Even a branding genius might falter a little with a llama sanctuary. After all, how do you represent such a unique niche in an original way? The Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary has a great website and also a brand that will be inspiring to viewers.

We expect for llamas to be the focus of this Unique Niche Website, as they are the focus of the nonprofit itself. Sure enough, a logo design featuring two llamas created from what appears to be natural paper makes up the main image. Calming blue colors combined with occasional earth tones give the website a homespun feeling. Moreover, this website has clearly thought hard about what categories will work best for their navigation bar. Obviously the website structure used for, say, a boutique, wouldn’t work here. Instead, the navigation bar includes links to photos of their herd and how to help out the sanctuary. You have to give the designers credit for thinking outside the box and instead building a Unique Niche Website that would help this unique organization.

Few people think of llama as being prone to abuse or neglect (and thus needing a sanctuary such as this one) but Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary eloquently makes their case. The site is utilitarian yet very attractive. It is not a commercial site, but it balances its cause with a good sense of brand and attention to detail. This is a great example of how smaller niche causes should approach the webs design process.

Creativity: 5 stars.  We especially enjoy the subtle use of texture and the layering of transparent shapes in building the images. These are popular motifs in [intlink id="18" type="post"]modern logo design[/intlink], but it is rare that they are used as effectively in web design as they are here.

Ease of use: 5 stars. The website is very easy to use, with an intuitive design and a navigation bar present on every page. Features are arranged so that they are easy to find under their headings. It also makes good use of thumbnails; every page features various snippets that can be clicked on for more complete information.

Functionality: 5 stars. With a variety of features that will appeal to both casual visitors and avid supporters alike, this website is made to be multifunctional and to build fans. Links to social networking sites, a blog, and other outside branding features ensure that people can interact with the brand on a variety of levels.

Content: 4 stars. The content is for the most part well-written and compelling. There are a few small errors here and there, but these are few and far between.

Appropriateness: 5 stars. This website is very appropriate both in aesthetics and in function for the cause it serves. Llamas are the main recipient of the sanctuary’s services and a main part of the website’s decorating scheme at the same time.

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 stars. We really enjoy this website and hope that more people donate to this worthy cause.

Do you really need a graphic design firm for your annual report design? Consider the purpose of an annual report. This important document communicates valuable information to stockholders and other important people about your company’s activities over the past year. Do you want a document that expresses your company’s progress to look unprofessional or uninteresting? Most people would answer no, and that is why professional annual report design is as important as professional printing.

There are a few things your graphic design firm will do to make your annual report as appealing as possible. First, they will create a theme that matches your organization’s values and corporate brand. This theme will include a color scheme, artwork, fonts, and ways of creating emphasis. Having a theme that permeates every aspect of the design both ties the report into other documents put out by your company and makes it easier for people to read. A document without a theme can look either unprofessional and plain or muddled and confusing. Neither of these options will create a good impression of your company.

Second, the graphic design firm will design a cover for the annual report. This cover will reflect both your company’s brand and its progress over the past year. Your logo will likely be used as well as any new products that were introduced over the past year. The cover will coordinate with the theme of the annual report design and also set the tone for the rest of the report. The way the cover is arranged and designed may be the most important aspect of annual report design and printing, because it is the first impression that people see when picking up the document.

Third, the graphic design firm will add the finishing touches that make the report cohesive. Graphics will be added through the annual report design to illustrate key points and make the report more interesting. Key parts of the report will be emphasized through subtle font and color changes. The different pieces of the annual report design will be put together like a puzzle to create an attractive and complete picture. The result is a compelling annual report that will interest your shareholders and present your company in the best possible light.

As you can see, the graphic design firm supplies everything except the actual information and figures. They have the greatest challenge of annual report design: turning your company’s dry numbers and facts into an attractive and readable document. This is not something to be attempted by an amateur; most major companies either outsource their annual report design to a graphic design firm or have an in-house team dedicated solely to its design and printing. If your company is smaller, you will be happy to know that hiring a graphic design firm for your annual report design is actually a simple and affordable process. Don’t let your company fall behind the competition by having an unprofessional annual report design. Have a graphic designer create a document that will both impress and express.

Client Name: Darkpony Creative Studio
Logo Category: Graphic Design Logos
Logo Type: Iconic Logos
Client Location: Tennessee Logo Design Company
Project Type: Bronze Logo Package

Project Summary:
Innovative Web Solutions (Web Development, E-commerce, SEO, Web Applications etc.)

Target Market:
Industry (small to very large companies), Higher Education, Individuals and Public Sector.

Design Review:
As the name suggests, the client wanted an abstract looking, iconic and free flowing symbol of a pony, and that is what we provided him with. The icon is very brandable, and can standalone and still be recognised. We had to be careful not to create an association to equestrienne related services. To that end we made a free flowing icon of the pony with a hint of fire in it’s mane to indicate creativity and passion. The elements of the icon can then be used for various branding aspects such as on the website design, as watermark on the stationery design, on the brochure designs and other marketing materials.

