BRANDING: EXPERT ADVANTAGE GROUP

March 24, 2017 Machelle Kolbo

If I had to choose what I like most about designing brand identities for amazing clients, I'm not sure I could pick just one thing.

But I do know that creating brands that embody the values of my unique clients would have to be one of my favorites.

It is a challenge to create brands for each different clients, and represent their values in a visual way. This creative problem is a part of the process, and one that I enjoy taking on.

Andrea Schneider approached me last year to create branding for her real estate team. She is a real estate agent with a large national real-estate company. As her client base, and work load in Nebraska she decided to work with a team within her real estate office. This branding would serve as an umbrella for her and the other agents on her team.

Right from the get-go I had the task of creating branding for her real estate team that would also work with logos required of her for the national real-estate company. It was a fun challenge to work with.

The first task was coming up with a name for the team. After many brainstorming sessions we landed on Expert Advantage Group. This name will represent Andrea, and her teammates well. We wanted their clients to feel the expert knowledge they bring to the table and experience the advantage of that knowledge in the real estate market.

The imagery of the check mark inside the house was intentional, and connects back to some of the values behind Andrea's brand. A check represents getting the job done. We wanted customers to feel that working with this group would take things off their plates, and get them accomplished. I also loved how the check mark tied in with the values behind the brand:

The Expertise You Deserve, The Flexibility You Need, The Results You Want.

This branding was paired with additional coordinating branding for business cards, banners, email signatures, and Facebook images. All together it gives a cohesive look that will serve Andrea and her team well.

I'm thrilled with how this brand turned out. Looking for branding for your business? Hop over to my inbox and let's chat!

BRANDING: HERE WITH US

October 26, 2016 Machelle Kolbo

Working on branding with Traci for her company, Here With Us was a delight! I always love finding out about the heart behind a business, and the people that care so much about them. Here With Us was no exception, and I'm thrilled to share the branding with you today.

Traci started Here With Us as a way to raise money for their upcoming adoption. Her side hobby to raise money quickly became a business, and creating wooden signs was something she loved doing. As their adoption story hit a few unexpected turns, and the family waited on God's timing, the little side hobby continued to grow. Along the way Traci and her family also realized that they weren't sure they wanted the journey of Here With Us to end once their adoption was finalized. The rustic, vintage inspired signs company had become a way to bring beauty to others.

Here With Us Branding Sheet // Machelle Kolbo Design Studio

After chatting with Traci and seeing her joy about this business I was so excited to be a part of the journey in creating her branding. We chose to keep the branding simple, with nods to rustic and vintage inspiration. We drew inspiration from natural elements, vines and wreaths. The result was a beautifully simple brand with a darling branch icon, and a cool color palette. In the above branding sheet you can see how the main logo is supported by secondary text logos, and icons.

Here With Us Logo // Machelle Kolbo Design Studio

For the brand we created logos, stamps and a branded thank you note to use with orders (pictured below). This card has all of the contact information customers need, as well as space for Traci to leave a personal note. Cards like this are the perfect branded piece to put in orders, and allow you to interact and communicate well with customers. We are so excited with how this branding turned out and can't wait to see all the beautiful things Here With Us will continue to create!

Here With Us is a small business dedicated to making beautiful wooden signs for your home. Currently, funds are used as a means to support their adoption. You can check out Here with us on Facebook and Instagram - @herewithusdecor.

Interested in logo or branding design? We would be delighted to help! Send a note on our contact page, and lets get started!

Branding: Cinnamon Girl

May 18, 2015 Machelle Kolbo

I absolutely love branding projects. Clients hand me a piece of their heart and trust me to mold it into something to represent their passions and dreams - Yikes! That may seem terrifying to some - and yes it can become overwhelming at times - but the whole process is 100% worth it, and like I said before I absolutely love it!

So, today I am very excited to share another recent branding project with you! I have had the pleasure of working with Jordan on branding for her blog Cinnamon Girl. Jordan is a lifestyle blogger here in Lincoln, NE - and let me tell you Lincoln - we are lucky to have her! She is passionate about music, fashion, the Lincoln community and finding joy in the ordinary.

Jordan's style is a mix of bohemian and free-spirit which we wanted to capture, but also give her something clean and classic. The designs took a couple different directions before we really honed in on the final design. Below are some images that served as inspiration along the way.

The final branding marries bohemian with classic beautifully. Crisp, thin black and white lines with a hint of geometric pull the whole look together.

In celebration of her new look Cinnamon Girl is hosting giveaways all week long! Check out her Instagram and enter to win great prizes - I'm giving away a custom address stamp to celebrate her new look check it out HERE!

Take a look at the new look below!

Interested in branding your business or possibly re-branding? I would love to talk with you to learn more about your business and needs! Drop me a line here.

Branding: Fern and the Fawn

January 13, 2015 Machelle Kolbo

Business cards and custom stamp created for Fern and the Fawn.

Last fall I had the great pleasure of working with my friend Sharon on a logo + branding for her new venture - fern and the fawn. Sharon creates unique home decor with lots of texture and a dash of bohemian and whimsical inspiration. When Sharon approached me to brand her new company I knew it was going to be a great fit. She has a great sense of style and her ideas pushed me to grow as a designer.

There is a lot of research, sketching and time that goes into a logo and the branding process as a whole. I wanted to create something that reflected Sharon's style and would grow with her company. We went through multiple rounds of edits to get everything just right.

The final branding for fern and the fawn captured the personality and esthetic of Sharon's work. Below is a brand style sheet that shows the various brand elements. We opted for a hand-drawn look as well as hand-drawn natural details to reflect the handmade nature of her business. We then paired that with watercolor and warm pinks and corals to make it whimsical and welcoming.

It was a joy to watch her excitement as the designs took shape. That will always be one of my favorite parts of designing - creating something that brings joy to others.

Now, do yourself a favor and check out Sharon's shop on Etsy, you won't be disappointed. If you are a local Lincoln dweller, you can also check out her items for sale at the Pilgrimer.

If you are interested in logo/brand design, or have questions please contact me. I would love to be a part of your journey!