At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. Our "Earthy & Inviting" color palette evokes a sense of earthiness and warmth while maintaining a strong visual impact. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a beverage company, a home décor shop, or even an gardening service. They evoke a sense of natural harmony, comfort, and welcoming serenity with today's mindful consumers. Color Palette: Earthy & Inviting As beautiful for a travel agency as it would be for a website - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. This palettes' combination of warm and welcoming colors can be a powerful and striking choice for various business areas, especially those looking to create a grounded and approachable brand identity. Here are some business areas where these colors might be particularly effective: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Brands: Highlighting natural and sustainable products. Organic Food and Beverage Companies: Emphasizing health and earth-derived ingredients. Interior Design and Home Decor Stores: Creating cozy and inviting living spaces. Boutique Hotels and B&Bs: Offering a homey and nature-inspired ambiance. Wellness and Spa Centers: Promoting relaxation and natural beauty. Gardening and Landscaping Services: Reflecting a connection to nature and the earth. Outdoor Adventure Companies: Highlighting exploration and natural beauty. Here are the customers who would best resonate with this color palette: Environmentally Conscious Consumers: Interested in sustainable and eco-friendly products. Health and Wellness Enthusiasts: Looking for natural and calming environments. Nature Lovers: Drawn to colors that reflect the beauty of the outdoors. Homeowners and Decor Enthusiasts: Seeking earthy and inviting home decor. Travelers and Adventure Seekers: Attracted to nature-inspired aesthetics. Families: Wanting to create a warm and harmonious home environment. Creative Professionals: Looking for inspiration in natural and earthy tones. This palette resonates with customers who value sustainability, natural beauty, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere, making it ideal for brands aiming to create a grounded, approachable, and harmonious identity. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!

The Super Simple Guide to Starting a Mailing List in 2024 So, you've decided it's time to start a mailing list in 2024. Congrats! 🎉 You're about to enter the wonderful world of email marketing, where you'll engage with your audience directly and (hopefully) see some sweet returns on your efforts. But where do you start? Don’t worry—we've got you covered with this super simple guide to starting a mailing list! Why Start a Mailing List? First things first, why even bother with a mailing list? Well, unlike social media platforms that can change algorithms on a whim, email marketing gives you direct access to your audience. Plus, it's cost-effective, personal, and proven to drive sales. Basically, if you’re not emailing, you’re missing out. Basically, if you’re not emailing, you’re missing out. Choosing an Email Marketing Platform Picking the right email marketing platform is like choosing the right shoes: it needs to fit well and be comfortable. Some popular choices include: Mailchimp: User-friendly with great analytics. Constant Contact: Excellent customer support. ConvertKit: Ideal for content creators. MailerLite: Budget-friendly with a solid feature set. Flodesk: Beautifully designed emails with an intuitive interface and flat-rate pricing. Choose one that suits your needs and budget, and you'll be off to a great start. Simple Ways to Collect Emails Collecting emails doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few easy-peasy methods: Website Sign-up Form: Place it prominently on your homepage. Social Media Promos: Link to your sign-up form in posts and profiles. Lead Magnets: Offer a freebie (e.g., ebook, discount, exclusive content) in exchange for an email. In-store Sign-ups: For brick-and-mortar businesses, have a sign-up sheet at the counter. Recommended Content for Emails So, what should you be sending your subscribers? Aim for a mix of: Newsletters: Updates about your business, industry news, and personal stories. Promotions: Special offers, discounts, and product launches. Educational Content: Tips, how-tos, and tutorials that add value. Exclusive Content: Early access to products, behind-the-scenes looks, etc. Suggested Frequency for Sending Emails The golden rule: don’t be spammy. A good starting point is: Weekly: Keeps your brand top of mind without overwhelming subscribers. Bi-weekly: Great for businesses that don't have constant updates. Monthly: Works if you have big updates or prefer more in-depth content. The golden rule: don’t be spammy. A Note About Unsubscribers People will unsubscribe, and that’s okay. Make it easy for them by providing a clear unsubscribe link. It's better to have an engaged list than a large, disinterested one. Tips for Designing Your Emails Make your emails look as good as your brand with these tips: Use a Clean Layout: Easy to read and navigate. Brand Consistency: Use your brand colors and fonts. Quality Images: High-resolution images that are relevant to your content. Strong Call to Action (CTA): Clear and compelling calls to action. Maintaining Your Email List - Respect Your Subscribers Your subscribers trusted you with their email addresses. Here's how to keep that trust: Remove Inactive Subscribers: If someone hasn’t engaged in 90 days, consider removing them. Never Sell Your List: Respect your subscribers’ privacy. Don’t Hide Unsubscribe Links: Be transparent and honest. Ask to Be Marked as Safe: Encourage subscribers to mark your emails as safe to avoid spam filters. Final Thoughts Starting a mailing list might seem daunting, but with these tips, you'll be an email marketing pro in no time. Remember: Good Headlines: Write captivating subject lines. Quality Over Quantity: Send valuable content. Purposeful Content: Keep your emails relevant and purposeful. Tag Your Subscribers: Segment your list for targeted messaging. Lead Magnets: Use freebies to attract sign-ups. Reputable Providers: Choose platforms that prevent spam. In the end, remember that people signed up for your content. Be engaging, respectful, and true to your brand. Happy emailing! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us!

