Snow in July
Every now and then we have are lucky enough to bring on a new client who has a good idea of what they want, challenges us with interesting assignments, and is fun to work with. Hittle Snow is exatly that type of client. Erik, the Director of Operations came to us, hoping to refresh the look for their snow removal company. A division of a more well established, and well know company (Hittle Landscape) they were hoping to carve out a distinctive identity. Erik was open to new ideas, gave us timely and useful feedback, and pushed us gently through several rounds of revisions, till both he and we were satisfied.
The logo was only the first step in a comprehensive project which will include a redesign of their website and multiple directmail peices. The easy communication between Roundpeg and Hittle helped the design project flow smoothy, allowing us to begin working on the other elements of the project.
About the Design
Hittle Snow’s old logo had some interesting stylistic qualities, bu was a bit dated. Selecting the font was a challenge. Hittle Snow didn’t want to be too edgy, but at the same time, they also didn’t want a boring, typical serif/sans serif font. The font that we ended up using is a serif, but it’s very distinctive, sharp edges and subtle curves. We liked the H so much, we carried it into the logo.
We wanted to clearly communicate this was a snow removal company, and decided to add a snowflake symbol easily encapsulate who Hittle Snow was. Picking a snowflake was also a bit difficult. We all know that no two snowflakes are the same, and we sure learned that! By nature, snowflakes are complex shapes, but we still needed a design that could be printed on trucks, embroidered on shirts, and used in lots of different collateral. After consultations with printers and embroiderers, we wound up with a great snowflake that strikes a balance between complexity and simplicity.
The customer is so pleased with the design, we have also created several variations for their landscape division. Working on this project was a lot of fun. Hittle Snow is a wonderful client, and I think that in the end, we gave them a unique but classic brand.
Redesign for Recycling
One of the things I enjoy about my job is the chance to stretch my skills to achieve ideal results for my clients. Recently, I had another an opportunity to do just that, as I constructed a web site for Karle Enviro Organic Recycling, an industry leader in bio solids management.
The majority of our clients are comprised of companies offering consumer products and business services. As an industrial company, Karle Enviro presented some interesting challenges. We couldn’t fall back on the same sources for stock photography since IStock doesn’t have a wide assortment of images of industrial waste so Taylor stepped up to the challenge by building attractive banners which brought a bit of life to each page.
Karle Enviro has locations in both Indiana and Florida. While they are part of the same parent, the two units operate independently, with slightly different service offerings. They wanted to be able to benefit from a single primary domain to improve their search visibility, while still presenting distinct faces to their clients. Our solution was to create essentially three sites in one. The primary URL drives visitors to a landing page with a brief overview of the company and two large buttons driving visitors to either the Indiana or Florida sub domain. All three sites have a similar look and feel as visitors move seamlessly from one to the other. However the banners have been modified to feature local phone numbers and contact information.
Beyond the look of any site, are the words. Karle Enviro’s work requires such a high-level of expertise and we needed to support that image with intelligent, factual copy. Luckily, the client was patient as we worked together to formulate strong, engaging copy. I was lucky to have Allison around in this regard.
Karle Enviro is proud of their new robust, functional site, and so are we. This project gave me the opportunity the think in new ways and discover new tricks in web design. I couldn’t be happier about that (or my newly-acquired organic recycling knowledge).
To see the new site, simply visit the Karle Enviro Main Page.
Collaborating Creates Delicious Results
Earlier this year, I got some help from our readers as I worked on a logo design for My Doorstep Deliveries.
With your input we narrowed down the choices and came up with a logo our client truly loved.
Next we were asked to develop a brochure, owner Danielle could drop off with prospective clients which would give them a feel for the services she offered. The challenge was to develop a piece which would be appealing to her clients ( primarily seniors) and yet still convey the essence of her bubbly personality.
For some reason, I couldn’t find the right balance, and relied once again on creative input and collaboration, this time from Heather our graphic design intern. Working together, building off each other’s ideas, we have developed something our client loves.
I have really enjoyed having other designers on the team this summer, and I am glad Heather will be hanging around through the fall!
Business Card Makeover – The Final Winner!
The business card makeover contest has been a lot of fun. We have seen a number of cards which really needed a makeover. Along the way, we have been able to help several business owners.
This month, our intern Dan took the lead on the redesign. Here is what he had to say about the process.
Although it may be popular, a business card doesn’t need to be a bright color or have a flashy gradient to stand out.
Sometimes, just a strong images can really catch someone’s eyes and portray something about the business at the same time. I’m not endorsing the use of stock photos on business cards, but select graphics, used correctly, can add a nice touch.
While experimenting with the design, for this month’s winner Wire2U, I made a graphic of the AC plug (of which I was kind of proud). I liked it so much, I started looking at other cables to include. Each of the cables which appear on the card is was created from an actual cablet I found laying around my house or at the office.
These cables make the business card more noticeable and interesting, while appealing to people, such as myself, who live with cluttered rooms with countless confusing cables. As for the color scheme, I used yellow to attract attention, but added navy to keep a professional and trustworthy image. Be sure to ask the winner, Pat Seal, for his business card to see it in person the next time you run into him at a Rainmaker Event.
Unfortunately, there is some bad news in this post too. As much as we have enjoyed ridding the world of ugly business cards this will be the last business card makeover .
But, a good brand is constantly evolving, so stay tuned to here and on our facebook fanpage, because there are new things are just around the corner.
