Research
First I did some research into corporate branding and this will help me to take inspiration from effective designs and get an idea of what works best and the style I should be aiming for.
Original Logo
This is the basic logo which will be used as a starting point for the rest of the designs after being developed further.
Colour Scheme
First I developed the colour scheme further. I tried out a lot of different options, some multicoloured and some monochromatic. I decided I didn't want to anything too bright because I wanted to keep it corporate and professional looking so in the end I selected the bottom right because it has a mix of colour and blacks and greys giving it a sleek and professional look but still with a hint of colour which makes it more interesting than just black and white.
Typography Development
Next I worked on the typography by testing out different typeface combinations for the main company name and the subheading. I also experimented with the layout and positing of the text. I found that sans serif typefaces work best with the sharp edges of the logo and they are bold, legible, and have a big impact.
Once I had selected my favourite typeface I played around with the layout and the placement of the text and the logo image to find the most effective result.
Final Logo Design
This is my final design for the logo. I think this is an effective logo because the typeface is bold and legible and stands out off the page which are all the main key things for a logo, and the image part is subtle so it doesn't overpower against the most important part of the logo which is the name but still large enough to be clear and stand out. I think the colour scheme looks really effective because it is classy and professional but the pop of colour adds a little personality to the company. I think the layout I chose works well because the main focus is on the image and company name but the smaller tag line is still clearly visible and well integrated with the other elements and I think it all looks clear and cohesive.
Buisness Card Design
FRONT
Next I created a business card. I started off by placing in just my original logo but I wanted to make it a little different to keep the identity fresh and interesting.
I decided to take the triangle elements from the image part of the logo and break them up and put them back together to make this border shape. I think this looks fun and colourful but its a little too much with the logo underneath as well and I think it needs something a little simpler to keep it sleek and corporate.
I decided to separate the triangles and scatter them around the corner of the page. I think this looks a lot more effective because it breaks up the design making it a lot more subtle and less overpowering whilst still adding a fun detail to the card and giving the identity more personality. I chose to remove the main logo from the text because it was too cluttered and it will be on the other side anyway to keep the whole brand identity but the shapes are made from the logo so the design still links to it.
BACK
I filled in the necessary information and then added the logo and tried a couple of different layouts.
I decided to remove the address because it was looking very cluttered and its not 100% necessary as when doing my research I found not all business cards had the address on them. This makes it cleaner and clearer and the extra white space makes it a lot less daunting to look at and read which is the point of a business card as you don't want people to be turned off by too much to read.
The layout still looked a little cluttered and wasn't very balanced so I decided to just have the image part of the logo. I think this is just as effective because both parts of the logo are on the business card as a whole but it looks a lot cleaner and less cluttered and top heavy now.
FINAL DESIGN
This is my final design for the business card. I am very happy with it because I think it looks corporate and professional but also has a bit of quirkiness because of the pops of colour and break down of the logo giving the company a clear brand identity and some originality.
Brochure
INSIDE
Next I experimented with the layout of the leaflet. I changed the font and tried adding in my edits of the logo. I first made the text wider to leave more white space above and below it and added in the blocks of triangles but I think it would work better to use the broken up triangles to link it to by business card and keep a consistent brand identity.
I added in the triangles instead and I think this is a lot more effective because it links with the business card and doesn't overcrowd the page leaving the information as the main focal point.
I added in a title using the same font as in my logo and business card for continuity. I initially tried to fit it around the triangles but it looks a bit out of place so I want to try and line it up with the text.
I lined it up with the text by making the triangles smaller, and the body text a smaller font and mailer size. I think this looks really effective because it is now all neat and in line and the text is still clear and easily legible because of the bold sans serif typeface.
FRONT
Next I created designs for the front. I decided to put the whole logo on here because I thought this was important so the booklet is clearly linked to the company and to keep a consistent brand identity. I decided to play around with the broken up triangles to link to the inside and keep it coherent with the business card. Initially I kept it quite small but I think this left the rest of the page very empty and it looked a bit small and insignificant.
I then sized it up and I think this looks a lot more effective because it gives a much bolder impact and adds more personality to the company whilst still being linked to my previous designs keeping it consistent. It is a little too bold now though because even with the logo on top the bold colours overpower it so I will try softening them to help the main logo still stand out.
I softened the colours by lowering the opacity and I think this looks a lot more effective as the logo is now the main focal point and the triangles have become a background design but they are still clearly visible.
FINAL DESIGN
This is my final design for the brochure. I think it looks very effective because the design has been carried through the pages keeping it cohesive and the typefaces are bold and legible. I think the colour and triangles add some personality to the company but it still looks neat and corporate.
