- Logos, Brand and Corporate IdentityAny business can look like a big player.
Whether you think about your corporate identity or not - you have one. You are in business and have meaning in the minds of your customers. A credible brand identity leaves the impression that your offering is believable and of value. It will create a perception of stability and that it’s safe to engage your business. It can distinguish you from your competitors and establish your position in the market. It’s vital that it ‘makes sense’ to your target customers. Is your identity congruent to that which you want to convey?
Questions you may ask
- 1. Why would I use a graphic designer when I can just make a logo myself, or download one?
A client did this and came to us for a redesign after receiving a nasty letter from a lawyer - it turns out their logo was an almost exact replica of another. A strong logo will be original, since it should reflect you in some way. The logo should be sized up against your competitor and make an even better impression. We make logos that are clear, memorable, enduring and versatile.
- 2. What if I don't like your design?
We are not ‘precious’ about our designs ... but we are well considered. What we mean by that is our designs always carry a purpose - they are not thrown together ‘willy nilly’! If you don't like the design, no drama! However we will ask you “why?”. We will want to understand in what way does it not reflect you and appeal to your target customers. If it is just a ‘personal taste’ leaning, we are happy to be fluid with your preferences (within reason) to create that identity that is appropriate and memorable.
- 3. Is a logo worth anything?
Yes! Actually a brand can become one of THE MOST valuable assets your company has. We talk about this as ‘Brand Equity’ - the value placed on having a well known and respected brand is associated with market share, customer reach and generous profit margins. Remember to list your logo, tagline and mark as a registered trademark!
Services
- Brand planning
- Product & service names
- Logo or word-mark development
- Tagline creative
- Stationery (including email signatures)
- Signage
- Style guides
- Email signatures
- Documentation, e.g.contracts, proposals
- 1. Why would I use a graphic designer when I can just make a logo myself, or download one?
- Sales and Marketing Collateral Start with one brochure, then grow.
This refers to the entire collection of items that are used to support the sales and marketing efforts of your business - from brochures to proposals to websites. Collateral transforms your idea into something that can be seen or felt in the hands of your target customer. It includes all outputs that substantiate sales. From having prospective customers know about you, desiring your offer, purchasing from you and then recommending you - marketing collateral should ultimately deliver the results you desire.
Questions you may ask
- 1. Can marketing collateral really boost my sales?
This collection WILL help boost your sales if it communicates who you are and what you are offering; if it communicates your value proposition and it assists your sales and customer service staff in making sales. This is a system that works together to educate and excite your prospect about your product or service. Without this collateral you may be left spending a hefty budget on staff who have poor material with nothing to substantiate your valuable message.
- 2. I don't know where to start.
We always start with the question: “What will make a difference to your business tomorrow?”. Exploring this with you, we will help prioritise needs and we will assist you with co-ordinating all efforts to ensure you have the sales and marketing collateral you require.
- 3. What if you don't understand my target market and this affects the quality of your work?
From merchant banking to manufacturing, from high retail to fast rail, from private sector to public sector - we believe we have covered mostly all! Our job is to ask the right questions since you (most of the time) understand your market. By probing, we will learn from you and together we will ‘get to the bottom’ of what sells. Since business is not conducted in a vacuum, we also always complete our own research prior to starting a project to understand the competitive landscape and their positioning.
Services
- Sales planning
- Brochure design and print
- Banner design and print
- Conference and exhibition displays
- Point of sale
- Sales documentation, e.g. presentations, proposals, documents.
- Presentation folders
- Promotional give-aways
- 1. Can marketing collateral really boost my sales?
- Catalogues - retail or corporate Showcase your product.
Undoubtedly catalogues are still one of the most effective methods of selling in the retail environment. Tried and tested, they keep you in the front of your customer’s mind - they are excellent at getting feet in the door, and ultimately boosting sales. Given that it is such a significant tool in the sales process, it is important that it is given due consideration and attention. With over 20 years experience in catalogue design we know what works for your audience. Importantly, we also know what works for you. Thought is given to product choice and placement, cross-selling, page results and we always design for economy.
Questions you may ask
- 1. I don't know where to start, can you help me?
Yes! We can assist with any part of the process, or all of it. We can help write and confirm the design brief, plan your catalogue and advice on which products to include.
- 2. We already produce catalogues but we aren't sure that we are maximizing results from it. Can you take a look?
Getting the right mix of product selection, catalogue dimensions and print quantity is a good start in determining the ‘ideal’ page number. Then we break down the photography style from eg lifestyle versus contoured shots and of course design time.
- 3. We require assistance with particular element of our catalogue production, e.g. copywriting. Can you support us with this?
Yes! Actually, we are often called upon by other design agencies to write their copy for their catalogue production, or to assist with other parts of the process. We are happy to contribute to the process with any of the services listed above.
