I have been meaning to write about this for some time, and since I have been affected and brought down by so many animal-related stories this week, I thought that now must be the perfect time. Although this has nothing to do with design, or art, it is to do with a great passion of mine, and therefore, a great passion of Leaff's.
I want you all to know just how difficult it is for me to write this post. I have so much emotion tied up in this subject, that I think I could spend my entire life writing about it - in the desperate attempt to make a difference. However, in order to get my point heard, I need to keep control, and deliver this concisely. On that note, I shall begin.
I care deeply about animal rights and I feel strongly that all animals should be treated with equal amounts of respect - as should all living things - yet I feel that it is a major misunderstanding among us as human beings.
I recently stumbled upon an article in the Mail Online, that demonstrates the point that I want to make in this post, perfectly. The article was on A bill of rights for dolphins, and the revelation from scientists that 'They're so smart that they must be treated as non-human persons'. You can read the article here.
The Article
The article discusses the bill, which presents scientific evidence that supports the claim that dolphins are like humans, in the sense that they are self-aware, intelligent, emotional and have personality. Based on these findings, scientists, philosophers and animal welfare groups, have come up with a declaration of rights for dolphins.
These rights would also apply to whales, who - and I quote - 'would also be elevated above other animals by the list of rules, leading to whalers being classed as murderers'. Within these rights, whale watching trips would be regulated to respect the animals' privacy, and developers along with oil companies would be made to change the way they work, to consider the affects of their actions on these animals.
Not only does the bill state that dolphins should be 'valued as individuals' but that 'every individual member of the cetacean order - whales, dolphins and porpoises - has a right to life'.
The Point
You might ask what the negative is with this bill - from an animal lovers point of view - and there isn't any as far as these creatures go... I think the bill is spot on. What I find astounding, and what really riled me about this bill, is that to me, this should be the way that all animals are regarded.
While I understand that this bill has been focussed on this one group of animals - and that should it go through, it may open doors for lots more animals to be acknowledged - I still find it amazing that this bill is so dependant on intelligence. Why does it matter? To me, this says that animals with less intelligence should be treated with less respect - how stupid that idea is.
Perhaps my biggest gripe of all, lies in the statement that they 'have a right to life'. While I think that what these people are doing with this bill is wonderful, and should be looked up to, I am also outraged by the fact that this is just so suggestive that nothing - without our own level of intelligence, as human beings - is entitled to have a life.
If I am completely honest, I genuinely feel disgusted to be a human being, when I read things like this. I am more than angry with the stupidity and arrogance of our existence on this earth, and I am utterly fed up with the way that we think we own everything.
The Consequence
It is easy to think that these thoughts and actions just affect animals, but morally, they affect so much more - even ourselves. Is it really any wonder that today's generation are growing up to think that they can do what they want, when they want, how they want, and with no regard or respect for anything, or anyone around them? All we see is power trips and destruction of things that get in our way; wildlife; land; nature...
It is high time that we looked in the mirror at what we are doing to this beautiful planet of ours, and to ourselves. It is ironic that we value our intelligence so much - as the most advanced in the animal kingdom - yet we can make such massive errors of judgement and decision, without even realising it. We are animals of greed, in constant pursuit of power - over everything, and even each other.
The Difference
If all this post does is inform people of my feelings on this matter, then at least it has done that. Even better though, I hope that it will stir emotions and maybe even offer new perspectives.
I know that there are a lot of people out there that feel just the same as me, but my problem - and their problem - is the people who don't. Worst of all, I don't even think these people are necessarily lost causes; I think a lot of them just need to use their brains - to listen and consider other points of view and ideas - and of course, to learn to become leaders, rather than just switching their minds off and following the wrong crowd.
So here is to our planet and all living things. If you found this post interesting or moving in any way, please share it. I have really put myself out there with this, to try my best to make a difference - but I am just one person with a very quiet voice among so many. This could have put me off ever writing this at all - what difference can I make? Well, with your help, potentially quite a lot.
23 March 2012
16 March 2012
NV Installations
Last week I told you all about some of our recent projects that we have been keeping busy with, and in it I promised to share things as they were finished.
I did want to jump back and follow on from my last design post this week, but it has been such a chaotic week, so instead, I have decided to share the installations for NV Hair & Beauty a little earlier than planned.
We spent last Sunday fitting them at the salon, and it was so much fun. This project was such a special one, as it was completely out of the box, which is just the kind of challenge that we thrive on. It not only used our design skills, but our art as well, along with our woodwork and DIY skills that we have grown over the years of renovating our house, and tackling personal projects.
The Making
It started with the NV sign. The owner of the salon, Beverly, had wanted something to sit on the wall in the foyer, at the entrance to the salon. Beverly had asked us for wall art, and we gave her this.
