Happy New Year, What I Owe You!
January 5, 2023
I came upon this the other day; I was really looking for some ideas to post with a positive attitude starting out the new year. Although the below text sounds like a job description, these are my responsibilities that I share with my clients. This is what I owe you.
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions• Accurate - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs and deadlines• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information• Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with problems• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions• Accurate - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs and deadlines• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information• Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with problems• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work
A Graphic Design Christmas, looking into next year!
December 12, 2022
Now that your Christmas projects are done for the year, it’s time to make notes about the ideas you want to implement for next year before you forget. Having a prepared list sounds a little to pre-planned, (I know) but this will in fact save you time for years to come. Each year you can add/delete the ideas that worked.
Many things to think of going into the new year, color trends, fonts ideas and the biggie, Adobe® no longer supporting TrueType fonts. Starting January 2023, if a truetype font is used in a file, it will show up as missing. Nothing terrible but if you have a lot of documents that are dated but still used, you have some updating to do. Along with that, as you know, the revised or new fonts reflow the placed text. For more information, on Type 1 fonts end of support https://tinyurl.com/48djuz3v In 2023, sans serif fonts will make a comeback. According to a very talented designer, Abi Connick from the UK, big and bold fonts translate well across all boards. One thing Abi brings up about packaging is the interactive designs that have die made pull tabs showing a key resource behind this. I like the idea but see many drawbacks. Another packaging trend Abi sees in 2023 is product designs in a series of products that all line up on the shelf. To see more of Abi’s outlook of change for 2023, check out her YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8VfQ2MkgM
Color trends for 2023 from Pantone® are always interesting! Where were these colors last year? I thought all colors had already been created, not so! The Pantone color of 2023 is Viva Magenta! A powerful and vibrant red shade, this shade of the original magenta is rooted in nature. Bold and fearless and adds a joyful tone. Earthy hues and warm tones should rise with the concern of climate change and working conditions, everyone wants to be a part of a company being sustainable
Happy Holiday’s, see you next year!
Many things to think of going into the new year, color trends, fonts ideas and the biggie, Adobe® no longer supporting TrueType fonts. Starting January 2023, if a truetype font is used in a file, it will show up as missing. Nothing terrible but if you have a lot of documents that are dated but still used, you have some updating to do. Along with that, as you know, the revised or new fonts reflow the placed text. For more information, on Type 1 fonts end of support https://tinyurl.com/48djuz3v In 2023, sans serif fonts will make a comeback. According to a very talented designer, Abi Connick from the UK, big and bold fonts translate well across all boards. One thing Abi brings up about packaging is the interactive designs that have die made pull tabs showing a key resource behind this. I like the idea but see many drawbacks. Another packaging trend Abi sees in 2023 is product designs in a series of products that all line up on the shelf. To see more of Abi’s outlook of change for 2023, check out her YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8VfQ2MkgM
Color trends for 2023 from Pantone® are always interesting! Where were these colors last year? I thought all colors had already been created, not so! The Pantone color of 2023 is Viva Magenta! A powerful and vibrant red shade, this shade of the original magenta is rooted in nature. Bold and fearless and adds a joyful tone. Earthy hues and warm tones should rise with the concern of climate change and working conditions, everyone wants to be a part of a company being sustainable
Happy Holiday’s, see you next year!
Do I really need a Graphic Designer?
December 2, 2022
Design is not slapping art and text on paper and calling it created. A lot of thought and care goes into a design that makes sense, communicates a story and makes you look at it time and time again!
Advantages to hiring a designer?You don’t have to do the work, just kidding but really not!
Main reason for hiring a designer are but not limited to: saving time, saving money by having the design created the first time, attracting prospective customers with a memorable design, and having someone that knows what they’re doing to strengthen your brand.
A firm design can be incredible for your business, if your trying to stand out from the competition, this will do it. Furthermore, an influential graphic identity can help you communicate your brand, frame a stronger brand image, and create appreciation and a positive influence on your customers and clients.
When promoting a business into the marketing industry, there are many advantages of employing a graphic designer. They may build and create something you despise, but it is ideal for your customers, and as graphic designers, they will offer an extensive range of ideas that can assist you in achieving and maintaining your company’s objectives. *
* Last paragraph has been taken from mycloudcrew.com/blog
Advantages to hiring a designer?You don’t have to do the work, just kidding but really not!