Services
- Catalogue planning
- Product selection
- Design
- Photography
- Copy writing
- Contouring & retouching
- Pre-media to print
- Print management
- Distribution management
- Catalogue to online
- Catalogue to point of sale
- 1. I don't know where to start, can you help me?
- Copywriting Your message, in written form.
Good copywriting will tell your customer about how you will meet their need in a succinct and convincing way. It’s not a high-falutin’ pontification on why you are the best. This is a craft, transcribing your proposition to your customer, successfully creating desire in them. This skill is embraced by our clients for a range of communications - from advertising and marketing through to report and proposal writing. We work with you to craft words into a clear and compelling message.
Questions you may ask
- 1. If you do the design can I write my own copy?
Sure! We are also happy to guide you and to edit along the way. Most importantly the design and the copy should come together to produce the results you desire.
- 2. I struggle to find the right words to communicate our sales message, can you assist?
Yes! Interestingly, those who are closest to their business often struggle to find the right words. Too often they find themselves swamped in the detail and they forget about the benefits - in the mind of the customer. We can help you craft that clear-sighted message.
- 3. I don't know where to begin, how do we do this?
The first step - we will listen to your sales-pitch. How do you sell your service or product face-to-face to your customers. We will explore the types of questions they ask and the objections you often face. That’s it - your job is done. Leave the rest to us.
Services
- Advertisements
- Annual reports
- Catalogue/Brochure copy
- Conference and event materials
- Corporate strategy, mission, goals
- Presentations and proposals
- Sales and marketing collateral
- Web content
- 1. If you do the design can I write my own copy?
- Websites design It's more than a glorified ad.
The webspace has moved so quickly in the last decade that cyberspace is infinite. How can your website stand out from the rest within your industry? Webspace development has been ad hoc, limited by technology and expense. Most sites have been constructed by IT technicians, not marketers and designers. Our aim is to design websites for the consumer - not for the client. Websites that sell on your behalf and keep your business ahead of your competition.
Questions you may ask
- 1. I have noticed advertising for super-cheap websites. What is the catch?
Many of our current clients have been ‘caught out’ by this. They thought they were getting a bargain however when it came to making any changes, having a page added or a line of text - they were charged, charged, charged. They ended up spending a lot for a poor site and not getting any value for money.
- 2. There are several web-design companies, why should I work with The Big Grin?
Our clients tell us that we are a pleasure to work with, because we do it all. We understand that you have your full-time job and putting time into a website - which is not a core skill - can be extremely time consuming and full of stop-start hurdles. We tend to do the bulk of all of the work for clients so that all you need to do is proof-read, edit and approve.
- 3. The last time I had my website developed, it cost me a fortune. What can I expect now?
Technologies have improved making the design and development of the website much easier. This translates into serious cost reductions and having your website up and running has never been quicker. A good case in point is our client ww.predictivehire.com - we wrote the copy, created the wireframes, completed the graphic design, completed the HTML design and had it developed all within a two-week timeframe ... from scratch, with no templates!
Services
- Web presence planning
- Website wireframes
- Website design
- Responsive website design
- Website builds (PHP and ASP.Net)
- User interface design and review
- User experience design and review
- 1. I have noticed advertising for super-cheap websites. What is the catch?
- Photography and Image Retouching The difference is the "X' factor.
A picture speaks a thousand words. Professional photography can make a massive difference to the ‘appeal of a product’. When considering elements of lighting, colour, styling and propping, choosing to undertake this yourself may result in a substandard finish and the wrong impression. Whether FMCG, retail, fashion, or corporate industries, professionally shot imagery works hand in hand with your sell.
Questions you may ask
- 1. I have a good camera, can’t I take my own photos?
Well, think of it this way, just because you have a car doesn’t make you a mechanic. What makes a professional photographer, professional is their technical and creative knowledge. For example they understand how to make ‘natural warm light’ appear within a studio with no windows! They have foresight, knowing how to achieve the impossible by merging 4 photos to create the illusion of one. Photographers and designers work hand in hand to make you look great.
- 2. What if I can’t afford a photographer?
That’s no problem. You have to start somewhere and you know what, sometimes the project may not warrant an orginal photo. We have a bank of stock photographs that can be purchased that can serve you well. With some manipulation you can even turn them into something more original.
- 3. Will your photographers be able to achieve what I want?
We have no doubt. Our photographers are part of a group called Dimensions Studios. They shoot for a wide range of industries and the spectrum of business sizes. From corporate to retail, from fashion to homewares, with live models from humans to animals! We can build a set or retouch an environment around your product.
Services
- Photography
- Image retouching
- Art direction
- Product styling
- Set building
- Hair and make-up
- Image asset management
- 1. I have a good camera, can’t I take my own photos?
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Need some help with planning your marketing? It’s really easy to get overwhelmed with what other businesses are doing. The firststep in any marketing plan is identifying your business strategy. We can help.
