Archive for the ‘Logo Design’ Category

In itself, having a logo is not the same thing as having a brand for a company. Although the logo is an important part, a brand is something much greater than just an icon. It includes the colours, the style, and the personality of the company. The aim of a good brand; to differentiate your company from others in the same marketplace and to represent qualities which your target market will find innately appealing. All other things being equal, a well branded company is much more likely to succeed in winning customers that a businesses with a weak or confused brand.

Here is a simple example to illustrate the point. Take two identical pairs of shorts with an identical price and put them in the same shop. Now if you add the Nike logo to one of them, you will find sales of the Nike pair will far outstrip the other. This is not just because of the logo, it is for what the logo represents to the buyer (higher quality, better engineering, better materials), and what the buyer believes the logo will represent to others when the shorts are worn (that s/he is wealthier, more professional, trendier etc.)

Creating a brand is not just for large companies, it is also vital for smaller businesses – especially if they are operating in a crowded marketplace. By becoming recognisable to customers and reinforcing positive values, the chances of winning new business and attracting repeat custom is greatly increased.

Creating a new brand for small & medium sized companies.

Many new businesses ask us to help them create a brand. It often starts with a logo design, but then takes the key logo qualities and expands them to a distinctive look, feel and tone of voice which ties together all the promotional material. Although every branding project is slightly different depending on the individual demands of the customer, here are the typical elements of a branding project.

Business Logo Design

The logo design will be the absolute cornerstone of a brand. It will determine the shapes, colours and characteristics which will then be expanded across all the company’s promotional material. All our logo design packages start with the creation of a strong design brief. By understanding as much as we can about the business and the target customers, we can ensure that the concepts we create will be suitable for the way the company needs to engage with its audience.
However, although we can advise, it is always our client who chooses the logo concept from our selection of ideas which they would like to take forward in development. While it is very important that the brand will appeal to target customers, it also has to be a logo design which the client themselves likes, believes in and is proud to use to represent themselves.

Business Stationery Design

The business stationery is often the first opportunity we have to expand the chosen logo into a wider design which will come to characterise the overall brand. The company letterheads, compliment slips and business cards do not allow much space or potential for text, but they all start as plain white sheets so allow plenty of space for the colours and shapes which will come to represent the brand. In terms of style, it is often the stationery which forms the bridge between the logo design and the broader design of brochures, flyers and other promotional material.

The stationery is also the time to think about a ‘tag line’ – a short and simple statement which tells potential customers instantly about what you do. The choice of words in describing your business can be as important as any element of the design in forming a brand.

Marketing Material

Now that the logo and colour schemes are largely determined, it is time to start selling the brand and the business to potential customers. In engaging new clients and establishing a brand, the choice of marketing material to use can be just as important as the message and design itself. If the brand is intended to be young, funky and fresh – then the choice of traditional A5 flyers might not be right for the brand. Likewise, if you need to convey values of trust, stability and tradition then choosing unusual marketing approaches can do more harm than good.

Alongside the choice of format, the design, the message and the tone of the text for your marketing material will all ultimately contribute to the brand. On each piece of marketing, it is important to consider all of these elements together as part of a greater whole. They should all be working together to create a strong message and an effective piece of marketing. Remember that a great brand is not all about strict rules on what should and shouldn’t be done. It is about a spirit and recognition which holds everything together.

Add Design can assist you in all aspects of developing an effective company brand. From professional logo design, to business stationery design, flyers and leaflets and business brochures and catalogues, we offer a full range of cost effective graphic design services.

Although we work we clients right across the UK, the county of Suffolk has been the home of Add Design, design agency since we started over 5 years ago. During this time, we have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to put our mark right across the region through the businesses which ask us to help with their branding and marketing material.

In fact, we see our work everywhere we go, from estate agent boards outside houses for sale, to restaurants, shops, dental surgeries, adverts on roundabouts, graphics on vans, even brochures and leaflets on kitchen tables.

However, there are a few Suffolk projects which are particularly satisfying to see. Not just because they represent the quality of our work, but because of the challenges and enjoyment which went into creating them. Here is our pick of some of Add Design’s Suffolk graphic design projects.