At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. Our "Calm & Cozy" color palette evokes a sense of calm, comfort, and natural harmony while maintaining a strong visual impact. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a bed and breakfast, a home décor shop, or even an outdoor gear brand. They evoke a sense of relaxation, comfort, and well-being with today's mindful consumers. Color Palette: Calm & Cozy As beautiful for a coffee shop as it would be for a website - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. This palettes' combination of calming colors can be a powerful and striking choice for various business areas, especially those looking to instill feelings of trust, comfort, and a connection to nature in their brand identity. Here are some business areas where these colors might be particularly effective: Interior Design Studios: Focusing on creating serene and comfortable living spaces. Boutique Hotels or Bed & Breakfasts: Aiming to provide a relaxing and homely environment for guests. Wellness and Spa Centers: Promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. Home Decor Stores: Offering products that create a cozy and inviting home atmosphere. Coffee Shops or Cafes: Providing a calm and comfortable place for customers to relax. Real Estate Agencies: Emphasizing homes that are cozy and welcoming. Outdoor Gear and Apparel Brands: Highlighting a connection to nature and comfort. This palette resonates with customers who value comfort, relaxation, and a touch of nature, making it ideal for brands aiming to create a calm, inviting, and harmonious atmosphere. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!

How to Define a Brand Aesthetic - A Trendy and Humorous Guide to Getting Started So, you’ve decided to start a business, or maybe you’re thinking about giving your existing one a facelift. Either way, congratulations! But wait—before you get carried away with dreams of world domination, let’s talk about something super important: your brand aesthetic. You see, your brand’s aesthetic isn’t just about looking pretty (though we all love that); it’s about making a lasting impression, attracting the right audience, and setting yourself apart from the competition. In other words, it’s the secret sauce to your business’s success. Why Defining Your Brand Aesthetic is Crucial Imagine walking into a store that’s a hot mess—random colors, mismatched furniture, and signage that looks like it was made by a bored toddler. Chances are, you’d walk right out. Now, imagine a store with a cohesive, appealing look that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That’s the power of a well-defined brand aesthetic. It’s like your business’s outfit for the big dance—get it right, and you’ll be the belle of the ball. Steps to Define Your Brand Aesthetic Alright, now that you’re sold on the idea, let’s get down to business. Here’s how you can define your brand aesthetic in a way that’s as fun as it is effective. 1. Know Thyself (and Thy Brand) Before you start picking out colors and fonts, you need to know what your brand stands for. Are you all about luxury and sophistication, or are you fun and quirky? Write down a few key adjectives that describe your brand’s personality. This will be your aesthetic foundation. Example: Luxurious Modern Playful Vintage Minimalistic 2. Create a Mood Board Time to get visual! A mood board is a collection of images, colors, and designs that inspire you. And what better place to start than Pinterest? It’s like a candy store for designers. How to use Pinterest: Search for terms like “luxury branding,” “minimalist logo,” “vintage color palette,” or “playful web design.” Pin images to a PRIVATE BOARD that resonate with your brand adjectives. Organize your pins into a cohesive board that visually represents your brand. 3. Choose Your Colors Wisely (Like, whoa! There's a lot to choose from!) Colors are powerful—they evoke emotions and set the tone for your brand. Stick to a color palette that aligns with your brand’s personality. Use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to create a palette that pops. Popular Color Palettes: Moody Tones: Deep blues, burgundies, and charcoals for an elegant and sophisticated vibe. Bright Colors: Yellows, pinks, and oranges for a fun and energetic feel. Earthy Tones: Greens, browns, and beiges for a natural and organic look. 4. Pick Your Fonts Like a Pro Fonts speak volumes about your brand. Are you sleek and modern or classic and timeless? Choose fonts that complement your brand’s personality. Google Fonts is a great resource for finding free, high-quality fonts. Font Pairing Tips: Use a combination of serif and sans-serif fonts for a balanced look. Stick to 2-3 fonts to keep things cohesive. Ensure readability—your audience shouldn’t need a magnifying glass to read your content. 