There Can Be Only One

Remember that phrase from The Matrix? There can be only one.

umbrellaThere can be only one of you and your brand which is why you should always hire an actual graphic designer (ahem) when it comes to developing your brand.

You don’t have to look very far to see the work of a wannabe “designer.” Every time you see a piece of clipart in a website header or a brochure, that’s the work of someone who might aspire to be a designer one day, but has found a way to make a buck in the meantime by piecing together pretty fonts and clipart and calling it design.

That is not a true designer and you don’t want this person mucking around with your brand.

Someone like this might have fun playing with design elements and that’s fine if it’s kept as a personal hobby. I think it’s great. I encourage it. But, I don’t think it’s cool when someone like this decides to call him or herself a designer and starts offering to design logos and websites and taking money for it.

See, design is a lot more technical than most people think.

Besides the tremendous amount of forethought required, you need a firm grasp on color analogy and some sort of background that helps you understand why you’re incorporating certain elements into a design.

A real designer never uses clipart or a template. One problem with doing so is that these are free images that a million other people (with bad taste or a bad “designer”) could conceivably be using in their own “branding.” To brand yourself is to set your business apart from your competitors and the world by portraying an identifiable icon or design that directly identifies with you and your company. Clipart totally defeats the purpose.

A designer who specializes in branding knows how to use professional design software. They understand color and fonts and how to make different elements work together. They know what file formats you need for different applications.

When you trust your brand to a real graphic designer (ahem) – a professional artist rather than a wannabe – you will be blown away by your own corporate image because it will seem as though your designer has been inside your head.

That’s because they’re going to ask you questions and probe a lot about your business and your aspirations for the future. Branding is about the whole picture. The big picture. And it’s about making your image match your mission and your goals, all the while resonating with your target audience.

Don’t put your business into the hands of a serial clipart user. It’s not worth it.

It can cost more up front to hire a professional designer to develop your brand, but it will work out to be more cost-effective in the long run because you won’t end up hiring someone to redo it when the day comes and you realize your image sucks or you don’t have one at all.

Remember, there is only one. One chance to get it right. One chance to stand out. One chance to make your impression. Do it right or don’t do it at all.

January Signature Specials – Its a Signature Celebration! Plus BOGO Sale

Signature Specials Newsletter sampleHappy New Year! This month is our anniversary and to celebrate we have several special offers to help you get your business identity, branding, and all those time consuming tasks off your plate for a great start to 2010.

What’s included in this month’s Signature Specials?

Check out the full version of this newsletter online, complete with promotional codes and active links today!

Better yet, subscribe to our Signature Specials newsletter here.

December Signature Specials – Get Up to $300 in Gift Certificates Back!

Signature Specials Newsletter sampleHappy Holidays! If you’ve been holding back on getting your business branding up to par, this is a newsletter you won’t want to miss! Besides our fabulous savings and huge discounts, we’re giving away Restaurant.com gift certificate with every order – up to $300!

What’s included in this month’s Signature Specials?

Check out the full version of this newsletter online, complete with promotional codes and active links today!

Better yet, subscribe to our Signature Specials newsletter here.

Shameless Plug: Signature Worx Portfolio

I don’t do many shameless plugs, but a girl’s got the right to shake things up, no? It’s been forever ago since I updated the Signature Worx Portfolio, but I do have good reason with running a business and having a baby and all.

sw-portfolioGetting back to the subject at hand, should you feel a break coming on or just feeling a little curious, then head on over to the updated Signature Worx Portfolio to see what we’ve been up to. The portfolio is just a partial showing of our work, I couldn’t possibly add every design or I wouldn’t get any work done. There’s just about every possible category including logos, websites, business cards, stationery, postcards, gift cards, promotional items, flyers, and more.

Let me know what you think. I always appreciate feedback…especially if it’s good ;)

Oh and since I’m already doing a shameless plug, I might as well throw this in:  If you’re starting a new business, or just need a professional boost to your current business or product brand, then be sure to check out this month’s Signature Specials. Our Fall Branding Stimulus Package is sure to get the ball rolling that won’t cost you an arm and a leg! Go ahead and subscribe to our Signature Specials newsletter so you don’t miss out on future offerings. We won’t inundate your inbox as we only send it out once a month, with an occasional extra here and there.

Thanks for reading and thanks for checking out the portfolio. I think my ego has been restored for a little while longer now.

Creative Spotlight: Digital Paralegal Services

Cathy Ribble of Digital Paralegal Services contacted me back in June to help her get her new virtual paralegal business branding started. With over 15 years of experience as a legal professional, she was ready to venture out on her own to help attorneys cut costs for themselves and their clients. She wanted to open her virtual doors with everything in place from her logo down to her website.

With The Worx package from Signature Worx, she found just what she needed: a custom designed logo, business card, stationery package, brochure, and a snazzy new website she can maintain herself.

If you’re in the legal profession and in need of support, I highly recommend contacting Cathy. She specializes in paralegal services, legal secretarial services, and total attorney support. She is extremely knowledgeable and was a great pleasure to work with.

Here’s a little peak at her new business image:

dps-spotlight

If you’re starting a new business, or just need a professional boost to your current business or product brand, then be sure to check out this month’s Signature Specials. Our Fall Branding Stimulus Package is sure to get the ball rolling that won’t cost you an arm and a leg! Go ahead and subscribe to our Signature Specials newsletter so you don’t miss out on future offerings. We won’t inundate your inbox as we only send it out once a month, with an occasional extra here and there.

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