“Ooooh, this makes sense now.”

“That is a great question.”

“I’ve never thought about that before.”

These aren’t just polite niceties; they’re real reactions from small business owners while completing their brand strategy. Whether you’ve been in business for 20 minutes or 20 years, brand strategy is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.

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So, what is brand strategy, anyway?

Think of brand strategy as the who, what, how, and why behind your brand. It’s the blueprint that clarifies what kind of brand you’re building and who needs it. It gives you the building blocks to create:

• Mission, Vision, and Purpose Statements

• A Brand Persona (your brand’s personality)

• Client Personas (who you’re talking to)

• Visual Identity

• Brand Voice

• Your Marketing Strategy

Without it, you’re left guessing. And so are your team, your vendors, and the customers you’re trying to reach. A clear strategy allows you to develop guidelines anyone can follow. It’s like having a compass and a map instead of just floating around lost at sea, hoping to find land.

The best time to start is right now—whether you’re just launching, something feels off, or you realized you skipped this step when you started your business. It’s never too late to shore things up or make a pivot.

What could go right?

Brand strategy sessions are all about discovery. It’s a process of getting everything out of your head and onto paper, but it’s also so much more. It’s finally feeling aligned with the business you’re building. It’s becoming more in tune with your ideal customer. And most importantly, it’s getting the knowledge you need to make business decisions more confidently.

Brand strategy isn’t just about filling out forms; it’s about alignment. When you do the work, you might discover a better way to reach your customers (or realize you’ve been chasing the wrong ones entirely). Or, you might find out your visuals or voice don’t match your brand values.

When your visuals, voice, and behavior are all sending the same message, selling your offer stops feeling like such a struggle.

So, when asking, “What could go right?” the answer is, everything.

How to dive in (without the panic)

Before you jump into the deep end of brand strategy, there’s a quick, crucial step: the Business Owner Clarity Worksheet.

It’s free, and it’s for you! It asks the hard questions: What do you actually want out of life? Does your current business support that? Spoiler alert: You might be building a business that doesn’t fit your personal goals. And that’s okay.

That’s actually why Olive Ridley Studios exists. When our founder first launched, we were selling clothing and accessories. But answering those tough questions made her realize she’s better at helping *other* small businesses tell their stories, so she pivoted, and never looked back.

Once you’re sure you’re building the right business for you, it’s time to turn it into a brand your ideal customers will love. Here’s how:

Step 1: Define your “Why” and clarify goals.

What do you do? How do you do it? And why do you do it beyond making money? If you can’t answer these questions, no one can.

Step 2: Shape your brand personality.

This is when you outline the traits and characteristics that will allow you to build a unique identity. Values, behavior, look, and voice. Make it authentic.

Step 3: Discover your ideal customer.

Who are they? What do they need? Dig into the details so you know exactly who you’re talking to.

Step 4: Bring it all together.

Create your brand and client personas. Think of them as avatars. If anyone reads them, they should instantly get who you are and who you serve.

Ready to make some waves?

If you’d like a little hand-holding through this process, check out our BYOBrand Strategy Workbook. It’s the exact same framework we use with our clients, packaged for you to DIY.

It’s time to stop guessing and start growing. Let’s make big waves with your small brand!

TL;DR: The font choices you make for your brand can change how your business is perceived, how easily it’s found, and whether or not first-time customers become repeat customers. Fonts communicate visual information and influence our gut feeling about products and brands. They’re integral to building a brand and getting your written message across with the right tone.

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Typography is one of those things most people don’t think too much about. Unless you’re a designer, I doubt you think about it at all. At least not until it becomes a problem. The moment you can’t read a menu because the type is too small, or you can’t make out what a sign says because it’s written in a flourishy script font, you’re suddenly muttering under your breath about fonts like a disgruntled graphic designer who’s just seen Papyrus used inappropriately for the umpteenth time. (If you know, you know.)

If you’re wondering whether or not your brand’s typography choices are sending the right message, this post is for you. Read on to discover some of the nuances affecting how your brand is being perceived, based on nothing more than the fonts you use.