Aldeburgh Restaurant

This Aldeburgh restaurant is one of our favourites. Not only did we help to name it (after Sir Frances Drake’s Ship which was built in the town), but we also designed the branding, signage, and interior. The artwork on the wall was all created by us to take diners on a tour of Drake’s travels around the world. The brand takes the historical reference, and converts it into something fun, colourful and lively . . just as any family-friendly restaurant should be.

Woodbridge Furniture Maker

Some projects come with a challenge. This company made its reputation with beautiful hand-crafted reproduction antique furniture. All made in their own Suffolk workshops. However, the company had recently developed a stunning range of contemporary designs and wanted the brochure to reflect this shift without putting off those who prefer the traditional selection. Presenting all the furniture against a crisp white background, this contemporary brochure design concentrates on the values which are universal to both the modern and traditional – natural materials, bespoke service and high quality craftmanship.

Dog Day Care

It is not everyday you are asked to brand one of the area’s first Doggy Day Care facilities, so the design you create needs to be something special. Big, small, and of any breed, our logo design shows that all dogs are welcome. Using the bright colours of the logo we have also had fun creating postcards, business cards and Christmas cards for this great dog-loving company.

National Sign Company

While it can be enormous fun playing with bright colours, sometimes you have to be serious. The marketing material we create for this sign company is seen by decision makers in some of the UK’s largest companies and organisations – so it has to be good. From large brochure designs, to websites, flyers, e-literature and full page adverts in Design Week, we have working with this client for over 4 years evolving their brand and material as the company goes from strength to strength.

Adventure Logistics Company

A small company with a truly global outlook. This business specialises in ‘adventure logistics’, helping madcap adventurers get themselves into and out of trouble in some of the most remote, dangerous and bizarre places across the world. This made the branding a very delicate balancing act. It needed to be fun and adventuresome, but also hold the weight of years of experience and expertise which makes them the preferred partner for individuals, organisations and television companies heading into the unknown.

Suffolk Designer

Lastly, a word for one of our favourite fellow designers. All the shapes, colours and designs you see are Adele’s own, but we have worked with her to get the work from paper and print and out into the world. From her logo, to promotional postcards, packaging, and the ultra-bold website we have enjoyed every minute of making her fantastic ideas a reality. Want to see more, all Adele’s work is for sale on Notonthehighstreet.com.

Add Design are a Design Agency in Suffolk, specialising in business logo design, business stationery design, corporate brochure design, leaflet design and company flyer design.

Communication is vital for businesses and the material you use for communications can have a massive impact on the overall image of your business. This is why it is so important to get your business stationery design including your letterhead, business cards and compliment slips absolutely right. Sometimes our clients are a little unsure of exactly what to include on their letterhead, so we’ve put together this guide to take you through the key components to an effective letterhead design.

Contact Details

It probably goes without saying, but all business stationery should give people the information they need to be able to get in touch with you. A letterhead should include your contact address (if you have a different registered address, your contact address should be the one you use here) as well as your main phone number. You could also include an email address and the address of your website as people are increasingly using the internet as a preferred method to get in touch.

Logo

Your logo is vital to your brand and it helps people to identify your company. It also builds confidence as it lends legitimacy to your letterhead, as well as adding one of the key points of interest. Traditionally, the logo was always at the top left of a letterhead but with many of our clients looking for something more innovative we have previously placed logos in many different locations, including as a ‘watermark’ across the main part of the page.

Tagline

A lot of businesses like to include a brief tagline on their letterhead design to let people know instantly about what they do. This could be a short mission statement or something which describes the business. For example, Add Design uses ‘The online graphic designers.’ This lets people know what we are (graphic designers) and what makes us unique (we work online). A Tagline is especially important if you are using the letterhead to engage with new customers, as they many be unfamilar with the brand and what it is that you offer them.

Company Number

You are legally required to include your company number somewhere in the design of all business stationery, so you should definitely include this somewhere on your letterhead.

Registered Company Address

Again, you have a legal requirement to include your registered company address on your business stationery. Often, this will be different from your main contact address so we often include the registered address in the footer so it is not confused with the preferred address for communications. Alongside the registered company address should be the full registered name of the company, or if it is a trading name then you should include the registered company it belongs to.

