From The Desk Of Pamela J. Bates

Northbound Knitting Branding

I've been banging away at a ton of branding design for the last year working with clients as varied as a wine consultants, skin spas, a children's boutique and everything in between. I've been quite remiss in sharing some of this work with you and thought it was high time I at least began to catch you up on that front.

When I was approached by Lisa Mutch of Northbound Knitting to design a new logo and collateral to better reflect her brand, I was excited as soon as I took a look at her shop. It's gorgeous, and so are her products. Northbound Knitting has a modern, clean aesthetic; is really well put together, and has grown into quite a success. In fact when Lisa launches her new dyed yarn batches from her studio in Barre, Ontario, Canada, they often sell out in a matter of hours if they last that long. Due to this fact, many of her customers pre-order her hand dyed yarns. Her yarns are stunning and have deep color quality to them, thanks to the color-fast acid dyes she uses. Lisa also has a booming business in great part to her knitting patterns, many featuring simple geometric lines.

We took inspiration from all of that, as well as her market and where she envisions her business going as it continues to grow.

I created two initial design concepts.  The initial design Lisa chose to move forward with, was a play on her business initials- NBK, an abbreviated version of her business name which is how Lisa and a majority of her clients refer to her business.

This is how it began.

The simple, clean, straight forward lines of this logo really appeal to me.

There were only minor revisions needed for us to get to the final logo, which is one of my favorites that I've designed so far.

 

 Here's the final branding board for NBK.

It was a pleasure to work with Lisa who was an excellent communicator about her business, her needs, and her desires, right from the get go.

Lisa began incorporating her new logo and collateral into her Northbound Knitting marketing right away, from a new shop header to new business cards and hang tags for her products, as well as social media pages. 

When I get a response like this from a client, I know I've done something right.

"I'm so excited!! Your work is amazing, I can't wait to slap this logo all over!! I will also be having it tattooed on my forearm, hahaha!"

I don't think Lisa's gotten the tattoo yet, but you get the picture.

What have you been working on lately?

Make it a great day, it's a great day to have.

Ciao for now,

Packaging: The Handmade Touch

What Set's You Apart?

Hi all.

Let me ask you something. When you receive a gift ( no matter how small), and the giver of said gift has taken the time to package it special in some way, does it mean more?

Does it make it more memorable?

If you're small business owner, do you think how you package your products (or services) makes a difference?

Do you think of your packaging as part of your branding?

Consider this.

Several weeks ago I ordered a sweet little pin set I'd been coveting from Marieken's shop, always wear your invisible crown. A sailor man, an anchor and a mustache, as well as Frida Kahlo. 

Well, lo and behold it arrived from the Netherlands and it was all I wanted and more.  Marieken took care to make her product (and my little gift to myself) even more special by packaging it all in a thoughtful way, with lots of touches that added up to big impact.

It was like receiving my gift to myself and lots of extra gifts on top of it.

It came wrapped in sailor man paper and included: my brooches packaged in small glassine envelopes, two Dutch magazine clippings, some bakers twine and washi tape touches, pretty Dutch stamps on the outside of the package, a card that speaks my language (cheese), and a lovely little handwritten note.

The sweetness abounds.

So, wonder...as I work on tweaking and finalizing my re-branding for myself, work on branding for my clients, package prints to send to customers........is my packing saying all I want it to? Am I making the most of these opportunities to make a good impression? To add extra impact? And are you?


I hope you're having a fabulous Tuesday, the oft-forgotten day. The day that comes after the dreaded Monday. Before the half-way to the weekend Wednesday and the all important we're nearly there Thursday. Followed closely by Thank God it's Friday and of course the 'everybody's working for the weekend'. Tuesday can get overlooked.

I'll take my Tuesday with awesome sauce today, please.

Ciao for now,

PS- I could start a fire today it's so damn chilly and probably will by the end of the day. What is with that?

From The Desk Of Pamela J. Bates: How A Logo Is Created Part II

Revisions: Part of The Process

 

Hi guys! On Tuesday I shared with you my process in designing an effective logo for my clients. I left off at the stage of the initial design presentation to my client.  

Perhaps I should have given you a little more background, so let me backtrack a moment.