Typography Basics

Before we dive into how fonts can impact your bottom line, there’s some basic terminology you need to know. First things first, is it a font or a typeface? You’ll often hear those two terms used interchangeably, but they actually describe two distinctly different things.

Fonts are individuals, while typefaces are families. For example, the typeface Arial comprises the individual fonts Arial Regular, Arial Italic, Arial Bold, Arial Bold Italic, and so on. Here’s a visual example using Olive Ridley Studios’ brand font, Qanelas Soft.

Now that you know the difference between a typeface and a font, let’s move on to the three main styles of typography: serif, sans serif, and script.

Serif fonts are based on old-school pen-and-ink styles of writing. They have little “feet” at the terminals of the letters and are generally used to indicate a level of seriousness. Serif typefaces are used for things like government buildings, newspapers, and banks. Using a serif typeface as part of your brand identity can add a sense of gravitas.

Sans serif fonts, on the other hand, are fonts without serifs. Meaning the letters’ terminals are plain, without the little “feet” you see on serif fonts. Sans serif fonts are a modern variation of letterform, and are typically perceived as more casual and approachable than their serif relatives.

Script fonts, like serif and sans serif, cover a wide range of diverse typefaces. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re all based on calligraphy-style letters. Script fonts can be tricky to use in branding because they’re not all easily legible, especially from a distance, but we’ll touch more on that in the next section.

Your Font Choices Matter

Now that you know the three primary types of fonts, let’s move on to how your choices impact your brand and your bottom line. The simple truth is that fonts matter. They impact how we receive and perceive information on a subconscious level. For example, imagine you received the note below from someone you’re dating.

How would you react? Would it leave you with an uneasy feeling? Would you consider breaking things off?

Now think about why the note might make you feel that way. Is it the message, or the way it’s presented?

Let’s look at the same message in a different font.

Do you feel differently about the message now? Does this version feel more like a sweet gesture than a threatening message?

The only change was the font, but as you can see, the results are drastically different. Fonts have the power to set the mood and define expectations. They shouldn’t be an afterthought. They should be a conscious part of your branding efforts.

Using the right font(s) can give your brand an air of whimsy or nostalgia, boldness, or quiet luxury; fonts can add excitement or help keep things grounded.

Fonts can even impact our perception of taste. Soft, round fonts suggest something sweet, while sharper fonts generally suggest sour or spicy foods. The image below demonstrates this principle perfectly. Notice how Red Hots and Hot Tamales use typography with hard edges and sharp corners. Meanwhile, Swedish Fish and Nerds are both using softer, more rounded letterforms. You can even see the same pattern playing out with the Mike and Ike packaging. The Sour Mega Mix uses a slab serif* font with square corners, while the original Mega Mix uses a rounded sans serif font.

*Slab serif is a specific type of serif characterized by flat, block-like serifs.

Yes, Size Matters Too

When it comes to typography, size definitely matters. Too small, no one can read your message. Too big, and you look like an amateur. But size isn’t just about legibility. It also creates hierarchy between sections of type. For example:

The image above uses a single font in different sizes to guide your eye from one piece of information to the next. This same principle is applied to most successful product packaging, so potential consumers read the most pertinent information first. This makes products more scannable when sitting on a shelf surrounded by similar products.

In the example above, both Jimmy Dean and Swaggerty’s use a size-based hierarchy to draw your eye to the type of breakfast item first, then the brand name, and then any secondary product information.

Typography Guidelines For the Non-Designer

Unfortunately, there’s no master list of appropriate type sizes based on application. There are too many variables, including the fonts being used. For example, script fonts are typically smaller than serif and sans serif fonts and need to be scaled up to remain legible. Some fonts are meant for large headlines and don’t translate well to paragraphs of small text. While others have been designed for text paragraphs and don’t work as well as large headers.

But since you’re not here to become a typography expert, here are some general rules of thumb to guide you as you’re making decisions for your brand:

1. Don’t use script fonts on signage. They’re too hard to read, especially if someone is driving by in their car. Plus, script fonts often have very thin lines that can’t be reproduced in signage without needing to first alter the font.

2. Never use a script font for paragraphs of text. It’s nearly impossible to read. Script fonts should be used sparingly throughout design layouts. Their primary use should be to call attention to specific points.

