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When you come across a new business, what is one of the first things you look at? Yes thats right, its their business logo. Your logo not only sets you apart from other businesses, it can help give clients an idea of who you are, what you do and what they can expect from your business. While logo design is a science in itself, once you have the perfect logo, how and where can you best use it to promote your business? Let’s look at some of the options for where you can use your business logo... Traditional Business Logo Placement First up, your logo should be added to some of the, physical components of your business. That means your business cards, letterheads, invoices, email footers, and other routine aspects of your day to day business. Once you have the paper options covered off, it is time to look at the fabric options. Of course you want to have your logo appear on company uniforms. But even if you don’t necessarily have a uniform for your business, a branded shirt or hoody can do wonders to drum up interest in your brand. Lucky for you, we design and print custom apparel here at One Bite Design. So whether you are manning a market stall, doing a Facebook live, or simply getting your groceries, you can get your logo and branding out there! Have a look at how well Sharon from Totally Balmy uses her logo and branding to promote her business! This brand is one of my favourites! Love seeing it in so many places!  Packaging If packaging is part of your company’s operation, you have a big opportunity to showcase your logo. You can print it on tissue paper or other packaging materials, boxes, address labels and printed inclusions. Get creative - restaurants can present burgers in logo-printed wrappers, fruit sellers can pop stickers onto their produce - when it comes to packaging, think outside the box, as it were! Social Media Your online presence is just as important as your offline one. Your business logo should feature heavily on your website and the various social media platforms you choose to use. From your Facebook cover image, to branded social media templates, to your YouTube profile pic, each appearance of your logo needs to fit the right dimensions and format for the platform. For decades, businesses have been printing their logos on “freebies” - notepads, fridge magnets, pens, desk calendars, mousepads and other rather mundane office supplies. While this is still a great idea in the right framework, there are almost unlimited options available to get your name on any number of products relevant to your business. Got a business with a tech slant? Print your logo onto flash drives. Own a sporting goods store? Get some Frisbees branded. Have a café in your workplace for clients, with a barista (lucky you) - impress potential customers by having your logo created in coffee art on top of their cups of joe! You can even be environmentally friendly and help save the planet by printing your logo on reusable straws, shopping bags, water bottles or travel mugs. The options are endless - from cellphone cases and tote bags to lip balms and umbrellas, you can make your mark on a wide range of swag. Signage Get creative with your signage. Whether it’s a physical business, trade show or other event you don’t need to rely on one store-front sign. Technology provides you with so many more cool solutions like wall or window decals, A-frame chalk boards, ceiling or floor tiles, or digital display boards. How about a “gobo”? This is a stencil cut out of glass or metal which is slotted in front of a spotlight - the shape can be projected onto any backdrop - tables, floors, ceilings or feature walls. Don’t forget your vehicles - branding your company car, truck or van with your logo can be invaluable for drawing in new customers. Go Viral Social media is an integral part of your marketing strategy. But it can be hard to get traction on many of the platforms. A great way to get exposure for your business is to go viral! Everybody loves a good meme, so if you come up with any for your business, make sure that your logo appears on them. That way when they get liked, loved, and shared, your branding will be in front of lots of interested eyes. When it comes to where you use your business logo, you are only limited by your creativity and budget. Regardless of where you are going to put your logo, you need to make sure you have an attractive and professional design to begin with. Here at One Bite Graphic Design we specialise in logos and can provide you with the perfect design and format to ensure your logo really makes its mark. Get in touch with Helen today and start the amazing journey of branding your business. If you already have your logo designed but want to further enhance your brand awareness get in touch today as well. There are infinite places you can use your logo and branding! Get stuck in to it!