Main reason for hiring a designer are but not limited to: saving time, saving money by having the design created the first time, attracting prospective customers with a memorable design, and having someone that knows what they’re doing to strengthen your brand.
A firm design can be incredible for your business, if your trying to stand out from the competition, this will do it. Furthermore, an influential graphic identity can help you communicate your brand, frame a stronger brand image, and create appreciation and a positive influence on your customers and clients.
When promoting a business into the marketing industry, there are many advantages of employing a graphic designer. They may build and create something you despise, but it is ideal for your customers, and as graphic designers, they will offer an extensive range of ideas that can assist you in achieving and maintaining your company’s objectives. *
* Last paragraph has been taken from mycloudcrew.com/blog
Label Design - It’s a wrap!
November 23, 2022
In the last writing, I talked about the details or specs of creating the label whereas this is designing the label. Let the fun begin, wait….. I’m already having fun! With a new design we need to consider colors, fonts, images. Knowing the target market at this point helps with the previous.
We did an online search to see how the competitors designed their labeling and although most likely the trend, we don’t always want to follow this. Some trends die out sooner then expected which leaves you to design this all over again! We need to communicate the brand and why your product is a better choice. Is there a history with the brand or are you starting out the door? You need to communicate this. It gives the customer an idea of the background of your brand and association to the product.
Develop a unique design with catchy images, a thought provoking tagline that explains your brand message will help elevate your overall design to the next level. Color or images used will be the eye point or customer link, in other words, they will always be able to pick your product off the shelf with little trouble. The font used on the label needs to match what the product is. You don’t want to use a BIG BOLD type face for a woman’s moisturizing bar soap, gives the wrong impression. Today’s consumer is leaning towards more green products and they will support the companies that go green. Using less packaging or recycled materials, soy inks should be marketed this way so the consumer knows this.
Early on I talked about label printers that I stand behind. Vibrant Graphics (https://vibrantgfx.com), MPI Label Systems (https://mpilabels.com), Felxo-Graphics (https://www.flexo-graphics.com) and Deco Labels and Tags are just a handful that I have experience with.
To wrap it up, you're not just slapping a label on your product. Much thought needs to go into this and we can do this one step at a time!
We did an online search to see how the competitors designed their labeling and although most likely the trend, we don’t always want to follow this. Some trends die out sooner then expected which leaves you to design this all over again! We need to communicate the brand and why your product is a better choice. Is there a history with the brand or are you starting out the door? You need to communicate this. It gives the customer an idea of the background of your brand and association to the product.
Develop a unique design with catchy images, a thought provoking tagline that explains your brand message will help elevate your overall design to the next level. Color or images used will be the eye point or customer link, in other words, they will always be able to pick your product off the shelf with little trouble. The font used on the label needs to match what the product is. You don’t want to use a BIG BOLD type face for a woman’s moisturizing bar soap, gives the wrong impression. Today’s consumer is leaning towards more green products and they will support the companies that go green. Using less packaging or recycled materials, soy inks should be marketed this way so the consumer knows this.
Early on I talked about label printers that I stand behind. Vibrant Graphics (https://vibrantgfx.com), MPI Label Systems (https://mpilabels.com), Felxo-Graphics (https://www.flexo-graphics.com) and Deco Labels and Tags are just a handful that I have experience with.
To wrap it up, you're not just slapping a label on your product. Much thought needs to go into this and we can do this one step at a time!
Label Design - More Details Emerge
November 10, 2022
Continuing from my first article, at this point there should be some known ideas on what the label is for and what it will be applied to. A few things I like to do is get an idea of the bottle shape the label is applied to, are there additional sku’s (products) that will be in the same design, is this product a stand alone or will the bottle be placed in packaging (box) that will need cohesiveness.
I like figuring out the die line (size the label will be cut to) in order to give me an idea of design space. Certain information is always used and needs to be accounted for the amount of space it takes up, for example: UPC code, company contact information and copyrights. The rest of the panel guidelines should be based from the FDA labeling requirements. Depending on what the product is, there are certain requirements based on the PDP size (principle display panel) mostly for font sizes that should be followed. Save yourself a big headache and follow them from the start!
