The Basics of Savvy Design: Colors

When we think of visuals, one of the first few things that might come to mind is color. The average person is bombarded daily with colors, both online and offline. The pictures on our social media apps, the signs we see on the streets, ads, and products–almost everything is bursting with color. We see them in various combinations and shades. The world as we know it wouldn’t be the same without color. The same goes for the products and brands we consume–I’m pretty sure you can name a few brands off the top of your head that are iconic for their use of color.

As an upcoming entrepreneur with completely no knowledge of design, you might find yourself lost or confused as to how exactly colors play into marketing your brand. Choosing the right colors not only captures the attention of your target market, it can also help in making your brand recognizable and memorable. Think of McDonald’s–the vibrant red background and yellow arches are embedded in the minds of consumers all over the world. The right color scheme makes your brand look consistent and aesthetic. Switching colors out of the blue or choosing whatever picks your fancy at different moments in time will only make for chaotic design and confuse potential customers about what your brand is and what it’s meant to do.

Additionally, mishmashing colors or picking them haphazardly can shadow the purpose of your product or business. Colors have meaning, which means you also have to choose them based on the values and purpose of your brand. For example, red is associated with passion or energy, yellow is for happiness, purple is for luxury, and so on. Imagine offering a product or service that’s meant to help people relax but your branding is splashed with loud, obnoxious shades of red and yellow. Your market would be very confused!

Colors are also more technical than you might think. Designers spend years in school or training just to master them. We’re not asking you to pass a course or get a new degree. What we mean to say is that hiring the right designer can be a meaningful investment for your business. They can help you through your colors and make them work to your advantage. If all this talk of colors is still overwhelming and you’re not sure where to start, contact Design Savvy! We can assist you in all things related to design. A quick skim of our portfolio will give you a glimpse of the years of experience and results we’ve delivered to our clients. We would love to help you get your brand design started. Connect with us today!

January 22, 2024

Why Product Packaging Matters

You have a fabulous product that you’re ready to put on the shelves, but you don’t know where to start with branding it. When you go ahead and search where to start on branding, you find yourself faced with a bunch of design lingo. You’re told that you need a logo for the savvy product you’ve created, a color palette that compliments the brand’s tone, and you need to decide what packaging will work best for your product. Is it a bag, paper-based packaging, or more high end material like wood, glass or metal? Not to mention, what does your competition look like? How will you stand out from your competitors?

First impressions matter a lot, and this applies to business as well. The average customer’s attention will be captured by the packaging of your product–whether it will hold their attention is the challenge. If it even captures their attention in the first place, that is. This is where product packaging comes into play. The colors, the logo, the fonts, and other visual elements and how they all blend together can determine whether you make a sale or not. Fumbling the design aspect can even lead to backlash or worse: no attention at all! You need an experienced, skilled creative who can conceptualize all of these important factors and come up with the best outcome for you so your product is set up for success and many sales.

If you’re still not sure where to start, contact Design Savvy! We can assist you in all things related to design. A quick skim of our portfolio will give you a glimpse of the years of experience and results we’ve delivered to our clients. We would love to help you with this exciting creative process. Connect with us today!

January 16, 2024

Restaurant Visual Branding for Beginners

So you dream of opening your own restaurant. You have the menu worked out, as well as the name and general vibes you’re going for. You’re stuck on just one more thing: what will the entire thing look like? You might be wondering ‘What’s the logo going to look like?’, ‘What’s the color scheme going to look like?’, and all these other “What’s” that are knuckling around inside your head. Here are a few tips on how you can get started on conceptualizing what your restaurant’s visual identity should be.

Design your logo and signage

Your logo and signage are crucial because they’re the first two things your potential customers will notice. Hire a skilled designer so you can craft a unique logo that encapsulates the ambiance and identity of your restaurant. Don’t just take a stock picture from somewhere and call it a day. Study your competition, and get inspiration from established restaurants that are recognizable by the sight of their logo alone.

Pick your colors

The colors on your menus, ads, and other marketing materials should be consistent with the overall branding of your restaurant. They should also complement each other and not be a mish-mash of colors, each hue screaming for attention – rather than offering a cohesive visual message.