Having designed the whole of NV's identity, we were already at one with the brand, and we knew just how brilliant a 3D, wooden logo would look. So we measured, we did the maths, we got the tools out, and we rolled up our sleeves. Our dining room became a workshop once again, as we covered the floor in wood shavings and general mess. We were in our element!
Every fitting was sculpted into the wood, hiding seamlessly within, and allowing the sign to sit flush, and do all of the talking without disruption. Furthermore, a local hardware store allowed us to gain an exact match of NV's corporate green, which is just so fresh and vibrant.
The Fitting
So Sunday morning came and up we got bright and early, and crept down the stairs to make the last checks on the materials and tools, that we had packed ready to go. Covering all eventualities was vital!
First up, we hung the NV sign, and the bright pop of colour worked so well on the bare white wall outside the salon, as it picked up in co-ordination with the beautiful colour matched throughout the salon inside.
Next, it was time for the hair installation. Beverly had again asked us for some wall art for behind the reception desk, on a very narrow part of the wall, that was the leg of an arch. Based on a hair-inspired pattern that we created within NV's identity, we wanted to carry this through into the salon, and onto that part of the wall, as a large, and interesting installation; a talking point.
Having already prepared the technicalities, we were free to get ourselves knotted up in the vibrant green string, that again matched their corporate colour. From one fixed starting point, we weaved the string up and down the wall, to create this somewhat subtle yet very interesting effect.
We are extremely pleased with the results of the project, and most importantly, Beverly is too. In fact, we had this lovely bit of feedback from her this morning...
Another successful instalment by Leaff. This time they came up with the idea, design and even handmade the artwork themselves. They are a breath of fresh air, and are totally in tune with what I want. I have every confidence that every time I pass them a project it is going to turn out first class. They never disappoint!
If you live in Worcester, why not pop on over to the salon to see the installations for yourself? And maybe grab a treatment or two of course!
I did want to jump back and follow on from my last design post this week, but it has been such a chaotic week, so instead, I have decided to share the installations for NV Hair & Beauty a little earlier than planned.
We spent last Sunday fitting them at the salon, and it was so much fun. This project was such a special one, as it was completely out of the box, which is just the kind of challenge that we thrive on. It not only used our design skills, but our art as well, along with our woodwork and DIY skills that we have grown over the years of renovating our house, and tackling personal projects.
The Making
It started with the NV sign. The owner of the salon, Beverly, had wanted something to sit on the wall in the foyer, at the entrance to the salon. Beverly had asked us for wall art, and we gave her this.
Having designed the whole of NV's identity, we were already at one with the brand, and we knew just how brilliant a 3D, wooden logo would look. So we measured, we did the maths, we got the tools out, and we rolled up our sleeves. Our dining room became a workshop once again, as we covered the floor in wood shavings and general mess. We were in our element!
Every fitting was sculpted into the wood, hiding seamlessly within, and allowing the sign to sit flush, and do all of the talking without disruption. Furthermore, a local hardware store allowed us to gain an exact match of NV's corporate green, which is just so fresh and vibrant.
The Fitting
So Sunday morning came and up we got bright and early, and crept down the stairs to make the last checks on the materials and tools, that we had packed ready to go. Covering all eventualities was vital!
First up, we hung the NV sign, and the bright pop of colour worked so well on the bare white wall outside the salon, as it picked up in co-ordination with the beautiful colour matched throughout the salon inside.
Next, it was time for the hair installation. Beverly had again asked us for some wall art for behind the reception desk, on a very narrow part of the wall, that was the leg of an arch. Based on a hair-inspired pattern that we created within NV's identity, we wanted to carry this through into the salon, and onto that part of the wall, as a large, and interesting installation; a talking point.
Having already prepared the technicalities, we were free to get ourselves knotted up in the vibrant green string, that again matched their corporate colour. From one fixed starting point, we weaved the string up and down the wall, to create this somewhat subtle yet very interesting effect.
We are extremely pleased with the results of the project, and most importantly, Beverly is too. In fact, we had this lovely bit of feedback from her this morning...
Another successful instalment by Leaff. This time they came up with the idea, design and even handmade the artwork themselves. They are a breath of fresh air, and are totally in tune with what I want. I have every confidence that every time I pass them a project it is going to turn out first class. They never disappoint!
If you live in Worcester, why not pop on over to the salon to see the installations for yourself? And maybe grab a treatment or two of course!
09 March 2012
Leaff on 'Friendship'
Since I have been too busy to write lately, I thought that this week, I would tell you a little bit about what we have been up to.
As you already know, the work volume at Leaff has sprung simultaneously with Spring! It is after all a very positive time of year, when lots of us are thinking about making some refreshing changes. We have the absolute joy of working with an array of fantastic small businesses right now, as well as some exciting new start-ups.
Soon enough I will be blogging about each and every project, but here is a quick round up of a few things that are to come.