3. If you’re creating a graphic for social media, look at it on your phone before posting it. If the text is too small for you to read without zooming in, increase the font size. Apply the same rule to print designs. Get a sample printed at 100% and make sure it’s easily legible from an arm’s length.

4. If you’re ever questioning the legibility of a font or type size, get a second opinion from someone who doesn’t know what the message is supposed to say. If they struggle to read it, you’ll know you need to make a change.

5. Try not to use more than three typefaces within your brand. If you’re not sure how to mix and match font families, just stick to one typeface that has variables for bold, italic, etc.

6. USE THE SAME FONT(S) CONSISTENTLY. We can’t stress this one enough. The font(s) you use become part of your brand. Even if it’s only subconsciously, your customers will start to recognize your products and content based on the font(s) you use.

Typography and Your Small Business

The harsh truth is that making the wrong font choices might be holding your business back. If your social posts are too hard to read, your reach and interactions will suffer. If your signage is hard to read, your foot traffic will suffer. If your menu is hard to read, return customer rates will be lower. If you’re using inappropriate fonts (hello, Comic Sans!), people won’t take your business seriously.

Typography is an integral part of building a brand, and your choices can have dramatic impacts on the overall health of your business. If you’d like help from a professional, reach out at oliveridleystudios.com.

TL;DR: This month’s blog post dives deep into the value of vehicle wrap designs. Spoiler: they’re one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising. In fact, when we broke down the numbers, vehicle wraps are about half the cost per impression when compared to traditional billboards.

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Imagine sitting in traffic, minding your own business, when suddenly, you notice the person in the car next to you is trying to get your attention. You roll down your window, and to your surprise, they have a question about your business. You have a nice little chat before the light changes, and they say they’ll be in touch.

This isn’t a distant fantasy or a fever dream. It’s the reality for thousands of small business owners who have invested in a vehicle wrap to promote their brand.

Vehicle wraps are mobile, eye-catching, and great conversation starters, but did you know they’re also one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising? We’ll take a look at some actual numbers in a moment. After all, the value of advertising usually boils down to cost per impression. But first, a bit of background.

Background

Our founder, Megan, has been designing vehicle wraps since 2010. Her first full-time design job was at a local sign shop where she learned to design, produce, and install wraps. It gave her an affinity for wrap design that continues to be an important part of her work today.

In fact, Megan is one of just six designers from across the US selected to design a wrap for the upcoming I Am Woman Mobile Masterpieces Fine Art Gallery Event on March 8, 2026, in Hollywood, FL. The event is the first of its kind and will showcase the skills of female designers and installers in a very male-dominated industry. If you’re interested in learning more about the event, check out @iamwoman.art on Instagram.

Megan believes wholly in the power of a well-designed vehicle wrap, whether for business, art, or social issues. They’re a great way to draw attention to whatever is important to you, so let’s get to the nitty-gritty of it all, shall we?

The Investment

On average, a vehicle wrap costs around $7,000, including design and installation, and will last 5-7 years. Based on SpeedPro’s Estimated Annual Impressions calculator, if you have one wrapped vehicle on the road for just an hour a day, 5 days a week, you can expect a minimum of 650,000 impressions per year if you live in an urban area. That’s 2500 impressions every day you spend an hour in your car.

Even in rural areas, you can expect at least 108,333 impressions per year, or about 400 per day. That’s about $0.01 per impression over the life of the wrap in a rural area. Not bad, but if you live or work in an urban environment, those numbers get much more impressive.

Spending an hour per day, 5 days per week, driving a wrapped vehicle in an urban area will garner at least 3,250,000 impressions over the life of the wrap. Making each impression just $0.002!

The Comparison

Let’s compare that to another popular form of outdoor advertising: billboards. According to Times Square Billboard (2025), the national average cost for a standard billboard is $3,953 per month, and based on numbers reported by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, billboards generate around 30,000-50,000 daily impressions.

That means traditional billboards generate about 900,000 impressions per month, making each impression cost $0.004. That’s twice as much per impression as a vehicle wrap.

