5 Logo Design Tips

 

If you look at all the big and successful companies, they all have their own logos that are effective because they are easily remembered. A logo serves as a graphic representation of your company and should be memorable to be an effective advertising tool for your business. To create a successful logo, follow these 5 simple logo design tips.

1.   Keep Your Logo Simple

A complicated logo will not likely be easily remembered. It can also make your logo difficult to maintain and reproduce. Think about the Pepsi logo.  It’s simple design gives no indication that it is for a beverage company, but it’s familiar to most everyone, even outside of the U.S. The Nike logo as well has a very simple check mark logo. Simple yet memorable designs make it easier for people to associate them with your business and set them apart from your competitors.

2.   Make Your Logo Suited to Your Business

If you are working on a logo for a legal firm, it should be formal enough for your clients to take you seriously. Colorful logos might make your clients' eyebrows rise; but if your business is a daycare center for children, a colorful logo design that appeals to kids.

3.   Consider what Your Logo will look like in the Future

You should look at your logo's future durability and longevity. Picture your company 10 years into the future and think about the kinds of products and services that it will offer. Some of the strongest companies in the world update their logos every 10 years or so, but usually the changes are subtle.

4.   Make Your Logo stand out and be Unique

Your logo's purpose is to make your company easily identifiable, especially when placed side by side with your competitors. Therefore, you need to research the industry in which you are working before you start your logo design. This will help you understand the common styles of your industry and at the same time make sure that you do not infringe upon anyone else's trademark logo.

5.   Make the Logo Readable

Your customers will not be able to easily recall your company's name if you create a logo with an unreadable and complicated font and would defeat the purpose of marketing your company. This will also keep your logo simple.

Follow these logo design tips to create a successful and powerful advertising tool for your small business.

Sign Effects
29 High Street
Billerica, MA 01862

Direct: (978) 663.0787
Toll Free: (800) 554.SIGN
Fax: (978) 663.9587
Email: sales@signeffects.com

 

A Short History of the Invention of the Photo Booth

                                   

 

The patent for the first automated photography machine was filed in 1888 by William Pope and Edward Poole of Baltimore.  The first known working photographic machine was a product of the French inventor T. E. Enjalbert (March 1889). It was shown at the World Fair in Paris in 1889.  The first commercially successful automatic photographic apparatus was the "Bosco“ from the Inventor Conrad Bernitt of Hamburg (Patented July-16-1890).

Other products included the Photo-Mècanique or Photo-Automatique in France and in the USA, the turn of the century Automatic Photographic Machine that could make a portrait in thirty seconds, and the GE Electric Coin Op Machine of 1915. GE also put out a machine in the US and Canada that produced “penny photos,” popular at the time with ads even appearing for automated machines.

Most modern photo booths use video or digital cameras instead of film cameras, and are under computer control. Some booths can also produce stickers, postcards, or other items with the photographs on them, rather or as well as simply a strip of pictures.

Containing as many as 400 metal plates, while hailed as “devices for instant photography (that) could be installed and left to operate on their own in public places, squares, parks theaters, etc.” none of the machines were, in fact, ever totally self-operative and failed because of coin jams and their need for frequent chemical changes and repairs.

Visit http://innovativefoto.com !

• Innovative Foto is the largest full service designer, manufacturer, operator and distributor of digital imaging photo kiosks in the United States
• Photo Booths – “It’s all we do”!
• Innovatives’ Photo Booth “real estate” is unmatched- over 3,000 photo booths in North America operating under a revenue sharing model as well as support of thousands of sold photo booths in North America & Worldwide
• 80% + market share - dominating malls/shopping centers, cinemas, amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, museums and tourist destinations
• Chuck E. Cheese has more than 1,000 Innovative FOTO booths, yielding 40 million pictures annually
• Innovative FOTO is a portfolio company of Sankaty Advisors, an affiliate of Bain Capital, that manages $19.1 billion of assets

 

 

Photo Booths: Perfect For Weddings and Parties?

If you’re looking for an “Innovative” way to make your wedding, party or any event memorable, consider installing a “Photo Booth”! Nowadays people are looking to spice up the average and ordinary wedding with something fun and interactive for their guests. Can you think of a better way to do that than to have a photo booth at your wedding?  There are not many people that can resist piling into a booth with their friends!

Why a photo booth?

Photo booths are great time fillers, and a photo booth keeps your guests entertained! – If there’s a lull in the party your guests can amuse themselves by taking a fun photo.  At a wedding, while the guests are waiting for the bride and groom they can spend the time at the booth. The bride and groom can even request that pictures of their friends and family are printed and shared in a guestbook!

A photo booth appeals to all ages! – Kids can have fun taking silly pictures of themselves and their friends.  They can even take the pictures themselves. 

Did You Know?          

The patent for the first automated photography machine was filed in 1889 by Mathew Stiffens.   The popularity of photo booths skyrocketed during World War II as soldiers and loved ones took numerous photographs to exchange with each other.