Stephanie Saunders is a floral design company based in Evesham, and just launching. Stephanie
is extremely talented and creates the most beautiful arrangements for various events and occasions. Stephanie was trained by the very florist that did our own wedding flowers, and who is renowned for
her specialist skills in the local area and further afield. Exciting things are certain to come from Stephanie, so she will be one to watch for sure. We have just launched her holding page, which you
can view here, and we will be covering her printed materials soon.
Existing and loyal clients to Leaff, NV Hair & Beauty and the gorgeous Cottontails Baby have both recently graced us with outstanding projects to work on. We have been working hard on some very special installations for NV, which have led us into some unusual and fascinating places, and which
we are due to fit this weekend. They are sure to be major talking points within the salon, and we are
very excited to see them in their rightful place.
Following the Cottontails Autumn/Winter book that we created last year (pictured above) we are currently working on a mailer for their new (and beautiful) Spring/Summer collection, which can only be described as seriously fun. My inner child has again been allowed to roam free around the Cottontails brand, which is one of my favourite places! We will be sure to post pictures of both NV's and Cottontails' projects as soon as.
Well I think that it is rather fitting that we are talking about 3 very strong and successful business ladies here, when it was of course International Women's Day yesterday. I try extremely hard to encourage strong relationships with our clients, and these 3 ladies are great examples of how successful that
has been for me. I rather class them as friends as well as clients, and value our relationships greatly.
I mentioned on Facebook last week, that Charlotte from Cottontails had very kindly given me a Friendship Cake. I also mentioned that I was going to blog about it, and since we are on the subject
of women and friendship, what better time is there to share it?
The cake comes in it's mixture form, and the process is that you take care of it and feed it, for 10 days, until it is ready to bake. But, before you get to the baking part, you must carry on the tradition and separate the dough to give to your nearest and dearest as their Friendship Cake.
We got to baking stage Wednesday night, which was interesting, as we had never baked a sour dough recipe before. The cake was moist, and, well, yum. It was rich, full of interesting elements, sweet and dense, which I think is a pretty good description of a good friendship too. In fact, we loved it so much, that we read a bit more about it, and in the name of International Women's Day, of all of our clients,
and of friendship of course, we have typed the recipe up for free downloading, here. So take a minute to grab it, and whoever you are, wherever you are, we extend our hand of friendship for you to pass on, and on, and on; because we believe in strong relationships in business, and supporting each other.
As you already know, the work volume at Leaff has sprung simultaneously with Spring! It is after all a very positive time of year, when lots of us are thinking about making some refreshing changes. We have the absolute joy of working with an array of fantastic small businesses right now, as well as some exciting new start-ups.
Soon enough I will be blogging about each and every project, but here is a quick round up of a few things that are to come.
Stephanie Saunders is a floral design company based in Evesham, and just launching. Stephanie
is extremely talented and creates the most beautiful arrangements for various events and occasions. Stephanie was trained by the very florist that did our own wedding flowers, and who is renowned for
her specialist skills in the local area and further afield. Exciting things are certain to come from Stephanie, so she will be one to watch for sure. We have just launched her holding page, which you
can view here, and we will be covering her printed materials soon.
Existing and loyal clients to Leaff, NV Hair & Beauty and the gorgeous Cottontails Baby have both recently graced us with outstanding projects to work on. We have been working hard on some very special installations for NV, which have led us into some unusual and fascinating places, and which
we are due to fit this weekend. They are sure to be major talking points within the salon, and we are
very excited to see them in their rightful place.
Following the Cottontails Autumn/Winter book that we created last year (pictured above) we are currently working on a mailer for their new (and beautiful) Spring/Summer collection, which can only be described as seriously fun. My inner child has again been allowed to roam free around the Cottontails brand, which is one of my favourite places! We will be sure to post pictures of both NV's and Cottontails' projects as soon as.
Well I think that it is rather fitting that we are talking about 3 very strong and successful business ladies here, when it was of course International Women's Day yesterday. I try extremely hard to encourage strong relationships with our clients, and these 3 ladies are great examples of how successful that
has been for me. I rather class them as friends as well as clients, and value our relationships greatly.
I mentioned on Facebook last week, that Charlotte from Cottontails had very kindly given me a Friendship Cake. I also mentioned that I was going to blog about it, and since we are on the subject
of women and friendship, what better time is there to share it?
The cake comes in it's mixture form, and the process is that you take care of it and feed it, for 10 days, until it is ready to bake. But, before you get to the baking part, you must carry on the tradition and separate the dough to give to your nearest and dearest as their Friendship Cake.
We got to baking stage Wednesday night, which was interesting, as we had never baked a sour dough recipe before. The cake was moist, and, well, yum. It was rich, full of interesting elements, sweet and dense, which I think is a pretty good description of a good friendship too. In fact, we loved it so much, that we read a bit more about it, and in the name of International Women's Day, of all of our clients,
and of friendship of course, we have typed the recipe up for free downloading, here. So take a minute to grab it, and whoever you are, wherever you are, we extend our hand of friendship for you to pass on, and on, and on; because we believe in strong relationships in business, and supporting each other.
