Build a consistent, professional look

Everyone knows the McDonald's Golden Arches, but if it weren't always used consistently throughout advertising, marketing and other materials, it never would have become synonymous with McDonald's... and vice versa. The same thing goes for your logo, brand,  website and marketing materials: Establishing a distinct, professional look sets you apart in the marketplace, but also demonstrates that you are professional and dedicated, and not just someone with a Word template and a printer. We'll put it to you this way: Is it better to meet a potential client in jeans, or in a suit? The way you present your business to the world is just as important!

The importance of networking (especially for start-up companies)...

Business networking is a must for all start ups. It not only allows you to meet and greet with the local business community but it also allows you to begin measuring what people think of the products and services you have to offer. Above all though, networking is definitely a great way to form strong and long lasting relationships with other business owners... these will be the building blocks to a truly successful business.

I belong to a few networking groups myself, most notably BNI (Business Networking International), and these structured networking engagements offer myself and my company priceless relationships. The problem with a lot of start up companies is that they network with a view of creating immediate sales and not on building those priceless relationships. Although some start ups understand the importance of networking, they unfortunately fail to see the real point of it all. Business networking is not about creating sales. It is about building solid relationships with the businesses around you. Those networkers who are focused only on creating sales will find that they will actually have to do twice the work to get the business they’re after, as opposed to the others who understand the true reason for networking.

Why hire a professional Web Designer?

Quite frankly, with all the inexpensive software available, anyone can create a Web site. However, will that Web site be search engine friendly, content-rich, and pleasing in appearance? Will you know how to include a shopping cart, feedback forms, unique graphics? A professional designer has spent countless hours studying these concepts and can provide you with a Web site that is not only aesthetically appealing but is search engine friendly and utilizes the full power of technology.

A Web site designer can help you present the best possible face to your customers. Remember, your Web site gets your foot into the door of potential customers and puts you in their living room. Don't get kicked out by having a poorly done Web site or one that looks like all the rest to represent you. You cannot create a unique presence on the Web or in print using clip art and templates. A good designer can create a custom look based on the image a company wants to present to its customers.

Amplified Communications can create affordable and appealing Web sites that are optimized for search engines and maximized to their full potential. email us today (info@amplifiedcommunications.ca) and let a professional help get you and your company noticed.

What the heck is a spot colour anyway?

You may have heard the term "spot colour" before, in relation to a job you were having printed. In offset printing, a spot color is any color generated by an ink (pure or mixed) that is printed using a single run.

The widely-spread offset printing process is composed of four spot colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black) commonly referred to as CMYK. More advanced processes involve the use of six spot colors (hexachromatic process), which add Orange and Green to the process (termed CMYKOG). The two additional spot colors are added to compensate for the inefficient reproduction of faint tints using CMYK colors only. However, offset technicians around the world use the term spot color to mean any color generated by a non-standard offset ink; such as metallic, fluorescent, spot varnish, or custom hand-mixed inks.

When making a multi-color print with a spot color process, every spot color needs its own lithographic film. All the areas of the same spot color are printed using the same film, hence, using the same lithographic plate. The dot gain, hence the screen angle and line frequency, of a spot color vary according to its intended purpose. Spot lamination and UV coatings are sometimes referred to as 'spot colors', as they share the characteristics of requiring a separate lithographic film and print run.

Top 10 reasons your company should have a well designed logo...

If you feel your logo may be a little under par, or are thinking of doing your corporate logo yourself, here are 10 reasons why a properly executed, well thought out logo design is so important...

1. Make a good impression. 

Before a potential customer even walks in the door, they have a developed a first impression of your company by what your logo says about your business.

2. Attract new  customers.

An effective, functional and memorable logo can and will inspire customers to give you their business, or think of your company when the time is right.

3. Stand out from the competition.

If you flip through any directory, or phone book and you'll see a myriad of forgettable companies. Differentiating yourself in a positive way is critical to winning over potential clients/customers.

4. Keep loyal customers.

Don't give your competition the chance to steal away your customers. If your brand and logo are well established and well thought out, your clients will be less likely to try out that new company around the block.

5. Build trust through professionalism.

A professional, polished logo will tell customers that you are good at what you do. A sloppy, poorly designed logo conveys a lack of ability and know-how.

6. Tell customers who you are.

Every company has an emphasis, specialty, or distinct quality that separates it from other businesses. The right logo will help customers decide if your company is the right choice for them.

7. Provide a visual association.

Logos are the visual representation of a company's brand - that is, their services, products and image in the customer's mind. No logo means there's nothing to help customers think of and remember your business.

8. Back up your business.

Most companies work hard to provide the best products and services in their industry, and a good logo can reinforce these efforts.

9. Help people remember you.

Along with standing out, a professional logo will make it easier for your customers to think of you when they have a need for your services.

10. Build employee morale.

Employees who are proud of their company and their image will surely work harder and be more productive. They will also tend to talk about the company more and build a good positive image.

Vectors vs. Pixels... What's the Difference?

If you often work with a lot of image files, or are in charge of managing some of your company's marketing initiatives, you may have come across the request for a vectored file (vs. a rasterized or pixelated file). Although to the naked eye (when viewed on your screen at 100%) these file types may appear similar, they are actually quite different and there are a few reasons why vectored files should be used in some situations.

First off, the difference between the two is quite simple. Pixelated files are made of thousands of "pixels", and when these images are zoomed in on, or blown up and printed, they tend to appear very bitty (and look like a whole bunch of squares). A common pixelated file format would be a jpeg (which is usually the format your digital camera would take pictures in). A vectored file is made up of mathematical paths and shapes, and therefore can be scaled as large, or as small as needed. A common vectored file format would be an eps (encapsulated post script) file, which a logo, or solid graphic elements are usually designed in. 

One benefit of vectors is file size. They tend to be quite a bit smaller than a rasterized file of similar nature...especially when dealing with high resolution print ready files. Another benefit of the vector file format is colour seperation. It is easier to prepare a vector file for printing, when the job involves specific corporate PMS (Pantone) colours over and above the basic CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). It is for these reasons that a corporate logo is almost always designed in a vectored format - and to ensure that it will have consistent reproduction at any scale.

Welcome to our blog...

Hi there,

Thanks for joining us at our blog. You probably found us through our website, amplifiedcommunications.ca... If not, I invite you to check it out...there's lots to see!

Amplified Communications is a website and graphic design studio, currently located in Newmarket, just north of Toronto, Ontario. Amplified is dedicated to producing great design uniquely custom-fit to our clients ongoing and individual needs.

The purpose of this blog is to educate users on the principles, history and trends in design, and to provide them with useful tips for advertising and marketing themselves and their business. If you ever have any design related questions, or would like to inquire about how we can help you and your business succeed, feel free to write us anytime at info@amplifiedcommunications.ca. Until next time, have a good one!

Cheers,
Dennis Foot - Creative Director