8th Annual Art Supply Drive

I am so excited that this is the 8th year collecting art supplies for the community! You have all been so generous over the years and I cannot thank you enough. Every year has been successful because of you all. Art is therapy and donating anything from one paint brush to a pack of paper helps tremendously!

This year we will be working with Lisa Longobardi, who is an Art Teacher at Burroughs-Molette Elementary School and Heather Woodward, is the Executive Director for New Roots Glynn.

For Lisa these items will help the kids expand their creative minds in the classroom! As you can imagine teachers contribute so much to their own classrooms, now it is time for us to help out a little to make projects more exciting in the coming year.

They would be grateful for any of the following:

• Any craft paper items 

• Print making items 

• Ceramic supplies 

• Craft scissors (that cut special lines )

• Paper mache 

• Paints 

• Glue 

• Craft shape punchers paper crimper 

New Roots Glynn is recovery organization that provides a community of support, strength, and hope for those affected by substance use disorder. These donations will help Heather and staff when they host events and workshops.

They would be grateful for any of the following:

• Scissors

• Glue sticks

• Modge podge

• 1in paint brushes

• Foam brushes

• Acrylic paints

• Paint trays

• Adult coloring books

• Colored pencils and pencil sharpeners

• Crayons

• Sealer spray paint

• Hot glue guns 

• Hot glue sticks 

I will be collecting items beginning December 2nd until December 18th. Please drop items by my office located at The Wick, 1612 Newcastle Street Suite 205 which is located upstairs across from the Sea Island offices.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me tammy@typebirdcreative.com.

Thank you in advance, I am looking forward to another great year. Art is therapy on so many levels and this is always my favorite time of the year to help make programs in our community reach their potential!

The Price of a Logo

How much is a logo?

I get this question all the time. My answer is almost always the same. I don’t do just a logo; I work with clients to create their brand!

What is the difference? A brand is your business on so many levels that often begins with the visual form. It also includes wording and research such as what do you stand for or even who is your target market? From your business card to your website, to social media and brick and mortar the way you speak to customers through your brand story and marketing is essential. You want those customers on repeat and the way you do that is through consistency and trust.

Now down to the nitty gritty, how much is this going to cost me? With prices from $25 to $10,000 how do you even know what you are getting. Hopefully, this little chat will help you understand that pricing is primarily based on two major things. Experience level of designer and the deliverables you will obtain once the work is complete.

What to Expect from Where

Brand design costs can vary widely to say the least. Understanding this range is key to budgeting effectively for exactly what you need.

Generally, you might see prices falling into these categories:

1. Premade Logos: If you’re on a tighter budget or need something quick, consider exploring online marketplaces that offer premade logos. These logos can range from $50 to $500, depending on the quality, uniqueness and deliverables. This is a great way to get a professional-looking design without breaking the bank. Look at Etsy to see what you can find or hire an art student in their first few years of college trying to gain experience. Try to stay away from logos made with Canva. Logos created in Canva can have sizing issues because graphics don’t translate well.

2. Online Design: There are many online outlets for graphic design, brand design and more. Sometimes these websites also offer both premade logos and working directly with a person. Services such as Fiverr have a person who will design a few variations of logo for a cheaper price, but buyer beware. You usually only obtain a .jpeg of the logo and since they are done relatively quickly you may not always get what you want. Pricing here can start at $50 and exceed into the $1,000 dollar mark.

3. Established Designers/Freelancers: If you’re working with an experienced designer, you might expect to pay anywhere from $95 to $150 per hour, depending on their experience and expertise. Many may offer brand packages ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 depending on deliverables and skill. There are many pluses to working one on one with a designer. This experience here is key. You are able to work with one person who will understand your business fully and truly design a logo that reflects who you are. While learning along the way, you will also obtain all the useful files needed to maintain your marketing yourself. That is worth it’s weight in gold.

4. Design Agencies: Agencies tend to charge more due to their team approach and the additional resources they offer. For a complete branding project, prices can range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more! This usually includes extensive research, multiple design concepts, and a full suite of brand assets. I always say large businesses who need all the things from print work, digital work, radio and tv ads, billboards, promotional items and more should hire an agency. They are fantastic at executing all the thing at once in a timely manner.

Why the Variability in Pricing?

Now that we’ve got some numbers down, let’s talk about why there’s such a wide range in pricing.

1. Experience and Skill Level: Just like any profession, experience matters! A seasoned designer with a proven track record can command higher fees because they bring expertise that often leads to better results.

2. Project Complexity: The scope of your project greatly affects cost. A simple logo design will obviously cost less than a full brand strategy that includes market research, typography selection, color palette creation, and social media assets.

3. Geographic Location: Designers based in larger cities or areas with a higher cost of living may charge more than those in smaller towns. However, remote work has made it easier to find talented designers from all over the globe, often at competitive rates.

4. Brand Strategy vs. Design Only: Some designers offer comprehensive branding services that include strategic elements—understanding your target audience, market positioning, and creating a brand narrative. This depth of service will naturally cost more than simply designing a logo.