02 March 2012
The Role of the Designer
Finally, finally, I have found an hour to write this long-over-due post. Please accept my genuine apologies for such lateness, but I have been overwhelmed with to-do lists for the last couple of weeks, that have prevented these quiet moments of reflection.
My last design post discussed brands, and what they really are - how they really work. I - hopefully successfully - displayed how each and every one of us has encountered a brand experience, and just how powerful they really are. It led me to think about this week's topic, about the role of the designer.
So many of my posts inspire the next, so it felt like a natural progression into a topic that is more than close to home for me.
Design is a very powerful form of communication, and I take my role very seriously. It is not unheard of to have clients ask for a carbon copy of an existing brand, which is not their own - clients who think it is okay to rip-off other brands, and perhaps piggy-back off their success. There is a big difference between being influenced by a designers work, and just plain ripping it off. There has been a lot of these kinds of people floating around lately, stealing artists' creations and so forth, and so I think it is important to highlight that we meet them too - except we as designers are in a position to stop them. We must be responsible.
As I discussed in my post Brands - Who Needs Them? a successful brand must be true to the person behind it - it must be built on their morals, ethics and skills to communicate truthfully and honestly - and this of course goes for designers' own brands as well as their clients'.
Leaff for instance, is built on trust - to be a transparent, honest and trustworthy company. Leaff is as natural and organic as our lifestyle - it loves nature, tradition, and the environment; it is made up entirely of our morals. Last week I came across a company that was looking for a designer, and I pursued with interest. They looked like a really great little establishment where great work could be done, but after scanning their website, I found out that they sold fur products, and I instantly walked away. I am possibly the worlds largest animal lover, and there is no amount of design potential or money that could have made me want to consider it - it was a straight up no - because I am Leaff and Leaff is me. We are not separate with different points of view. It shouldn't be a choice between standing by your brand or standing by your own beliefs - they should be one and the same.
A good example of a designer not taking responsibility is a big story that hit the headlines a number of years ago now. A company was claiming to be hosting a 'winter wonderland' - I expect a lot of you will remember the fiasco as it made big news back in 2008. The promotional material promised things such as real reindeer and an enchanting nativity, yet expectant parents and excited children turned up to discover such sites as plastic reindeer and a painted backdrop of a nativity scene, in a drab muddy field. Needless to say, none of what was advertised was actually anything close to what was provided at the event and it caused unimaginable upset to the public. The man behind the organisation was already known to the police, and I have no doubt that anyone who met him would have sensed that he was trouble.
Now, his material may have been designed by himself - there was no naming of any input from a professional designer. However, I do know of a number of designers and companies who do not take responsibility for situations like this, and thus they are in my mind, an active participant of this immoral behaviour. Designers who have encouraged clients to display fake reviews and testimonials on their materials, to gain quick trust with their audience. To use stock images in place of their own - to make their work or premises look better than it is. This is not true to the client, and it is actively lying to the public - it is immoral and wrong - not to mention the fact that it is going against everything that a brand should be. Furthermore, I have no doubt that these designers are in a sense using the client - after all,
a client who looks big and special in the designer's portfolio, will always boost their own reputation.
These designers' egos can be big and ugly, and they effectively quash the creative process in favour of
a process that is cold and money driven. Any small projects are forcibly rejected with high fees and big projects are rushed out with little care or attention spent on them, in pursuit of faster payment. There is no room for creativity or any real design when the designer becomes driven by money like this, and again, no responsibility is taken for their roles in the projects.
I fear where the creative industry is going when I think of designers like this. It does not instil trust, and
it gives design a bad reputation. I don't doubt that when the going gets tough, it changes the way that people do business and the way that they look at their own; when your back is against the wall and you have a family to feed, money has to play a part. But, I think how far you are willing to go to stretch your beliefs and morals is a big question.
Next time I will be looking at the culture of the 'one size fits all' - hubs for the pre-designed and
pre-created - open 24 hours a day for off the peg purchase; why they exist, and what they do.
15 February 2012
Bag yourself a treat, with NV Hair & Beauty...
It is no secret that I have a bit of a soft spot for complementary therapy, so it is no wonder that when
our lovely client Beverly, from NV Hair & Beauty, announced her latest offer, I felt the need to share it.
NV Hair & Beauty is a lovely little salon, tucked away on the outskirts of Worcester City. Beverly is
very passionate about her salon and giving the best customer service possible.
Running until the end of February, is a special offer for their very popular Reflexology treatment.
Here are the details from Beverly herself:
"We are currently running an offer until the end of February - if clients book six sessions they only
pay for three. That is three sessions completely free! The only stipulation is that you need to have
had your first session within February, and have taken the rest within six months. I pride myself on
my caring approach, and I aim to provide a calm and welcoming atmosphere in my salon, helping
you to relax and enjoy your experience to the full."
