Marianne Kaiser

Here's a slide from a short presentation I gave today, creatively titled, "The Importance of a Brand Guidelines Document" (with examples of graphic standards I've created in recent years). If your organization is operating without one (or one that isn't robust enough), there may be some key elements to consider refining as you strive for brand consistency.

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I've been reflecting on the impact of a good design process. It's like a GPS system for leading good organizations to even greater impact. A good design process: champions purpose, clarifies strategy, designs honest, memorable, enduring, adaptable, and beautiful identity, considers impact at every touch point, thinks in systems and efficiencies, and oversees all aspects of execution and stakeholder involvement Good design process is an enabler of good business and of impact. Let's work together to Identify Good. #GoodDesignIsGoodBusiness #GoodDesignProcess #GoodDesign #LogoDesign #VisualIdentityDesign #IdentifyGood

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Some levity from a still-unemployed graphic design pro: As a large number of professionals are reeling from layoffs (particularly in creative/marketing/tech), an overwhelming number of applicants per job and an often disheartening lack of feedback—humor has emerged as an unexpectedly valuable tool for resilience in my mindset lately. When we’re dealing with ghosted applications and AI-generated job descriptions that seem lifted from cheesy sci-fi novels, humor and a “WTH” attitude allows us to share a laugh over these common struggles—we can build camaraderie, lighten the weight of career uncertainty and maybe even approach our next steps with a little more optimism and creativity. **A well-timed joke, meme or witty LinkedIn post might just be the reminder others need that they’re not alone in this struggle.** Humor doesn’t change the reality of an unforgiving job market, but it can help us reframe it. Laughing about the absurdities of today’s hiring trends helps highlight the areas that need improvement, while connecting with others facing similar frustrations. When used well, humor humanizes us in a professional space and opens doors for authentic connections. By creating and sharing stories or memes about the absurdities we face trying to land our next position, we’re not just coping. We’re building a supportive, relatable network that will ultimately be there to celebrate when things turn around. . . . So who’s with me? #jobmarket #jobsearch #career #gottalaugh

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Want to make a client more comfortable giving you design feedback? " Please feel free to share your thoughts on what you do & don’t like. Speak freely about whatever comes to mind, both good & bad are useful to us. You’re not going to hurt anyone’s feelings here, so have at it. " As a designer, you just have to be ready, willing, and able to hear whatever they have to say. You can’t take it personally. Remember… they do or don’t like the design options you presented, not you as a person. (Well, maybe they don’t like you personally, but that’s a different issue.) Try not to let it affect you, either way. Take your emotions and preferences off the table for a few minutes. Be open to feedback, take it all in, and give it another go for the next round. Open and honest feedback is an effective way to a desired solution that makes the client happy and serves their needs. Even if you don’t agree with the suggested direction, make them feel heard and don’t just ignore their request and say, “I tried that and it didn’t work.” Give it a shot and show the client why it doesn’t work compared to another option you put in front of them.

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Did you know fonts can have a monstrously good sense of humor? This week's spotlight shines on Creepster, a typeface with a delightfully spooky presence that's perfect for adding a touch of retro horror to your designs. While Creepster wasn't the exact font used in the 1931 Frankenstein film (believe it or not, fonts were quite different back then!), it captures that classic monster movie aesthetic with a playful twist. It's like your favorite scary movie villain decided to crack a joke. Here's why Creepster might just be the perfect fright (or delight) for your next project: - Retro Horror Charm: It evokes a sense of nostalgia for classic monster flicks, adding a touch of campy fun to any design. - Surprisingly Versatile: Don't be fooled by its spooky persona! Creepster can also be surprisingly versatile, lending a unique flair to Halloween invitations, fireworks displays, or even quirky branding projects. - Reads as Fun, Not Fearful: Unlike some horror-inspired fonts, Creepster avoids being too scary, making it ideal for a wider range of audiences. So next time you're looking to add a bit of spine-tingling charm to your designs, consider Creepster! Why not share in the comments below what kind of project you'd use Creepster for? And if you're looking for some hauntingly good design help, head over to the PHd Design company page to see what we can create together! #fontoftheweek #fonts #graphicdesign #project #branding #designstudio #creativeteam

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I recently designed the Summer 2024 edition of "The Infusion Advocate" for the National Infusion Center Association (NICA). Did you receive your copy? Did it look a little different? NICA recently underwent a brand uplift which includes a new font system, simplified color palette, and updated iconography. Print newsletters are a tangible form of communication that brings ideas directly into your hands. Does your organization need a newsletter? Considering updating yours with a new style? Please leave a comment below or DM me to set up some time to how I can help you achieve your communication goals. #graphicdesign #newsletters #IVtherapy #infusiontherapy #marketing

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Another print another lesson learned. While working on a client logo I was successful in getting this finally printed. Took several times to figure it out and how to make it work and be more stable. Stay tuned for this next cartoon character. This was the hard part and the rest should be easy. Can’t wait to assemble and paint it. #3dprinting #3ddesign #prusamk4 #pla @josefprusa @prusa_mk4 @bni.global @bni_affinity_partners #logodesigns @davidbegnaud @vladduthierscbs #practiceyourcraft BNI Global BNI - Affinity Partners

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A company video is more than just camera work and slick visuals. Graphic elements designed with a story in mind moving with purpose will create a more compelling experience. Your presentation is an opportunity for branding and entertainment which is often lost to the straight forwardness of plain talk.