Helios is a natural, artisan skincare company that creates its products in very small, customized batches.  Helios was chosen as the name for the business because it is the name of the Greek sun god, and the natural ingredients used in Helios' skincare line would be nothing without the sun to help them grow.  Helios, the sun god, was said have worn a crown of sun rays and rode a golden chariot to Mount Olympus bringing the dawn of each day. 

Here are the two initial logo design branding boards I showed you on Tuesday.................

and the cliffhanger I left you with............which design did the client decide to move forward with?

drum roll please............

the design on the left.

However, it needed tweaking. The H and sun ray lines in the middle just weren't quite what my client Jamie was looking for, but she felt it needed something. So, we moved into revisions, which are more often than not, part of the logo design process.

It requires more communication between client and designer. It requires more clear communication regarding the direction a client wants to move in and more listening on the designer end as well as advising. Then, then it requires more design work..........tweaking the design, making changes, taking away elements, adding elements and so forth.

Here's the revised logo I presented to my client.

BUT, still..................it wasn't quite right for her. That is why revisions are part of the process and you have to trust in the process to get to the final logo.  My client thought perhaps it shouldn't have anything in the middle, but after trying it that way, I felt that it did need to have some design element in the middle and communicated that to her as I worked on second round revisions.

I went back and read more about Helios and how, as night fell Helios would hide himself in a golden cup and his wife Selene, the goddess of the moon, departed for her own, nightly journey.

Ah, now I was onto something. I did more designing and eventually presented my client with this:

Success!

Working through the process with my client, we reached the final logo that had her saying, "You killed it! It's beautiful and I absolutely love the moon and the star in the centre. It's a beauty and I can't believe I have a logo!"

I'm sure at this point you get the idea, but it is worth repeating. Logo design is a give and take process between client and designer. It requires excellent communication and patience.  Even though clients are usually quite excited about having a logo designed for their business, you have to keep in mind that on the client end you are reviewing designs, while on the designer end there is a lot of research, brainstorming ideas, roughing out designs, streamlining designs, presenting, more communication between parties, revisions rounds, changes....well, you get the picture.Creating your new identity is not something you want to rush, it's too important.

I ask my clients to trust in the process. If each party communicates and listens throughout, eventually you reach the logo design that feels right 'in their gut'.

It's my hope that this post, combined with the first part, gives all of you business owners out there insight into this design process and how you might approach it with a designer so that you are both able to work together in a positive, fruitful way that results in a logo that is representative of your business and effectively speaks to your market.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

And of course, if you're are in need of a logo or a rebranding for your business, please visit my shop. I love what I do!


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In other news....................it's snowing again.  Getting quite heavy and we're expected to get upwards of another 12 inches.  I'm not surprised after last night's sunset.
 

It was so pretty, I had to pull over at the next door neighbors for another shot as I headed out to bookclub/champagne ladies.


What a crazy Winter...........it's throwing all it's got at us.  That snow pile in the first picture, will be getting much larger over night.

See you on the flip side.

Ciao for now,

From the Desk of & Freeform Friday

In The Studio

Hey ya'll. OK. I'm not from the South, but I just have to give ya'll a shout out once in awhile despite that my feet are firmly planted in New Hampshire.

How has your week been? Mine has been hectic.  It seems to be the modus operandi of the last few months and as mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm trying to learn ways of getting a better handle on things.

That said, I'd sure rather it hectic than not. Not would be so utterly boring.

In between the custom branding design projects I'm working on, I'm trying to squeeze in a little time to create premade designs.  Took the dog for a walk this morning after my tea, came back, sat down at the desk and did just that.

Whoops............before I show you, remember the one I showed you on Monday?  It sold withing 24 hours. Hell to the yeah. I love that.  Customized for my customer and off to Wales it went via email.  Easy peasy.  And can I get an amen on awesome feedback? "It really is so perfect, I'm very happy to have found it.  Many thanks. I love it (I think I mentioned that already)". You are more than welcome Sharon.

OK, next up........the latest premade logo design (customizable with business name) in the shop!

 

 Oh my. I'm in love. Is that ok?  (trust me, it doesn't happen often since I'm your typical creative. Remember? I'm my own worst critic ).

The great thing about premade logo designs are they are affordable even on the tightest budgets and allow small business owners an option for branding their business professionally.

I've been working hard on custom designs for clients this week and they have covered the full spectrum business and design wise. This always makes for interesting work.

I'll be pulling together some branding boards for one of my clients today so I can send her the initial logo designs for her business.  Always exciting.

