We’re still disseminating some of our knowledge to prospective and current clients through email campaigns at the moment. Those on our lists will be getting regular emails with tips on design and branding issues pertinent to small and medium business.
You can also follow these tips regularly on the Luxgraphicus blog.
So that Canberra Small Business Blog readers don’t miss out, I’ll be posting bundled sets of tips here in my regular spot.
Please make comment or feedback on anything you find interesting, confusing, in need of more detail or otherwise worthy of comment. I look forward to developing a dialogue over the coming weeks and months.
7 tips on design for start-up businesses
If design is not your profession, hire a professional.
Research your audience.
Brief your design professional on your messages and audience.
Get your brand design done before your website, business card and brochure.
Plan ALL your requirements, then get some done now.
Get the others done later by the same designer.
Ask your design professional for an ongoing review of your branding.
10 tips on re-freshing your brand
If design is not your profession, hire a professional.
Keep all your “stuff” (visual collateral) consistent.
Look to “modernise” your logo (keep it’s shape and intent, change its feel and appeal)
Add some new graphics and text treatments
Compliment your standard colour palette with a few new ones.
Choose a small set of iconic images for your marketing and promotion
Change the format (shape & size) of some material.
Change the delivery method of some material.
Use a quality paper stock for your key material.
Ask your design professional for an ongoing review of your branding.
See you next time, and remember, the best businesses are watching their branding!
Brian Miller
Creative Director
Luxgraphicus Design Agency
Canberra Small Business Blog 
I’m glad that you included the detail to have the work done by the same designer. Frequently, the client will go to multiple professionals without telling each other and in the end they wind up with a mess of ideas and themes that don’t work well together.
Thanks for your input. Yes, obviously we like to be the preferred designer for our clients and look after all their visual material.
Our “Unity” brand management system is ideal for this.
Brian.
Thanks for your input. Yes, obviously we have a tendency to prefer to be the popular designer for our clients and appearance in the end their visual material. Frequently, the consumer can visit multiple professionals without telling one another and within the finish they wind up with a large number of ideas and themes that don’t work well along.