They got me!

Recently, I was asked to help host the volunteer award breakfast for my friends at Keep Golden Isles Beautiful. I have been a board member for a few years and was happy to lend a hand. As I served coffee and orange juice, I smiled and was happy to meet new faces.

However, this little bunch of tricksters really got me, I was there to receive a surprise award! The Bootsie Mason Award of Excellence to be exact, for my efforts with KGIB. Working alone you don’t get many awards so to say I was shocked was an understatement. It was a memorable morning, thanks to KGIB for making this board member feel special!

Cabana on SSI

Recently opened on St. Simons Island, Georgia, Cabana is a unique swimwear destination. Not only do they sell beautiful swimsuits and sundries but also stylish shoes, and unique accessories.

When working with Carrie, she was always interested in bubble gum pink and the traditional, fun beach cabana you see in the movies. I think we got her vision down and this fun, clean and fresh brand reflects her style!

Make sure you put it on your list to visit this summer, before the beach of course!

Welcome MCM Creative

When someone understands the value of a brand from the get go, as a designer, you already feel like you are winning! Working with Manning on this brand was so fun! She had a vision, even as a young entrepreneur, this girl knew where she was headed!

Creating Manning’s brand @mcmcreativeco was a twist on her coastal background growing up on St. Simon’s with a splash of her current roots in Nashville. A blend of simple, clean design with comforting colors was in store. Between the subtle horseshoe and the unique typography I think we have achieved something she can be proud to share with her clients.

Take a look at her brand and new website design, I love how it all turned out!

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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.

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.