I'll be quite happy if I am able to complete that and check it off the list. 

Freeform Friday

It's Friday and in my book, that's always cause for celebration. It's not that I don't like the rest of the week, but I love knowing I don't have to get up in the morning for anything. I'm not what you would describe as a morning person. I'm a night owl. It's when I'm at my best. And after Friday, comes Friday night when you know I like to have a little craic (no, not that crack! Jeeze people). Craic, the Irish kind-- a mighty fine time with perhaps music and most definitely fun.  So let's get started early.   I'm sure I've shared this before, but it gets me going and puts a smile on my face.  Get up out of that chair and let me see you shake your tail feather like I know you can.  Trust me, I am. Click here if you're reading via email.

This weekend will be a mix of both business and pleasure. I'm going to work on some designs over the weekend, but I am also going to enjoy some much needed downtime. I might throw some organizing into the mix, like putting the rest of my holiday decorations up into the attic. These are the things that fall by the wayside when the studio is busy, busy.  Other than that, the weekend's a blank slate.

What's happening in your corner of the world?

Ciao for now,

A Summer Reminder & From The Desk of Pamela J. Bates

Time

There is never enough. At least in my humble opinion. There's never enough to get done what needs to be done. Not enough to do all we want to do or try all we want to try or go where we want to go or see who we want to see. Not even close to enough to enjoy all the good moments and just relish in them. It's always rushing by and gone before you realize you missed something altogether.

So a gentle reminder in the midst of summer.

Work At Hand

I'm in the midst of several logo/branding projects. I've been working with small business people for 19 years and I truly enjoy helping them create a presence for their business so they can grow. 

Sometimes, when I'm in the midst of a design project I need a break just to clear my head. So I can see things from a fresh perspective. Sometimes I take a walk out back and see what is bloom (check) and sometimes I design something completely different from what I'm working on (check).

To that end, I've added a couple more premade logo designs to the shop. Premade logos are a budget friendly option that is customized with a businesses name. Now, I would much rather work with a client one on one, getting to know about them and their business and where they see it going in the future. Creating a logo that is designed just for them, and really speaks to who they and their business are, is very rewarding.  However, for those entrepreneurs who still want a professionally designed logo but have budget constraints, premade logos are a great route to go.

Now in the shop, premade logos with a little geometry and a nod to Shark Week.

available via Bates Mercantile Co.

 

also available via Bates Mercantile Co.

The sun is shining again here today. It's just been glorious this past week. I admit, some days have had a fallish feel, but they've been sunny, dry and bright.  We enjoyed sitting in the back yard at the end of the day yesterday talking to the neighbors. Today is a bit hotter and I will most definitely be in the pool........yes, the same pool I just saved two cicadas from (eeeewww.....more because I didn't want them in my pool).  

Luckily, the smell of the 'moo juice' the farmer spread this weekend is finally disipating. Now, I usually kind of like the smell of cow manure when it's spread (I know, I'm weird), but this new liquid manure (yes, liquid) has been pretty overwhelming. Obviously, it's more concentrated. Ugh.  They litterally came with about 10 tanker truck loads of the stuff which shot out the back, and sprayed the field over and over again this weekend. 

Yup, it was so nice working the garden weeding for the first time all summer. Hear the sarcasm? 

{The above comments do not in any way detract from my ode to farmers post of last week. It's just that the 'fertilizer' was really, really, really smelly. Thank you for your attention to this matter. That is all.}

Cow poop or not, the day is too beautiful not to enjoy! And I am very grateful that it's not as smelling quite as strong or bad. Much to be happy about.

Ciao for now,

From The Desk Of Pamela J. Bates

Part of The Process

One of the things I am currently working on is a logo design for lovely woman, Markana Jordan, who is launching her own event planning and consulting business.  She has taste, she has style, peppered with a little sass and humor. Now the trick is pulling that all together in her logo.

I've presented Markana with her first initial designs, we've talked and gone over what she likes, what she doesn't like. This is an important step in the process. It is not often that designers, myself included, get things perfect on the first go. It's more of a dance bewteen designer and client, or even a blind date leads to a second date where we get to know each other a little better.

Here's some of the inspiration, starting with her signature. Our concern there, is that her name is unusual and must be legible because it will be the focus of her business branding.

Sources: Saloon logo by Oat Creative, linen napkins via Washington Post; all other images Bates Mercantile Co.