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Changing your branding is not something to be taken lightly and should only be done when necessary. That’s because your brand is how people remember your business. Imagine if McDonald’s suddenly swapped its golden arches for an image of a burger. They suddenly become just a burger shop, without anything to easily differentiate them with their competitors. It’s a similar thing with your business’ branding. By changing your logo, font and colours, you put your customers off balance and it takes time for them to readjust to your new branding image. However, sometimes changing your branding is the best decision for your business. It may be that you’re offering new services or products, have a change of ownership or your old branding no longer reflects the direction your business is taking. Today we’re going to discuss all you need to know about changing your branding.  Changing Your Branding: A Beginner’s Guide 101 When you rebrand, it can be a partial or complete rebranding. You can choose between:
Pros and Cons of Rebranding When you alter your branding, you’re doing it with the desire to grow your business. In order to make the right decision, you need to weigh up the pros and cons. The pros of rebranding include:
The cons of rebranding include:
A great way to promote your business, rebranded or not, is to list it in a directory. Business Networking NZ offers a free NZ business directory listing and it’s a great way to increase your online presence. Come and add your details today! There’s something special about throwing on a t-shirt, or a hoodie, with a logo or personal design printed on it. Nothing beats throwing on a t-shirt with your favourite band’s best album plastered over the front, and noticing another member of the public wearing the same band. Nothing beats throwing on a t-shirt of your favourite brand, and noticing another member of the public wearing the same brand too. You throw each other a look, a knowing smile. You’re part of the same team somehow, a club that you both belong to. When you start a new job, the logo sitting proudly on your shirt signifies you’ve become part of something new. You can walk into any office and have almost instant comradery with everyone present. Have you ever created something, like a new business, or an important event? Try throwing on a hoodie with the name and logo of your creation printed ceremoniously on the back. You’ve achieved something great, something tangible. And if someone asks you about your business while you’re wearing it? A bonus advantage of clever marketing and branding.  How do we do it? Now there’s a number of ways you can get your hot little hands on that specially designed apparel. Here we’re going to break down the three main processes of apparel design (and the one favoured by us at One Bite), so you can make the best choice for your needs. Make your father’s day by giving him a branded T-shirt or hoodie! Better still get him to advertise your business while he’s out and about!
Ok it’s obvious now, screen-printing wins. Screen printing is the best option in our view as we can create high end designs that include the pièce de résistance - shading and gradients. Detailed logos? No problem. Photos? Done. Cool effects? Bingo. Specific colours that are on brand? Easy. All these effects are nearly impossible with embroidery or vinyl. Plus if you’re printing a bunch of the same item it’s the most cost effective as well, a true winner in our books. The graphics produced through screen printing should also last for the t-shirt’s life under normal use. To make your custom graphic last the garment’s life, simply flip your garment inside out before chucking it in the wash, and use cold water. Easy. Get in touch with us today if you’re interested in looking at how One Bite Graphic Design can create the perfect screen-printed item for you and your business. Get in touch with One Bite TODAY! OR better still check out the website! Colour - Glorious Colour! Colour can make or break the visual impact of your brand. Do you like to create your own social media graphics but don’t know where to start? Do you have images and photos that you would like to choose your colours from but are unsure which colours to pick. While doing this yourself can be cost effective, you can waste a lot of time if you do not know what you are doing. It can also result in graphics that look unprofessional. Graphic designers, like One Bite Graphic Design, have an expert eye for what looks good and understand how colours work alone and together. This is something that may not come naturally to everyone or maybe something that people haven’t been taught. Did you know that not all reds ‘go together’ - not all blues ‘are created equal’. Base colours are important. So let’s look into some reasons and tips why selecting colours from your images / photos to use for your business is important. 3 Important Things To Note When Creating A Graphic
So… how do I select a colour from an image? There are a few good websites that can do this for you but Image Color Picker comes highly recommended. You can upload your own image, use the online colour code from a website, or get the online colour code from a picture via the website link. You use the online image colour picker to select a colour and get the online Colour Code of the selected pixel. You also get the multiple websafe colour information. Which colours should I pick out? Check out the 2 samples (below) of colours picked from the same image. Shout out to Nikki at AmbiDexi for letting me use her product and photo for this example. I am sure that from the first glance you can see which image is more appealing. The product used in this image is bright, fun, young and happy. In the first image that One Bite designed, the colours selected are vibrant and used from the girls tutus. The second image shows colours also picked from the same image but they are far less inviting. The colours in this graphic appear dull and dreary, they do not evoke a happy, exciting time for children. From this example you can clearly see which would be the right colours to use for this design. The distinctions are not always that clear and you may require some professional help. With each design you put out for your business make sure that you are designing it targeted at the right people. This does not only come down to the colours you use but also the image and even the relating text. “Help!' I hear you say, 'I’m overwhelmed!'
