Earlier in the year, I was contacted by the Australian Breastfeeding Association to ask if I would be interested in pitching for the design component for their upcoming International Conference. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to work with them again, in particular Susan Greenbank who is always a delight to collaborate with.

I submitted my proposal and waited a few nervous days before I found out that it had come down to the wire, but I had won the project. It was huge. The scope included developing the logo for the conference, extending this to a visual identity and branding that could be adapted across many different promotional pieces, and then the design of those pieces as well!

It’s always SUCH a pleasure and relief to be able to take a branding project from the logo right through to the end design. It let’s the designer really do what they are supposed to, and enjoy the process, work with the brand like a nervous mother might hover over their own toddler, and finally waving it off into the big wide world.

There are still a few bit and pieces left for this project before the conference at the end of October. But for now, here is the logo (complete with blocks to step up and concentric rings expanding and reaching out like a broadcast message) and the icons we developed to identify the key themes of the conference (community, innovation, discussion & support).

There is also the first couple of pages of the Sponsorship Prospectus hat was done as a print and interactive document, the 24pg Conference Proceedings and Registration booklet  (I especially love the form on the last page – I have a thing about making all forms look like tax forms) as well as the banner for the web page.

Make sure to check out the Step Up, Reach Out website and also make sure to have a look at the program.

Just wanted to say thank you for the marvellous work you have done with the design on our international conference materials. The conference program arrived from the printer today and looks fab. We are now at 620 delegates and I think that is of course due to the FABULOUS promotion we have done! I really have enjoyed working with you and thank you for all the weird hours you’ve had to put in. There will be many more projects to come so I’m sure you’ll hear from me again soon!
- Susan Greenbank, National Marketing Manager, Australian Breastfeeding Association

Posted by Netra on Aug 2nd 2011 | branding - brochure - commercial - corporate - design - graphic design - logo - marketing - print design
Show Comments (5) | Leave Comment

Tara Hawley from Sweet Little Birdy dropped me a line to give her a hand revamping her business identity and applying it to a suite of promotional collateral. Clearly with a name that included a bird, we were going to stay with the bird she had. We just tidied it up a bit, gave her an interesting shape to brand with and keep her existing colours.

Once that was done we started rolling out the new logo on her material. With a business that sells party and homewares, gift and event styling options, there was a phenomenal range of imagery to choose from – and everything was just so gorgeous! So far we’ve done a couple of adverts (keep an eye out for the Sweet Little Birdy advert in the upcoming issue of Donna Hay Kids) and postcard, flyers are just about done as well.

I just love having a strong identity that carries through all the accompanying material. When you take a step back and see it as a whole, you really get a sense that this is a business that has things together. Its looks so professional and I hope this really helps Tara take her business to the next level.

Make sure to stop by www.sweetlittlebirdy.com.au and check out her products – they are just fabulous!

Posted by Netra on Jun 9th 2011 | branding - brochure - card - commercial - corporate - design - flyer - graphic design - logo - marketing - print design
Show Comments (1) | Leave Comment

Louise Williams and I have been creating a new identity for her business over the past 2 months. Louise already had a business name but her photography had outgrown her old logo. I think often when people start with a new brand, they can’t fathom where they may be 2 years into the future. Their style might evolve in another direction, or they may decide to specialise.

Louise had just made the courageous decision to give up her private practise as a psychologist and throw herself into photography full-time. Louise’s unique background allows her to connect with people and draw them out. She can identify with her clients and also identify when they are feeling a little tense and work her magic to make them relax.

Her brief intially was focussed on a moulin-rouge themed boudoir photography business. As we spoke it became apparent that her business was made up of many different facets and so the challenge here was to conceptualise a look and feel that was relevant across the board – babies, brides and boudoir – and that would fit in with each.

The O in the logo below represents a portal, an eye, a way of seeing – its a camera, a lens, a ring, a pair of ruby lips. It’s a hug, it’s being hugged, it’s a circle, a full 360 degrees.