5. Consistency is Key Your brand aesthetic should be consistent across all platforms—from your website to your social media to your packaging. This creates a unified and professional look that builds trust with your audience. 6. Keep an Eye on Trends (But Don’t Be a Slave to Them) Trends are fun, but they come and go. While it’s good to be aware of what’s hot, make sure your brand aesthetic has a timeless quality that won’t look outdated in a year. Tools and Tips to Nail Your Brand Aesthetic Canva: A user-friendly design tool that’s perfect for creating cohesive brand visuals. Pinterest: As mentioned, it’s a goldmine for inspiration and mood board creation. Adobe Spark: Another great tool for creating stunning graphics that align with your brand aesthetic. Unsplash: A fantastic resource for high-quality, royalty-free images that can enhance your brand’s visuals. Defining your brand aesthetic might seem like a daunting task, but it’s a fun and creative process that can set your business up for success. Remember to stay true to your brand’s personality, use the right tools, and keep things consistent. And most importantly, have fun with it! After all, your brand should reflect the passion and excitement you have for your business. Ready to define your brand’s aesthetic? Let’s make your business look as fabulous as it deserves to be. Happy branding from all of us at Davies Designs Studio! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us!

BNI Groups, The Latest Craze - But Are They Helpful or Hurtful to Small Businesses? Have you ever met someone who seemed super friendly and interested in what you do, only to later find out they were buttering you up to join a BNI group? You know, those Business Networking International groups that promise to grow your business at the small cost of $1,200. If you accepted, was it everything you hoped it would be? If you declined, did they then give you the cold shoulder? So, what are these new groups popping up and are they helpful or hurtful to small businesses? What Exactly Are BNI Groups? BNI stands for Business Networking International, and it’s a global networking organization that boasts the tagline “Givers Gain.” The concept is simple: join a group of professionals from various industries, meet weekly, exchange referrals, and (hopefully) watch your business grow. Sounds pretty sweet, right? The Benefits: Are They Real? BNI groups can indeed offer some real benefits, especially if you’re new to networking or looking to expand your local connections. Here are a few upsides: Structured Networking: BNI provides a structured environment for networking, which can be helpful if you struggle to make connections on your own. Referrals: In theory, you’re constantly getting referrals from other group members, which can help grow your client base. Support System: Being part of a BNI group means you have a built-in support system of fellow business owners who can offer advice and encouragement. Learning Opportunities: Regular meetings often include educational segments that can help you improve your business skills. The Risks: Beware of the Hidden Pitfalls However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Here are some potential risks and drawbacks to consider: High Pressure: There can be a lot of pressure to refer business to fellow members, even if you don’t necessarily believe in their products or services. Cost: The membership fee isn’t cheap, and when you factor in the time commitment for weekly meetings, the cost can add up quickly. Questionable Quality: You might find yourself peer-pressured into using services from underqualified or inexperienced businesses simply because they’re members of the group. Exclusivity Issues: BNI groups typically allow only one representative per industry per chapter, which can create competition and exclusion if your industry is already represented. ROI Concerns: The return on investment (ROI) isn’t guaranteed. Some members might find that the referrals they receive don’t justify the cost and time investment. The Verdict: Too Good to Be True? BNI groups can feel like another “get rich quick” scheme, promising increased visibility and business growth for desperate small business owners. While they do have success stories, they also come with significant risks and costs that can outweigh the benefits. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. At the end of the day, the investment you make in joining a BNI group might go further with some savvy marketing strategies instead. Investing in targeted online ads, professional branding, or even good old-fashioned community involvement might yield better results for your business without the high-pressure sales tactics and membership fees. In conclusion, BNI groups are a mixed bag. They can be helpful for some, but hurtful for others. Do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and make an informed decision about whether joining a BNI group is right for your business. Happy networking (or not)! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us!

