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Recent Project – Logo Design
Logo design for KB Health Insurance Solutions, Inc. The initials become a single unique graphic element, as the swash from the K becomes the bottom left serif on the B. The bottom swash on the B winds around entwining both letters.
The circle with the initials may be used separately as a social media avatar.
Building a Marketing Team
Are you part of a team culture? As a business person, the concept of a team is a familiar one. Working together with your co-workers or employees to achieve a common goal. A successful team will consist of members with diverse knowledge and skills, and each has a defined role in the overall objective.
I am self-employed, a “solo-preneur.” But there is no “I” in “team” — how does my business fit in the team culture?
As owner of Resolution Creative I wear many, sometimes too many, hats. However, I recognize the value of recruiting other professionals to add their expertise and talents to a project. My talents are in visual communications, with an education and years of professional experience in this area. I often partner with professional writers, photographers, web developers, videographers, and printers, working as a team to achieve great results for your marketing projects.
If your organization already has a marketing team, perhaps it’s time to bring in a ringer. Resolution Creative will work with your marketing team, bringing additional expertise and a fresh perspective. Let’s discuss how we can work together. Contact info@resolution-creative-services.com
Pricing Graphic Design
How much is a website?
Often I receive calls or emails asking the price for a certain service. There is no clear answer to this question; the services I provide can vary greatly in scope. Imagine you’re shopping for a new car. There’s no exact answer to the question “How much is a car?” Are you buying a Chevrolet Spark or a Cadillac? Both are sold by General Motors, but vary greatly in price due to the features offered. A simple 5 page static website will be less expensive than a site which is more complex.
Whether you need a website, a new brand identity, or a brochure, the scope of any type of project will vary. Are you comfortable viewing one concept, or would you like several to consider? Is your brochure a simple tri-fold, or would you like an eye-catching custom die-cut, or perhaps an infographic? Because of these considerations, there is not a flat fee that may be applied to any type of project.
I’m always happy to meet with you and discuss different options for a custom design and what I can offer to fit your budget. To give you an idea of the pricing for different services, I have prepared a list of starting costs on my website. Still have questions? Contact info@resolution-creative-services.com
Bilingual Content Using the Principles of Design
Basic Design Principles Will Make Your Message Easier to Understand.
One of my clients has large Hispanic audience. Many of the print communications created for this client are bilingual, using both English and Spanish in a single document. Often this means the front and back are the same design, but printed in different languages. Sometimes both languages are printed on the same side of the paper, leaving it to the reader to find the content he can read.
How do you engage the reader, make the content comfortable to read, and still give equal weight to the different content areas? It’s all based upon good design. A well designed page organizes information so it is easy to understand. This poster, designed for a new diabetes program at VNA Health, presents a bilingual message while following the principles of design.
Establish a design hierarchy to determine an emphasis in the layout. The most important element in your communication may be emphasized by size, color, or isolated. In the poster, the name of the program and description are larger than the rest of the content, and centered on the poster. The Spanish program name is on the right, English on the left, both incorporating the large word “Diabetes” as part of the title.
Using a large single image has more impact than numerous small images. The English and Spanish descriptions are centered on either side of the graphic. The program name, image, and description are easy to see at a glance. (more…)
Marketing with A Creative Strategy
At HOWLive in Boston, connecting with other creatives while “netwalking” before the conference day begins. This photo was taken during a break with the “ducklings” in Boston Public Garden
Recently I attended two conferences, HOWDesign Live in Boston and WordCamp Chicago. Conferences are a good way to learn about current trends in my industry, changes in design tools, and they offer opportunities for collaboration and networking within the larger design community. Investing in a conference improves the value and quality of the services provided by my business, Resolution Creative.
An eye-opening session I attended at HOWLive was about creative strategy. My clients’ goals are always a consideration in creating marketing communications. The project often begins with a discovery meeting, however the copy may have been written before I was approached by the client and the strategy has already been decided. A better outcome may be achieved with a partnership between the client and designer in developing a creative strategy together as the first step in your marketing process, instead of handing the finished information to the designer with instructions to “make it pretty.”
“Think how they think in order to do what we do.” – Douglas O. Davis
Healthcare Marketing Award
Resolution Creative, Batavia, has received a 2014 Gold Aster Award for the multilingual advertising designed for VNA Health Care, Aurora. The Aster Awards, one of the largest national competitions of its kind, is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc.. This elite program recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2013. Entries must score in the top 5% to receive a Gold award. Judging criteria includes creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.
“The creativity of this year’s healthcare marketing professionals continues to be at an all time high. The 2014 Aster Awards program contained some of the best advertising arguably in the world,” said Melinda Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.
Resolution Creative is owned by Lisa Youngdahl, Batavia. Contact Lisa at Lisa@resolutioncreativeserices.com or (630) 360-3111
Multilingual Marketing
Multilingual Pposter created for VNA Health Care.