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Laura Silverman questioned at the beginning of this episode why Kirk Visola (he/him) would bring her on the Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast - as she's not the typical guest profile - but Kirk and I thought, why WOULDN'T we bring her on? Introducing the term "NAnthropologist" - a mash-up of "NA" and "Anthropologist" - to describe the field Laura has pioneered. Her knowledge of the non-alcoholic beverage brands is expansive, and she doesn’t just look at what brands are cool (like Kirk and I do) - her assessments are multidimensional and thoughtful. When she gives recommendations (and she gives many in the episode - listen for them!), you take note and immediately go out and buy all of it. This is such a fun and timely episode with all the focus on the #NA category and the shift in drinking culture to less or no alcohol at all. And as Laura says, she's at the nexus of this industry. Listen in and learn from Laura: https://lnkd.in/epUSmg2i And make sure to follow Laura and Haylee Jordan and tune into their next #NADossier episode. And please review the show if you have a sec! #DesignPodcast #MentalHealthAdvocate #NonAlcoholicBeverages #ZeroProofLifestyle #PodcastEpisode #Branding #MindfulDrinking #DesignInspiration #betterwithbuttermilk

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People can detect authenticity immediately. In a world full of canned responses, templates and stock images, we have become adept at instantly telling the difference between original and copy. Persistence to save time and cost is confusing to Creatives desiring to see a breakthrough innovation in communications. Speed is important, but not at the expense of attention. Unusual ideas stand out more clearly as they engage viewers with more value. The work may be getting done, but its significance is rapidly diminishing. We create original animations for business communications.

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What do you do when people inherently distrust companies? This is an interesting take on where branding is for companies and how it's changed over time.

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Creating an interesting, folded, piece for your marketing objectives adds interest and not much more cost. During the design process, I tend to steer clients away from the boring and dreaded tri-fold pamphlet. Why not opt for something more interesting in which your audience will not only engage with it but retain in their space for future reference. Trish Witkowski, from the Foldfactory, shows us here a closed, double gate fold. Interesting! And fabulous. Most printers have standard die lines for these projects. Why not elevate your communication materials to something more interesting? #printdesign #graphicdesign #branding #print #brochure ______________________ • I’m Linda, Creative Director & Managing Member of LMI+D LLC. A certified woman-owned creative branding and design studio. • I have been designing experiences for live events for 20+ years. Let’s talk about your event! • Contact me to partner together for your organization’s next design project.

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Notice. Exclaim or murmur. Happiness. www.goodallintegrated.com #happiness #notice #exclaim #murmur #vonnegut #graphicdesign #business #solutions #typography #graphicdesignservices #brandingexpert #creativedirection #designstrategy #creative #brandidentitydesign #brandingdesigner

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We help biotech companies tell their stories through design, animation, and web development. See how we bring science to life. Let’s create something impactful together. #Biotech #Storytelling #Design #Animation #WebDevelopment #SACDesigns #animateEverything https://lnkd.in/e5s3waX4

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Now is the time for you to say YES to becoming more than “just a designer”… I’ve said YES to a lot of things early on in my design career. Well before I probably ever had any business saying YES to the things I did. I just dove right in and figured it out as a I went along. If I couldn’t do it myself, I found someone else that could. Be more than a designer… 1 _ Evaluate the challenges the brand is facing. 2 _ Determine appropriate paths to achieve their goals. 3 _ Align a team that can get the work done. The client will appreciate your ability to connect the dots and see the bigger picture… whether it’s your hands or not. That’s when you say YES to becoming more than “just a designer”

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Did you know there is more to a font than just style? Want to learn more, then check out our post below. 👇 #graphicdesign #fontselection #typographytips #designhacks 

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When your dna isn’t tied to your work product and you depend on an external construct you minimize the creative. -This was one of the biggest shifts in the past 6 years in my view. As agencies go, there is a strong tendency to adopt to what’s going on around them and adjust to the moment. -Agencies adopted viewpoints related to consumers’ interest in companies that display a purpose so we found ‘purpose’ agencies sprouting up. Agencies adopted viewpoints relating to the need for ‘cultural relevance’ so that became many agencies’ focus. In these examples the people who work on the creative product and the product itself became less relevant. Showing the force of their new found belief in any work they create is good enough. -This approach is easier to sell to clients but harder to create great work. The tenets of great creative work is lost in the process and I would assert those core characteristics far exceed any ‘purpose’ or ‘cultural relevance’ constructs. Perhaps those agency core DNA descriptors are actually just another creative approach among others in solving a particular client problem. -I believe our job is to focus on the problem and the basic views of great work — and that will maximize the creative potential and deliver the best results. #creativitymatters

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