At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. Our "Vibrant & Natural" color palette evokes a lively yet grounded feel while maintaining a strong visual impact. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a eco-friendly brand, an interior design firm, or even a wellness spa. They evoke a sense of energy, freshness, and a connection to nature with today's mindful consumers. Color Palette: Vibrant & Natural As beautiful for a spa as it would be for a website - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. This palettes' combination of bright and natural colors can be a powerful and striking choice for various business areas, especially those looking to create an vibrant, lively, and creative brand identity. Here are some business areas where these colors might be particularly effective: Florists and Nurseries: The rich greens and pinks can reflect the natural beauty and variety of flowers. Organic Beauty Products: The combination of earthy green and vibrant pinks suggests natural ingredients and freshness. Wellness and Spa Centers: The calming green and refreshing pinks can create a serene and rejuvenating brand image. Boutique Fashion Brands: The bold pinks combined with the natural greens can create an eye-catching and sophisticated aesthetic. Eco-friendly Brands: Companies focusing on sustainability and natural products can use this palette to emphasize their environmental commitment. Interior Design Firms: The colors can be used to create fresh, inviting, and vibrant spaces. Health Food Stores: The natural and vibrant hues can represent fresh and healthy food options. Event Planning Services: Especially those specializing in outdoor or garden-themed events. Handmade Crafts and Gifts: The palette can evoke a personal, creative, and nature-inspired feel. Children’s Brands: The playful and vibrant colors can appeal to a younger audience. Using a "vibrant & natural" color palette can help these types of businesses make a strong visual statement, attracting customers who resonate with vibrancy. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!

At Davies Designs Studio, we believe that colors are more than just hues on a screen—they're powerful storytellers that evoke emotions and create lasting impressions. Our "Vibrant & Coastal" color palette evokes the vibrant and refreshing atmosphere of the beach while maintaining a strong visual impact. Imagine these colors gracing the identity of a beach resort, a travel agency, or even a surf shop. They evoke a sense of adventure, liveliness, and rejuvenation with today's mindful consumers. Color Palette: Vibrant & Coastal As beautiful for a spa as it would be for a website - this is a palette that can elevate your brand's identity and captivate your audience. This palettes' combination of beach-inspired colors can be a powerful and striking choice for various business areas, especially those looking to create an inviting, lively, and refreshing brand identity. Here are some business areas where these colors might be particularly effective: Beach Resorts and Hotels: Coastal accommodations can use this palette to evoke a serene yet vibrant beach atmosphere. Travel Agencies: Specializing in beach vacations, cruises, and coastal getaways. Surf Shops and Beachwear Retailers: Stores selling swimsuits, beach accessories, and surfing gear. Spa and Wellness Centers: Focusing on relaxation and rejuvenation with a coastal theme. Coastal Real Estate Agencies: Promoting beachfront properties and vacation homes. Restaurants and Cafes: Especially those with a seafood or coastal theme. Event Planning Services: Specializing in beach weddings, coastal events, and beach-themed parties. Home Decor Stores: Selling beach-inspired home furnishings and decor items. Yacht Clubs and Marinas: Facilities offering boating services and seaside recreational activities. Outdoor and Adventure Companies: Offering beach excursions, water sports, and coastal adventure tours. Using a "vibrant & coastal" color palette can help these types of businesses make a strong visual statement, attracting customers who resonate with beach life. About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. Ready to start your design adventure? Contact us!