If you are unsure of what Reflexology is, Beverly explains...
"Reflexology is the study of reflexes. It is a powerful holistic therapy, in which pressure is applied to
areas of the feet. Small crystalline deposits found in the feet are broken down and are eliminated as toxins. This will often provoke what is termed as the healing process.
The human body consists of a mass of energy fields which all influence each other. This energy
is circulating around the body, influencing the different organs and different areas, and helping to
maintain homeostasis (a state of balance). When this energy flow is impeded, the body does not
function efficiently, because it is out of balance. It is believed that reflexology helps to unblock the
congestion in the energy pathways, returning the body to a balanced state, and improving the client’s
physical and emotional well-being.
Part of the key to reflexology is relaxation. When the body is relaxed and stress is reduced, healing
is possible; tension is released, muscles cease to contract and blood vessels relax - thus reducing
vascular constriction and allowing circulation to flow."
So how can Reflexology benefit you?
"Reflexologists do not diagnose, claim to cure a condition, or prescribe in any way. However, I have
been helping clients with relief from symptoms related to the following conditions, and many more:
• Stress related conditions
• Hormonal imbalances (PMT/Menopause/Infertility)
• Digestive disorders
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Migraine"
If you think that you might be interested to find out more about how Beverly can help you, why not
give her a call, and have a chat about any issues that you feel you would like to discuss - she would
be more than happy to help.
Alternatively, you might already be tripping over yourself to take part in the offer, in which case,
get in touch with NV today, and bag yourself a treat!
NV Hair & Beauty
01905 767 555
www.nvhairandbeauty.co.uk
info@nvhairandbeauty.co.uk
our lovely client Beverly, from NV Hair & Beauty, announced her latest offer, I felt the need to share it.
NV Hair & Beauty is a lovely little salon, tucked away on the outskirts of Worcester City. Beverly is
very passionate about her salon and giving the best customer service possible.
Running until the end of February, is a special offer for their very popular Reflexology treatment.
Here are the details from Beverly herself:
"We are currently running an offer until the end of February - if clients book six sessions they only
pay for three. That is three sessions completely free! The only stipulation is that you need to have
had your first session within February, and have taken the rest within six months. I pride myself on
my caring approach, and I aim to provide a calm and welcoming atmosphere in my salon, helping
you to relax and enjoy your experience to the full."
If you are unsure of what Reflexology is, Beverly explains...
"Reflexology is the study of reflexes. It is a powerful holistic therapy, in which pressure is applied to
areas of the feet. Small crystalline deposits found in the feet are broken down and are eliminated as toxins. This will often provoke what is termed as the healing process.
The human body consists of a mass of energy fields which all influence each other. This energy
is circulating around the body, influencing the different organs and different areas, and helping to
maintain homeostasis (a state of balance). When this energy flow is impeded, the body does not
function efficiently, because it is out of balance. It is believed that reflexology helps to unblock the
congestion in the energy pathways, returning the body to a balanced state, and improving the client’s
physical and emotional well-being.
Part of the key to reflexology is relaxation. When the body is relaxed and stress is reduced, healing
is possible; tension is released, muscles cease to contract and blood vessels relax - thus reducing
vascular constriction and allowing circulation to flow."
So how can Reflexology benefit you?
"Reflexologists do not diagnose, claim to cure a condition, or prescribe in any way. However, I have
been helping clients with relief from symptoms related to the following conditions, and many more:
• Stress related conditions
• Hormonal imbalances (PMT/Menopause/Infertility)
• Digestive disorders
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Migraine"
If you think that you might be interested to find out more about how Beverly can help you, why not
give her a call, and have a chat about any issues that you feel you would like to discuss - she would
be more than happy to help.
Alternatively, you might already be tripping over yourself to take part in the offer, in which case,
get in touch with NV today, and bag yourself a treat!
NV Hair & Beauty
01905 767 555
www.nvhairandbeauty.co.uk
info@nvhairandbeauty.co.uk
10 February 2012
Brands - Who needs them?
I touched upon this topic in my post Save the High Street, and vowed then to cover this enormous subject.
There are many people that think that having a brand is not important; that it is just a case of spending
a lot of money on something that you don't need for your business. You may even be one of these people, and I kind of hope that you are.
We all know how tough it is when you are starting out with a new business, or when you own a small business and don't have a lot of cash to spare. Budgets are tight, and it feels like everything could be classed as important to do and buy; set-up costs can be especially daunting. But what people fail to realise is just how much power a brand has - you cannot be face to face to sell your product or service
all of the time, and in some cases 90% of the time, so your brand is your main communication tool.
If it doesn't sell you, what will? It is your image and your voice for your passion.