The Solution

The extra expense for a billboard might be worth it if you need a lot of impressions in a short amount of time, but if you’re playing the long game, vehicle wraps are a much better investment over time. Not only is the average cost per impression lower, but wrapping your car can also protect the paint underneath, preserving your original investment while making it work for your business. Classic win-win.

And unlike billboards, there are ways to create an effective vehicle wrap for less. If you work with the right designer, you can wrap part of your vehicle and achieve results similar to a full wrap. Just take a look at what we were able to accomplish for Auspicious Baking Co using applied graphics and window perf, and for The Print Shop with a 3/4 wrap.

FAQs

1. Is wrapping my vehicle a tax write-off?
   It’s our understanding that a vehicle wrap is only tax-deductible when it’s on a vehicle owned by your business.

2. Where can I go to get my vehicle wrapped?
   Look for local sign shops and vehicle wrap shops to find qualified installers. If they have a designer in-house, you may be able to use them for design as well. If you work with a branding and design firm like Olive Ridley Studios, we handle all of the design and work with qualified production partners on your behalf for printing and installation.

3. Can I wrap my old car and make it look new?
   It depends. If the clear coat and paint are in good condition, then probably so. However, if the clear coat or paint is damaged, you won’t be able to wrap your vehicle regardless of its age.

Conclusion

If you drive to work every day and live in an urban environment, vehicle wraps are one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to advertise your business. But keep in mind, if you’re driving around in a branded vehicle, you’d better be on your best driving behavior. 😉

For vehicle wrap designs that stand out and spread the word about your brand, reach out to Olive Ridley Studios today. We’ll help you make big waves with your small brand!

Approximate read time: 12 minutes

TL;DR: I compared an AI-generated brand identity to that of a professional brand designer, AKA me. In this post, I explain in detail what is or isn’t working with the AI solution through a brand-to-brand comparison. There’s a lot to cover, but in short, AI has a long way to go before it’s ready to take over the job of brand designers.

I’ve seen stories from other creatives who have lost client work because of AI, and it got me wondering... “Can AI do what I do?” It feels like artificial intelligence is being forced into every aspect of our lives these days. It’s being used more and more as a sub-par replacement for professional human intelligence and skill. And as image generators get more advanced, creative professionals are rightly worried about their futures.

So, I decided to put AI to the test. Can ChatGPT create a usable, strategy-backed visual brand identity, and how will it compare to a seasoned brand designer’s solution? Let’s find out.

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The Method

For a true apples-to-apples comparison, I gave ChatGPT a brand discovery worksheet from an existing client, Sad Stuffies. I designed their visual brand identity a couple of years ago, so I had my assets ready for comparison. I asked Chat to create a visual brand identity, including logo variations, a color palette, fonts, a brand pattern, and additional graphic elements.

Keep in mind, the AI model had the exact same information I did when starting this project. Here are a few key points from the discovery worksheet:

1. The ideal client is a 14- to 25-year-old female.

2. The words used to describe the brand’s look and feel are: Calming, Interesting/Surprising, Youthful, Familiar, and Soft but Warm.

3. The founder wants the brand to be described by customers as hopeful and comforting.

The Solutions

At just a glance, you might think the AI solution is cute and move on with your day, but I took one look and said, “Oh nooooo.” There are a myriad of reasons why ChatGPT’s solution doesn’t work when you look at it with a critical eye. In fact, the AI model completely missed the mark. It created a visual brand much better suited to young children than to teens and young adults. So, let’s break it down piece by piece and take a detailed look at what’s not working with the AI-generated brand identity, why it’s not working, and what the human-generated design is doing differently.

Color Palette Problems

TL;DR: The AI-generated color palette lacks essential contrast, doesn’t meet accessibility standards, and doesn’t satisfy the design brief. The human-generated palette meets all three of those expectations.

All successful brand color palettes have one thing in common: contrast. Without sufficient contrast between colors, text becomes hard to read, and design elements blend into the background. A balanced palette with proper contrast includes at least one light and one dark color. The most extreme example of this is white and black. In the Sad Stuffies color palette I’ve created, Chablis acts as the light value, and Port Grove acts as the dark value.

The AI-proposed color palette is problematic for several reasons, but most importantly, it lacks contrast. If you convert all six colors to greyscale, they become nearly identical in value, as demonstrated below.