The design also incorporates a bulls eye icon in the “O” of Pony to indicate that this company hits the mark when it comes to delivering design solutions to their customers. The client also suggested that the inspiration of the company name came from the “Dark Horse” phrase, which means “Someone who emerges to prominence; being previously little known”.

Creating animal and pets based logos is always challenging. Especially when the logo designer tries to create some thing unique and focused on the target market. Our logo designers take inspiration from reference photos and other context sensitive marketing information available online.

What Can a Graphic Design Company Do For You?

If you are like many companies, you have used a graphic design company to create a logo. However, there are many other ways that this field can help your business get a leg up on the competition. Graphic design is not just for logos anymore. With the help of a graphic design company or logo design companies, there are no limits to what you can do. Here are just a few of the high value products that a graphic design company can design for you.

Business cards If a business card is like a handshake, what does yours say about you and your company? A business card needs a good business card logo and a design that sets you apart from your competitors. Don’t let your business card act as a sweaty, limp handshake; let a graphic design company work with you to develop a strong, unforgettable design for your business card logo.

Brochure Design. Are your brochures ending up in the waste basket? Unfortunately, a standard brochure, however informative, is not likely to get much more than a glance. A unique brochure design will not just tell your audience about your business and its services; it will keep them interested and tell them valuable information about your company’s professionalism and attention to detail.

Website design. Modern people look to the internet as a source of information and referrals, so a lackluster website may be chasing away customers. This is where a graphic design company can do wonders for your customer traffic. A high quality website can act as a portal to funnel interesting parties to your business. Without an interesting, professional web presence, potential clients will never your business card logo or unique brochure design.

Letterhead and stationery. If you are sending out letters, bids, and other written information on plain paper or, worse, on poorly designed letterhead, you are doing yourself and your company a huge disservice. Just like a less than unique brochure design or a business card logo that isn’t quite right, poorly designed letterhead will tell your customers that your business is poorly run. Luckily, the right graphic design company can save you from this fate. Well-designed letterhead and stationery will place your logo in a way that is professional and prominent without distracting from your message.

Advertising. Does your company spend money in advertising? Whether you advertise through flashy web banners or television commercials, a graphic design company is a valuable addition to your advertising team. Graphic designers know how different shapes and colors affect the public. They can help you design an advertisement campaign that is attractive and compelling to your target audience.

Catalogs. Do you do much marketing through catalogs? With the help of a graphic design company, your next catalog will have your text and graphics placed in a way that is more enticing to your customers. These extra sales will more than compensate for the costs.

As you can see, a graphic design company can create a variety of attractive, professional products that will pay for themselves in higher sales and a better reputation in the community. What else can a graphic designer do for you?

Contact a graphic design company to find out!

Check out the full list of graphic design services that we offer.

T shirts for Team Building

Is your logo wasting away on signs and paper products? It may be time to put that t shirt logo design to work on some living, walking advertisements. How can you do this? It can be as simple as ordering t shirts. Company shirts are not just for uniforms anymore! There are two other major uses for company shirts.

Team Building

Many companies use company shirts and similar items as uniforms, but this is not their only function. Providing employees with fun t shirts that they can wear both on and off the job is a good way to create the unified team atmosphere you are looking for. If your employees wear these t shirts outside the office, you will be getting free advertisement and logo branding as well.

T shirts are comfortable and therefore likely to be worn on a regular basis. If you cannot afford to buy company shirts for all of your employees, you can buy just a few and use them as a prize or hold a drawing. Even a handful of employees wearing your t shirt logo design will spread your company’s message around your community. This is why clothing designers sell so many logo t shirts—it gets the word out.

Logo Branding

Is your company a name brand in your target audience? If not, it’s time for some t shirt logo design branding. This basically means creating a personality and a set of core values for your company. If you want to build confidence in your business, custom t-shirt design is the perfect low cost solution. When people see your employees or customers wearing your company shirts, they are bound to ask about your services. One loyal customer can create a lot of positive buzz if you give them an easy way to start the conversation.

Obviously you can’t give t shirts to all of your customers, but they can be used as a bonus when people purchase a set amount of products or services, or given out as thank you gifts to loyal repeat customers. This not only gets the word out and increases your business’s logo branding; it shows your customers that you are thankful for their patronage. This strengthens your customer base and increases the likelihood that they will say positive things when asked about their company shirts.

There was a time when clothing items were too expensive to be a cost effective form of team building or t shirt logo design branding. However, the internet has made these and other items affordable and easy to obtain. T shirts and company shirts imprinted or embroidered with your company’s logo can be ordered and delivered at very reasonable prices. This makes them one of the least expensive forms of advertising and logo branding on the market.