VAT Number

Depending on what you are using your letterhead for, you might or might not have to include your VAT number. If you are using the stationery to send out invoices or credit notes, then you will definitely need to include it. If, however, you are using your letterhead for correspondence only then it will be up to you whether you choose to include your VAT number or not.

Accreditation Logos

Many of our customers include the logos for accreditations and professional memberships which they have. This adds significant weight to the company presentation and is one of the key ways of instantly showing your quality of service to customers. If you do include accreditation logos then ensure that you will be accredited by each organisation throughout the period you expect to use the letterhead (otherwise you will have to reprint if the accreditation changes). You might also need to check the rules on usage for each logo as many accrediting organisations have strict rules on how their logos can be used.

Business Stationery Design – Add Design are UK graphic designers offering a full range of graphic design services to clients in the UK and internationally. Our business stationery design packages include professional business card design, logo design, letterhead design and compliment slip design.

You might think that coming up with a company logo is a relatively unimportant part of your business – after all, what you do is more important than what you look like, right?

Well, mostly right. Of course, the best logo design in the world isn’t going to save you if you don’t have the business to match, but it’s definitely fair to say that if your logo design isn’t up to scratch, it can cause you some serious problems – regardless of your company size. Think about how many judgements you make every day about which products and services to use or buy. While many of those decisions will be based on considerations such as availability and cost, more than you realise you are rejecting brands purely on the appearance they create to you – whether they look outdated, untrustworthy, amateur, too young, too unfashionable, too feminine, too masculine etc.

Take Gap as an example. You’re no doubt familiar with them; they’re one of the most famous clothing retailers in the world. You’re probably also familiar with their logo, but you might not know that they tried to change their logo last year. Needless to say, it didn’t go entirely to plan. See the image below to compare their traditional, well-known logo with the one they tried to replace it with.

We don’t want to be mean, but the logo on the right looks like it would be more suitable for a computer software conglomerate than a cool clothing outfit. There was a general outcry and period of ridicule following the unveiling of Gap’s new logo last year and they ditched it after just a week.

This is just one high profile example of a logo gone wrong: if it can affect Gap so badly, think what it might do to a smaller business whose reputation isn’t quite so established and, therefore, more vulnerable to setbacks. This shows the importance of having a good business logo design service that can really help to capture what your business is about and come up with a logo that not only suits you but represents the values and qualities important to your clients. If Gap had not listened to its customers and had followed through with the rebranding across all their stores, think of the amount of custom they would have lost as existing customers decide that the store no longer reflects them.

Your logo is often the first visual representation of your company that people will see. For example, when you are looking to network with others or promote your business, any promotional material you send out will have your logo on. It will also feature prominently on your website and on your business stationery.

Having a professionally designed logo that has been created especially for your business will not only allow you to better capture what your company is about in a single image, but it will also help you stand out. It will allow you to start building a defined, distinctive brand that sets you apart from your competition and allows people to instantly recognise and identify with your business.

This is really important: if people recognise your business just from looking at your logo, then they are more likely to trust you and, therefore, be more likely to use you when they need services that you can offer. A good business logo will also help to build pride in your employees and they’ll be more confident and passionate when representing your business, which is ultimately good for everyone.

So, whether your company is big or small, your logo is really important. Add Design offers a comprehensive business logo design service that offers a tailored, bespoke service to all companies, no matter what size they are – even Gap. If you’re interested to find out more, please get in touch.

With the Olympics on their way to London, you have surely seen the London Olympics logo and all the controversy surrounding it. It seems to be a little bit like Marmite – people either love it or hate it (and Iran has even threatened to pull out of the games because of it). The debate over the logo aside, though, with the Olympics on the way, company owners should be paying attention to the way their own logo designs, so they can take advantage of the extra business the Olympics is set to bring to London.

If the bold and colourful London 2012 logo says anything it is the London is an exciting, dynamic and modern city, so those companies which are looking tatty and outdated risk missing out on the rush of new customers coming into the city. They also risk missing out on the partnerships and innovations which will be setting up in advance of the games, pushed forward by a government keen to see the Olympics become a legacy rather than a one-off sporting event.

This makes it the perfect to time to think about your business logo design, so you can make sure you come across as a modern, open, dynamic and world-aware organisation. At Add Design, we have 3 business logo design packages that can create a modern and professional look for your business. Read on to find out more.