The first round of design included the bottom logo that made us of the M & J from Markana's first and last names.  We both like the initials but the rest is perhaps a bit too 'stiff' for Markana's personality.

So the process continues and the logo evolves, moving us toward the logo that will say everything she wants it to say about her and her business.

Have I told you lately that I love my job?

I also have to run off and ship prints to various places today. Knowing my artwork will hang in someone's space somewhere else in the world, also makes me happy.

What are you working on today? Is it making you happy?

Ciao for now,

From The Desk Of Pamela J. Bates

Logo Design: Dalton Lane Portrait Co.

I've had the pleasure of working with some really wonderful people lately, a good majority of them young women business owners.  I just love that.

One of them in particular is Jessica of Dalton Lane Portrait Co.

You'd never guess it by looking at her work, but Jessica just picked up a camera three years ago! Say what?

Her husband was deployed in Iraq and she was home with their two little ones. When she got the news that her husband Jessi would be part of the biggest troop movement in history, from Iraq to Afghanastan, Jessica was watching the news every night trying to get a glimpse of him. She thought, if one picture could mean this much to me, a photograph must mean the same to others.

Jessica found me via our etsy shop, Bates Mercantile Co., and I'm so glad she did. She'd already tried a multitude of logos, but was striking out. None were truly what she wanted them to say about her business or where she wanted her business to go. She wanted a mix of Classic Americana, with a hint of Irish in the form of a shamrock, since her studio loft/home is located on N. Irish Street.

It doesn't happen often, but she loved one of the first initial drafts I presented to her. She honestly couldn't believe it. Neither could her husband. Jessica told me she'd been through too many logos to even count and was just beside herself that I was able to design something that really spoke to her on the first go round. 

The only thing we really changed other minor tweaking, was the color. She'd been thinking about navy and red, but had just finished painting the studio organic gray and wanted it all to be cohesive.

This is where we ended up.

When I get messages like this from my clients - " I LOVE it. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it." - it sure does make my day.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job and working with people like Jessica.

I am currently finalizing a logo for another young business owner in Indiana.  Lo and behold, it's another design that worked out on the first go round.  I'll be sharing that with you soon.

Beyond that, there is a mad gang of neighboorhoodlum marauders in the pool out back.  Neighbors Sandee and Gerry just jumped in with their grandchildren. Glad somebody is swimming around in this heat!

What's happening in your world?

Have a fantastic day.

Ciao for now,

From The Desk Of: Pamela J. Bates

Skin Remedy

I told you a little bit about this project before.  My client, Justine, is a trained esthetician and owns what I'd call a 'skin spa' Skin Remedy. She was in need of a new logo and branding.

Justine is a peach to work with- just one of the sweetest gals.

If I lived in San Francisco, I would have made an appointment with Justine long ago. If you live in San Francisco, you should make an appointment with Justine.

At Skin Remedy you'll be treated to wonderful treatments for your skin.  Justine also creates artisanal skin care products for her customers. The new logo needed to be incorporated into the labeling on her products (as well as a bunch of other stuff the FDA requires). 

The challenge of creating Justine's product labels was the fact that there are several products in her line, all different sizes. Then throw the FDA into the mix and then you have to do math because FDA regulations require certain information to be a certain size based on label size. But it's not just a percentage. They make it trickier than that. We had to use geometric equations. I kid you not.

Once I got that all figured out, Justine and I were on the same page design wise, so the rest was easy.

We're both love the way they all turned out.  The pictures above are my own test run.

Justine has not only undergone a branding transformation, she moved Skin Remedy to a new space that she worked hard to make her own.

It's gorgeous.

Here's Justine (on the left), and fellow esthetician Katie (on the right) in their new digs.

 

This is Justine's new hand painted wood sign with the new logo.

 

 

Here's the new Skin Remedy space..............swoon. GORGeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And.......now that I get to see the label on the actual product, I love it even more.

 

(above pictures via Skin Remedy)

 

Working on the Skin Remedy logo re-design and package labeling project has been utterly enjoyable. You couldn't find a nicer gal to take care of all your skin care needs. If you're in the San Francisco area, or are planning a visit, you'll find Skin Remedy now located at 3638 Sacramento Street • San Francisco, CA • 94118.