With the enormous advancements in digital photography and printing, photo booths are making a huge comeback. Unlike older traditional photo booths, new digital photo booths are lightweight and easily transportable making them affordable and readily available for private events.

It is tricky to explain or understand the mass appeal of photo booths or how they can bring out the wild and wacky side of almost anyone.

Since 1995, Innovative FOTO has been the leading supplier and largest manufacturer of today’s most innovative photo booths. Photo booths are a part of today’s social experience – Innovative FOTO brings that experience to life.  Contact us today at (800) 933-2682 to book a rental for your next event.

 

 

Sign Effects - Tips for Choosing the Best Colors for your Business Signage

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for Choosing the Best Colors for your Business Signage

Business signage is the first visible advertisement for any company’s services or products. Corporations and small businesses spend a large budget researching the most noticable choice of colors for their specific needs. It is true that people are affected psychologically by the colors presented to them in advertising promotions. Choosing the right two basic colors for your business is the foundation upon which you can then add designs and suitable graphics.

The following examples show how companies have chosen colors to express the message of their unique products or services:

·        Yellow (happy feelings) — McDonalds wants every meal to be a “happy meal.” By adding some fiery red, they have created a sign that functions as an appetite stimulant.

·        Blue (business confidence) — IBM wants everyone to trust their products.

·        Green (health) — Starbucks has a healthier, “greener” product.

·        Purple (royal, mystery, wisdom) — Hallmark has the perfectly worded card for every occasion.

·        Orange (joy, optimism) — “The world runs on Dunkin.”

·        Pink (femininity, love) — Victoria’s Secret is all about romantic, sexy women’s fashions.

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST COLORS FOR YOUR SIGNAGE

1.     Does your business already have an established a logo brand color? You’ll want to continue that theme in your signage color choices.

2.     Orange, yellow and red are generally considered high arousal colors; and blues, greens and violet tend to be lower in arousal response. However, within these families, entirely different reactions can be created by intensifying or lessening the shades.

3.     Never let an intense background color or graphic overpower the most important message on your signage.

4.     Work with contrasting complementary pairs for powerful impact.

5.     A black–white combination is clearly legible and less expensive.

Sign Effects was founded in 1990 in Billerica, MA. At Sign Effects, we continue to develop unique, tailor made sign solutions for each and every one of our Massachusetts & New Hampshire customers.  Call us today! 

Direct: (978) 663.0787
Toll Free: (800) 554.SIGN
Email: sales@signeffects.com

 

 

The Importance of Business Signage

      The Importance of Business Signage

 If you operate or are planning to start a business, one of the most (of many) important things to consider is how you plan to use signage. Signs are like your silent salespeople, and a creative, attractive sign can help your business stand out from the competition. Potential customers are more likely to purchase from a business they have already heard of, so a sign can help plant the seed for future sales.

What Exterior Signs Do

Exterior signs draw attention to your place of business and help differentiate it from others. Interior signs help customers locate merchandise, exits and can lead to unplanned or impulse purchases when added to displays. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov), signs serve as a primary link between a business and its customers.

Effective signage can bring customers into the store, tell them where to find what they want, introduce them to new products, and alert them to bargains. If your signage follows some simple guidelines, you can actually increase sales while providing your customers with a pleasant shopping experience.

Marketing

Exterior signs have a continuous effect and advertisement because it’s visible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For businesses that have limited marketing funds, signs can be a cost-effective form of marketing. According to the SBA website, the cost-per-thousand, a common method used to measure the cost of reaching a thousand potential customers.  After your initial investment, it is much lower for signage than other types of advertising, such as radio, televisions and newspapers.

Signs can also be effective for off-premises use. Strategically placed billboards can convey a concise message to passing motorists.

Whether your needs include logos, signs, displays and exhibits, L.E.D. illuminated signs, or vehicle advertising, we at Sign Effects, Inc. focus on surpassing your needs in a cost effective, yet quality conscious manner that will win you customers!  Call us at 1800-554-SIGN, and visit our website at www.signeffects.com/.  We provide Graphic Solutions, such as:

§  Logo Design

§  Truck Lettering

§  Illumination

§  Vehicle Wrap

§  Signs

§  Airbrush Art

§  Truck Lettering

 

 

 

 

Nutfield Eye Associates - 10 Eye Health Tips Part II

                                       

 

 

 

 See the Difference!

Nutfield Eye Associates

10 Eye Health Tips Part II

WebMD Feature from Woman’s Day – by Amanda Green

When you are not having any vision issues or problems, it’s very easy to forget about how necessary it is to maintain good eye health.  Remember the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”  Here are the last 5 tips for maintaining eye health.

     6.       Don’t drink TOO much coffee – Two servings of coffee/tea or any caffeinated drink a day are good for dry-eye prevention, but more than that can actually contribute to dry eye and tear depletion.

