Articles on Logo Design, Graphic Design and Web Design
You may reprint any of the articles listed here in your newsletter, on your website, or in a publication. Just include the "About the Author" section and a link back to this site!
Hot Off the Press:
How To Stand Out At A Trade Show
December 2008
...A trade show is like the midway at the state fair.
There may not be quite so many stuffed bunnies at a business trade show, but the level of noise and distraction is just about the same. There are lots of other businesses competing for your customers' attention, all with product demonstrations, service information, and free giveaways. On top of that, there may be speakers, new technologies to play with, raffles, food booths, and networking opportunities.
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Branding Is Like A Fairy Tale...
December 2008
It may not seem like the story of Little Red Riding Hood has much of a parallel to your business's brand. But, a good brand can be a lot like a story. Instead of being a story of a little girl going on a journey, and overcoming different challenges, the brand is the story of how you take your customer from just learning about your business to becoming a customer.
Read More >
Design Article Library:
Logos
Logo Design Questions: Answered!
9 Keys to an Effective Logo
Types of Logos: Text, Symbol and Combination Logos
A Logo Isn't A Tattoo! Why Your Personal Tastes Have Nothing To Do With Your Logo
A Logo Without Your Name... Can Be A Big Branding Pain!
No Logo?: Launching a Business Without a Logo Can Sabotage You
Logo Files
Why Entrepreneurs Divorce Their Logos (And Why It's A Bad Idea)
The Domino Effect of Changing Your Logo
Signs It's Time To Redesign Your Company's Brand
Time to "Get Over" the Rainbow (in your logo, that is)
Brand Foundation and Differentiation
What Is A Brand?
How Your Business Should Act Like A Snowflake
Why your Business Brand Shouldn't Be An Exact Mirror Image Of You
The Four Red Light Factors For Your Business Brand
Define Your Difference: To Stand Out and Make Your Business Shine
The Truth About Your Competition
How to Determine Whether You've Chosen a Good Niche
The Great Fear of Niching... and Why You Need to Get Over It!
Focus Your Definition
Brand Identity
15 Reasons Small Businesses Need a Brand Identity System
Connecting With Your Customers Through Your Brand Identity
The Layers of Your Brand
9 Keys to Building a Stand-Out Brand Identity
Attract More Clients With A Brand Identity
Three Brand Identity Myths That Will Bring Your Business Down
Four More Brand Identity Myths
To Tag Or Not To Tag?
Splitting a Brand Design Project Between Two Design Firms
Rebranding Is an Excuse to Party in Your Business
Visual Vocabulary
All About Visual Vocabulary and How It Can Help Your Small Business
The 9 Advantages to Using a Visual Vocabulary in Brand Identity Design
The Building Blocks of Visual Vocabulary: Consistency
The Building Blocks of Visual Vocabulary: Flexibility
Font Basics for Branding Your Small Business
Collateral/Marketing Material Design
Create Your Marketing Machine to Plan for Marketing Success
What Order To Design In?
Top 3 Must-Have Marketing Pieces
Follow Up With Your Clients
Why You Need To Get An Email Newsletter Service
Designing Your Email Newsletter
Business Card Basics
Contact Information to Include On Your Business Card
The Two-Sided Business Card Debate
Marketing Tips: June 2004
Guest Article: What a Frenchman taught me about seduction... by Mistina Bates
Website Design
How to Make Sure Your Website Won't Need a Do-Over
How To Make Your Website Structurally Sound
9 Keys to an Effective Website
Why Isn't Your Website Working Well?
Stop Making Excuses. Your Website Must Match Your Other Marketing Materials
5 Easy Ways to Establish Your Brand Online
Building A One-Page Website
Starter Website Plan for a Service Business
Pages to Include in Your Website
Creating Your Home Page
Get Your Website Launched!
The Art of Website Maintenance
Signs It's Time To Redesign Your Website
Search Engine Optimization and Website Promotion
Why You Won't Get Instant Gratification From the Search Engines and What to Do About It
Why Starting A Relationship With The Search Engines Can Be Hard
The Search Engine Trinity
Do You Really Need To Come In First Place?