 

 

 

It's a bit cooler today. It's been roasting and humid. Had some more storminess last night. More to come today as well, at least that's what they're predicting. Hopefully they don't interrupt pool time later.

 

Make it a great day. It's a great day to have.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter: Part II

We Have a Winner

If you read the Muse yesterday, you know that I've been working on a new logo design with the lovely Justine from Skin Remedy in San Franciso.  And if you didn't read yesterday, you know too.

When you enter into a collaboration for a logo design, know that it is a process that is guided by communcation between the business owner and the designer. In this case, me and Justine.

We emailed, I interviewed her, we shared Pinterest boards (which I have to say was quite helpful in getting a better feel for her style and how she wanted her business identity to represent her business), we shared links, we talked on the phone and we let the process unfold through initial designs,  drafts, revisions and finalization.

The last round of revisions included this design, which was a combination and evolotion of previous drafts and Justine's feedback and includes a more illustrative version of the lavender she uses in her work. If you haven't seen the previous designs that brought us to this point, look here.

One more tweak. "Can we try it on a taupe background? And possibly on burlap?" said Justine. "Sure," I say, "but how about on linen?"

Drum roll please..........lo and behold, we've reached the final desitination. A logo that the customer loves and feels truly represents her, her business and she wants her businses to be perceived. Clean and natural.

Here's a closer look.

 

One of the things that Justine wanted was to have a logo for Skin Remedy that could be broken down into smaller parts, hence the badge and the simplified logo.  The bar with the intials can also be used on it's own.

 

It's been a great working with someone who understands that design is process. Designers aren't mind readers after all. We need your input as to your likes and dislikes, not just 'Well, I'll know what I don't like when I see it."  We need as complete communication as you can give, so that we can get to the end result that will work for you. And also remember, there is trial and error and drafts and revisions to get to what works.

 

However, when I hear things like this:

 

"So Wow!!! It looks like you have just designed the most amazing logo ever.. I am Obsessed with your logo on the chalk board background!!!! Obsessed!!!!! I love it!!!!! Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication to designing the right logo for my business!

 

......and then after the final revision to taupe linen:

 

"Okay, so I love, love love the logo!"

 

....it sure makes me happy.  Thanks Justine, it's an aboslute pleasure working with you.

 

If you've been thinking about establishing a logo to brand your business, or redesigning your current logo to better reflect what you and your business are about, you can find some premade logos here and custom logo design here and here in the Bates Mercantile Co. shop. 

 

If you have any questions about logo design, general or specific, shoot.....I'll do my best to answer them.

 

 

Off I go.  We've moved on to packaging design for her bespoke skin care line and I'm also busy working on another logo design.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

Project: Logo Design & Branding

As you may know, one of the things I keep myself busy with is working with small business people on logo design and branding.  I was lucky enough to be contacted recently by a lovely gal in San Francisco, Justine, who had found me through my etsy shop, Bates Mercantile Co.  Justine owns Skin Remedy and is an esthetician. That means she knows how to take care of your skin, and the wonderful thing about Skin Remedy is that Justine works with organic and holistic botanicals to help her clients' skin look and feel as good as it can.  Can't you just picture yourself relaxing, having a sublime facial? Yes. I wish San Francisco was closer. I'd be over to Skin Remedy toot sweet, just for a little me time.

Justine felt that her current logo wasn't speaking to her style or how she wanted to project her business, although I thought it was a pretty nice logo. However, the important thing here is she didn't feel like it represented her and what she did.   The great thing about Justine, other than her being as sweet as all get out, is that she realized fully that this would be a process.....a back and forth communication process with multiple steps and revisions.

We emailed back and forth, and then we spoke on the phone so I could give her the 3rd degree. Honestly, I'm not kidding you. When I'm working on a design project with my clients, I am nosey, like Gladys on Bewitched. I need as much information as I can get to lay the foundation for what is to come.  What is to come? Research, ideas sketches (hand drawn and digital), initial designs, revisions and more revisions. It's all about getting to what really speaks to my clients and what will speak to their clients and potential clients. The heart of the matter.

As I said, it included initial drafts of potential designs.........

Then revisions.....take what the customer likes, do some tweaking to meld the two together, complete with a more illustrative look. This is all to get closer to the right logo. Note how I said 'closer'.

We're getting there, but not quite.......

.......................tomorrow, the final results. Cue cliffhanger sound effects.

Ciao for now,