Graphic Design
A Sneak Peak At The Ebook “Blogging For Business”
September18th,2009 | Graphic Design
I’ve been hard at work creating cover concepts for “Blogging For Business,” an e-book that will launch on October 1st. Which one is your favorite? Which one would you be most tempted to buy? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
PS: Yes, I know the iStockphoto symbol is on each cover. Because these are mock-ups, I’m waiting to buy the photos until I’ve chosen the final cover design.
Inspiration For Successful Ad Design
August3rd,2009 | Graphic Design
This guest post is part two of two in a series on ad design written by Nikki Matarasso, a graphic designer and marketing coordinator for Blue Crane Design.
You may know good ad design when you see it. But that doesn’t make designing your own ads any easier. Here are some examples of great ad design with an explanation of how each one works, to set your creative gears in motion the next time you have to design an ad.
Focus Attention On The Product
One popular design technique is to make everything in your advertisement black and white, except for the product. This draws attention to the product.
(Check out the example at left: an ad for Victoria Beckham’s new fragrance, “Intimately Beckham for Her.”)
Similarly, some advertisements have everything but the product out of focus, or all the design elements pointing toward the product. These are all visual aids that direct attention to the product and reinforce the reason for the ad.
Consistency Is Key
Consistency is another key to successful ad design. Think about the advertising for Apple Computers. Each ad is different, but they all follow the same color scheme and theme. When you see one of the ads, you know it’s for an Apple product even before the logo appears.
One advertisement doesn’t create a good brand image; that takes time and dedication. But by incorporating a few of the same elements into every ad design, you’ll build a strong foundation for a memorable brand.
Think Outside The Box
Okay, the phrase has become a cliche in recent years. But unique design can really improve an ad’s success. Want proof? Check out this sign for Birdseye Fish Fillets.
Usually this sort of signage has plain posters, but the Birdseye version incorporates movement, bright colors, a clear message (their fish is so fresh, it’s practically still in the ocean!) and logo branding. As with the first two examples, the focus is on the product.
This clever design creates interest in the product and gets its message across. Its effectiveness is evident by the crowd that has gathered round to see how it worked. You can bet no other advertisement attracts this kind of crowd.
To Sum It Up
When designing any marketing material, have a clear vision of your message and the action you want customers to take. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try something new: it will likely make your ad more memorable.
If you need feedback, ask coworkers, friends, customers or even family members. Someone who isn’t as emotionally invested in your business will be able to provide a candid response and give you an impression of whether your ad’s message was understood, or if you need to go back to the drawing board.
Seven Essential Questions To Ask When Designing An Ad
August1st,2009 | Graphic Design
This guest post is part one of a series on ad design written by Nikki Matarasso, a graphic designer and marketing coordinator for Blue Crane Design.
Advertising is to design as a violin is to a bow. Just like it’s impossible to make good music without a bow, it’s almost impossible to have an effective advertisement without incorporating good design.
Good ad design can grab attention, focus that attention, and create action. Bad design will be overlooked entirely or create a negative impression.
So what are the most important things to think about when designing an advertisement? What should you avoid?
The Seven Questions For Good Graphic Design
To tell if your ad design is effective, ask yourself the following seven questions: Read more »
Three Ways To Get A Custom Logo—And Which Is Best
June4th,2009 | Graphic Design
This post is part two in a series by Nikki Matarasso, graphic designer and marketing coordinator for Blue Crane Design. Read part one, The Five Elements of Really Good Logos. Photo collage courtesy of captcreate.
So you’ve decided you need a custom business logo to catch attention and get customers in the door. Now what? Where do you get one? How much should you pay for one? You don’t have a giant budget, but can you really get a quality logo for free?
Well, you’ve got a couple of options. Each has pros, cons, and associated costs.
1. Do It Yourself
On first glance, making the logo yourself might seem like the cheapest option. But there are quite a few hidden costs associated with creating a custom logo.
Let’s assume you have a computer. You’re going to need software. If you want to put your business logo into multiple formats and create an image which can be used at any size (called a vector) you’re going to need something more than Microsoft Paint. Read more »
Kelly Watson is one woman on a mission to show the world that marketing your small business doesn't have to suck. 
