From the moment designers take on their first client, the gap between school and professional design work is real. The biggest challenge for emerging designers isn’t learning how to design, it’s learning how to design within the realities of clients, constraints, and collaboration. Bottom Line set out to close that gap by pairing a graduating…
I’m thrilled to announce I’ve joined the amazing team at HIGOL (High Impact Growth Oriented Leaders), a boutique consulting practice that works with CEOs and team leaders of high performing nonprofit organizations. As an associate consultant I’ll be drawing on 20+ years of experience helping nonprofit organizations gain visibility and support by uncovering their authentic brand through…
I wish a successful brand strategy was like coming home after a long flight and as you’re walking through the airport terminal pulling your luggage, you see friends, family, customers and clients all lined up, holding signs that say “congratulations, you made it!” and “job well done!” and “your brand rocks!” The reality is that…
Many of my branding clients approach me initially because they’re unhappy with their website. “My website needs an update – it’s too vanilla/too corporate/doesn’t represent everything I do and offer.“ But the website is only (probably) the most outwardly visible sign of your brand. Let’s dig a little deeper – and in the words of…
It’s 2021 and I’m celebrating twenty years of being self-employed at Stone Soup Creative. What does it mean to be a solopreneur and creative professional for this long? I’m old, and I’ve been at this for a while. But I’m also wiser than when I began. Here’s 20* lessons I’ve learned about running a business,…
Julia was great at keeping the conversation focused and not swaying opinions and worked great with both our internal team and our clients. She was organized and professional – not to mention, clients really enjoyed the workshopping process. I was hired by an award-winning creative graphic design agency in New Jersey this past year. Two…
Brand Personality is the visible and outward manifestation of your brand [CLICK TO TWEET], in subtle and obvious ways – everything from the copy on your website, to your logo, to the signage in the window. When your organization’s brand is defined in this way, your community will more easily be able to connect with you –…
A few years ago, a small performing arts organization in California was having an identity crisis. They were asking themselves the question: Who are we – really?! Background Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization was founded in 1993. Back then they didn’t want to be known only as a drum and bugle corps, an organization that…
We know that branding is a great way to uncover and define an organization’s authentic self. But did you know that some of the most authentic stories may come from the past? A group that’s growing its brand reputation and perception should consider not only look into the future, but backwards, too – to identify and honor…
A Mood board is a tool that can be used during branding to help organizations get a sense of how their brand is evolving. Mood boards are a collage of: Colors Textures Patterns Images I’m a creative person and graphic designer. Even if I’m not working on a project that involves designing visual identity, I’ll start to…