The Logo Update Package
This is our cheapest logo design package at £75 + VAT. If you have a sketch or an idea for a logo, we can take your ideas and turn them into a fantastic, professional design. We can also update your current logo to make it fresher and more modern.

Once you’ve given us your ideas and we’ve come up with a design for you, we’ll send the logo back to you so you can decide what you think about it. If you would like any changes, just let us know and we’ll make them for you to create the final design of your logo.

Then, as soon as you’ve signed off on our design, we’ll get the logo sent over to you. We send it in a variety of formats so you can be certain it will be perfectly replicated each and every time you use it.

The Simple Logo Design
This logo option costs £150 + VAT and is the second option for businesses looking for a new logo design. We will create a striking, original logo for your business that will really help you to stand out and create a distinctive brand for yourself – something that’s sure to be very important during the Olympics with so many companies competing for customers’ attention.

When we’re designing your logo, the first thing we do is find out everything we can about your company. This gives us a good idea about your business and, more importantly, the types of customers you are targeting so we can design something which truly represents your company. We’ll also research your competition to make sure your logo is unique to your business. Then we’ll provide you with 3 initial design ideas. You choose one and we’ll take that one forward and go through 3 rounds of drafting to make sure the final design is exactly right. Once you’re happy with it, we’ll send the logo out to you.

Unlimited Logo Design
This is our third logo design package and it costs £225 + VAT. The process is similar to the one outlined above, except we come up with 6 initial design ideas and go through unlimited rounds of drafting until we get the perfect logo for your business. This makes sure your company will stand out above the competition and attracts attention for all the right reasons – perfect for while the Olympics is on.

Visit our business logo design pages to find out more about Add Design’s great business logo design service.

Whether your company is large or small, there are many benefits to be had from rebranding your business. Of course, this isn’t something you should do too often or else your clients might find it hard to identify with you, but a well-timed rebranding is a great way of updating your image. This is especially important if you are launching a major new service or have recently revised your practices, as it shows you’re keen to move with the times and stay up to date with developments.

Often, rebranding can be done fairly simply as well, making it an even more attractive prospect. For example, your business logo design is something you can update without too much hassle but doing so can make a big difference to the impression that you create in the marketplace. An up to date brand will help your company look modern and dynamic, instead of out-dated as it might if you’ve had the exact same appearance for a substantial period of time. Even if you look at some of the largest and most identified brands in the world (Pepsi, Shell, Starbucks, BBC for example), they still make regular changes and updates to their business logos and branding to keep one step ahead and relevant to new audiences.

However, as well as engaging with new customers, another key benefit of redesigning your business logo and rebranding your business is to send a signal to your existing clients and customers. It shows that you think about the image of your business and that you know the importance of developing a solid, trustworthy brand. Introducing updated elements to your company brand via your business logo, web site and marketing materials shows that you are constantly developing and improving – characteristics which will always be considered positive by long-term customers.

The rebranding process can also help launch a new product or service. The change in branding will let people know that a major shift has taken place and if your new logo is engaging, they might be inspired to find out more. So, if your company is planning a change of direction but isn’t quite sure how to go about making the changes clear to existing and potential customers, investigating business logo design and other rebranding services could be a great way to do it.

A comprehensive rebranding of your company will also be a good opportunity for you to develop a coherent image. When you first started your business, you probably spent a lot of time making sure you had exactly the right image. As businesses grow, however, they often make piecemeal changes to their branding and so their message isn’t quite as sharp and cohesive as it could be. Rebranding the whole business will help to get that message back into line and make sure all your colleagues and employees are reading from the same page when it comes to the corporate image and values. On rebranding for larger customers, we often supply a set of brand guidelines which can be distributed amongst employees (especially those commissioning design work and advertising) which explains how the logo and brand can be used. Of course, we also work with customers beyond the business logo design and help produce everything they need – from stationery to brochures – to help keep the branding consistant.

One final benefit of company rebranding is that it can prove to be a great motivator for your employees. After all, everyone likes to feel that the company they work for is dynamic, constantly improving and good at keeping up with the times. Rebranding shows that you are thinking about the future, which is reassuring to your employees, especially in tougher economic times. You can also involve them in the process, which is a good way of developing loyalty as people like to feel that their opinions are being valued.