Layout your marketing materials

The graphics can and will say a lot about your restaurant. In fact, when you’re just starting out, you’ll be relying on visual materials to spread the word and get people to try your restaurant out. Lay out your visual elements properly and design it in accordance with the color scheme you’ve decided on. If you have a creative bone in you, you could do it yourself–pictures on social media, flyers, short videos, and the like. If not, it’s best to hire an experienced designer who can do the job thoroughly and professionally.

If you’re still not sure where to start, Design Savvy can assist you in all things related to design. From the logo, to the menu design, to signage, and advertising, we can assist you with crafting the best visual branding for your restaurant. A quick skim of our portfolio will give you a glimpse of the years of experience and results we’ve delivered to our clients. Connect with us today!

January 9, 2024

How to Transform Your Product’s Brand Design

Your item may have been on the shelves for years, but it’s not selling as well as it did long ago. When this slump happens, it’s time to take stock of what’s exactly happening that’s slowing down your sales. While some issues may be internal, sometimes it can be external. To be specific, in a sea of competitors, your product’s look simply does not catch the average shopper’s eye. If you’ve come to read this blog, you might have realized that your brand needs some much needed changes. You’ve realized that consistency is important, but so is change. Adapting a positive attitude to change will ensure that your brand doesn’t stay stagnant and will evolve even as trends come and go. Luckily, we’re here to help you with just that.

What’s not working?

Research, research, and more research! At this crucial time, it’s necessary for you to take stock of your visual assets. Examine your current designs. Consult an expert to assist you in spotting what’s not working and what could be better. Reach out to your customers and ask them what they think about your brand’s visuals. Take note of all the details, gearing your efforts towards making a plan on how to revamp your brand’s design.

Be cohesive in your changes

Don’t go about making changes in one area while neglecting the others. Doing so will only cause confusion among customers and make the business look disorganized. If you’re uncertain about what a cohesive design means or where to start, it’s always best to reach out to a design expert.

Reevaluate

Once you test the waters by rolling out your new designs, evaluate customers’ reactions. Take note again of the things that worked and what can be improved. Consult with your designer. Continue to work steadily towards making your business innovative and visually appealing.

An example of effective design transformation (Left: old design, Right: new design)

If you’re still not sure where to start, Design Savvy can assist you in all things related to design. A quick skim of our portfolio will give you a glimpse of the years of experience and results we’ve delivered to our clients. Connect with us today!

January 2, 2024

In With the New You: Basic Tips on Visual Rebranding for Your Business

Design Savvy wishes you a stylish new year!

The new year brings with it a new beginning. You have your own potential to commit to new resolutions, and so does your business. In the same way that there’s meaning to the changes you want to make, so should there be meaning to the changes you might want to make to the visual brand of your business. Here are a few basic tips on how to visually rebrand your business.

Know the risks of rebranding

Rebranding can come with some risks. These include inducing confusion among old customers, upsetting the coherence of the brand, and in some extreme cases, inciting backlash from the general public. Sounds scary? All these risks can be avoided with thorough research and consultation with design and marketing experts. Familiarize yourself with the core values of your brand. Balance logic with creativity in addressing any problems you may observe in your current visual branding.

Know your customers

Making changes doesn’t have to mean alienating your loyal customers. Know your audience and what their new needs are. Do your market research. Figure out how to meet their growing expectations while staying true to the identity of your brand.

Keep it versatile

Ensure that the design changes you’ll make will look consistent on various marketing and visual materials you’ll produce for your business. This goes for visual elements, colors, fonts, and other graphics.

Make new ads

Roll out your rebranding with a fresh set of ads that feature your brand’s new look. Let the people know you’re relaunching. Create a visual style guide aligned with your brand’s new design to ensure consistency among all your promotional materials.

Revamp your logo

The most common way most brands rebrand is through their logos. However, it can also be the trickiest part of visual rebranding. Avoid making drastic changes that might confuse your customers. Keep the core identity of your brand intact. On the other hand, making simple but well-placed changes can further establish your brand’s new era and make customers anticipate what you have in store for them.