Never fear! Help is at hand. Helen, at One Bite Graphic Design, with 20 years experience, knows very well what colours work best to bring out of images. If you do not have either the time or desire to pick colours from your images for your design work, get in touch with One Bite Graphic Design today and I’ll apply my creative eye and understanding of how colours work to bring out the very best with your images, logo and over all branding. When you decide to start a business you don't always realise that you are beginning a story as well. Often you get started because you have a skill or something you love to do, and then it evolves. You are no longer starting a business, but instead you are building a brand. Laying the foundations of your brand is like writing the first chapter of your story. So, how did your brand come to be? Do you have a story behind it? I'd love to tell you my story... The Elephant In The Room You will probably notice that my elephant is a large part of my branding. He is actually where my story starts... Years ago when I was at school, I would often get overwhelmed by my workload. My dad is a very wise man and he used to say something back then that has stuck with me through the years. Probably because he still says it now! He said... ‘Helen, how do you eat an elephant? One Bite at a time.’ His wise approach allowed me to focus on one small task at a time and gradually work my way through my massive to do list. This is a motto that I live my life by now. Life has a habit of getting very busy, with a business to run, house to maintain, three amazing children to raise and an equally amazing husband. We get through the busy times One Bite at a time, often achieving more than we thought we could with this tactic! So when it came to choosing a name for my business, One Bite was the obvious option. I also knew that I had to have an elephant as part of my brand. Even my elephant is an embodiment of the motto. You will notice that it is sectioned into smaller pieces to symbolise the ‘bites’. What's In A Name? I suddenly realised that after 3 years working alongside my elephant, he didn't have a name! As soon as my realisation hit, I knew what his name had to be. So, I would like to introduce to you... Petros This name is perfect for 3 reasons...
I am really excited to be on this journey with Petros and I can't wait to see what the next chapters have in store for One Bite!  Your Branding Story
So, what is your story? And is it embodied in your branding? People love to work with other people, which is why it is important to reflect your story and personality in your branding. If you feel you could be communicating your story better, then maybe it is time for a brand refresh. I would love to help you tell the story of your brand in your logo, business cards, marketing material, and social media templates. Basically any aspect of your branding. Get in touch with me now at One Bite to see I can help you tell your story with my professional graphic design services. I’ve been wondering about why personalised hoodies are so popular. Could it be because we love the power of designing our own clothing? Maybe it’s the fact they are so warm and cosy? Or perhaps it’s because they are so darn terrific at promoting our businesses? I think it’s a combination of all three! As a small business owner, I understand the difficulties of undertaking a successful marketing campaign on a super low budget. Not for me are the large digital billboards showcasing the city’s big firms. Nor can I afford to place a weekly ad in the local paper. While I could dabble in Facebook ads, they don’t really offer me a high rate of return for the dollar value I put in. So, what form of advertising could I use? Personalised hoodies! For less than $150, Helen designed and delivered me a personalised hoodie for my business Spotty Lizard. But why is it so great? Everywhere I go I wear it. The supermarket, dropping the kids at school, playing sport, walking the dog – I wear it everywhere.  On the front is my main logo, with the back featuring one of my graphics and URL. The number of people I’ve had ask me what Spotty Lizard is, commented on the cute lizard and asked me what I do is amazing. I use it as a uniform when I am working, plus I wear it for all my social media videos and photos.
