Branding and Logos
Recently I received the January 2008 (or is it February?) issue of the Craft Report. In this issue, I believe it’s Luann Udell (I don’t have the issue sitting in front of me at the moment) writes an editorial on branding. The essential point of the article is that the author went nuts trying to develop a brand, and in the end went back to making jewelry just simply because she loved it and is following her muse.
That point struck a chord with me. The past month and a half I’ve been going nuts trying to figure out where to take my business in 2008. I’ve contemplated creating a small amount of pieces that I can easily reproduce. I’ve contemplated a marketing campaign.
I think I’ve found a compromise between the two sides of “to brand or not to brand.”
Not too long ago, I expressed frustration at women who box themselves into mold, and are afraid to try new things. I picked up on the phrase “Be BOLD.” It’s become my new exit greeting on my blog posts. I thought about using this as my new company motto, to incorporate it into my company branding, and as a jumping off point for a whole new line of jewelry.
Reading the branding article though made me realize I shouldn’t get so carried away with being my own marketing and promotions director that I forget why I do what I do.
Still…
Over the years I’ve tinkered with one logo idea or another. I’ve yet to find something that satisfied me. I’ve always known that it needed to incorporate a butterfly as the butterfly is an integral part of the company name. Other than that…colors and such just stumped me. I also don’t have the budget to hire someone to create something for me. Marketing and branding is an expensive venture, whether you are talking about money or man-hours. And until recently, I didn’t even have the basic skillset to create my own.
But, thanks to a couple of fantastic college courses, I have a few basic skills, and after debating all the issues and dilemmas, I finally sat down last night and went to work.
And, I’m happy to say, I have what makes me happy. I can’t use “Be BOLD” as my slogan, because that is already trademarked. However, “Dare to be BOLD” is not. Colors? Black and white are as bold as you get. It’s simple, and I do believe that sometimes simplest is best.
Without further ado, here is my new logo and website banner with my slogan:
Copyright Miachelle DePiano, 2007.
Copyright Miachelle DePiano, 2007.
I think I’m done. I’m happy. I don’t know that I’m necessarily gunning for changes to my product line–I think I’m happy making whatever the muse leads me to make. But, I do feel that I have a solid identity now.
Be BOLD.
Miachelle