You can tell by comparison that the human-generated solution has a much wider range of color values, providing necessary contrast for visibility. There is so little contrast between the colors chosen by Chat that, when run through an accessibility checker, there’s not a single color combination that produces readable results.

What’s strange is ChatGPT chose a darker purple for the logo mark, but didn’t include that color in the brand’s color palette. A glaring oversight on the part of AI. Including a dark value in the palette is essential for brand building. Without a defined dark value that can be used for text across marketing efforts, like websites, social posts, and even packaging, most founders and brand managers will default to black. And with a palette filled with soft pastels, black is a much harsher dark value than what’s needed. It would disrupt the brand’s look and feel, leaving it feeling disconnected from itself and its ideal audience.

Aside from the contrast issues with the AI-generated color palette, it also didn’t fully follow the direction of “soft but warm.” The beige background color is a good start, but it goes downhill from there. Chat used two shades of purple as the primary colors, which lean much more toward cool than toward warm. The warmest color in the palette, Golden Thread, is not being used anywhere on the brand board, not even in the brand pattern. By comparison, the human-generated version feels soft but warm, calming and comforting, and interesting yet familiar, all while maintaining proper contrast.

Logo Lamentation

TL;DR: The human-generated logo suite has meaning and intention. It fits with the founder’s vision and will connect with the ideal audience. The AI-generated logo suite is incomplete. It doesn’t quite fit the founder’s vision of a hopeful, comforting brand, and, worst of all, it’s poorly drawn.

When I set out to create a logo for Sad Stuffies, I knew there needed to be intention behind it. The founder’s vision was steeped in emotional connection and a desire to help. Since all the stuffies are based on different animals, I wanted to incorporate nature into the design without featuring any of the animals themselves. That way the stuffies could shine on their own, and we wouldn’t play favorites with any one animal.

The primary icon is a heart formed by two intersecting leaves, with a simple rainbow shape as the secondary icon. Both of these symbols are caring and hopeful, with a connection to nature. The rainbow shape is turned upside down to form the ‘u’ in stuffies. Showing a smaller ‘u’ nestled inside of a larger ‘u’ indicates care and support. The rainbow shape is mimicked in the ‘a’ in sad, providing consistency and deeper meaning.

The ‘a’ shape is also reminiscent of an elephant, one of nature’s most empathetic animals, aligning with the brand ethos. And when the ‘a’ is stacked over the ‘u’ as in the stacked version of the logo, the white space between the shapes alludes to the ups and downs of human emotions.

In short, the human-generated Sad Stuffies logo is unique and meaningful. It’s youthful without being childish, which is perfect for the brand’s ideal customer.

The logo design created by the AI model, on the other hand, is the kind of work I would expect from an inexperienced junior designer or someone without formal design training. It could certainly pass as usable, but it’s not going to stand out on a store shelf. Aside from the logo not being particularly interesting or memorable, there are also mechanical issues with what ChatGPT created.

First, let’s look at all of the logo marks Chat created. There’s a horizontal logo and a stacked logo, which is a great start for a logo suite, but that’s where the “greatness” ends. For some reason, the AI model created a word mark and a picture mark, but didn’t make a combination mark (one logo incorporating both the word mark and the picture mark). A misstep by ChatGPT. Also missing from this logo suite is a simplified icon or picture mark that can be used and recognized as a 16-pixel favicon—the tiny icon that lives at the top of your browser window. A favicon is a must-have for modern brands, but since I didn’t specifically ask for one, ChatGPT didn’t know to include one as part of the brand identity.

Next, let’s take a close look at the picture mark Chat created. It’s a sad, crying dog. Not exactly comforting, hopeful, or calming. But even worse, it’s poorly made. The eyes don’t quite match, and there’s a random white spec in the eye on the left. This kind of poor craftsmanship might get overlooked by a busy founder until it’s too late.

Typography Trouble

TL;DR: ChatGPT doesn’t have an expert understanding of typography. Its font choices are amateur and unbalanced, giving the brand a DIY vibe rather than a professional, polished one.