Website
HOMEPAGE
Next I created the homepage for the website. I started off by adapting the nav bar that was provided by stretching it out and adding in my own font. I used the same font as in my logo as it is clear and bold with good legibility and this is also gives good continuity. I also added in a search bar using the same font to keep it cohesive and I added the logo at the top as I want this to be a main focus on the page to keep a clear brand identity.
Next I worked with the main body of the page. First I tried adding in a large image to represent a slide show and some text at the side. I dont think this looked very effective as the left side of the page is just a long string of text and it just looks quite out of place.
I decided to change the colour of the nav bar because all text on the page will be black so I wanted some colour to break that up and link to my colour scheme. I changed the font to white as this had a better contrast than the black and it really makes the nav bar jump of the page.
I had some white space on the right side so I added in a little quote to break this up. I think this looks effective because the hint of colour in the speech bubbles adds more of my colour scheme into my text giving the whole page continuity. I used the same font as in my logo and nav bar for the body text because it is a bold and legible font and this also gives a really clear brand identity as this font will now be clearly associated with the company.
I added some arrows to the bottom of the page to show that this is a scrollable slide show and add some interactivity to the page.
Finally I added in the broken triangles used in my previous designs as this fully links it to the rest of my brand identity and adds some more colour and fun to the page.
FINAL DESIGN
This is my final design for the website. I think it looks really effective as everything it really clearly linked back to the the brand identity I have created and to the previous things I have created. I think the page is bold and clear and looks corporate and professional because of the clean layout and bold clear typefaces and subtle colour scheme.
MOBILE VIEW
I decided to create a mobile view of the website as an additional outcome. I took the main elements from the website and condensed them down into a mobile sized screen. Instead of having the full nav bar I used the 3 lines which are commonly used on mobiles as a slide out menu to allow space for the other elements on my page. I decided to keep the slideshow by using just one of the images and adding in the arrows.
FINAL DESIGN
Finally I added in the triangles to keep it coherent with my other designs and looking as similar to the homepage as possible. I think this design is really effective because I have managed to keep the basic layout and as many elements from the main homepage as possible but it still looks neat and concise and is easy to navigate and isn't cluttered.
Envelope Design
For my next additional outcome I decided to create an envelope design. I kept my main logo in the top corner to clearly link it to my company and then added in the usual information that businesses contain on their envelopes to the right of it. I decided to separate it with the line to clearly separate the two elements. I used the same font as though out for continuity and clear legibility. I wanted to link it clearly to my other designs to keep the brand identity so I added in the triangles in the bottom corner and lowered the opacity to keep them subtle and ensure the won't be in the way incase someone needs to write over it.
FINAL DESIGN
I then added in the address in the same font for continuity. Overall I think this design is effective because it is neat and clearly layed out in keeping with the corporate theme but still clearly links to my previous designs and brand identity because I used the same elements and font.
Letter Head
Next I decided to create a letter head to go along with my envelope. I decided to place the logo in the top right corner and the address at the bottom leaving plenty of space for the content of the letter and the customers details. I wanted to keep the brand identity going so I again I added the triangles in the corners. I tried having varying levels of opacity on the two corners to switch it up a bit but I think the top corner is too opaque and wouldn't be very good if something needs to be typed over it.
I lowered the opacity of the top left triangles so that any black text could easily be seen over them but they are still a little more opaque than the bottom so there is still a very small contrast.
FINAL DESIGN
This is my final design for the letterhead. I think this looks effective because the layout and elements are still cohesive with the rest of my brand identity but playing around with the opacity and sizes keeps it different from the others and text can still clearly be seen over the background shapes because the opacity is so low.
Compliments Slip
Finally I decided to make a compliments slip. I went with a really similar layout to my letter for continuity but only placed the triangles in one corner as the white space is much smaller and I didn't want to fill it and clutter it too much.
I tried it in the opposite corner but I think this doesn't look as effective because the elements now all look crammed into one corner with a mass of white space on the other side.
FINAL DESIGN
I placed it back in the left corner but just increased the size to give it more of an impact but kept the opacity very low so that the logo is still the main focal point. I think this looks effective because it is very close to the design of my letter head just scaled down and simplified and is very in keeping and cohesive with the rest of my brand identity.
Evalutation
Overall I am happy with how this project went because I think the designs all look cohesive and the brand identity is consistent and strong throughout. I think it all looks corporate and professional because of the subtle colour scheme and neat and organised layout. I also think I managed to add some fun and individuality to the company by breaking up the logo and adding this new element throughout the branding which makes it a lot more interesting than just repeating the original logo on its own. I think my final logo is effective because the typography is clear and professional looking and flows well when placed next to the logo and they are both in proportion with each other with neither over powering the other. I am very pleased with how this project went and I think all the outcomes are cohesive and professional looking and would suit a corporate company.