Does your company need a little public relations boost? Is your customer base flagging? Logo t shirts and other items can be a powerful and incredible affordable way of solving both problems. Don’t just advertise—create a brand, one that your employees and customers alike can be proud to be a part of.

Graphic designers provide you with the tools to create an image for your business or website. They have the knowledge and the know-how to create the image that you desire. Just because you hire a graphic designer does not mean that you won’t be able to design your own company logo.

Whether you have any artistic abilities at all or not, graphic designers are able to use your ideas and design a company logo for you. If you have some artistic abilities, you can provide the graphic designer with a rough sketch of what you envision. You may also provide them with samples that you like and would like a variation of. You want to design a logo that is unique and you also want a logo that you can be happy with.

If you have no artistic abilities and absolutely no ideas, our logo design team are here to help you design a company logo. They will work with the name of your business and the industry that you are in. They will help you design your own logo by using different aspects and ideas of their own. You may provide them with any samples, logo ideas or colors that you would like to use. Working with a graphic designer can be a fun and informational process that will help design a company logo.

A business logo is an important part of your company’s identity and image in the market. A logo designer is able to help you design your own logo and create a unique look in the marketplace for your business. Discuss designing your own logo with a professional graphic artist. They will walk you through the process and help you design your own logo. They are also able to tell you which logo design plans are best for you and your needs based on your budget and revision requirements. The process of designing your own logo can be satisfying both personally and financially.

What is graphic design?

Yes, this is a rather simple yet very profound question which varies from each designer’s interpretation and experience. Recently, there is a lot of buzz about this intriguing question. There was even a What is Graphic Design Poster Competition at Veerle’s blog to creatively and visually express the answer to this elemental question.

Some say graphic design it’s a visual communication to evoke emotion or solve a problem. It then reminded me of a book entitled Graphic Design for the 21st Century: 100 of the World’s Best Graphic Designers – a compilation of leading graphic designers in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia together with their predictions and perspectives about this craft. Let me just share some of the interesting insights I read there:

Farrow Design: “A designer is duty bound to push the client as far as they will go.”

Peter Anderson: “Graphic design should evolve and challenge existing systems of language and perception.”

Philippe Apeloig: “Graphic design is the intersection point between art and communication.”

David Foldvari: “Ugly = Beautiful”

Tina Frank: “Design will become anything and anything will become design. Even no-design will be designed.”

Gila Kaplan: “To play the strands of a spider’s web as if they were cello strings.”

Scott King: “There’s no point in doing decorative design…it would just interfere with what I had to say…”

Whether you’re an aspiring graphic designer or not, there are times when you need to manipulate or edit images according to your needs. You might be blogger looking to improve the images in your site or simply an avid collector of memories. At the end of the day, most of us are after the same thing – high quality images.

Good thing Vivien of Inspiration Bit shared about Picnik, a FREE online image editor which allows you to manipulate photos to fit your needs. To make this tool more useful, you can install it as a Firefox or Internet Explorer add-on so you can just press right click on any image and you will have an option to pull that image to Picnik site for quick editing.

No need to buy expensive software like Adobe Photoshop for basic editing or download free graphic software and spend time to learn it. You just need an Internet connection and a Web browser.

It can be a stand alone application as well for non-heavy users. To make our lives a lot easier, it enables us to edit directly from popular sites like Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa, and Facebook.

Picnik users can rotate, resize, sharpen, remove red eyes, and crop images as part of its editing functions. Looking at the sample image above, you can add text, shapes, frames, touch-up, and effects like sepia, black & white, matte, and many others as well.

Standard features are free of charge. If you love this simple tool and happen to be a heavy user, you can upgrade to premium account for only $25 per year or around $2 per month.

Via Graphic Design Blog

We already highlighted the difference between vector graphics and raster graphics. Just to recap, vector graphics are ideal for those perfectionist designers who want high quality images and razor sharp precision. More importantly, it gives you the flexibility to resize images easily without sacrificing image quality.

However, the problem is you need to have illustration programs like Adobe Illustrator or Corel. Good thing there is VectorMagic, an online tool that converts bitmap images to vectors for FREE. This simple to use tool is the outcome of Stanford University Artificial Intelligence Laboratory research project by James Diebel and Jacob Norda.

You just need a decent browser like Mozilla Firefox, a Flash Player to see flash logo designs, and an image you want to vectorize. Just upload the image and this online tool will handle the rest. You can now resize the image without any pixelation whatsoever.

Source image can be in JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF format and you can download it in formats PS, SVG, PNG. See how this free service fares with Adobe Live Trace and Corel PowerTRACE.

Whether you’re using this for your personal or professional images, one thing is sure – it’s time to say goodbye to pixelated images.

Via freewaregenius