What I hope to highlight in this post, is not just why a brand is important, but how a brand really works.
If you think that you have never been affected by a brand, or you believe that brands are unimportant
to business, then get comfortable; I aim to enlighten you.
Brand Experience
Like a lot of the population of women, I have my fair share of skin complaints, and I love my weekly pamper sessions like nothing else, so this is what I will be using as an example to explain brand experience.
I am using Liz Earle as an example, as her brand is the strongest skin care brand that I, personally, have been influenced by. From the earthy, natural, mineral tones of her colour palette, and the elegant and fresh look of her logo, to the light and airy image style, the down-to-earth tone of voice, and the impeccable customer service, it all sells me one thing; a lifestyle.
I really trust that her products are as natural as she says they are - from the feel of her brand; I build the hope that I too can have better, more healthy looking skin from using her products - from the feel of her brand; and I want to buy into the genuine, healthy, coastal lifestyle that she talks about - from the feel
of her brand. Without actually displaying images of these things, I am seeing a lush, green british island; coastal walks in the freshest of air; picnics in the sun with a growing family; peacefulness; a calm and tranquil home of pastel, neutral shades; fresh fruit and vegetables, and the best food at every meal;
high-end, natural clothing, that is stylish, classic and comfortable; and being at my optimum health
and fitness. So as you can see, it is not just a face cream that I am buying, it is a way of life.
What happens when all I end up with is a beautifully designed bottle on the bathroom shelf, I hear
you say? Well that bottle still represents all of the things that I crave, above. It is like proof of my commitment to the lifestyle that I am aspiring to - a ticket or a free pass almost. It seems ridiculous doesn't it? All of that from a brand - but it just shows you how much affect it has.
Try to think of a way that you have had a similar experience - if you are female, I am positive that
you would've had much the same experience with a skin care range that you have used and loved.
Brand Status
So we have looked at how brands can affect us in a huge number of ways - it is not just the look, but
the language, the personality and the customer service. It is an all round effort that is needed to make
us buy into a brand. Now I want to explore how brands use this experience that they give us, to tap into our self esteem and really control not just how we spend our money, but how much we are willing to spend.
I am currently reading a great book by Rick Poynor, called Obey The Giant, and in the introduction,
he talks about a really interesting experiment. This involved a wealthy family of four, who were subjected to a bit of a brand test. They were trying to live without their (many) designer possessions for three weeks, which the programme makers removed from them. The results were pretty incredible. The family had entered a kind of depressed state, where they felt that they had lost a part of themselves; their self esteem and their identity. The husband - a business man - said he felt 'totally insignificant and worthless'. In order to feel powerful and successful, he wears his Rolex watch when attending business meetings.
Now these are pretty strong reactions indeed, but it just goes to show how much people rely on brands
to communicate their lifestyle - to rely on for self esteem, and most interestingly, to display their class. The way that people are perceived by others; how they want to be perceived, or how they feel that they are perceived. The brand Rolex, has such a big reputation of extreme expense, that just by wearing one of their watches, he was identifying himself as wealthy - both to himself, and to those around him. Now
I couldn't tell you what a Rolex looks like, or how the watches work - what is so great about the product - but I would trust that they are the best watches in the world, if they are the brand Rolex, and I don't think I am alone with this.
It is interesting how sometimes the brand can be bigger than the product itself - it can have a quality
that may not necessarily be present in the product itself. Take iPod for example. It is the pinnacle of 'cool' in our society, and a massive amount of the population has bought into the high end, edgy, and very desirable brand - yet there are other MP3 players out there that may be better made, and with more features. So why aren't they as popular? They really should be considering the product is so good, but you see without the right brand, the product doesn't matter at all. In this way - and just like with the Rolex - it is about emotional buying for consumers, rather than rational.
You might be a sandwich shop, and have the most amazing product, but if your brand is not appealing
to your target market, then the product wont be as successful. There may be another sandwich shop
that opens up across the street with a great brand, which appeals to all the right people, and they will
be far more successful because of it - regardless of whether their product is better than yours.
People don't just buy a product, they buy a lifestyle - an image; they want more. They want to be seen with and to experience a brand that communicates with them on a deep emotional level - to feel that it
is about them and their aspirations - that it is for them even; they want to connect with it. They want to feel like they are being offered something better than average, and they will willingly buy into it.
Brand Responsibility
High prices for high quality is fine - it sets a benchmark to help people to know what to expect from
a product or service; you pay for quality. But interestingly, in some cases, you end up paying for the experience of the brand, when the standard of the actual product or service itself fails. In this way,
some brands take advantage of this emotional response to buying that consumers have, and do not provide the quality they deserve.
Using my husband as an example, he was looking for a really good quality jumper, a number of years ago now, and so we immediately looked to a particular big brand of organic clothing. Their attractive, successful brand and big price reassured us that we were paying for quality - investing if you like - and that it would last him years…It didn't. In this way, that big, trustworthy brand actually failed us, and we have not purchased from there since.
