A branding and marketing strategy is essential to the success of a small business. This is the framework by which you define who you are, differentiate yourself from your competitors, communicate these qualities through design and reach your target audience effectively. Because it is capable of so much, there are many moving parts that go into building a brand and marketing plan. That’s where a brand strategy template comes in—a detailed worksheet can make this nebulous process painless and straightforward. By Julié9 Whether your small business is preparing to launch or has been up and running ..read more

When your business grows and changes, your brand should evolve with it. But figuring out when or what to rebrand can be tricky. For small business owner Stanley Chase III of Louisville Vegan Jerky Co. (LVJCo), rebranding was a natural evolution as the business grew, the competition changed and the market expanded. What initially began as an accidental burnt meal has expanded into a thriving business, boasting 12 unique flavors sold nationwide. Owing much of its success to trendy and experimental package design, we’ll dive into the evolution of a brand and show how reinventing the look of your ..read more

They say that teaching something is the best way to truly, deeply understand it. From my experience designing and facilitating 99design’s Junior Engineer Program (the JEP) I would say that is more true than I had ever imagined. The existence of this program is a testament to 99designs’ commitment to supporting and uplifting one another, and in its running I was reminded of how my colleagues all live one of 99’s core values: we believe in helping people to create their own success. What is a Junior Engineer Program? — Across the tech industry, many organizations support employees with structure ..read more

When it comes to printing and shipping your design on products, such as merchandise, apparel and paper products, the prospect of coordinating with different vendors just to bring your artwork to life can seem intimidating. But emerging reseller business models like print-on-demand and dropshipping have taken much of the production, packaging, delivery and even inventory storage off of your hands. These days, it’s easier than ever before to take your designs to the next level by printing and shipping them around the world—provided you know your options. Illustration by OrangeCrush To help you u ..read more

March is Women’s History Month: a time for celebrating the contributions of women in history, culture and society. For the design industry, which is still very much a male-dominated space, it’s a time when we reflect on just how far creative women have come—as well as how far we still have to go. This month we’re dedicating our spaces to the women who are unafraid to take up space with their art. Women who are authentic in their expression, and who continue to forge a path forward for themselves, their clients and their peers. Embracing the Journey by Caroline Parker Creative Read on to meet 6 ..read more

Any entrepreneur will tell you that growing a business is hard. When you’re a woman, research has shown that it can be just that much harder. Whether you’re just starting your business or already in the weeds, looking to others can help motivate, inspire and make you feel less alone. While we work to celebrate women entrepreneurs every day, in honor of International Women’s Day, we thought it only appropriate to seek the advice of women who are running their own successful businesses—and thriving while they do it. Illustration by Caroline Parker Creative We spoke with six incredible entreprene ..read more

It goes without saying: professional designers are masters at communication. It’s part of the territory, as with every project they translate a client’s brief into a unique visual execution. But even great communicators struggle sometimes. Whether it’s negotiating a price, clarifying feedback or asking for a referral, sometimes the cat’s just got your tongue. That’s where this guide comes in. These “how to talk to your client” templates and tips are meant to be a jumping off point for you to use when you feel stuck. Adapt them to your needs or just use them as inspiration. You got this! “How t ..read more

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