     7.       Take a computer break – There’s a rule called “the 20-20 rule” for computer users to help alleviate eye strain.  Every 20 minutes you’re in front of that computer screen, look away 20 feet or more for 20 seconds.  This rule can also apply for reading as well.

     8.       Eat lots of green leafy vegies, dark berries and cold-water fish – Spinach, kale, brussel sprouts and broccoli are rich in lutein which is a carotenoid that aids in preventing macular degeneration.  Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in folks over the age of 60.  Cold-water fish and walnuts are rich in omega-3s, and can reduce inflammation in eye blood vessels.

 Call us in Derry, NH 603-434-3937 and Londonderry 603-421-0022 or visit our webpage at http://www.nutfieldeye.com

Nutfield Eye Associates provides quality eye care.  We offer the following:

ü  Routine Eye Care

ü  Lasik

ü  Optical Shop

ü  Cataract Surgery

ü  Cosmetic Treatments

Nutfield Eye Assoc. - 10 Eye Health Tips

                                       

 

           See the Difference!

Nutfield Eye Associates

10 Eye Health Tips

WebMD Feature from Woman’s Day – by Amanda Green

 

Preventing eye disease is important, so don’t wait until you have a problem to start caring for your eye health.  Often, by the time you have symptoms of trouble it may already be too late.  Here are 5 tips (from a list of 10) you can do now to preserve your eye health.  Stay tuned for numbers 6 through 10 in the next article.

 

     1.       Get regular eye exams – An AOA (American Optometric Assoc.) survey discovered that 85% of folks valued their eye-site most, but less than half get an eye exam within 2 or 3 years.

     2.       Provide your eye doctor with your medical history – Make sure that your eye doctor is made aware of any medical issues, such as hypertension and diabetes.  Many medical issues can affect your eye health.

     3.       Be aware and control your home or office air quality – Heat systems in the winter months can dry out your skin as well as your eyes.  You may want to consider a humidifier.  Also pet hair can cause allergic reactions and their hair can carry outside irritants.

     4.       Keep a supply of Saline Solution at home – It’s good practice to have saline on hand in case of accidental eye contact with at home cleaning products such as bleach or ammonia.

     5.       Replace contact lens case at least once every 2 or 3 months – To lessen bacteria build up, clean your case regularly.

 

Call us in Derry, NH 603-434-3937 and Londonderry 603-421-0022 or visit our webpage at http://www.nutfieldeye.com

Nutfield Eye Associates provides quality eye care.  We offer the following:

ü  Routine Eye Care

ü  Lasik

ü  Optical Shop

ü  Cataract Surgery

ü Cosmetic Treatments

The Best Vegetables, Flowers & Herbs You Can Grow on Your Deck or Patio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a patio or deck, you probably are wondering what type of plant life would be best for your space. Whether considering planting vegetables, flowers or herbs, according to “Burpee” seeds, there are a few you may want to consider that can withstand the temps of patio life and flourish.

Veggies                                                                    

Didn’t think you could grow vegetables on your patio?  You’d be surprised how many different types of veggies you can grow! For example:

    

Patio Princess - Perfectly sized, petite tomato plants for patio containers.

 

Bush Steak Hybrids – Beef Steak tomatoes that can grow in a container.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bush Early Girl Hybrid - Extra-large, extra-early tomatoes grow on a true bush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also grow loose-leaf lettuce, Detroit dark red beets and what is called “Heatwave” blend lettuce.

 

 

Flowers
               

                                                   

  

Flowers, especially hanging flowers, look great on a patio, and can enhance the décor of any outdoor space. However, you need to consider flowers that can withstand the direct sun and conditions on your patio and still look good.

Pansies – A fragrant flower that is great for hanging planters, baskets or even to border around your patio railing.  

Sunflowers – Elf or Teddy Bear bush sunflowers grow well and can be grown in a container.

Nasturtium, Alaska Mix - Colorful, (and edible), nasturtiums tolerate poor soils and heat or cold.

White Wedding Zinnias – A brilliant white flower, similar in appearance to a chrysanthemum.

 

Herbs                                                                 

Wouldn’t it be great to just walk out to your patio and grab some of your favorite herb seasonings fresh? There are many that you can grow on your deck or patio. Think about planting some herbs in planter boxes around the railing of your patio, in between some of the flowers. Just a few of the herbs you can select are:

Thyme – Thyme has a variety of uses. You can use it for meats, poultry, soups—you name it!

Parsley – A favorite garnish and also can be used in a number of different foods.

Chives – Can be used for anything from soups to salads.

Basil – Your favorite pasta sauces, pesto, soups and the like.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to have a green thumb, be adventurous and try your hand at growing. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you end up with!

Make sure you check out the patio furniture, awnings and fire pit selections available at Patio Barn in Amherst, NH and give them a call at 603.673.2716 for great price and variety, or check out the website at www.patiobarn.net.