5. Revisions and Iterations: The number of revisions included in your package can impact pricing. If you’re likely to need multiple changes, make sure to discuss this upfront, as additional revisions can add to the final bill.

What’s Included in the Price?

When you’re considering hiring a brand designer, it’s essential to know what you’re getting for your investment. Here are some key components that might be included:

• Brand Strategy: Analyzing your target market, competitors, and positioning.

• Logo Design: Creating a unique logo that reflects your brand identity.

• Color Palette and Typography: Selecting a cohesive color scheme and font styles that resonate with your brand’s voice.

• Brand Guidelines: Documentation on how to use your brand elements consistently across all platforms.

• Additional Assets: Business cards, social media templates, packaging, and more.

Alternatives to Traditional Design Services

If the prices of custom branding feel overwhelming, don’t worry! Here are a few alternative solutions to consider:

• Online Logo Makers: Websites like Canva and Looka offer user-friendly tools that let you design your logo at a fraction of the cost. These platforms often have templates to help you get started.

• Freemium Design Tools: Tools like Hatchful or LogoMakr let you create basic logos for free, with the option to purchase high-res files.

• Premade Logos: As mentioned earlier, sites like Creative Market or Etsy have designers selling unique premade logos. This can be a fantastic option if you find something that aligns with your vision!

Final Thoughts

Investing in brand design is an important step for any business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your existing identity. While the costs can vary, remember that a well-designed brand can pay off in the long run through increased recognition, customer loyalty, and ultimately and sales.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to a designer whose style you love. Discuss your vision, get quotes, and choose someone who resonates with your brand’s mission and values. And if you’re on a budget, explore those alternative options—there’s something out there for everyone!

Happy branding!

Mood Boards are out, Style Boards are in!

I'm excited to share an update on my branding process. In response to evolving client needs, I've recently refined my approach. Moving forward, I'm shifting from mood boards to style boards. Why the change? Style boards allow us to delve deeper into your brand from the get go, ensuring we focus on your unique brand story right from the start.

Often, clients come to me without a fully defined brand story, which is completely understandable when starting a business. However, I believe it's crucial to establish this foundation before engaging with your audience.

I look forward to guiding you through this refined process and helping you shape a brand that truly reflects your vision.

Take a look at this beautiful rebrand I recently designed for the incredibly talented Eastwind Designs with this exact process in mind!

Branding Classes will continue in the fall!

Small businesses now do more of their own marketing due to budget and time constraints. As a designer and small business owner, I understand why.

With that I also believe the more you know, the better you perform. Knowledge is power, am I right? I designed these workshops to help those of you who are fighting to make your current brand work. Or for those who might be considering creating a new brand who want to know where to begin. These workshops are for those who would like to learn face to face. Spending less time on marketing and more time doing what you love just makes sense.

The Brand Planner Pages are here!

Love paper planners? Create customizable disc bound branding planner pages for your needs - print, fill, tear, then recycle. Blank sheets for your own calendar or to brainstorm client work in real time. 

Download, print, and reuse anytime!

Marsh Birds

This month I got to do a fun project for my friends at Keep Golden Isles Beautiful highlighting their event with the Audubon Society. They wanted me to create an identification sheet to share with everyone. I decided to also create a coloring sheet in case there were any little ones about. Please feel free to download it and plan a trip to the beautiful Golden Isles today!

Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, I thought you might like to have so some fun cards to share around the office or in your personal life! We all have the one co-worker who we can’t stand, the best friend you have known since childhood, the person who may be your mentor and not even know it. Valentine’s Day is not about diamonds, red roses or gifts for me. It is about telling people you are loved, showing how much you care and lifting people’s spirits. Enjoy the day, go about it with love and serve these little beauties up to those who deserve a good, hearty laugh. Click here to download them now.

Old Buildings Speak to Me

Maybe someday someone will see life in this old building and nectar will flow again. One can never have too much honey, I would surely buy some if I was driving along.

I enjoy taking a break and playing around with Procreate on the iPad. Making a million bricks almost puts you in a trans and it becomes a bit of art therapy. Organic, hand drawn work is my go to. I am not an architect so I am not searching for perfection in these drawings.

When I was much younger and starting out in the world of photography, I always wanted to do a black and white coffee book on small town life. Old barns and crumbling porches. Local farms filled with people picking their own fruits and veggies. Small hardware stores and local festivals.

Here’s to that idea and all those beautiful old building on old back roads with stories. I will never stop drawing them. #illustrationart #sweetashoney #thealtamahaapiaries

New Client: Albany Street Curators

I am always grateful to meet mew clients who are passionate about their dreams. Sometimes, I even make a friend in the process. When Janae came to me with the idea of a virtual used book store I could not have been more thrilled. Books are one of my favorite things, especially old books.

We created a mood board which revolved around her Pinterest choices she had been collecting. After gathering those items we kept coming back to the idea of a black cat and a really memorable font. With the idea that she could put the finished product on items like bags, coffee mugs and even book marks.

I think what we ended up with is memorable, fun and usable. It was so great to hear the brand speaks to her the way it does. The end goal is always to have a happy customer and I am very glad she is!

To learn more about her beautiful books please visit her on Instagram.