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    6 Ways to refresh your brand

  • hello@pixelsource.co.uk
  • February 22, 2018
  • Graphic Design
  • 0 Comments

    Refresh versus rebrand - a never ending debate in the life of a small business owner! How do you know when it is time?

    From colors that feel dated to visuals or a logo that popped out of 90's, your brand may be showing signs that it needs new life. But it's important to make changes without losing who you are in the process. (Remember, you don't want to lose or offend people loyal to your small business.)

    How do you do it? Here are ways to tackle a refresh that you will love.

    Make a subtle logo change

    starbucks logos

    Modern logo styles are streamlined and simple. Most contain a visual element of some sort with the brand name, which may or may not always be part of the logo.

    Most logos aren't packed with colour - one or two colours is common. And there's not a lot of graphic adornment, such as shadows or embossing.

    Does this description fit your brand mark? If not, it might be time to simplify your logo somewhat.

    You don't necessarily need a new brand mark, but a "flattening"of the logo might be just the fix to make your company name feel a little more 2018. Most brands have adopted a method of subtle logo changes over time, such as Starbucks above.

    2. Substitute a Typeface

    Just as overall logo styles evolve, so do preferences in typography. Simple serifs are popular and easy to read. Script and handwriting fonts - once trendy - are not in fashion because they can be difficult to read and might not set the right tone for all uses.

    Most small brands have one or two go-to typefaces for print and online publishing. Swap out one of the older-style options for a more modern typeface.

    Not sure where to start? Consider sans serif fonts such as Droid Sans, Lato, Oswald or Ubuntu. If a serif is more your style, try Abril Fatface, Arvo, Josefin Slab or Playfair Display.

    Expand the Colour Palette

    A splash of new colour can add visual interest and spice up your brand. Many modern colour palettes include bright colour choices, including magenta, lime green, orange or bright blue.

    Your brand identity might not include colours with so much jazz.

    Add a complementary colour to your existing brand identity for a modern vibe. Just make sure to establish how and when the additional colour should be used.

    The nice thing about adding a colour is that it doesn't have to be a permanent solution. A flashy colour choice can link to a specific brand campaign or evolve again when trends change. You also don't have to switch out or contract design of a new logo with this brand refresh concept.

    4. Incorporate a trend into the overall design

    Colour and typography aren't the only trendy elements that can be a part of a brand makeover. Consider adding another trend to keep the design fresh.

    This could include anything from a background video on your website to flat style buttons in the design or an image style that mirrors the look of an Instagram filter.

    There is some risk with using a trend - it can fall out of style as quick as it came in - but because you are only playing with some visual changes and not rebranding, most small businesses can handle the change.

    5. Invest in New Video or Photography

    New imagery can make your brand feel new again in an instant. Look at your photo collection. Are the hair styles or clothes from another time?

    Little giveaways such as these can make a brand look dated even if it is not. Invest in new photography or video that shows your brand or product in action. Make sure that images are high resolution and are cropped to standard screen sizes. (Wide screen crops are preferred, 16:9 ratio; a 3:2 ratio or medium quality images is a clue that they are old.)

    Photo and video composition styles have changed as well, with most brands opting for imagery that looks natural and includes people in action. Posed or overly stiff photos are out.

    6. Add a Secondary Mark with a Modern Flair

    Are you sick and tired of trying to fit your logo into social media profiles or website or app icon locations where it just doesn't display properly?

    Most brands create a secondary logo that's very simple, doesn't include text and is easy to pop in these often oddly-shaped or sized locations. The secondary mark signals users that you understand modern tools and the brand is using them appropriately.

    If you can go back to the designer of your original logo for a second mark, explain where you want to use it before starting the process. A secondary mark is not just a crop of the primary logo - it is a secondary, more streamlined logo design.

    Conclusion

    You don't have to completely rebrand your small business to make a new first impression on users. Sometimes small changes can impact your brand in a big way.

    The best thing about making small design changes is that even with an updated look, users will still identify and connect with your brand, while understanding that you want to stay modern in the process.

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