There really is nothing worse than being failed by a brand. You feel deceived, tricked, and oddly sad
that you have lost your chance with whatever lifestyle they were offering you; that was appealing to you. So the last point I am making here, is that customer satisfaction has to be a part of the brand too. Look at my feelings about Liz Earle - her brand is whole. She offers you a lifestyle that you want to buy into, and once you receive your purchases, you really feel fulfilled. It is the prompt, efficient service, the luxurious packaging, and the little touches to make you feel really special and valued, that completes
the brand experience. You must stand by your brand in every sense - actually practice what you preach, or you will fail.
From this, I hope that you can see that a brand is far more than just a visual image; it communicates
you and your ethics, and that is why the most important thing about your brand is that it reflects you in this way. You will have to live the brand, through and through, and so if it is not true to you, it will not come naturally and you will screw up. This leads me nicely into next week's post, where I will be looking more at brand responsibility, and the role of the designer...something very close to home!
There are many people that think that having a brand is not important; that it is just a case of spending
a lot of money on something that you don't need for your business. You may even be one of these people, and I kind of hope that you are.
We all know how tough it is when you are starting out with a new business, or when you own a small business and don't have a lot of cash to spare. Budgets are tight, and it feels like everything could be classed as important to do and buy; set-up costs can be especially daunting. But what people fail to realise is just how much power a brand has - you cannot be face to face to sell your product or service
all of the time, and in some cases 90% of the time, so your brand is your main communication tool.
If it doesn't sell you, what will? It is your image and your voice for your passion.
What I hope to highlight in this post, is not just why a brand is important, but how a brand really works.
If you think that you have never been affected by a brand, or you believe that brands are unimportant
to business, then get comfortable; I aim to enlighten you.
Brand Experience
Like a lot of the population of women, I have my fair share of skin complaints, and I love my weekly pamper sessions like nothing else, so this is what I will be using as an example to explain brand experience.
I am using Liz Earle as an example, as her brand is the strongest skin care brand that I, personally, have been influenced by. From the earthy, natural, mineral tones of her colour palette, and the elegant and fresh look of her logo, to the light and airy image style, the down-to-earth tone of voice, and the impeccable customer service, it all sells me one thing; a lifestyle.
I really trust that her products are as natural as she says they are - from the feel of her brand; I build the hope that I too can have better, more healthy looking skin from using her products - from the feel of her brand; and I want to buy into the genuine, healthy, coastal lifestyle that she talks about - from the feel
of her brand. Without actually displaying images of these things, I am seeing a lush, green british island; coastal walks in the freshest of air; picnics in the sun with a growing family; peacefulness; a calm and tranquil home of pastel, neutral shades; fresh fruit and vegetables, and the best food at every meal;
high-end, natural clothing, that is stylish, classic and comfortable; and being at my optimum health
and fitness. So as you can see, it is not just a face cream that I am buying, it is a way of life.
What happens when all I end up with is a beautifully designed bottle on the bathroom shelf, I hear
you say? Well that bottle still represents all of the things that I crave, above. It is like proof of my commitment to the lifestyle that I am aspiring to - a ticket or a free pass almost. It seems ridiculous doesn't it? All of that from a brand - but it just shows you how much affect it has.
Try to think of a way that you have had a similar experience - if you are female, I am positive that
you would've had much the same experience with a skin care range that you have used and loved.
Brand Status
So we have looked at how brands can affect us in a huge number of ways - it is not just the look, but
the language, the personality and the customer service. It is an all round effort that is needed to make
us buy into a brand. Now I want to explore how brands use this experience that they give us, to tap into our self esteem and really control not just how we spend our money, but how much we are willing to spend.
I am currently reading a great book by Rick Poynor, called Obey The Giant, and in the introduction,
he talks about a really interesting experiment. This involved a wealthy family of four, who were subjected to a bit of a brand test. They were trying to live without their (many) designer possessions for three weeks, which the programme makers removed from them. The results were pretty incredible. The family had entered a kind of depressed state, where they felt that they had lost a part of themselves; their self esteem and their identity. The husband - a business man - said he felt 'totally insignificant and worthless'. In order to feel powerful and successful, he wears his Rolex watch when attending business meetings.
Now these are pretty strong reactions indeed, but it just goes to show how much people rely on brands
to communicate their lifestyle - to rely on for self esteem, and most interestingly, to display their class. The way that people are perceived by others; how they want to be perceived, or how they feel that they are perceived. The brand Rolex, has such a big reputation of extreme expense, that just by wearing one of their watches, he was identifying himself as wealthy - both to himself, and to those around him. Now
I couldn't tell you what a Rolex looks like, or how the watches work - what is so great about the product - but I would trust that they are the best watches in the world, if they are the brand Rolex, and I don't think I am alone with this.