So, if you are interested in business logo design and company rebranding, please get in touch with Add Design. We’re always happy to talk you through your options and help you develop the perfect solution for your business. Add Design provide a range of logo design packages whether you want to update your business logo or create a new logo from scratch.

Not all logo creation services are the same. The end result is a single perfect image to represent your business, but the strength of this image will be strongly determined by the time, care and skill taken in its creation.

These are the stages which go in to every new logo we create. Much of this work our clients do not see, but the work completed behind-the-scenes is all important in ensuring the quality of work presented to our customers.

As you will see, there is much more to our logo creation service than sitting down at a computer and drawing out some ideas.

Creation of a strong design brief.

It is our account handlers responsibility to create a strong design brief for the logo design. This will become the blueprint for the project. Through conversation with the customer or completion of a design brief questionnaire, a single document is created with guidelines for the design. These guidelines can cover everything from preferred colours and imagery, to the target market that the logo must appeal to.

Research

Before any design work is started, research is conducted by the designer. Using the internet and reference books/magazines, a document of existing logos is created to give the designer a feel for the industry and also the competition. To create a logo design which will stand-out, it is essential to understand the context of the business. This process also reduces the chances of creating designs too similar to existing logos.

Idea Generation

The idea generation stage is our favourite part. From a blank piece of paper we start to sketch concepts and ideas in pencil. Idea generation is usually conducted by two people working together. This allows one person to develop on the ideas of the other, and discuss how concepts might be refined. Experience is key because what works on paper, will not always work when rendered on computer.

Idea Generation finishes with the creation of a single document containing a sketch of each concept we want to render on computer.

Rendering

This stage is the most time consuming. Each concept is individually rendered on computer by the graphic designer. As we are working with original ideas, there are no short-cuts so the designer will need to take the time to develop each logo idea to a stage where a customer can appreciate the concept. They will also need to select example fonts which will match the style of the each logo.

Following consultation with the account handler, final adjustments are made to the concepts and they are titled and made ready for presentation to the customer.

Feedback

We discusses the concepts with the customer. All the feedback we get is recorded as it will form the guidelines for the refinement of the logo design.

Refinement

The graphic designer now takes the psychologically painful step of eliminating the majority of the designs they have rendered. All their work will now be conducted on a single preferred concept. Using the feedback provided by the customer, refinement will usually involve work in 3 areas. It is in this refinement stage that the skill and experience of our designers truly comes to the fore.

Layout Options

The designer will look at alternative ways that the idea can be presented. This may involve reversing-out the design, adding effects, enclosing the design within a shape . . whatever methods will work to enhance the overall design.

Colour Options

Designers rarely work with one colour. They work in terms of palettes of colour combinations. By understanding which combinations of colours and tones will elicit the right feel for the logo, the designer can create new colour options for the logo.

Font Options

We have well over 1000 available fonts to work with. Picking the right fonts for the logo from this selection is therefore something of an art. The designer will look for fonts which have the right characteristics in terms of serif/sans serif, weight, kerning (the space between the letters) and originality.

Depending on the logo design package chosen, the refinement process will be revisited a number of times. In each instance, the designers aim is to bring the design closer to the final logo.

Creation of the final files

Once the customer has approved a single image for the logo, our work has not finished. The final version must now be re-rendered at the highest quality. Some of the logos we create end up expanded large for signage and vehicles, so every edge must be crisp and every curve smooth.

The logo is then saved into various file-formats, and at different sizes. An information card with the colour references is also created to accompany the final logo to the customer. On our £200 package, the files are placed on CD and a CD sleeve printed and fitted for presentation to the customer.

Expanding the brand

Our logo creation service is often just the starting point of our relationship with a customer. Once the logo has been finalised we help with the design of business stationery, marketing material and other items to take their brand out to the world.

Logo Creation Services – click here to view our range of logo design packages

Add Design work with clients locally in Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and London – as well as throughout the UK. The beauty of our unique online service is that wherever you are based, we offer an extremely cost effective and convenient solution to all your design and printing needs.

A professional logo design is never more vital than with places to eat and drink. Through your logo and business branding, you have to convey the type of establishment you are, the type of food/drink you serve, and the likely cost and quality. Not only this, but in a highly competitive market with plenty of options, you also have to stand out and be distinctive.