Louise also wanted to add some ‘bling’ to her branding, ’cos she is just a ‘blingy kind of person’ or so she tells me. So gently steering her away from diamantes and a bedazzler, I devised a series of circles based on her logo that represent a sparkly string of bling and have used that in her material to support the brand.  

Louise wrote:

Netra is amazing!  She has listened to me, she has created branding that I am so proud of, she really ‘saw me’ and who I want to be as a photographer.

If you are looking for a designer for your business, I totally recommend Netra!  She has been amazing, so supportive, and gives 110% to your project!  I cannot wait to expand on my branding elements with her in the future!

Thanks Louise and big congratulations on your launch! You can check out Louise’s work on her blog (also designed by me!) at www.emotiveimages.com.au.

.

Posted by Netra on Aug 16th 2010 | brochure - card - design - flyer - graphic design - marketing - photography
Show Comments (4) | Leave Comment

Fiona Rogerson contacted me about a total revamp of her business. Fiona had been working with a business coach and was ready to take her business to the next level. Part of that was a sophisticated new look and identity.

Fiona’s photography is best expressed as large art prints for walls and she wanted an icon or symbol that she could use as a stamp across a large variety of material. After  the intial round of concepts, we were working through a few ideas and I had a flash of inspiration with regards to the business initials.

As Fiona specialises in maternity and newborn photography, I used the E from ‘Evoke’ to form the silhouette of the pregnant female form, while the ‘a’ becomes the baby, curled up inside. Fiona said:

“Netra… is the amazing talent behind my new brand. She took my incredibly vague ideas and transformed them into something unique and clever that speaks volumes about me and my photography.”

HUGE congrats to you Fiona, it is so exciting to see everything finally launched and I sure you will do amazing things with this business. Well done!!!

Make sure to check out Evoke art   to see the new logo and branding!

Posted by Netra on Jun 29th 2010 | brochure - card - design - flyer - graphic design - marketing
Show Comments (3) | Leave Comment

Briony Howland was referred to me by Chantelle Bliss who captured some images for her marketing both print and online. Briony needed me to add bleed and crops to the existing brochure, she was happy with it she had and wasn’t too keen to change it.

Ordinarilywhen a client is clear on what they want – I simply do what they ask. I don’t force the issue as I find it can come across as being quite patronising. As I started to work on this brochure however, I had to restrain myself from tweaking things in the flyer. About halfway through I realised I had a different vision for this brochure in my head and I just had to let it out. So after I finished the minor amends to the existing version I created an entirely new version as well.

I made both into a PDF and sent them along to Briony with an explanation and the assurance that as I had produced this second concept of my own accord she was under no obligation to pay for it unless she wanted to use it. As I’d hoped, she responded with

I love it!  Thank you so much for reworking the brochure.  I thought it was great before, but now it looks fantastic! 

I had rearranged the information on the front so that her key services are at the top and the website address is prominently displayed. Once open the first flap gives a brief overview of what Birth in Balance is about as well as develops Briony’s credibility with her audience by providing a summary of her achievements and philosophy. The audience is further engaged by the image of her with her children – so that people feel connected with her on a personal level.

On the inside I have run the information in columns and highlighted the testimonials as actual quotes to offer shorts bursts of positive and compelling information for those who may not read all 3 columns. I wanted to show what could be achieved with the brochure. It should not only offer information about the services, but should be designed in a strategic way to encourage people to engage with your brand.

This is a really great example of how a few simple layout changes can make such a big diffrence to a relatively small piece of marketing. More importantly it demonstrates how small business owners can work with designers for an customised design solution that won’t break the bank.

Oh, and if you’re after a doula, pre/post natal massage or wellness advice, please do visit Briony’s website at www.BirthinBalance.com.au

.

The original brochure

.

The new brochure

.

Posted by Netra on Aug 16th 2009 | brochure - corporate - design - flyer - graphic design - marketing
  Hide Comments Leave Comment