It is interesting how sometimes the brand can be bigger than the product itself - it can have a quality
that may not necessarily be present in the product itself. Take iPod for example. It is the pinnacle of 'cool' in our society, and a massive amount of the population has bought into the high end, edgy, and very desirable brand - yet there are other MP3 players out there that may be better made, and with more features. So why aren't they as popular? They really should be considering the product is so good, but you see without the right brand, the product doesn't matter at all. In this way - and just like with the Rolex - it is about emotional buying for consumers, rather than rational.
You might be a sandwich shop, and have the most amazing product, but if your brand is not appealing
to your target market, then the product wont be as successful. There may be another sandwich shop
that opens up across the street with a great brand, which appeals to all the right people, and they will
be far more successful because of it - regardless of whether their product is better than yours.
People don't just buy a product, they buy a lifestyle - an image; they want more. They want to be seen with and to experience a brand that communicates with them on a deep emotional level - to feel that it
is about them and their aspirations - that it is for them even; they want to connect with it. They want to feel like they are being offered something better than average, and they will willingly buy into it.
Brand Responsibility
High prices for high quality is fine - it sets a benchmark to help people to know what to expect from
a product or service; you pay for quality. But interestingly, in some cases, you end up paying for the experience of the brand, when the standard of the actual product or service itself fails. In this way,
some brands take advantage of this emotional response to buying that consumers have, and do not provide the quality they deserve.
Using my husband as an example, he was looking for a really good quality jumper, a number of years ago now, and so we immediately looked to a particular big brand of organic clothing. Their attractive, successful brand and big price reassured us that we were paying for quality - investing if you like - and that it would last him years…It didn't. In this way, that big, trustworthy brand actually failed us, and we have not purchased from there since.
There really is nothing worse than being failed by a brand. You feel deceived, tricked, and oddly sad
that you have lost your chance with whatever lifestyle they were offering you; that was appealing to you. So the last point I am making here, is that customer satisfaction has to be a part of the brand too. Look at my feelings about Liz Earle - her brand is whole. She offers you a lifestyle that you want to buy into, and once you receive your purchases, you really feel fulfilled. It is the prompt, efficient service, the luxurious packaging, and the little touches to make you feel really special and valued, that completes
the brand experience. You must stand by your brand in every sense - actually practice what you preach, or you will fail.
From this, I hope that you can see that a brand is far more than just a visual image; it communicates
you and your ethics, and that is why the most important thing about your brand is that it reflects you in this way. You will have to live the brand, through and through, and so if it is not true to you, it will not come naturally and you will screw up. This leads me nicely into next week's post, where I will be looking more at brand responsibility, and the role of the designer...something very close to home!
03 February 2012
Baby, Baby...
Following the recent launch of our shop (and certain products that were inspired by the birth of our beautiful baby niece) today's post has a gorgeous baby theme.
At first I saw the relatively new (and stunningly designed) wallpaper collection by Rob Ryan, which to me, just screams nursery. I would love to use this paper in our home. Then I was reminded of some other things that I have seen during my web adventures, which are just so beautiful and baby-perfect.
So, whether you are decorating your baby's room, stocking up on supplies of loveliness, looking to buy
a gift for someone else's baby - or are just so broody that you are looking anyway - then you are sure to find something to please your eyes!
a gift for someone else's baby - or are just so broody that you are looking anyway - then you are sure to find something to please your eyes!
All links to the wonderful artists responsible for these amazing creations, and where you can find them, are listed below as always. You may notice that certain products have made their way in here too! Well I had to, didn't I?
From top to bottom (left to right)
Our Adventure, Wallpaper - by Rob Ryan www.etsy.com/misterrob
Beatrix Potter Hearts - by Mary Jane's Tearoom www.etsy.com/maryjanestearoom
Bless This Mess, Gocco Print - by Cecilie Ellefsen www.happymeat.com
Little Albert Lamb, Soft Toy - by Moulin Roty www.cottontailsbaby.co.uk
Sozi Wool Toy, Limited Edition - by Rilla Alexander www.sozi.com
Bon Bon Stripe & Rubber Duck Bath Towels - by Cath Kidston www.cathkidston.co.ukBless This Mess, Gocco Print - by Cecilie Ellefsen www.happymeat.com
Little Albert Lamb, Soft Toy - by Moulin Roty www.cottontailsbaby.co.uk
Sozi Wool Toy, Limited Edition - by Rilla Alexander www.sozi.com
Baby Girl & Baby Boy, Cards / Announcements - by Leaff Design www.leaffdesign.co.uk/shop
Hooty Street, Owl House Cakes - by Nevie-Pie Cakes www.neviepiecakes.com
Boo Cot Bed Quilt - by Belle & Boo www.belleandboo.com
The Wols, Hanging Decorations - by Chain of Love Daisies www.fromthewilde.com
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