Adding a Splash of Color: Applying Color Theory to Your Brand Welcome, fellow color enthusiasts, to the vibrant world of color theory! Imagine a world without color—dull, right? Luckily, we don’t live in that world, and color plays a crucial role in our daily lives, especially in the design realm. So, grab your favorite shade of coffee and get ready to dive into how you can apply color theory to your brand and make it pop like a neon sign on a dark street. What is Color Theory Anyway? Picture this: You’re at an art gallery, and a painting catches your eye. What is it about that masterpiece that speaks to you? It’s all about color theory, my friend! Color theory is the science and art of using colors to create visual harmony and evoke emotions. It’s the secret sauce that can turn a good design into a great one. It’s the secret sauce that can turn a good design into a great one. Color theory is rooted in the color wheel, created by Sir Isaac Newton back in the 17th century. This wheel showcases the relationship between colors and helps designers, like us, create pleasing color combinations. The wheel is divided into primary colors (red, blue, yellow), secondary colors (green, orange, purple), and tertiary colors (a mix of primary and secondary colors). Why is Color Theory Important? Colors are more than just pretty hues—they have psychological effects that influence our perceptions and emotions. In branding, the right color palette can make your audience feel excited, calm, or even hungry (hello, red and yellow fast-food logos!). When applied thoughtfully, color theory can enhance your brand’s message, build recognition, and create an emotional connection with your audience. Colors are more than just pretty hues—they have psychological effects that influence our perceptions and emotions. Steps to Applying Color Theory to Your Brand Alright, enough with the theory. Let’s get down to the colorful nitty-gritty of how you can apply color theory to your brand. 1. Understand Your Brand's Personality First things first—who is your brand? Is it a fun, playful entity, or a sophisticated, elegant persona? Defining your brand’s personality will guide your color choices. Example: Fun and Playful: Think bright, energetic colors like yellow, orange, and pink. Sophisticated and Elegant: Opt for moody, muted tones like navy, burgundy, and emerald green. 2. Know Your Audience Who are you talking to? Different colors resonate with different demographics. For instance, younger audiences might prefer bold, vibrant colors, while a more mature audience might appreciate subtle, classic tones. 3. Learn the Color Wheel Basics Get cozy with the color wheel. Familiarize yourself with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Understand color relationships like complementary (colors opposite each other on the wheel), analogous (colors next to each other), and triadic (three evenly spaced colors). 4. Choose a Dominant Color Your dominant color is the star of the show. It should reflect your brand’s personality and be used consistently across all your branding materials. Example: Tech Company: Blue (trust, professionalism) Organic Food Brand: Green (nature, health) 5. Select Complementary and Accent Colors Choose complementary and accent colors to enhance your dominant color. Complementary colors create contrast and make elements stand out, while accent colors add variety and depth. Example: Dominant Color: Blue Complementary Color: Orange Accent Colors: White, light grey 6. Test Your Palette Don’t just wing it—test your color palette in different contexts. See how it looks on your website, social media, and print materials. Make sure it’s legible and visually appealing across all platforms. 7. Gather Feedback Get feedback from colleagues, friends, and, most importantly, your target audience. Their input can provide valuable insights and help you refine your palette. Color Palettes and What They Convey Now, let’s talk about the fun part—examples of different color palettes and what they convey. Take a peek at the colors used in the beach homes above - which do you lean towards? Now, let's read on - ready? Let’s go! 1. Moody Tones (Navy, Burgundy, Charcoal) Conveys: Elegance, sophistication, and professionalism. Perfect for: Luxury brands, law firms, high-end restaurants. 2. Bright Colors (Yellow, Orange, Pink) Conveys: Fun, energy, and light-heartedness. Perfect for: Children’s products, entertainment brands, lifestyle blogs. 3. Earthy Tones (Olive, Rust, Beige) Conveys: Natural, organic, and wholesome vibes. Perfect for: Organic food brands, eco-friendly products, wellness centers. 4. Pastel Colors (Mint, Lavender, Peach) Conveys: Soft, calming, and approachable. Perfect for: Beauty brands, wedding planners, baby products. 5. Bold Colors (Red, Black, White) Conveys: Confidence, power, and modernity. Perfect for: Tech startups, fitness brands, automotive companies. Color theory isn’t just for artists and designers—it’s a powerful tool for any brand looking to make a splash. By understanding the basics of color theory and applying it thoughtfully, you can create a brand identity that not only looks great but also resonates deeply with your audience. At Davies Designs Studio, we’re here to help you bring your brand’s true colors to life. Ready to get started? Let’s make your brand unforgettable! About Davies Designs Studio Established in 2015, Davies Designs Studio is a Charlotte, NC based design agency offering creative solutions across various mediums including graphic design, photography, website design, and marketing. They collaborate with clients to deliver impactful final products that are creative, innovative, unique, inspirational, and exceed your expectations and goals. In need of design assistance? Contact us!