Your Small Business's Search Engine Ranking Emergency
Getting Your Website Noticed by the Search Engines
How Search Engine Optimization Helps Small Businesses
How to Make Your Website Search-Engine Friendly
You've Created a Business Website: So Now What?
Color
Choosing the Right Color Palette
Color Part 1: Accuracy
Color Part 2: Formats and Systems
Time to "Get Over" the Rainbow (in your logo, that is)
Design Execution
13 Tips for Finding a Graphic Designer
9 Tips for Getting the Best Work From Your Graphic Designer
Good Design Doesn't Get Done In A Day: Part 1 of 2
Good Design Doesn't Get Done In A Day: Part 2 of 2
What Rushing Your Design Project Really Means
Planning Ahead for Visual Consistency
Digital Printing vs. Press Printing—A Comparison Guide
Guest Article: Trademark Basics by Hoang-chi Truong
Technical & Business Articles
Tech Tips
Meeting Expectations
How To Make a Screenshot
About the Author
Erin Ferree is a brand identity and marketing design strategist who creates big visibility for small businesses. Through her customized marketing and brand identity packages, Erin helps her clients discover their brand differentiators, then designs logos, business cards, and other marketing materials and websites to reflect that differentiation, as well as to increase credibility and memorability. As the owner of elf design, Erin is passionate about helping small business owners stand out in front of their competition and attract more clients. Hundreds of small business owners across the US and Canada have relied on Erin to create content and visuals that support their brands.
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I read your article correlating site design and house architecture and so enjoyed the metaphor that I went to your site. I'm really impressed with your work and inspired to learn more about color usage in corporate branding, specifically.
...I'm going to sign up for your newsletter now.
— Jo Hawke
I very much enjoyed your newsletter, this morning. So many of today's ezines contain nothing useful. Yours is a refreshing change. Helpful info on working with design and designers. Brava.
Of course, now that you've planted the seed, I'm wondering about a tattoo. Nah!
Thanks — Cheers — Sue Johnston
Wonderful article on "Search Engine Optimization" today! While I know most of these things I don't do them. Hence, the reminder is invaluable!
Shirley M. Carolan
I especially want to acknowledge my sincere gratitude for all you have offered in advice and in posts and on your blog. Your information is invaluable and I have learned a great deal. I can't do all that I've learned from you but try as I might!!! If I counted every dollar for every hour I pussy-footed around changing my blog template... not signing up for emailbrain sooner — trying to do it my way to save a few $$, and trying to do the Amazon thing on my website — I could have bought a Lexus!!!
I am very grateful for the time and effort you take to respond to questions. You are truly, truly talented.
— Maggie Keenan
I have been really impressed with your site ever since I first found it a couple of months ago. You seem to really know what you're talking about and have a genuine desire to help people in their businesses.
— Allison Chambers
Erin,
A big thanks to you for your web site and the information you offer to others.
I am an executive coach and trainer in Homewood AL who has had difficulty deciding what and how to create a website. Your designs were very clear and specific. Because they are, I was able to 'inscribe my thoughts' inside a 'web box' (that's my name for it, anyway).
In addition, I was able to 'see' how to compose the home page while limiting my more lengthy discourse to specific described pages.
Thanks Again,
Kyle
My articles have appeared online at:
Microsoft Office Live
Creative Latitude
RainToday.com
AllBusiness.com
Women In Consulting Best Practices Direct newsletter
Women In Consulting Consultants Direct newsletter
HillsOrient.com
The Your Membership newsletter
SalesPractice.com
WECAI.org — the Women's ECommerce Association, International
The Holistic Business Journal
websitemarketingplan.com
And in print:
Women In Communications newsletter
The Marblehead, MA Chamber of Commerce newsletter
The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter
Dynamic Graphics magazine
Even on podcast!
Lee Hopkins' podcast
You may reprint any of the articles listed here. Just include the "About the Author" section and a link back to this site!
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