Pick the Winner for the June Business Card Makeover
As we continue our crusade to rid the world of ugly business cards–one card at a time, we are ready to pick and June winner. As you are considering which oneto vote for, let’s talk about professionalism. Your business card is a selling tool. Is it projecting an accurate image of who you are and what you do?
Take a minute and view your card through the eyes of a prospective client or more importantly a referral partner. Are they going to be comfortable passing on your card to their best client?
If you’re a lawyer, for instance, your card should probably not be using Comic Sans MS font (Actually, no one should be using it). But conversely, if you’re a wedding planner, you might want to shy away from the traditional, and extremely common Times New Roman.
Your branding is more than just the font selection. All the elements of your card including the colors, images ( please avoid any of the clip art available from Microsoft), the size and shape of the card, and the weight of the paper all contribute to the image your brand conveys.
Here’s the latest batch of cards vying for your votes. Pick the one you believe deserves this month’s free business card makeover!
Carpenters Rule and Door Step Deliveries
Over the last few months, we have had several great projects helping new business owners name their companies and the create graphics to support the brands.
Part of what made the projects so much fun was our experiments with crowd sourcing as we asked for input on the names and the designs.
With your help we have named two companies, a grocery delivery service for seniors: Doorstep Deliveries and a carpentry business: Carpenters Rule.
We even solicited a bit of input on the logos, so we thought you would enjoy seeing the final versions.
Straightening A Crooked Image
Many of the small businesses we work with, come to us with a “crooked image” . Just like patients visiting a chiropractor, they are walking around, conducting business, just not doing it well.
This was the case with Dr. Jeff Yoder, owner of Meridian Chiropractic Clinic. With a well established practice, his branding did not represent the professionalism of his practice.
He had a simple logo for his practice, which he used on business cards and letterhead. It was not, however, included in his website design, which featured only a generic spine image, that could have belonged to any doctor.
With a practice, serving primarily a professional community ( lawyers and accountants who spend too many hours sitting at their desks) we wanted to give him a fresh, distinctive look that would appeal to this audience.
Starting with new text treatment his company name presented some interesting challenges from a design standpoint. The long middle word made the stacking of the three words seem odd. The initials by themselves MCC looked too much like a local cafeteria.
We finally settled on a design which featured just the “M” in a distinctive font. The addition of a little yellow really brought a some life to the design. Once we finalized the logo, the banner came together very quickly. Then Allison took over an finished the design of the website.
A Tale of Two Websites
We recently had an interesting challenge: to design “sister sites” for two related but separate companies: Polaris Property Management and a blog for Polaris Real Estate. For Polaris Property Management, it was a redesign of their existing site, but the blog is meant to compliment danbaldini.com, the existing site for Polaris Real Estate.
At first glance, the pages don’t look so different. They share a similar simple style, and clean style, along with Taylor’s great banner artwork. However, the content and function of the sites are very different.
The Polaris Manage site is a more traditional site: its intent is to bring in customers. It’s also a way for potential customers to inquire about properties, or for tenants to file maintenance requests.
The blog, however, is a great way to establish credibility in all areas on the Polaris family of companies. By giving value to the web community, the Polaris team is establishing themselves as trustworthy experts when you’re selling your home and business.
This dual-site design was a challenge, sometimes confusing, but in the end, rewarding. We’re pleased with how it turned out, and hope that it brings the Polaris team much success.
May Business Card Makeover – Winner!
Business cards take a lot of abuse. They are shoved into pockets, purses, and business card cases, crumpled in sweaty palms, and otherwise mutilated. So ask yourself: is your card up to the abuse? Is it too big to fit in a standard card case? Or is it so small that it’ll easily got lost in the shuffle?
And I am making a desperate plea to everyone: Please, please, please do not use regular printer paper for your card. It makes us all a little embarrassed for you. Please pay the few dollars to get a sheet printed on cardstock at Kinkos. You’ll thank us in the long run.
We think the business card is so important, we created a Monthly Business Card Makeover Contest to build awareness of the differences between good and bad design. Here is the winner of the May Business Card Makeover.
I think Taylor has done a terrific job with the redesign. The final cards are being printed on 14 PT Cover Stock, with a UV Coating to make the color side pop. They will be strong enough to handle the abuse, attractive enough to be memorable, and functional, because you can write a note on the white side when Christian gives you one at a Rainmaker event.
Did you miss the May contest? Do you have an ugly business card or know someone who does? We will be running the contest again in June and July, so it is not too late to apply now. Simply fill out the form below and send us a copy of your business card!
Who Will Win the May Business Card Makeover?
In the course of our Business Card Makeover contest, we’ve found some business cards which were in serious need of a makeover. Most of the business cards we received were not hideous, but simply not functional.
Take a look at your business card. Can you read everything easily, or do you have to squint past ornate fonts and tiny sizes, or sort through cluttered lines of text ? Remember: the primary purpose of a business card is give your contact information. If your card makes it difficult to find that, you’re in trouble. Think of your business card like a tiny billboard. Can you read the informatoin zooming by at 60 miles an hour.
Help Us Select This Month’s Winner
Check out these examples of business cards in we have selected as finalists, by clicking the link to the right. Select the card you believe should receive a FREE makeover. Be sure to remember the number, return to this screen and enter the number in the form below.
Only votes submitted with a valid email will be counted. And if your card is one of the finalists, be sure to encourage your friends to come and vote!!
We will be accepting votes until Midnight on Sunday May, 23.