Question? What is the print run for this label? If it’s a smaller quantity, think digital printing, the pricing will be better than flexo printing. Larger quantities, reversed…. Go with flexo printing. Check with the printer you plan on using to see if they have a die in the size you need. If they have one or one close see if you can adapt that size to your product, it will save you the cost of purchasing a new die. Keep in mind, die lines used for digital printing are different than what is used for flexo printing. If your print quantity is small but plan a larger print run next production, it may be better to go flexo from the start to avoid the purchase of two dies.
With the base line set, let’s talk target audience. The very moment a customer sees a product on the shelf, they will compare it to all other similar to learn the differences. If your design does not stand out, it will be overlooked.
Understanding what attracts your target audience to the product helps create a roadmap in order to brand your product. Consider the labelling of your product as a form of advertising providing the customer your message. By using colors, fonts, imageries, etc. is not only attracting someone but engaging them to find out more about your product.
Knowing your target audience will help you develop a design that is attractive to you target group. I like taking a field trip whether to the store or online to see what competitive brands are showing and see what works and doesn’t.
I like figuring out the die line (size the label will be cut to) in order to give me an idea of design space. Certain information is always used and needs to be accounted for the amount of space it takes up, for example: UPC code, company contact information and copyrights. The rest of the panel guidelines should be based from the FDA labeling requirements. Depending on what the product is, there are certain requirements based on the PDP size (principle display panel) mostly for font sizes that should be followed. Save yourself a big headache and follow them from the start!
Question? What is the print run for this label? If it’s a smaller quantity, think digital printing, the pricing will be better than flexo printing. Larger quantities, reversed…. Go with flexo printing. Check with the printer you plan on using to see if they have a die in the size you need. If they have one or one close see if you can adapt that size to your product, it will save you the cost of purchasing a new die. Keep in mind, die lines used for digital printing are different than what is used for flexo printing. If your print quantity is small but plan a larger print run next production, it may be better to go flexo from the start to avoid the purchase of two dies.
With the base line set, let’s talk target audience. The very moment a customer sees a product on the shelf, they will compare it to all other similar to learn the differences. If your design does not stand out, it will be overlooked.
Understanding what attracts your target audience to the product helps create a roadmap in order to brand your product. Consider the labelling of your product as a form of advertising providing the customer your message. By using colors, fonts, imageries, etc. is not only attracting someone but engaging them to find out more about your product.
Knowing your target audience will help you develop a design that is attractive to you target group. I like taking a field trip whether to the store or online to see what competitive brands are showing and see what works and doesn’t.
Label Design - Intro
October 21, 2022
In the next few posts, I will discuss some of the ideas in creating a label to attract a greater audience.
What is label design?Unlike logo design where the focus is generally on a single element, label design is the creating a composition of many design elements. Some of these design elements are often provided by you/client while others need to be the designer.
Creating a product label is not just focusing on something eye appealing. It’s about designing something that makes your product stands out on the shelf, communicate your brand values, and to stand out from the other many products already on the shelves. It should also guide the customer down the path of purchasing your product. Complicated? It can be! Not to many do-overs after the label has been printed. The ideal label design is a challenging, but rewarding process. Communicating what your product is and why it's better than the next is the key to success. More in the next writing but before I finish always surround yourself with good printers to carry out your design. My most recent label printers have been Vibrant Graphics (Milwaukee, WI), MPI Label Systems (University Park, IL), Flexo-Graphics (Butler WI), and DECO Flexible Packaging (Wood Dale, IL). I tend to lean towards Vibrant Graphics lately as they have a team that stands out and are willing to help with design questions/specs to application and production.
What is label design?Unlike logo design where the focus is generally on a single element, label design is the creating a composition of many design elements. Some of these design elements are often provided by you/client while others need to be the designer.
Creating a product label is not just focusing on something eye appealing. It’s about designing something that makes your product stands out on the shelf, communicate your brand values, and to stand out from the other many products already on the shelves. It should also guide the customer down the path of purchasing your product. Complicated? It can be! Not to many do-overs after the label has been printed. The ideal label design is a challenging, but rewarding process. Communicating what your product is and why it's better than the next is the key to success. More in the next writing but before I finish always surround yourself with good printers to carry out your design. My most recent label printers have been Vibrant Graphics (Milwaukee, WI), MPI Label Systems (University Park, IL), Flexo-Graphics (Butler WI), and DECO Flexible Packaging (Wood Dale, IL). I tend to lean towards Vibrant Graphics lately as they have a team that stands out and are willing to help with design questions/specs to application and production.