The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 31: June/July 2017 | Page 25

CREATIVE THINKING
Having been in the creative industry for more than 25 years, Steve Munson of
Studio Creative Services shares some insights, problems and solutions of the creative industry.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
It’s common knowledge that building a
business brand extends much further than
just having a professional logo. A brand
is reflected in everything associated with
the business it represents. From a business
card to office signage, company brochure
to branded merchandise, whatever it might
be emanates a subliminal message to all
that see and interact with it. Therefore, it
is important to ensure that you maintain
quality standards across all marketing
collateral, so that it is representative of the
image your company wishes to portray.
Judging a book by its cover
Usually the first piece of marketing collateral
that you receive is a business card.
This small piece of card (usually!) has a
great impact on the perceived values of the
individual or company it represents.
 We’ve all been on the receiving end of a
card that is not well designed or produced.
Yes, it may serve a purpose and have the
contact details on, but it looks and feels
a bit like a cold, limp, slightly sweaty
handshake – though to be fair you never
forget those – for all the wrong reasons!
This is the introduction to your brand,
so investing in a well-designed, quality
produced card is really quite important.
Consider something that’s a little
different, something that makes that card
stand out from the crowd, from both a
design and print finishing aspect.
“bit like a cold,
limp,slightly sweaty
handshake!”
This could cost you a little more than
an online provider might charge, but you
are not investing in the business card, but
your brand image. Plus it’s a great
ice-breaker, you will be surprised at the
positive feedback and comments you will
receive when handing them out.
Look at Apple and the products they
sell…in my opinion their products are the
market leaders in design and functionality.
They are at the top of the premium brand
ladder, but forget the products for a
moment, just look at the packaging they
caress their goods in. They are fantastically
designed, and manufactured to the highest
standards. The premium experience starts
before you’ve even opened the box, which
all goes towards why people are prepared
to pay a higher price for their products.
 It makes me despair when I see
companies exhibiting at various shows
around the country, knowing they have
often invested hundreds if not thousands
of pounds for the exhibition space,
but yet have chosen not to invest in
presenting their brand in a professional
and quality manner. ‘Investing’ instead,
in purchasing the cheapest pull
up banner, sticking up a few posters and
offering “straight in the bin” merchandise.
Walk on by…
 Now, I’m not saying that you have to
purchase the most expensive products to
present a quality image, far from it…you
just have to plan, be knowledgeable and
selective.
 The one thing my company offers,
and obviously I am slightly bias, is quality
and value for money. We refuse to use
the cheapest paper we could to print on.
We don’t buy the cheapest hardware to
put our pull up banners in. We just don’t
produce anything that we wouldn’t be
proud to put our own brand on, because
everything we produce for our clients is
a direct reflection of our brand and our
image - irrespective that it doesn’t have our
logo on.
Your brand reflects your business and
with us your brand is in safe hands.
For more info:
www.studio-cs.co.uk
01793 336004
Photo quality banner printing in progress
High quality substrate, photo print quality, crystal seal
in premium hardware
Creative solutions for print, web and brand identity
Juicy Designs is a creative design agency offering practical marketing
solutions that really communicate. With over 25 years creative experience,
working with lots of exciting clients both large and small, we have the
expertise on tap to help you communicate and engage with your customers.
With no unnecessary overheads to pass on, we can help you communicate
and engage with your customers, maximising your marketing potential.
www.juicy-designs.com
The all important business card.
Example of high lift spot UV and soft touch laminate
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017
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