Carlisle Wealth Management Brand

CPC Wealth Management approached us to create new corporate literature and stationery (and soon to launch a new website) that would reflect their services and communicate their brand in a positive way to their clients. To begin with, we helped CPC understand what was so unique about their business and the brand. We created a brand document containing new brand values and mission statement along with guidelines to help give CPC a clear consistency in all their communications. We were very impressed with their business knowledge and financial expertise, so that was our starting point in creating this look. We also had to capture their infectious 'charisma' which we felt was a real difference for them in their market place. Expert financial advisers who won't bore the hell out of you..now that's worth something!

It doesn't do what it says on the tin!

Firstly best wishes to all for 2010. I trust you have been hitting the high street shops and searching online for all those bargains to be had (unless your a man of course and hate shopping, according to BBC news this morning). Well I have been doing a bit myself and over the past couple of days, mainly buying for the birth of my first child who is due any day now. I was in the kids sections of Next, M&S, Hoopers and the mecca of all...Mothercare. I also purchased a new i-Mac for my business, which leads me to the topic of this particular post.

I went up to 'PC World' store in my city of Carlisle as there is no Apple Store here yet (nearest is Manchester I think). It got me thinking about brand names of big shops and why quite a few of these names don't actually match up to what they sell. PC world was selling furniture, cameras, paper shredders, Sat Navs and of course Apple Macs. Yes some of these products are all linked in some way to your computer, but there not the strongest of links. Is it time for a re-brand or name change. I am not talking about brands that have some obscure names like Santander or Argos, but brands that name themselves after the product they initially sold, and have diversified so much over the past few years that their brand name struggles to match what they actually sell or is their core product.

Another one I came across whilst shopping was 'The Carphone Warehouse' which sells laptops, gaming, i-pods etc...these products have nothing to do with a car or a phone and the store itself looks nothing like a warehouse. I am sure there are more stores like this in the UK, and I will be on the lookout when shopping with my new baby, but if you know of any other shops or brands that "doesn't do what it says on the tin" then please let me know. I am trying to reach one hundred brands by the end of the January sales, so if you can think of any then do let me know. I will also try this on my facebook page for all you Facebookers. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with. Here's to a BRAND NEW YEAR. Paul Smith

Re-Brand of Carlisle Printers to celebrate their 30th year

Local Printing business Border Offset Printers will be heading int0 2010 celebrating 3 decades in business in Carlisle. PS Graphic Design was asked to create a new brand identity and future communications to take them forward into the next 30 years. A new corporate mark along with brand guidelines have been created, with new signage and advertising, direct mail and other corporate literature rolling out over the next 6-12 months. The design sitting under the new logo is a flyer informing their customers of their opening (or should I say closing) times over the festive period. The new logo lends itself well to creating many funky patterns including this Christmas Tree...neat!

Banner Design for Carlisle Dental practice.

Some more branding for Carlisle dental practice York Place Dental. PS Graphic Design created banners to go up in 'The Lanes' shopping centre in Carlisle. We based the idea on people wishing to have more confidence in their smile when shopping - 'Bags more confidence in your smile'. Grafix Signs whom we have worked with on several projects then printed the banners, so thanks to them.

There are 2 types of designs going up - 1 for men (which is up now) and 1 for women which should be seen very soon. Over 2000 cars pass this banner every day (even more on a weekend), so it's a great way of showing your brand to a large audience. If you wish to have some banners designed and printed for your business, then contact us and we'll get your brand in front of thousands of people in a highly creative way.

Zoo International Identity.

New corporate identity for International Hardware company. Packaging, Labels and new Website will also be featuring shortly.

Cumbria Renewable Energy Direct Mail

Encompas (Cumbria's Premier Underfloor Heating and Renewable Energy company) invested in their marketing research and asked PS Graphic Design to create some new Direct Mail to accompany their new Brochure (which we designed a few weeks ago). Focusing on the key messages along with the main benefits the research uncovered for their target market. Great to work with a company that is investing in renewables, saving energy for consumers and reducing carbon emissions for the planet. ..it's one thing that makes this design lark worthwhile.

True Believer Exhibition

I was pleased as punch last night for two reasons. Firstly, I had a trip over to Newcastle to the see the Northumbria School of Design building, which is pretty cool. Secondly (and more importantly) I was there to support my old college friend Andrew Reay, who had a private view of some new (and old) graphic posters and t-shirts from his business 'True Believer Clothing' . I have purchased a few of these shirts already. They are great quality and are all hand printed. So you're not only getting a quality shirt, you also get a true piece of graphic design and print to boot. Cool and quirky work, which tick all the boxes for me. I can't wait to see the new designs in print. I'm off now to order a 'Sid Wings' shirt as an early Christmas pressie. Tell yer friends, so they can get their hands on these sought after designs. Ho,ho,ho!

Now on Twitter

Hello, Thought I would let you know that you can now follow me (Paul Smith) on Twitter

I will be updating it on a regular basis with links to graphic design, interesting articles on branding, some cool links and some funny stuff to boot. Also the usual online diary of what's been happening throughtout week at PS Graphic Design. If you're not already on twitter then you're missing a trick so get started by following me.

Brand Book for Cumbria Dental Clinic

York Place Dental asked us help them to understand their brand. We came up with a set of brand values, a mission statement, some brand guidelines showing image and type usage, tone of voice and a brand vision. We combined these ideas into a neat little A5 booklet which is used by all the staff. real value has been added to this Cumbrian dental practice with this brand book, helping all the staff deliver the brand promise consistently and effectively.

Encompas - Underfloor Heating new brochure.

Cumbria's premier underfloor heating and renewable energy companies Encompas approached PS Graphic Design to re-design their company literature and marketing materials. Based on external market research the brochure was very much targeted towards Self Builders. A more Commercial style brochure is currently in the design pipeline along with a new website and direct mail campaigns which we will show you next month.