Good branding will work for you. Think of it like an extra team member, getting you sales, reassuring your customers and educating your audience and encouraging potential leads. It will assist you, however only if you are using it properly. When used well, it helps align you with your audience and brings ease, clarity and […]

Are you looking for some fun ways to make your logo shine? Here are some of my all-time favourites, produced either by me or my clever clients, from the simple and affordable to the likely not seen before.

I hear it all the time… “yeah, I think my website is fine.” Hmmm, are you really so sure? When I hear someone say their website is “fine” it’s time to cue the big question marks. The bottom line is that if you use the word “fine” (rather than “great”!) it likely needs a bit […]

Why, you ask, is a branding designer advising anyone to DIY? Because I get it. Starting a business is hard. I know, I’ve done it! Not everyone is in a position to afford a professional hand-crafted logo strategically designed for their brand, particularly if you are a brand new business. While I strongly believe that branding is one of the best investments a business can make (I have yet to see it NOT pay back many many times over), aaaaaand yes, you are better to do it from the start, you may not be ready to take the leap. If you are just playing around with business ideas, or unsure of which path your new business might take, you may be better waiting to make that investment. If you need a logo or bit of branding to tide you over until that time, I’d like to share a few tips that can make your logo creation process as good as possible.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I would LOVE to be your designer, but I want you to find the right designer (trust me, your designer does too!). I’d really like to help with that! Finding the right designer for can sound intimidating, particularly for big jobs and branding. (I’ve known clients who’ve sat on this decision for years!) Regardless of which designer you choose, I encourage you to decide on a someone with whom you are comfortable, in whose abilities you are confident and whose style you really resonate with.

Whether you are planning on hiring me, another professional designer, or even tackling your logo yourself, here are a few key points that every successful logo must have. Your logo needs to tick all these boxes: ✔️ It must be simple, uncluttered and easy to understand. Your logo is not the time to include all of your business offerings. (Your other brand touchpoints are for that). ✔️ Your logo needs to be easily identifiable and understandable in a singular moment. It must be aligned to your customers, industry, and business vision. A logo needs to – first and foremost – reach your customers. We try to focus on those amazing, perfect potential customers and clients and design for them. It should also reflect the culture, vision and mission of your business.

20 years ago, I made my first 9-step commute to my home office. It was a spare bedroom at my house in the suburbs of San Francisco. It’s fair to say I’ve done this work-from-home thing for awhile now. I’ve adapted my ways and found a few tricks and tips that work well for me. I’ve been asked quite a bit lately how I do it, so here goes. (Also, In case you’re wondering, yes, I did write this in the height of the first hints of Covid craziness in 2020. That said, first I’ll explain that in “normal” life, I do not do it with a four-year old screaming “Mummy, watch this one!!” as she spectacularly dives off the bedhead to the mattress for the seventieth time in a row since 7am while I try to thoughtfully compose an email in the makeshift desk in the spare bedroom. )