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We all know that a good marketing firm can design a logo, flyers, websites, typography… but what are some other things a marketer can do for your business? Here at Mike Up North Design & Branding, I like to share with my clients some of the other services I can provide. Nowadays, anyone can throw together some basic graphics on a computer. But if you already work with and trust a designer, creating graphics on your own can be counter-productive. Not only am I probably faster at putting together graphics, I know how to make them work together beautifully to contribute to your business’ success. Here is a handful of things you can have me, your marketer, work on so that you can have the time to focus on your business. Social media campaigns“But I like posting on my company’s social media!” you might say. Professional social media campaigns and posting on your own don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you like using your socials, let your marketer know, and come up with a plan so that the things you and your marketer post compliment each other. If, on the other hand, you’re not a fan of running your own social media, that’s all the more reason to contract it out to a pro!
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Posted flyers
You might think, “do people really pay attention to flyers?” It might surprise you to hear that the answer is “yes!” The fact is, a well-designed flyer can turn heads, and if backed by a good marketing strategy, flyers can make a big impact. Despite the fact that we have become surrounded by screens, studies consistently show that people still tend to read more thoroughly when reading from a sheet of paper Flyers tend to work best in busy sidewalks with lots of foot traffic. They tend to be particularly effective if you are hosting an event or a grand opening.
Did you find something useful in this article? If so, let me know what it was, or send it to a friend! When you’re ready to kickstart your business, contact me to set up a consultation! [email protected]
Did you find something useful in this article? If so, let me know what it was, or send it to a friend! When you’re ready to kickstart your business, contact me to set up a consultation! [email protected]
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In 1971, then design student Carolyn Davidson famously designed the Nike Swoosh. Perhaps infamously, she was paid only $35 for the design. Even adjusting for inflation, that's only about $220 in 2018 dollars. No one knew at the time that the swoosh was to become arguably the most famous logo of the 20th century.
A logo doesn’t have to always be comprised of letters. In fact, the most successful logos tend not have any lettering at all. The Nike Swoosh is a perfect example.
A couple examples of critically acclaimed logos are Target and Nike, neither of which need any letters to refer to their brand.
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As I mentioned in last week's article, lettermarks and monograms are comprised of the initials of whatever they represent, where a pictorial logo simply symbolizes something, and may or may not use alphabetic characters. Some are abstract, like the swoosh, which is representative of the Greek goddess Nike. Other logos are based on a tangible object, like a target, a shell, or Lacoste's alligator.
And hey, don't worry about Davidson. Although she only made a student wage creating the original Nike logo, she got a call from the company a few years later to come visit the office. She was gifted 500 shares of Nike stock, a diamond ring bearing the famous Swoosh in gold, and "so many referrals!" according to Davidson herself.
At the time of writing, the going rate of about $94 per share, meaning Davidson's stock is worth $47000. Not bad for a 50-year-old design!
What kind of logos do you prefer? How would you feel about an alligator representing your clothing company? A seashell to represent your gas station chain? Whatever your preference, Michael at Mike Up North can create a brand that helps you accomplish your business dreams. Contact me, and let's have a no-obligation coffee meeting! [email protected].
Many of the logos we see on a daily basis are comprised only of stylized text.
So where does the term "monogram" come from? The “-gram” portion of the word comes from the Greek gramma, which refers to anything written by hand, whether that happened to be lines, shapes, or letters. “Mono-” comes from the Greek monos, which, of course, means “single” or “alone.”
Because of this etymology, I always expected monograms to refer exclusively to single-letter logos. The actual etymology is based on the concept that the monogram itself is a single culmination of multiple letters. So a “monogram” could be translated as “multiple written figures combined into a single symbol.”
That said, a monogram and a lettermark often refer to the same thing. In a personal context, monograms have historically been used to customize an object and to designate ownership. You may have seen monograms on handkerchiefs, stationary, or architecture.
So where does the term "monogram" come from? The “-gram” portion of the word comes from the Greek gramma, which refers to anything written by hand, whether that happened to be lines, shapes, or letters. “Mono-” comes from the Greek monos, which, of course, means “single” or “alone.”
Because of this etymology, I always expected monograms to refer exclusively to single-letter logos. The actual etymology is based on the concept that the monogram itself is a single culmination of multiple letters. So a “monogram” could be translated as “multiple written figures combined into a single symbol.”
That said, a monogram and a lettermark often refer to the same thing. In a personal context, monograms have historically been used to customize an object and to designate ownership. You may have seen monograms on handkerchiefs, stationary, or architecture.
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In a business context, monograms are often used as logos. Some notable examples are Louis Vuitton, Warner Brothers, and HBO.
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Now, something important I would like to point out here: there is no official classification for these logo types. There is no agreed-upon authority for design terminology. As a result, there are lots of different opinions on how specifically we can classify logos. As a result, you can find articles on the "The 7 types of logos (and how to use them)" or the "5 Different Types of Logo Designs" or even "10 Types Of Logos And How To Use Them." The way I see it, the primary distinction between logo designs is their or exclusion of text.
Next week I'll talk about pictorial logos. What's your view on text-based logos? Do you have a favorite? What do you envision for your business? Shoot me an email, [email protected], and let's set up a free consultation. I'd be thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of your business!
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You know me. I'm Michael. Good design flows through my veins.
All articles are written by me, Michael Antolak.
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