Ordering Personalised Hoodies for Your Business If you’re sitting on the fence about ordering a branded hoodie for your business, jump off it and here’s why:
The downside of having personalised hoodies for your business? Well, they’re mighty hot to wear in summer, but I’m certain Helen can arrange the design and delivery of a polo shirt for me by then. I suggest you get in touch with Helen now and start the process of getting yourself a hoodie with your business logo and graphics on it too. - Jackie Spotty Lizard Everyone tells you how important it is to have a social media presence for your business. People make a habit of hunting for businesses that interest them on Facebook. What are they going to find when they get to your Facebook Page? Is it a perfectly curated cover image that reflects your current marketing focus, or is it more ‘higgledy piggledy whatever image I can find to chuck up there’ kind of look? Your Facebook cover image is an incredibly important part of building your brand, showcasing what your business is about and supporting your online marketing strategy. Let’s look at it in a bit more detail now.  Why You Need A Good Facebook Cover Image
As soon as a potential or current client navigates to your Facebook Page, they are going to be presented with your cover image. This is your chance to make an instant visual impact. If your image is boring, unrelated to your field, or jarring to look at then you have missed an opportunity to impress your page visitor. There are currently more than 2 billion active users on Facebook. That is a lot of people that can be unimpressed by your Facebook cover! Here is why you need an image that is eye-catching and appealing... Introduces Your Business If someone isn’t 100% certain about what you do, your cover image can introduce your business to them. Not only can it tell them about your products or services, but it can give them a feel for your business’ personality and values. Encourages Familiarity For those who do know your business, they will recognise they are in the right place when they see your cover image. That is why it is important to always keep your branding consistent by using the same colours, fonts and style. Makes Them Want To Know More A picture tells a thousand words, but it is still only an introduction. Make your cover image be the start of a long running conversation with potential clients. Draw them into your business with great visual elements and some carefully chosen text. Proves Your Professionalism Having a polished look on your Facebook page will encourage trust in your business. Clients will be able to see your professionalism and it will allow you to stand out amongst your competitors. This places you as an authority figure in your field and makes people want to work with your business. A lot goes into the design and execution of a professional looking image. Image placement, choice of font, inclusion of white space and many other design aspects that come as second nature to a graphic designer. So, instead of fiddling about on Canva for hours, let One Bite Graphic Design create a cover image for you instead. Why You Should Change It Up Your Facebook cover can be a key component in your marketing strategy. Because it does draw instant attention, you can use it to your advantage. That means changing your cover image to align with your current focus. These are just some of the things you could highlight...
