What Makes Good Design?
Design is important to how you present your business to the world.
Logo
Your logo is displayed on print marketing, signs, uniforms, hats, vehicles and more. The logo may be the first thing a customer thinks of when he thinks of your business. Choose a logo and font that has longevity to the design. Trendy logo design can be fun for the moment, but logos built on solid design principles will last for years.
But, logos are not the whole story. Good design also includes color choices, selection of fonts and the layout of each piece.
Personality
Decide on the personality you want to portray for your business. Are you a “fun” business? Tech business? Educational provider? Each of these industries project a different message to the end customer. A lawyer needs a serious, professional and trustworthy logo – while a store aimed at children will want a little more fun, life and color.
Color
Select a color scheme – be it neutral or bright. Bright, warm colors exude a cheerful air, and cool pastels seem fresh and crisp. You may want to develop several color schemes, and choose a scheme that works well on multiple mediums from print to architectural signage.
Marketing Mediums
Think about your primary advertising mediums, too. For a painter, the drive up vehicle will have a lot to say to market the busines. For a youth providing pet sitting, a door knocker or a flyer will work just fine. An apartment or a restaurant rely on signage and the Web. High contrast, good use of color to catch the eye and readability to convey information make for a great image piece.
Print
Consider the problems caused by the small size of business cards. Everything about them must be condensed. There is only room for one graphic message. If the whole background of the card is a bright color, it should not also feature an image or huge text. The primary objective is to make an impact while leaving room for contact information such as name and phone number.
Creating a professional appearance doesn’t require a huge budget. Start with a few pieces and market consistently with your unique brand. Integrated marketing – Web, in person and print is the most effective means for getting a clear message about your business into the market place.