Should You Be Creating Multilingual Marketing?
Who is your target customer? In today’s diverse cultural, you might often be marketing to a multilingual audience. You might be losing customers if you do not present information in the language in which the reader is comfortable. A recent article by the Harvard Business Review addressed the question, “Will Spanish Help You Reach the U.S. Hispanic Market?” Citing the National Hispanic Consumer Study, “advertising in Spanish can boost both advertising effectiveness and customer loyalty.” If your marketing is translated or adapted to reach a new audience, your original marketing investment will go even further. (more…)
What is a resolution?
You’ve probably heard the term “transitional” person. Typically this term is used to refer to the next person someone becomes involved with after the ending of a long relationship. That person might help you move on, but is usually not part of a permanent relationship.
Now, have you ever heard of a transitional business name?
I recently found myself in this situation. After years working as Lisa Smith Youngdahl Graphic Design, I changed my business to ImageSmith Creative. As you can see, I was reluctant to completely let go of the Smith, which I saw as part of my identity. As my business has evolved, I wanted a name that would reflect that focus. Inspired by the mission of my clients, and the work I do for them, I’ve now chosen the name Resolution Creative.
The word “resolution” has several meanings.
- The most obvious meaning is used in digital technologies as measurement of the number of pixels in an image.
- Resolution is also the act of finding a solution to a problem. Resolution Creative will find a creative solution to your marketing needs.
- Many of the clients served are health care, non-profits, and community organizations. These clients have a firm commitment, or resolution, to help serve the public and Resolution Creative can help them achieve that goal.
Whether you need a memorable logo that conveys your brand, a brochure that your clients will want to read, or an interactive website, Resolution Creative will help you. Contact Resolution Creative or phone 630.360.3111.
Resolution Creative
designing marketing solutions to help you help others.
Campton Township Parks & Open Space Website Design
Client: Campton Township Parks and Open Space
Industry: local government
Project: website design
Designed by Resolution Creative
Problem:
The Parks and Open Space Program did not have its own web presence, just a link on Campton Township site. Information about Parks and Open Space was difficult to find. The beauty of the area was not conveyed, and the technology used on the site was outdated. Parks and Open Space content was in an iframe, which is one HTML document embedded inside another. This was not compatible with mobile devices or many browsers. Graphics and type were scattered on the page; there was not a cohesive layout.
Before the new website design, there was only a link on the township website. Information about Parks and Open Space was difficult to find.
Campton Township is a semi-rural area located approximately 35 miles west of Chicago. The slogan of Campton Township is “Where the Future Meets the Pastoral.” As subdivisions began to creep closer to the area, a grassroots group of residents worked with the township to develop an Open Space plan, forming the Parks and Open Space Program. The township voters approved tax increases in referendums totaling over $46 million to acquire open space and preserve the natural areas and resources, wildlife and historic farms, as well as provide recreational facilities. A commitment was made by Campton Township to balancing managed growth with preservation of open space and quality of life. The board knew it was important to show the residents the over 1,300 of open space, parks and farmland that have been acquired and protected as a result of the Open Space Plan. The properties will need to be maintained in the future, and residents need to be aware of the open space and natural areas that are now part of the community.
Solution:
Resolution Creative met with the township board to discuss the goals of a dedicated website for the Parks and Open Space program. The main goal was to feature the different properties acquired under the Open Space Plan. There was already a photography collection of the properties, but these had not been widely available for viewing by the public. The board wanted a site that would work on mobile devices, have an events calendar that could be updated by the board, and a way to solicit volunteers.
The finished website features a large photo of each of the properties in a rotating slide show on the home page. Each of the images links to a page about the property that includes the amenities, a photo album, and a link to a map. The site is responsive, meaning the display changes depending on the device used to view the site. In addition to the slide show, large icons are used to quickly link to the Open Space map, a volunteer information page, and the event calendar.
The site is built using a WordPress content management system, and training provided on updating the site. The website went live January, 2014.
What is your web presence? Do you wonder why your website isn’t performing?
Let Resolution Creative develop a solution.
Warm Holiday Wishes
2013 card illustration for warm holiday wishes.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve designed my own Christmas cards. As a child, I created with crayon, but still remembered to add a copyright mark on the back. Through the years I’ve experimented with different techniques, from linoleum block printing and hot press type to foil fused to the card with laser printing.
This year’s card is an original illustration I created in color pencil, and printed by Resolution Creative print services.
If you are in the Fox Valley Area
My card designs are available for purchase at Gallery H2O, Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water Street, Batavia. Holiday cards are just one example of the original art and communications that Resolution Creative can design for your marketing needs.
Wishing you a warm holiday and a prosperous 2014!