phrase derived from Latin meaning “for the public good”. The term is generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms.”

Well my latest design is just that. My wife is a graduate of the University Of North Carolina at Wilmington, and My Brother In Law is a member of the Information System Association club at the university. So, I was thrilled to help these guys out.

We designers know the importance of a concrete design that will be the recognizable symbol for your company or group. Well for years to come these students will have a mark to galvanize them, and be their reference point as they become the leaders of tomorrow. These students are the future, and in a small way, I had a hand in that this week.

Sometimes as artists we can be overwhelmed by deadlines, pricelists, and creative block (see previous blog). Sometimes we lose the vision that art while our profession also has the ability to touch lives.

So today, I’m back to the deadlines, and print shop issues. I have a clients business cards that are blurry, and a big design in front of a major investor. All are nerve racking.

So thanks to the ISA, for allowing me to construct this mark for you.

…and reminding me that sometimes money can take a backseat.

New logo design, has personal value to this designer! (Updated | Sweet 16 Repost)

Shop at Holler U >

**Update**

Read The St Pete Times Article about this story.

Read The Gainesville Sun Article about this.

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With the Mighty Gators marching to New Orleans and the Sweet 16, I thought this would be a nice time to repost this.

Original Post: As a Devout fan of my beloved Florida Gators, I was very excited to see this project roll across my desk.

Holler Apparel has hired me to design the logo for their new line of clothing. The clothing line is inspired by long time Gator legend George Edmondson Jr., known by millions of Gator fans everywhere as “Mr. Two Bits”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Two_Bits

The logo is very simple and non-distinct as it will be placed on the upper left chest similar to the Polo logo. As an artist I have to fight the urge to get overly creative. The design request was for a simple, but memorable…Very much like George himself.

This little logo might not matter to many, but millions of Gator fans anywhere, will immediately recognize his signature orange and blue tie, blue pants, yellow shirt and black and white shoes…which graced The stadium for 60 years. George retired after the 2008 Football season.

A portion of every apparel sale is proudly donated to the Mr. 2-Bits Scholarship

Non-Gators can learn more about George and his story.

It is very cool, even for the non sports fan: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081122/NEWS/811221003

The story behind it will warm your heart. Read what the press is saying:  St. Pete Times Article here. |  Gainseville Sun Article here.

Brian and the guys at Holler U have done a great job with this. I’ll be wearing mine in The Swamp on gameday.

ORDER THE APPAREL COLLECTION  HERE

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Logo Design/ID | Maniecki Pro Team Real Estate | Tampa, Florida

Former NFL Player Real Estate Broker

Get your logo at: www.paultilly.net