Add to this, the need to appeal to the right kind of clientele. If you look cheaper than you are, then all your customers will notice is the high menu price. If you look more expensive, then you may not get any customers at all, or the ones you do get will be comparing you to establishments twice the price.

Having an image which ties in directly to the name, interior and menu is therefore key to establishing an overall customer expectation and experience.

For some inspiration, here are examples of professional logo designs we have created for previous clients. For each, we will demonstrate how the logo slots in to the overall presentation of the restaurant to make each a success.

 

The Pelican is a family-friendly Bar & Grill in the popular seaside town of Aldeburgh. It is not named after the bird, but rather Sir Francis Drake’s ship ‘The Pelican’ which was built in the town, and was the first ship to ever circumnavigate the globe.

Aldeburgh is a very upmarket location, so instantly we wanted The Pelican to be established as the family-friendly option in the town with bold colours, wild shapes and a little bit of humour with the ship in the bottle. All designed to capture attention and intrigue the target audience. This logo became the foundation for the entire look of The Pelican and we went on to create the signage, menus and interior artwork which collectively brings customers into the story of Drake’s voyage.

We wanted The Pelican to not be simply a place to eat, but to become a location to visit when in the town.

 

The Flaming Fryer was a new name for an old Fish & Chip Shop. So named because it had recently caught fire. The owners wanted to shake the old Fish & Chip Shop image for something more modern and funky which would catch the eye as people drove through the town.

The challenge was to create a logo and brand that was distinctive, but to make sure that it still looked like a Fish & Chip Takeaway – not a new restaurant. To achieve this, we abandoned the typical Chip Shop colours of blues and greens but kept the distinctive shape of the Fish central to the design – making them simultaneously look like flames to connect to the Flaming Fryer theme. This new presentation wasn’t too extreme to upset the traditional Fish & Chip crowd, but has hopefully turned some new people in the area onto the idea of Fish & Chips as a modern takeaway choice.

When we were asked to create this branding, the interior of this Take-away was already designed. The theme was American Retro, and the colour scheme was very red. Our challenge was therefore to take this theme and bring it to the overall branding, including the logo, exterior signage and menus. With a target audience of 14 – 30 year olds, we wanted the presentation to be dynamic and modern but we still needed to demonstrate quality as our client wanted to elevate Red Ziggy’s above your typical cheap Takeaway Pizza Place or Kebab Shop. The menu at Red Ziggy’s is Mexican inspired, so the flames point to this as a slightly spicy option and the Z to added Zing.

How can we help? We have designed logos, signage and literature for a range of bars, restaurants, pubs and cafes. Every design has been created to enhance the personality of each location and appeal directly to the target clientele – helping new places get established quickly and successfully. Logo design packages start at just £135 + VAT, so discuss your project please contact us.

Professional Logo Design – click here to view our range of packages

Add Design are based in Suffolk and work with clients locally in Essex, Norfolk, London and East Anglia and throughout the UK. Our cost effective design and print work can all be done via email and post, wherever you are located.

All businesses do it. Some too often, and others not often enough. But how can you tell if it is time to look again at your own business branding and consider a refresh?

Here are some tips to tell if it is time for a rebrand.

Looking dated? There is a big difference between looking established & traditional, and looking dated and tired. Put your logo against some of the competition and consider which of them look the most modern and dynamic, and which have seen better days.

Even better, do a little research and ask people who fit within your target market what the logos mean to them. If the feedback on yours is not good – time to consider a refresh.

Ask your staff. A business brand is not just important to your target customers. It is important to your staff. People want to work for a business they are proud to represent; one they can promote without hesitation or embarrassment. Ask employees what they think of the current company presentation. If you get a lot of ‘umms’ and ‘errs’, or ‘its alright, I suppose’ then consider a refresh. Even better, involve your staff in creating the new look with your designer.

Planning something big?. If you are planning something big, such as a new product, new service, or new way of engaging with customers then a brand refresh can help add strength to your message. To customers, a development of the brand shows a development in the company – think of BT changing to a globe (thinking internationally), Marks and Spencer changing to M&S (shaking off tradition), and The Conservatives to a green tree (change of leadership & political emphasis).

