Considering a premade logo is a checkpoint many new business owners pass through. We understand the appeal. Premade logo generators are fast, cheap, and easy. However, with over 30 years of combined marketing experience, we’re here to tell you that a premade logo isn’t good enough for your business.  Premade Logos Are Impersonal Logo generators often only go off of your business name. They don’t have any understanding of your niche, your actual business, your price point, or your vibe. It can be problematic if your name doesn’t explicitly list your industry in it. For instance, companies like TJ Maxx, Target, or many salon or tech store names have no connotation as to what they do. We have a coffee and yoga space in town named Bristlecone. We have a salon named Siren. Ideally logos for those spaces would, yes, include a bristlecone as well as a siren. However, you

Delegating work is the only way successful companies are run. No one can do everything by themselves, and for their own wellbeing, they frankly shouldn’t try.  However, there are cases in which it is detrimental to delegate work.  The Problem with Delegating Work to Assistants In our own field, we struggle working with the decision-maker’s assistant. These assistant’s are always very nice. They’re smart, capable, and lovely to work with. However, they don’t get the final say in any given design. They’re trying to interpret what is said to them, then convey it to us to then interpret.  We get this most with website design (though it happens elsewhere, as well). A business owner is busy and is delegating work they don’t have the bandwidth for. They give an assistant oversight of the web project because they don’t have time to attend the meetings, view the proofs, send over corrections,

There are 4 key elements to the perfect client-designer relationship that leaves both parties happy with the project. As with any relationship, these items are a two-way street for a give-and-take built on trust and expertise. If both you and your designer are able to achieve these points (plus a bonus point!), your project will be done well, in a timely manner, and with the rosy glow of a satisfying interaction.  Client-Designer Relationship Goals When we talk about the perfect client-designer relationship, we’re not talking about a list of items we expect our clients to perform in order for us to work with them. In fact, we’re trying to avoid a power play from either side. We’re talking about a quid pro quo, You Do This and We’ll Do It Too for A Great End Result type of relationship. The goal is to speak candidly, trust each other to do

The complimentary consultation is an important part of any graphic or web design project. Obviously we can’t speak for all graphic and web design companies, or guarantee that they all offer this service, so we will be speaking largely about our own consultation.  There’s truth to the saying “knowledge is power,” and we believe in open communication with our clients. Because of this, we thought we’d let you know what to expect when you have an appointment for a complimentary consultation.  A Complimentary Consultation Is Just That When we say complimentary, we mean it. There will be no fee added to your bill for this meeting. And when we say consultation, we mean that as well. This where we discuss your project, services that may benefit you, and put together a quote for pricing. There is no pressure at this point to sign a contract, give us money, or even