In coming weeks, as things are completed, I will be posting more about the brand roll out. For now I thought I would share some images of a recent conference in Chicago for which I designed the stand graphics. This was the RMHC Global Conference and this stand represented countries in Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific Region where RMHC runs their programs. Each panel represented one of the 14 member countries and the words “you & us” in the respective language. The curved welcome desk below said welcome or hello in all the languages of the member countries as well. It was such a fun project to be a part of!

This was a very quick turnaround job, collating imagery from countries all over the world was a challenge, but I am SO pleased with the result!

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

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!

Below you will find the designs for the first design (red and black option) and the updated can design (with the yummy looking steak). Make sure to check out the store in person or online if you’re in the market for a new BBQ or outdoor furniture.

 Greg B was my very first boss when I got a job right out of University and he offered me my first promotion to come and work with him at the flagship Kinko’s store in Liverpool Street in Sydney.

Those were crazy days doing crazy hours filled with crazy clients and even more crazy colleagues. I have fond memories of an accidental giant gargoyle print in the middle of a window banner, a old lady we nick named Granny Smith and her aversion to Windex and the strange woman who asked me to type up a letter to “The People of the USA” warning them about aliens. She was arranging ‘a plane to fly over the USA’ and drop her 10,000 leaflets as a public service.

Anyway, after I left Kinko’s in Australia in 1998, Greg and I have kept in touch over the years. He has been quite inolved in his local council and when he contacted me asking for a logo I was more than happy to help out.

It was a surprisingly quick and efficient process – and this is the final logo they selected. The idea behind the logo is that its about community and standing together. The houses can also be seen as arrows pointing upwards signifying growth and new things to come. The middle 3 colours are of the aboriginal flag to represent the indigenous people in the area and the wavy bottom represents the proximity to the sea. It’s a lot crammed into a little space – but here it is…

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The more people see and hear about my design work, I suppose the more they are willing to let me develop their band. I use the word ‘develop’ here with emphasis. It’s not about just having a great idea, its about how it is implemented across all the marketing - it’s about how flexible the logo and branding are so that they can be carried from the screen, to a print brochure and back to the screen as a website. It’s about making the brand work from day one.

But enough of my soapbox! I wanted to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Nic for entrusting me with her ‘baby’ – it was a ton of fun and I am absolutely stoked with the end result.  In an unrelated request, I put the word out for some client feedback recently and Nicole wrote this passage which I shall post here as it speaks directly about this project.

Working with Netra has not only been an honour and privelidge but it has also been the turning point in my business. Netra has the professional and brilliant ability to take your vision and turn it into something that is beyond what your imagination could have dreamed. Netra is thorough with her knowledge in the industry but what makes her stand above the rest is that she puts her whole heart and soul into creating what is right for YOU. She is a true artist in her form, a beautiful person and someone I am looking forward to working with again in the near future.

We wanted to focus on something about Narrelle that was unique and memorable – that would stay with prospective clients even after they had left her website, or put the brochure down,

We chose to focus on Narrelle’s second name “Joy” as opposed to her surname and focus the logo and concept on the notions of ‘joy’ and what it means to be joyous. The concept we ended up with was what we termed the ‘bubble of joy’ concept. The O represents a rising bubble of joy and carries through all Narrelle’s collateral, linking all the web and printed material together rather effectively. Narrelle said,

“I am so in love with it. I love Netra’s insight to me and my business in guiding me along the process and coming out the other end with something that really reflects my style… so thank you Netra. So much. You’re an absolute champion.”

Mention this blog to receive 10% off your pettiskirt order (first ten orders only). If you’re wanting to order a few, make sure to mention that as Marcella offers fab discounts for larger orders as well. She also ships interstate and to other countries, just ask for a quote!