10 Things To Remember When Building Your Brand

This was originally posted on www.ryanfmc.co.uk by 5or6 Managing Director Ryan McNamara, to view the whole post you can find it here.

There are so many ways these days to get your brand out there, but don't forget the fundamentals otherwise all the money in the world and fancy new websites won't make the slightest bit of difference to their overall experience with your brand.

So let's focus on getting the ground work in before you look to start experimenting with what you can do with your brand, because if you don't make a good first impression it is so much harder to win people back around. So if you are looking to build your brand remember these 10 fundamentals before you choose to really experiment with the boundaries of marketing yourself.

#1 - Make A Good First Impression With Your Logo

If you are looking to build your brand, you need get the basics right first. If your logo and identity isn't up to scratch then your get off to a bad first impression. Your logo needs to represent your brand, your clients and what you stand for, make sure you get it right.

#2 - Get Your Logo Everywhere

Everything you send out should have your logo on, make your brand stick in everyone's mind. If you send out mail, make sure your logo is on the envelope, if you send an email have your logo in your email signature. It may sound like common sense but it is an essential practice.

#3 - Choosing The Right Colours

Colours affect the way people interpret your brand, blue's give off a trustworthy vibe, whilst yellow's have a youthful character, think long and hard as to what your company and brand mean and make sure you get the right colours!

This was originally posted on www.ryanfmc.co.uk by 5or6 Managing Director Ryan McNamara, to view the whole post you can find it here.

5or6 + ICP = A great design

For the last 2 weeks we have been putting together a web concept for Ideal Chemical Products (ICP), the sealants and adhesives specialists. ICP have been established since 1988, supplying the highest grade products to building contractors all over the country, with there products being used in the construction of the new Wembley and the renovation of the Docklands.

ICP are looking to create an ecommerece website that can supply there building grade products to the everyone. 5or6 have been tasked with designing a website that is accessible to everyone, easy to use yet modern and inviting.

The website will be launched at the begining of December, keep checking back for more information.

Thinking inside the box - Are branding guidelines a restriction on creativity?

All designers will know that when designing for a client there can be some perceived pit falls, namely the dreaded creativity destroying, 'brand guidelines'... Brand guidelines can seem like such a restriction on ones imagination, you always have to stick to the guide. You're never allowed to 'think outside the box' or 'push the envelope' so to speak. Yet is having guidelines such a restriction? Are they terribly detrimental to the overall design?

I have always found having a simple set of rules to govern or guide my design work, an aid rather than a hindrance. I often find myself setting out simple rules for myself when I begin a project, that way I can focus on what the client really wants. This way it stops me from getting carried away with what I really what from it, and there is often a big difference between the two. Remember rules can give order, direction and a purpose to a design.

So next time you're given 'brand guidelines' or restrictions from a client, boss or even a friend don't think of them as a hindrance. They're there to focus your design talents on what is really needed from the finished product, customer satisfaction.