recent press | Voyage Houston

What?! Two posts in one day? YES. I opened my inbox to see I was part of not one, but TWO, features today. VoyageHouston was kind enough to include me in their series called “The Thought-Provokers: Celebrating Artists and Creatives.” If you’re new here and you’d like to hear more about what I do, how I came to do it, and how creatives can set each other up for success, please have a read!

BTW / At the end of my interview, I was asked to refer VoyageHouston to at least 5 other Houston creatives who inspire me, which made me realize someone else must have given them my name. I have no idea who it was, but that is such a compliment! Thank you, anonymous friend!

brand reveal | Tripp Films

Photo and Styling by Nikki Tripp of Tripp Films

This spring, I had the absolute pleasure of working with Nikki Tripp of Tripp Films to rebrand her Houston-based creative film business. Today, she is sharing a Q&A session she did with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful! While I wish I had more time to post about recent projects like this, it means even more to me when clients share their experiences on their own.

Get your reading on here:

After you’re done, hire Tripp Films to make you a branded film. I guarantee you will not regret it.

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More to come on this amazing project, I promise!

branding tip: don't use stock graphics to create a business logo

If you've fiiinally decided to take the plunge and start a small business, you may be wondering how to go about getting a logo designed. The downside is, you're on a super tight budget. The upside is, you've discovered some amazing online resources that will help you make it yourself. Yes! This is the best idea ever! I'm reeeally good at DIY!

I would have thought the same exact thing...before I became a graphic designer. My first job out of design school was to create ads for clients of a luxury magazine. The businesses ran the gamut from local sole proprietors to international, multi-million-dollar chains. The branding files I received from said clients were just as varied. Some clients were in tip-top shape, handing over files that made my job a breeze. Other clients provided Microsoft Word docs and teeny tiny images on white blocky backgrounds. Some people couldn't even provide a logo file. "Can't you [the designer] just find one somewhere online? We can't wait to see our faaaaabulous ad!" You'd surmise the big chains would have it together, but I was shocked to discover that there was no correlation between the size of the company and the quality of their branding.

Where am I going with this? Well, if you've done some research, you may have come across some websites that sell stock graphics—even pre-designed logos and identities. All you have to do is type in your business name, and voilà! A beautiful, professional logo for under $20! There are even some apps that allow you to create your own layout, change colors, choose fonts, and move around graphic elements. As a fellow creative, I completely understand how satisfying—even exhilarating—this could feel.

Everything is awesome...until one of two things happens:

1. You try to order something with your logo on it (think: t-shirts, bags, banners, etc.) and the logo file you have doesn't fit the technical requirements. BTW // this is very, VERY common. We run into this quite frequently when making custom stamps.
2. One of your competitors is using the SAME design.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• Stock graphics are GREAT for personal projects. If you want to make stuff for a party or design your own wedding invites, go for it. Designers are putting out some gorgeous work, and I don't blame them for selling in this format. (Custom work is extremely time-consuming and you can make more money in less time selling one design to many people.)
• Stock graphics are also fitting for small-scale "hobby" businesses. If you're selling crocheted scarves in your free time and don't plan on quitting your day job, there's no point in making a huge investment in branding. Just find something that works for you (and your budget) and roll with it.

On the other hand...

• If you have quit your day job and you're serious about starting a business, my advice is to get a professional to help you. This does NOT mean you have to spend more than you can afford. If you want to save money, do as much prep work as possible. This may mean using some stock graphics to make a mock-up you like, then handing it to a designer to make some changes. In the end, you should have a logo that is UNIQUE to your business. This way, you can trademark your logo and protect your identity.
• By hiring a pro, you'll be getting the RIGHT kinds of files. Every small business should have a logo in either .ai or .eps format. These are vector files that can be scaled to any size without losing detail. (You can also easily change the colors.)
• When "interviewing" a designer, make sure they don't use stock graphics for logo work...otherwise you're back to square one.

THE TAKEAWAY

Branding can be expensive (and time-consuming), but if you build a solid foundation you'll be SO glad in the long run. Designers will be able to create what you need in less time...which will save you money, speed things up, and strengthen your brand. Plus, if you take the time to develop something you reeeeeeally love, you won't feel the need to rebrand every year.

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P.S. I am so excited to announce that the abbreviated Akula Kreative logo is now an OFFICIALLY registered trademark. For a short talk about the process, click here.

P.P.S. We're sold out of v. 1.0 of the Branding Workbook, but v. 2.0 should be on press this month!

A Branding Workbook | winner!

Congratulations to KRISTY of Looseleaf Editorial & Production for winning a copy of our Branding Workbook!

Kristy, a small business owner in Utah, provides quality editorial and production services to individual authors, publishers, businesses, and scholars. When asked how the Branding Workbook would help her, she explained:

I am preparing to focus my efforts specifically to fiction authors this coming year. Up to now I have been casting a very broad net for clients, but my schedule is now very full (I'm a stay-at-home mom and I'll soon be managing .33 acres of garden and chickens as well), so I want to select for quality over quantity when it comes to clients.

I want to focus my branding (and probably rebrand) to attract fiction writers, as they are the clients whose work I enjoy the most and with whom I feel the most collaborative spirit.

However, I have NO branding experience. I built my website myself and did all the logo creation, but I have little design background (I think it shows). I was able to get some professional input on my rebrand, but I don't feel like I have a good enough direction yet for myself, let alone for someone else to help me. A workbook would help me ask the right questions and formulate solid answers so I can give myself a better idea of how to brand Looseleaf appropriately.

