Part 2: Business Card Research

 I like the idea of having an insert as the business card, with a cut out to see the logo. This is something that would relate my practice although, this would not benefit my logo because the circle will not show the whole area. Also, is this just a waste due to they might not even kept this part as this is not the important part. 

 I like the idea of a circle business card as you would stand out from the crowd although, I think that people would have no where to store this as it is weird shape and would probably just get lost. Also I think what makes this is the box that it is been photographed and obviously you couldn't give this out every time you gave out your business card.

 I like the use of the block colour on one side although, this is would not be possible to do this with the resources that we have apart from screen printing which I don't believe I have time to do. The shape is more oblong than a standard business card.

I like the colour scheme of this but again this is would have to be screen printed. This also looks like it has a spot gloss within the circle.

 I like this stock that they have used it has a very grainy texture and gives more quality to the black ink. I also like the subtle colour edging of the business card. The business cards are one sided with the orange that are shown on the edges. This creates a seamless look as it flows round.

 Although, this is just a simple white card with black ink and simple type it looks very effective & clean. I like the use of the negative space around the logo. And a short quote at the bottom left to represent her practice.

 I have come across this in my research, I really wanted to do colour edging as I didn't was to use block colour on one side and will add a pop of colour. this is a good idea of the gradient paint edging. Although after research I have found this can only be done through spraying and the closest thing I can do to that is sponging the sides and this would not be a good enough fade. I would use my dark green in my pack to the teal.

 I like how they have used the logo twice but in different ways. I like the use of the inversion of the colours. This would allow, me to brand different elements with the most appropriate logo as this would be a current representation of my brand. As long as the lettering is still kept the same.

 I like this colour scheme, although I said I didn't like block colour I think this is very subtle and the mint colour is cool and not overpowering this really enhances the gold. This branding is more for fashion design I believe.

I like the overall layout of these business cards although I don't like the typeface been used. I like the contrast been with the grey stock and the pink edging. Although this colour is very bright it is not too over powering. The use of mountboard would allow me to do my manual paint edging at home as the thickness of the stock is not too thin and therefore bleeding happening.

Part 1: Logo Development

This is my sheet that I have done some designs for my logo. I wanted to have a typeface lettering as this represents my practice. The middle one is signature, This then I thought about interpreting into my logo. The loops I feel are going to be too confusing calling myself Melissa Gater and then having this that doesn't look like my name at all. I then started to play with the M and different ways I could draw it. My favourite is the middle top one but I don't think I would have el to make it into Mel.




So now I have started to computerise this....

So this is the basic outline, I am very pleased with this I like it is unusual & you can tell it is bespoke. Therefore representing my practice.

I now want to add more dimension to give a calligraphy feel. I like the fill does as something to the M and therefore I am going to follow this onto the next stroke of the leg of the M.

Now I think that this now needs to go to another extreme and make the ends go to a point, so that all dimensions are smooth & flowing.

This is my final design, I have refined it by touching up with the manipulation tool on illustrator. I now am going to try adding other elements on the M.

Now i have tried to link it up from the end. Although, I think that this looks childish and doesn't add anything to the M, as I think it might work well on its on. Then I tried the added touch of the calligraphy effect in the stroke so that it showed me the effect it would look if I enhanced it myself.

I decided to try other ways to brand myself after just to make sure that I have tried all avenues. I think the G is too thin and doesn't add any element to the M. I do like the block capital of the M on the right and the contrast of the thin script of the G. Although, I don't think this reflects me as a designer.

I have decided with this overall, I think this is clean and simple and can be portrayed in many different ways. I have designed this purely in black and this moment due to the cost of printing and then I thought I could add colours when thinking about my branding.

Task: The ongoing monthly costs of upkeep etc...

I am now going to look at broadband & phone line costs as this will be a monthly expense.

A lot of them are not doing phone line & broadband together and this is what will be more effective for the cost. As they are tending to be around the £30-£40 for just internet. Below I have found a good deal in which you get infinity internet which is high speed with calls included for £45.00 per month with a £105 pound installation fee. And free delivery on the router for the internet.

Then we would have...



Fixed
Electric
Water
Gas
Insurance
Rent
Accountant
Legal fees

Variable
Tax
Stock
Recruitment
Wages


The electricity, gas & water rates are all at one fixed price. As this is a fixed price when rent the office in the building we are currently looking at.

Accountant
When looking for accountants I came across this programme which is an online book which you can access with all medias. I think this is very reasonable and has very good reviews from simular business sizes and industry. The only problem with this is that there is no one-on-one contact, but there is a help line you can ask people questions. 

When I was researching it was very hard to find one that will enhance our business, because they would have to know elements of a design studio.

Group Business Plan Meeting Development

We met up a every week to make sure we was on the right track, and doing our tasks. Because of everyones busy schedules not everyone had done work very week but we understood this and just made sure that the tasks set was done by a certain date so they could work it within there diaries.


So then we decided that the next stage would be create a name. We like the idea of our studio been a playful & creative environment. So I thought that lime would portray this very well, so the studio had a lively atmosphere. So our colour scheme is lime, white & natural wood.

So this is what we decided to base our name on. As we was struggling to thing of one to start with.

Our names was:

Lime Tree
Limed
Sublime.
& many more...

We decided to go with sublime due to connotation of the word itself as well are the representation to ourselfs too.

We have decided that everyone should create logo ideas and then we will show each other over facebook as this is the only way we can all communicate due to the Easter holidays and people going back home. 

Here are my logo designs...

I thought these were quite boring but looked professional.

Task: How much it will cost to set up the business?

Things we will need in the studio...

Stationary
Pens 
Pencils
Rubbers
Markers
Files
Paper
Post-it notes
Paper Trimmer
Stapler/Staples
Diaries
Notebooks
Bluetac
Craft Mount
Highlighters
Ink

Equipment
External Hard Drives
Binding Machine
Calculator
Voice Recorder
Projector
Printer
Faxer
Scanner
Binding Comb Machine
Projector Screen
Whiteboard
Whiteboard Eraser
Noteboard


Extras
Coffee & Tea
Clock
Wastebaskets
Cleaning Products
Fridge
Kettle
Microwave
First Aid
Fire Protection
Health & Safety Law Poster


Furniture
Chairs Waiting Area
Computer Chairs
Computer Desks
Bins
Desk Organisation
Filing Cabinates
Clock
Storage Boxes


This is the shopping list, I have chose to use staples as my main shop due to the vast range of products you can get there that are appropriate for a new office. The prices are also quite reasonable also...
These are screenshot of the baskets on the staples website they go from the bottom of the page to the top...

Then we will have to think of the installation price for the broadband & phoneline as this will be added extra on the start-up cost. This will be a variant price which depends on who we go with...

Task: Competition for our branding agency in Leeds?

This is a list of Graphic Design Studios that deal with branding in Leeds.

Not all of them have a innovative website & make you want to know more about the company therefore you wouldn't chose them to create your branding material. Although, some of them is very strong competition..

A lot of these are just design studios in which they do all aspects of design therefore doesn't give them the edge up of the specialty when it comes to branding.


When you type into Google the first design studio to come up is Elmwood. These are going to be our biggest competitors do to their well known reputation.

Another studio in which we would be in competition of is Catalogue, these also focus on branding and therefore would be a strong competitor. This is an important factor due to the main way clients would find our studio is through googling, as businesses will not tend to know where to look so Google will be their main point of contact.