Whatever you choose to highlight, make sure you back it up with a relevant reason to click the Facebook Call to Action button. If you don’t utilise that button, your marketing efforts will not be as effective. How Often Should You Change Your Image? There isn't really a rule on how often you should change your image. Like anything, content can become stale if it stays the same for too long. We would recommend changing your image at least once a quarter to keep things fresh, or once a month to match your monthly marketing themes. Yep, it can be a lot of work creating 12 professional images every year. Who has time for that? We do at One Bite Graphic Design! In fact, creating amazing images for social media is just one of our specialities. Save yourself time and stress by letting us create individually curated Facebook Cover images for your business. We can work with you to showcase any aspect of your business. Get in touch with One Bite Graphic Design for a chat on how your Facebook page could be working for you with great visual content. Your logo is more than your business name. It’s your brand identity and without this, your business is likely to fall off your customer’s radar. A professionally designed logo gives your brand the credibility it needs to be successful. It’s a bit like a box of chocolates. All the pretty wrapped ones get picked first, with the dull and boring wrapped ones being left till last. If your business doesn’t look good from the outside, no one is going to take the time to find out more about it. If you haven’t already got a logo, check out my article Will Your Logo Help Your Business to Sink or Swim? If you have got a logo professionally designed by a graphic designer, then read on to find out more about creating your brand identity. What Makes a Great Visual Brand? Your logo is an integral part of your brand. Everything revolves around it. The colours, images, shapes and content all work together to put an image in people’s mind about your business. Think of your brand as a person. Whatever you do shows people the type of person you are. Here are six ways you can make your visual brand rock:
Your logo is the epicentre of your visual brand. All the decisions you make regarding the face of your business are made with your logo in mind. You need to have a graphic designer totally nail your logo for you to present an impressive visual brand. This means you need to consider:
For example, I created a logo for Becky from Keen Kitchen in both a landscape and square version. This has given her the ability to use her logo in many different types of situations. As well as her logo design, I also created business cards, gift vouchers and A5 & A4 flyers for Keen Kitchen too. Becky has since had her logo put onto t-shirts and aprons for her and others to wear.  “Helen from One Bite is an absolute dream to work with. She is friendly, fast & professional as well as being fantastic at her craft. Since starting my business just over a year ago I have used her for all design work starting with our logo. Since then she has done multiple flyers, business cards, gift vouchers and I will use her for all design work in the future. I will always, and have frequently, recommended her to friends and a lot of them have also gone to her and loved the end product she has delivered. It's almost unfathomable how fast she works. Nothing is too much trouble to tweak and she strives for perfection!” – Becky from Keen Kitchen
I’d love to work with you to help create an amazing visual brand for your business. Contact me today and let’s get started! I’m all into making things easy. As a business owner, you’re very busy. You haven’t got time to spend hours perfecting your website banner. Nor can you afford to take time away from working on your business. I totally understand that. After all, I’m a business owner too. As a graphic designer, it’s my job to create graphics for your business. But I’m not here to make extra work for you. It’s the opposite in fact because my job is all about giving you back your most precious commodity; your time. I’ll take care of all your graphic design needs, big or small. Here’s how it works … Benefits of Using a Professional Graphic Designer You’ve decided you need some graphic designs created. It may be a logo, a Facebook cover page image, social media templates or a website header. You may know exactly what you want, or are not quite sure yet. You could go and spend five hours trying to create it using free software online. But chances are you are not going to be 100% happy with it. Nor will it look highly professional. Here’s what you should do instead Contact me. Send me any graphics you already have, such as your logo or product images. I then create exactly what you want to your specific size requirements. It’s delivered to you via email in a file which is all ready for you to upload to wherever you want it to go. Let’s nail down the exact benefits of having me do your graphic design work:
Another client I’ve helped is Zoe from Forget Me Not Photography. Zoe needed a complete overhaul with her branding. We started with creating a new logo and from there we moved onto business cards and flyers. Here is an example of her old branding verses the new branding and logo she now uses.  “Helen was right there with my ideas. Everything I suggested Helen discussed with me and made sure that I was comfortable with. I can't recommend One Bite enough, you won't be dissatisfied
if you contact Helen. Thank you for everything, I can't tell you how pleased I am 🙂” - Zoe I’d love to help you raise the profile of your business too, so send me an email and let’s get started! So you run your own business, you want all your clients, new and old, to instantly know what is yours out there in the market place…. but how do you transfer styles from your business to accentuate your brand presence? What you need is a Brand Style Guide. You may be wondering some ‘what’ and ‘why’s’ about Brand Style Guides, let me see if I can put your mind at ease by providing you with some information about it.
 The Final Step in Creating Your Brand Style Guide
First up, do some research and find examples of brands you like. What does their styling tell you about their brand? What is it that you like about it? Next think about your brand. What colours and images does your brand suit? What do you want your brand to make your customer think about when they see it? Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to contact a professional graphic designer. They will take your information, ask a few questions of their own and begin the creative process! If you are looking for a branding solution, get in touch with Helen today! |
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