A simple change in logo can show how serious about change you really are.

Is it still representative? Your logo may not look dated, but it still might not be helping you. Think back to when you first branded – how has the company changed since in size, target market, ownership, products or services. Does you logo represent the company you were then, or the business you are now?

A logo and brand gives customers subtle clues about the type of business you are. If it is not representative or there is a mismatch then a change is required.

Brand all over the place? Collect together everything which has your logo on it. Is it portraying a strong and unified image, or is it a hotchpotch?

One thing that happens with older brands is that people try to add innovations as they go along. When the letterheads were done, this was added. When the brochure was created, it was decided that perhaps another colour may work. The end result is that your promotional material is not working together, and you are not getting the maximum benefit a good brand can bring.

At this stage, a rebrand can bring together everything that is good from the previous experiments and distil it into something which will hold the company presentation together across all your marketing into the future.

How can we help? Add Design offer a range of fixed price logo design packages which can bring your brand back to life. Add to this our huge range of fixed price products covering everything from business stationery & flyers, to websites, folders & brochures and we can work with you to build and maintain your brand across every medium.

Brand Design & Logo Creation Services – click here for more information on our range of services.

For new start-ups, every penny counts but there is no denying that the quality of your presentation and the strength of your marketing is going to be key to the success of your new company.

So, what do you spend your marketing budget on, and what do you trim? This is what we think are the essential items for any new business.

Professional Logo. Your logo will be absolutely central to every piece of marketing you do now, and in the future. Get the right logo design and you will instantly be more professional, more established, more trustworthy and more memorable. One of the key mistakes start-ups can make is to rely on a ‘done at home’ logo to get started with the idea of changing it later – it is like going to a job interview in jeans and T-shirt, with the idea of buying a suit if you are offered the job.

Our professional logo design packages start at just £75  + vat, and as many successful start-ups we have worked with will testify, is well worth the small investment.

Business Card. A strong business card is a start-up essential so it is key to get the design right. Too many people think of their business card as something which simply has their name and phone number on – but it is much more than that. It is a piece of promotional literature like any other; a chance to hand a potential customer something which introduces your company to them.

Hand out an original and well designed business card and you will be surprised how much better the reaction will be, and how many more conversations get started.

Add Design create business cards to be noticed & remembered, all on thick card with sharp corners as standard. For something more eye-catching, we also offer a great range of shaped business cards.

Website. There are two reasons to get a website from the get-go. Firstly, as a new company, potential clients will often want additional reassurance before purchasing. If they go onto the web and find a strong, well designed webpage with more information – they are sold. If they find nothing, doubts will start to creep in. Secondly, it takes some time for a website to start to perform on Google and other search engines. The sooner you get something up and online, the sooner enquiries from the website will start to roll-in.

Add Design create bespoke websites from £195 + VAT. Our self-management options will give you full control of the content so you can update information and add pages as your company grows.

A Professional Advert. If you are advertising your new business in newspapers, magazines, or the yellow pages – think carefully about what you put in. Compared to the cost of the space, a professional advert design is a very small investment yet can make a startling difference to the impact of your advert and the response rate you get. Many publications will offer to design your advert for free. It is free for a reason as it will be put together with little consideration of your target market, marketing message or professional presentation.

Starting from a design brief, Add Design will design an advert to get your new business the best response rate possible. Call us to discuss your requirements.

Marketing Material. Most start-ups will need at least one great piece of marketing literature. Whether this is a postcard, flyer, leaflet or brochure will depend on your marketing plan and the way in which you are engaging new customers.

Whatever the size and shape, the design will be all important in showing customers what you offer and how well you offer it. The text and imagery will also be crucial to the likely response rates.

In short, the quality of your literature will have a direct relationship with the success rate – so plan carefully and definitely use an experienced graphic designer to design it for you. If you cut corners, it will always show in the end result.

How can we help? Add Design will be able to help you with all aspects of your marketing material, from selecting the right literature for your business to ensuring that the design, wording and imagery all work together to create the most impact and best possible response rates. Our fixed-price design and print options are available across the UK and provide the perfect cost-effective solution for all new start-ups.

Professional Logo Design – click here for more information on our logo design packages

Business Stationery Design – click here for more information on our business stationery design packages