Kristy: the Branding Workbook sounds like a great fit for this little predicament, so we are more than happy to give you a boost. Good luck, best wishes, and stay in touch!

HUUUGE THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUBMISSIONS!!!

A Branding Workbook | giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiveaway Week! To kick it off, we're giving you a chance to win a booklet copy of our new pride and joy :: A Branding Workbook for Small Businesses.

WHAT IS IT?

40+ full color pages of info, exercises, and tips for developing a unique, lasting brand identity.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Creative professionals who want to get the most out of their investment in small business branding.

WHY DO YOU NEED THIS?

To get organized, define your brand, and HAVE FUN with the creative process.

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GIVEAWAY Terms, Conditions, Rules, and Regulations

1. Giveaway starts November 24, 2014 and ends December 7, 2014 at 11:59pm CST.

2. To enter, fill out the form below. No purchase necessary.

3. One winner will be selected based on the following criteria: quality of response and social media interaction. We're looking for creative small business owners who want to gain valuable insight into the branding process. If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest, you'll get extra brownie points.

4. Limit one entry per person. Multiple people from the same business may enter individually on behalf of that business.

5. Winner will be chosen the week of December 8, 2014 and announced on Facebook. Assuming we have a valid mailing address, we will ship the booklet within 5 business days of the announcement.

6. This giveaway has no cash value.

7. By entering this giveaway, you hereby grant us permission to publish your name, business name (if applicable), and any other business-related details you include in your submission. We will NOT publish your email or mailing address.

8. Akula Kreative has the right to change the rules or cancel this giveaway at any time. (We have no intention of doing this, but we have to protect ourselves.)

The giveaway has ended and we've announced the winner HERE. Thanks for your submissions!

a few small business trademark tips

My apologies for the lack of posts, but the studio is running at full capacity! Not only do we have some AMAZING small business branding projects in the works, but we're also gearing up for our last Pop-Up Stamp Shop of 2014. PLUS, we've officially filed for two trademarks at the USPTO. Yes, yes, we specialize in branding yet we hadn't gone through the trouble of protecting our own investment. Oh, the shaaame!

Well...at the risk of sounding like I have no self esteem whatsoever, I had been banking on the fact that 1) no one would ever think of using Akula Kreative as their business name, and 2) my li'l sole proprietorship would never grow into something big enough to warrant a trademark. But hey! We've made it this far and I'm very proud of the work we've produced over the past six years. Now it's time to protect our name, our work, and our reputation.

TRADEMARK TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

As someone who designs custom logos for small businesses, I thought it would be helpful to outline a few things I've learned during this trademark process. Note :: I am NOT a lawyer, and I am NOT offering legal advice. I have not been paid to say any of this, and none of the information below should be considered legal counsel. Please consult a lawyer for accurate and up-to-date information.

• Before you start, you need to get a bunch of stuff prepared, including (but not limited to):
  • A .jpg file of the specific logo you want to trademark*
  • Important business dates (i.e., when you went public with your logo(s))
  • A description of what your logo looks like
  • Photos (in .jpg format) of your logo used publicly (e.g., website, brochure, packaged goods, etc.)
  • Your trademark classification according to the International Schedule of Goods and Services (i.e., your business sector)
  *One application must be filed for one business name, logo, slogan, or sound. This means that if you use two logo variations, that's two apps. You'll have to pay at least one government filing fee per app, not including attorney fees. (See the fee schedule here.) Be sure to read the FAQs before starting the online process!
• You don't have to hire an attorney or law firm to help you, but, in my opinion, it will save you time and hassle. For example, I didn't want to have to search for similar marks in my classification, so I hired someone. If there ARE any conflicts, at least you'll have a professional who can help you through it!
• As far as I know, once your application is approved by an attorney, it is then filed with the USPTO. It can take up to a year to receive your registered trademark. In the meantime, you can use the nifty ™ to "claim" your business name or logo. Once you're official, you can use ®.

While you're working with your designer, let him/her know that you intend to trademark your logo(s). This way, you can have the designer prep some of the files you'll need, add the ™ to your marks, and provide a description of the logo(s) using the appropriate typographic jargon.

Again...this is not legal advice; I'm simply sharing my personal experience as an introduction to the process. I HIGHLY recommend hiring a lawyer to help you through the process, whether it's online or through a local firm.

Cheers to small business!

A Branding Workbook!

It's been MONTHS in the making, but my Branding Workbook is finally on press!

WHAT IS IT?

44 pages of exercises, tips, and guidelines for crafting a unique, thoughtful, and relevant brand identity.

Topics include: Branding 101, Typography, Logo Development, Finding Inspiration, Color, Style Guides, Pattern, and Choosing a Designer.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Creative professionals and entrepreneurs who...

• want to get the most out of their branding investment (i.e., SAVE $$$)
• are ready to dig deep to develop a lasting brand identity
• don't know how, when, or where to start the design process
• love to color, sketch, and doodle!

WHY DID I MAKE THIS?

First and foremost, I want to share my creative process with small business owners. I also want to prove to them how, with the right information, preparation, and hard work, they can HAVE FUN building a powerful brand without a "big business" budget.

This is not a book about getting anything for free; however, I provide lots of tips about how to work with a small budget! It's all about organizing your thoughts and understanding your business so you can communicate quickly and efficiently with your designer. My goal is to give you the confidence and know-how to invest wisely and create something meaningful.

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This first run is VERY limited, so if you're interested in getting your hands on one, you can reserve a workbook during our PRE-SALE. Workbooks will be ready to ship by mid November (if not sooner).

P.S. Our shop is brand new, so please contact us if you have any technical difficulties. We did our best to iron out the kinks!