Choosing a Graphic Designer to carry out your design vision can seem like a daunting task. Whether you find one via Google search, a referral, or maybe even on LinkedIn...we've compiled some helpful tips for helping you decide if it's a good match - because a good match is as important as loving your final design! Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer 1 - Portfolio, Portfolio, Portfolio! One of our most important tips for choosing a graphic designer - portfolio! Experienced designers have a portfolio, preferably online. If you're in the research phase of your designer search, be sure to check for a portfolio page on their website, or, if you cannot locate one, request it in a call. Reviewing portfolios is an easy way to see if their style, or stylistic range, is a match to your vision. 2 - Online Reviews If they have a Google Business or Facebook page, check their reviews to be sure you've located a legitimate designer or design agency. Reviews with descriptions vs. star ratings are indicators that you've found a reputable option. 3 - Ask About Job Experience In some cases, a Graphic Designer may not have an online portfolio, website, or online reviews - which happens when beginning to freelance or due to NDA's - but they come highly recommended by word of mouth. In this instance, scheduling a quick meeting to ask about their experience can be extremely helpful. When I first started my business, I couldn't use any of the work I had completed in my corporate job due to contractual agreements, but I could 'speak to' the projects I had worked on over the past 10 years and how I managed them in order to explain how my experience could benefit my potential clients project. 4 - Ask About Their Design Process Experienced Graphic Designers have a process in place for working with clients through the design process and, chances are, the design process varies by request type. In other words, the design process for logo design is different to the design process for book cover design. Asking about their design process should be met with a confident and clear response that speaks to their experience and ability. 5 - Request a Detailed Quote When you've found a Graphic Designer, or Designers, that meets your criteria, the next step is to request a detailed quote. This can be extremely helpful when trying to decide between multiple designers and, in some cases, be the deciding factor in making your choice. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

Over the years, we've been lucky to have been chosen to work with some fabulous businesses on designing their logos. It is from this experience that we've compiled our list of helpful tips to help guide you before hiring a logo designer. 1 - Have Your Business Name Ready In order to create a logo, you'll need a business name. When choosing a business name, we recommend trying to keep it short as, from a design perspective, it can be challenging using a logo down the line with a lengthy business name. Two to four words is a great number to aim for! Once you have your business name, then it's time to verify it isn't already in use. For this part, you can start with a Google search. Be sure to search for both the key words and the hashtag and see what the results look like. If another business appears with the same name and in the same field as yours, then you may want to consider alternate options. You can also perform a trademark check at www.uspto.gov. The logo pictured below is a design we created for Whole Story Health Coaching. You can see it uses four words and two of those words describe their business services. 2 - Think About A Business Tagline Oftentimes, your business name may not explain the services you offer clearly enough and this can pose a branding challenge, especially if potential customers find you online. In cases like these, we recommend adding a business tagline to help clarify what your business is about and reassure potential customers that they're in the right place. The image in point 1 above, has the words "Health Coaching" clearly describing their business services, but we wanted to further clarify why Health Coaching is important and how it can help. The image below shows their tagline of "Find your Balance. Magnify your Joy." Once we had both the business name and business tagline, the larger picture of business Branding began to take shape, and because this is a Florida-based business, the sea turtle and tropical elements worked perfectly. To take it a step further, the fingerprint within the turtle implies that "Balance," "Joy," and the overall "Health" needs of each client are unique and require a customized approach. All of this is communicated through the careful creation of both a business name and business tagline. Of course, as you're working to develop your business tagline, you'll also want to run possible options through the www.uspto.gov database to ensure they're not already in use. 3 - Color Palette This may seem simple, but it can be quite tricky and it's a pretty important component of logo design as, typically, the colors you choose for your logo are the building blocks of your Brand Colors. The images below show how your logo colors can then be incorporated into things like business cards and letterhead. How do you envision those items looking? Are there examples you've seen for other businesses that you love? What about ones you don't love? All this can help your logo designer provide you with design options that fit your vision. 