Stephanie Mahoney

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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Envision translating fiscal policy into compelling visual stories. We designers craft visual cues that turn abstract concepts into tangible experiences. It’s a powerful reminder that at the intersection of policy and creativity, there’s a space to influence and inform, ensuring every piece of our design not only catches the eye but also conveys the message effectively.

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Take my course. Need to be where your audience is – but do you really understand how your web presence affects the consumer buying process? This online AIA, IDCEC and NKBA CEU helps sort it out. https://bit.ly/4cjLxHq

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Is your firm ready to go from “creating content” to creating content for business results? I am partnering with SMPS—Society for Marketing Professional Services on a 3-Part Webinar series “Achieving Return on Content: A New #AEC Blueprint.” #AECmarketing #SMPS

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I've been enjoying the past few nights of serving wine, popping bubbles, and meeting new people with my husband's business, Alliance Reverse Mortgage. 🍾 Let me know how you like my shot… * * #Marketing #GraphicDesign #SCDesignGraphics #scDesign #BusinessEnhancement #PrintingSolutions #packagedesign #marketing #printing #scdesigngraphics #graphicdesign #alliancereversemortgage #CreditUnion

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Just because your report is long and information-heavy doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. My designs keep readers engaged. Check out samples of interesting reports that I've designed at https://lnkd.in/gSjucZbp #graphicdesign #branding #reports #freelancedesigner #corporatecommunications #leahgryfedesigns #accessibility #bilingual #bilingue #français

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Running your own design business is not for the faint of heart and the to-do lists never get shorter (and stay short). Accounting, client management, sales, business development, marketing, and more. And did I even mention actual design work (thinking/creating/designing/refining/finalizing)? One of the items that I'm trying to get better at is consistency with my monthly newsletter, The Sketchbook, where I share: 1. Design/life story based on a word that month 2. Visual inspiration 3. Client work/news 4. Design teaching 5. A recipe for something I've baked/cooked (food is creativity, too!) I'm getting September's ready to send out (the theme is "SHARE") and would love to add you to the mailing list! People aside from my Mom DO like to read it, I promise (see some testimonials on the sign up page)! Sign up via the link below. https://lnkd.in/eBQpteke

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Attention business owners: is your out-of-date website losing your business money? The world has changed post-pandemic and most business owners don’t realize that their outdated or inconsistent website is losing them $$. When you work with Colburn Strategic Partners, Inc. you’ll have website experts to design and run your website so you can put all of your focus on your business.

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A business anniversary isn't just about champagne and congratulations. 🎉 It's a golden opportunity to strengthen your brand and build momentum. Leveraging your milestone can help you: -Craft a compelling narrative that connects with your audience -Spark year-long engagement through strategic promotions and events -Reimagine your visual identity to showcase your brand's evolution. Read our blog post to discover top tips for turning your milestone into a year-long marketing powerhouse. Know any marketing managers or business leaders approaching a milestone year? Share this resource with them to help make their celebrations unforgettable! Link here: https://lnkd.in/eEYBWPh6 #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #AnniversaryMarketing #Branding #BusinessMilestones

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When is it time to pick up a pencil and sketch? I've talked about this subject before, but if you're in the earlier ideation stages of a creative or graphic design project and your designer or agency sends you mock-ups with stock photographs and says, "Just imagine," then maybe it's time for a change. Since creativity is the foundation of the advertising industry, you should be able to present a customer with an idea in the form of a clear, succinct, preliminary sketch. Why? Both money and time are saved. Early concept sketches allow you to explore more ideas far more quickly than spending endless hours on one complex layout that the client might even reject. So, the next time you want to convey some new marketing thoughts, start with a strategy, a few pencil sketches, and some compelling headlines. Remember, old-school methods are sometimes much more effective at communicating a thought. If you’re in need of a creative partner who understands the value and process of ideation and time savings, let’s chat.

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Is Marketing a Foreign Language to You? It doesn’t have to be. Many companies don’t understand how their marketing works or why they are using certain options. Let us help you translate your marketing options and make sure they are working for your company. Want to know more: Envision By Design envisionbydesign.com 314-370-6131 #AreYoutheNextZagger #Marketing #Learn

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How to Stand Out in Direct to Home Print Marketing As a business leader, you’ve likely watched your marketing team spend countless hours fine-tuning headlines, A/B testing copy, and tweaking designs—all for a few seconds of your audience’s attention. The problem? Traditional direct mail is often tossed without a second glance. Your message gets buried in a sea of promotional flyers, and your hard work ends up in the recycling bin. The challenge is clear: how do you cut through this mountain of clutter and ensure that your message not only reaches your target but also resonates? Cost-effective direct marketing like, on-door tags provide the solution. They don’t just sit in the mailbox, fighting for space among dozens of other mailers—they are physically placed on the door, directly in the customer’s hands. And here’s where psychology works in your favor: when something is already in your hand, your brain is naturally wired to examine it, even if only for a moment. It becomes personal. Unlike other direct marketing print tactics that can be skimmed and tossed, door tags force a pause. The simple act of holding it engages the customer’s mind, making them more likely to read the first thing their eye lands on—the headline. The tactile nature and physical placement of the tag make it almost impossible to ignore. This is the edge door tags provide: they demand attention in ways digital ads and traditional mailers cannot. In a world overloaded with marketing noise, door tags offer a powerful, effective way to deliver your message—right to the customer’s front door and into their hands. Reach out to me today! [email protected] or 773-975-8300

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Even designers use these terms incorrectly (and there's a lot of nuance and history here I won't bore you with). For our purposes, let's simplify: a TYPEFACE is a family of FONTS. Why should you care? Let's say that your brand guidelines state that Museo Sans is your brand TYPEFACE. If that's all that is specified, it's easy for materials to look different - some headlines using very thin weights of the typeface, while others use the thick weights. To ensure consistency, these guidelines can be more granular, defining which FONT within the typeface to use for headlines, body copy, etc. How specific do these need to be? I've found that in general, the larger the organization and the more folks that will be accessing the guidelines to create materials, more specific typographic guidelines = a more a consistent visual brand. Did you know the difference between these two terms?

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How can your business stand out, connect with your audience and increase engagement? Use the power of print! In a recent survey, 82% of respondents expressed a preference for companies that use custom print materials, and there are so many creative ways I can make sure your printed materials are seen—and remembered. 👀 #BrandYourID #printingservices #corporateevents #powerofprint #brandingexpert

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Is your nonprofit planning a rebrand? Wondering how much you’ll need to invest? Here’s a handy guide—based on Hyperakt's years of experience estimating hundreds of projects—with branding budget ranges for organizations of different sizes. Read the full article to get into the main factors at play. https://lnkd.in/ezpwmxnQ #branding #nonprofits

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