4 - Have An Idea of Your Budget Budget is important when you're looking to have your logo professionally designed. With the plethora of $75 DIY logos out there, you'll want to compare your wish list to your budget. Logo design is an investment and it's important to know what you get for your money. For example, going with a DIY logo creator or the current $75 deal with a mass producer, will mean that your logo graphics will be reused for other businesses logos as they're typically not custom designing a logo for you. In most cases these options are adding your business name to something predesigned. Going this route could mean the cost of rework later and branding changes can be expensive, especially after you've had business cards and other marketing materials produced. In addition, if you're looking to Trademark your logo or business tagline, that pretty much rules this option out. If you know you want to Trademark your logo right away or plan to in the very near future, then you'll want a professional graphic designer with experience in logo design. This option will cost more in the short term, but save you the expense of branding changes in the long term. A logo designer should also be thinking about your brand as a whole to ensure they're setting you on the right track that aligns with your goals. Be sure to find a designer that will work for you, support your design vision, and guide you on the branding journey. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" will help in choosing a good match! 5 - Start Gathering Quotes After you've established the above, it's time to start finding logo designers, reviewing portfolios, and gathering quotes. Logo designers and design agencies can vary quite a bit, so be sure to ask for details so you know exactly what you're getting for your money - every penny counts, especially when you're a new business on a budget. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" has additional helpful tips for choosing a designer. 6 - Files You Should Receive We'll end with one last note to ensure you know what you should be provided once your logo has been created. At a minimum, you should be provided with: .eps files - used for printing/embroidery for accurate color and resolution .jpg files - used digitally and where you have a white background .png files - used digitally and where you have a transparent background .pdf files - preferred by some printers in place of .eps files For each of the four files types listed above, you should receive a full color, white, and black version of your logo. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

Over the years, we've been honored to have been chosen by some fabulous authors to design their Book Covers. It is from this experience that we've compiled our list of helpful tips to guide you and to help you determine whether you need a Graphic Designer or an Illustrator. Designing Your Book Cover: Helpful Tips to Get You Started Before Hiring a Graphic Designer 1 - Graphic Designer or Illustrator? Deciding whether you need a Graphic Designer or an Illustrator is almost as important as choosing whether you're going to use a Publisher or Self-Publish your book. The easiest way to know who you'll need is to decide whether your book is text-based or picture-based. If your book is text-based with the potential for the occasional simple graphic or illustration dotted throughout, then chances are you'll be needing a Graphic Designer. Graphic Designers can help with creating the design and layout of the front cover, back cover, and spine of a book. In the case of self-publishing, they may even be able to help with the interior layout, but you'll want to double check as most often the formatting of the interior is done separately. Instructional books and novels are great examples. Graphic Designers will work with you and your publisher/self-publishing requirements for cover art. If you know your book is going to be heavily image-based, then you'll most likely need an Illustrator to help bring your design ideas to life. Illustrators help with the front cover, back cover, spine, and interior artwork and layout of your book. Children's books and coffee table books are great examples. Illustrators will work with you closely to bring your vision to life page-by-page, while also working to meet your publisher/self-publishing requirements for cover art and interior layouts. With Illustrators being heavily involved in the layout of almost every page of your book, the process for working with them is a bit more involved. For detailed information on working with Illustrators, click here. Once you've determined whether you need a Graphic Designer or Illustrator, narrowing down which Graphic Designer or Illustrator will come down to individual design styles and cost. For more on how to go about choosing a Graphic Designer, and even an Illustrator, view our article "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer." 2 - Publisher or Self-Publish? Whether you use a Publisher or Self-publish is an important choice. Both options cost money and have their own benefits and disadvantages. To avoid the additional expense of rework, you'll want to have this decided before you begin the design process as your designer will need to design to publisher or self-publishing requirements. Many have templates they require designers to work within to ensure artwork is submitted correctly and to avoid publishing holdups for incorrectly set up designs. Need guidance on using a Publisher vs. Self-Publishing? Click here for a handy resource to get you started! 3 - Have Your Book Title Ready Having your book title ready and finalized is an important step to complete prior to beginning work with a designer, especially as book titles can change several times before the book is completed. Designers rely heavily on the title text and length to create design options, so even minor changes can result in additional costs associated with rework. For example, if we swapped the word "Loves" from "Your Team Loves Mondays...Right?" for another word in the book image below, it would completely change the cover art. The broken heart would no longer be relevant and the designer would have to go back to the drawing board and begin another design resulting in more time and cost. Similarly, if the title to "5 Surprising Steps to Land a Job NOW!" was shortened or lengthened, it would result in significant design changes. As you're working to develop your book title, it may be helpful to run title possibilities through the www.uspto.gov database and do Google searches for the title name and hashtag to ensure they're not already in use. 4 - Have Your Book Subtitle Ready While your book title is used heavily by your designer to stylize in a way that grabs a potential buyers attention from a bookshelf at Barnes & Noble, or other retailer, your book can also have a subtitle that helps to clarify what the book is about and who it's for after it's been picked up off the shelf. Having the subtitle ready and finalized at the start of the design process helps your designer plan the cover layout and arrange design elements in a way that maximizes space for the most powerful design impact. Just like with your book title, it's helpful to run possible subtitle options through the www.uspto.gov database and do a Google search to ensure it's not already in use. 5 - Have An Idea of Your Budget Budget is important, especially with the costs associated with publishing a book. Knowing how much you can allocate to the cover design and illustrations can help you plan as well as choose a designer. 6 - Have Your Book Specifications & Design Ideas Ready After finalizing your book title and subtitle, the next task is gathering your book specifications, including your design ideas. Items to consider include: Book Dimensions: Tells the designer what size they're working within design-wise. Page Count: Tells the designer whether the spine of your book can fit text for the book title, author name, and publisher logo. Publisher Template: Publishers often have a template designers should work from. Be sure to ask your publisher and share it with your designer. Design Ideas: Googling books on similar topics can guide your design as you'll want to ensure it's unique from competitors. 7 - Knowing When to Engage A Designer Graphic Designers and Illustrators will have varying time frames for artwork completion and delivery. Reaching out to potential designers to inquire about typical design time requirements is helpful in planning for your book and deciding on a designer that works with your timing for book publication. While researching designers can be done at any time, beginning the design process before your book is finished could result in rework associated costs as book titles tend to change several times before the final manuscript is complete. 8 - Gathering Quotes After you've established the above, it's time to start narrowing down the list of potential Graphic Designers or Illustrators, reviewing portfolios, and gathering quotes. There can be quite a bit or variation from one Graphic Designer to another and from one Illustrator to another, so be sure to ask for details so you know exactly what you're getting for your money - every penny counts, especially when you're on a budget. Our article on "Tips for Choosing a Graphic Designer" also has additional helpful tips for choosing a designer. Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #authors #bookcoverdesign #illustrators #bookwriting #publishing #selfpublishing #bookdesign #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns

The thought of starting a blog can seem scary, but launching a blog presents your audience with a great resource – a free resource – that helps solve problems, answer questions, and create a sense of community. It can also tie in pieces of your existing social media accounts and website while still holding true to what it is your audience is actually looking for. For example, if a follower remembers seeing a recipe posted on your Facebook page and wants to find it quickly a week or so later, they might try your website link if they’re unable to locate it in their news feed right away. Solving problems, answering questions, AND making it easy on your audience to navigate – it’s all a win-win with minimal time investment on your end. Getting Started with Blogging What do I blog about? Start by considering those lengthier, text heavy social media posts (e.g., tips, advice, recipes, tutorials, etc.) that you’re already putting out on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). Choose your blogging platform or fire up the blogging tool on your website - and formalize them by giving those posts a quick read through and updating them to answer any questions you feel a reader may have. You can copy and paste those posts directly into your chosen blogging platform, make edits, insert pictures or videos, and save them as drafts until you are ready to publish them formally. This new, dedicated, blogging space for the important content your audience might otherwise have to scroll endlessly through a feed to find, offers endless positives. And just like how you can tie in elements from your existing social media accounts to your blog, you can also tie your blog back to those platforms as well. Not only does this sneak 'social media' peek give readers additional insight into your brand, but it creates a loop that links everything together and presents a unified representation of your business (or initiatives) and an easy-to-navigate online presence for your audience. So don't be afraid to dive on in...and... Happy Blogging! Written by: Crystal Davies, Owner, Davies Designs Studio Crystal Davies is a Brand Consultant and Owner of Davies Designs Studio. Her passion is using her 10+ years experience in corporate marketing and branding to help her clients design visions become reality. Connect with us… We’re here to help! If you need advice, have a general question, or if we can help in some other way, you can reach us via the links below. https://www.daviesdesigns.net/contact-us Facebook | LinkedIn | LinkedIn – Company Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram #graphicdesign #branding #graphicdesigner #graphicdesigntips #business #smallbusiness #socialmedia #socialmediatips #bloggingtips #blogging #DaviesDesignsStudio #DaviesDesigns