It’s hard to get a full sense of the typography for this brand from the brand boards, but there’s enough for us to take a critical look at the font choices. In my opinion, too few brands leverage typography in their visual branding. Browsing the web has become a sea of Poppins, Montserrat, and Helvetica. All great typefaces, but when everyone is using them, they’re not doing anything to communicate your brand’s personality. But before I get off on a wild tangent, let’s bring our focus back to Sad Stuffies.

The font choices I made for the Sad Stuffies brand were chosen to both work with and balance the logo design. The header font, shown in all caps on the brand board, has a rounded serif style. The soft corners complement the round letterforms in the logo, while the slight serifs add a sense of maturity to the brand. The body copy font used to display the color names on the brand board is a humanist sans-serif typeface. Without getting too technical, it strikes a perfect balance between the logo mark and the header font. The brand fonts continue to build on the overall look and feel of the brand: Calming, Interesting/Surprising, Youthful, Familiar, and Soft but Warm.

Let’s compare that to the font choices ChatGPT made. Personally, I would have loved to see more variety in Chat’s typography choices. Instead, Chat paired a sans-serif logo with two sans-serif fonts. Sometimes that’s fine and makes perfect sense for the brand being built, but in this case, the typography makes the brand feel too young and a bit DIY.

ChatGPT used three different styles of sans-serif fonts: modern, humanist, and handwritten. The logo is a humanist sans-serif, the header font, shown in all caps on the brand board, is a modern sans-serif, and the body copy font, used for the color names and slogans, is a handwritten sans-serif. It’s possible to pair those three styles together, but Chat’s suggested font pairing isn’t it. I can’t decide which is worse: the fact that the body copy font would be incredibly hard to read if used for paragraphs of text, or the unfortunate truth that these font choices are rather boring and generic. Once thing is certain: ChatGPT is NOT an expert in typography.

Brand Pattern Bafoonary

I’m not going to spend much time on the brand patterns, because what ChatGPT created is not a pattern. It looks like a pattern at first glance, but there’s no repeat. And not only is it not a pattern, but it’s also very poorly drawn. There are random little blobs that were likely supposed to be hearts scattered about, and even more random bits of dotted lines showing up where they don’t belong. Chat also seemed to have trouble drawing the sad dog icon consistently. Each one has slight differences, which is an absolute nightmare for brand recognition. Speaking of brand recognition, the AI model used colors in the brand “pattern” that are not even part of the brand color palette. Yikes! Worst of all, people with certain visual impairments would barely be able to decipher any of this “pattern” because there is so little contrast in the color palette.

Graphic Elements Galore?

TL;DR: Just like the logo, the graphic elements created by ChatGPT are generic, unmemorable, and poorly drawn. Meanwhile, the human-generated elements are unique and further the brand’s connection to nature.

Extra graphic elements are an important part of a visual identity that a lot of businesses skip, but shouldn’t. Those extra elements help bring everything together and provide much-needed assets for creating a website, social media content, and marketing materials. They ensure your visual brand is more than just your logo and can speed up the design process for all of your projects going forward.

With that in mind, I wanted to ensure Sad Stuffies had unique brand assets that could tie together their web and physical presence. So, I created hand-drawn, nature-based illustrations that could be used on packaging, social posts, and web design alike. They add color and whimsy to the brand without making it feel too young. Plus, there are enough elements with enough variety to keep the visuals interesting for the creator and the viewer, without straying from the brand.

Unfortunately, ChatGPT also fell short in this area. The graphics it created are again poorly made and extremely generic. There’s a dotted line in the middle of the heart graphic that definitely shouldn’t be there, and, just like with the brand pattern, it appears to use colors not part of the brand’s color palette. It would have been more helpful to provide a cloud shape without text and to offer all elements in multiple color options. Which, by this point, you might be thinking, “Couldn’t you just ask ChatGPT to make those changes?” And yes, you definitely could, but I’ll explain why that might not be as helpful as you think in the next section.

Conclusion

At this point, AI is not ready to take over the work of brand designers. (Phew!) Now, I could have given ChatGPT feedback on the design and kept iterating in an attempt to improve the design, but I chose not to for several reasons.

1. Generative AI uses a lot of water and energy. It wasn’t worth the extra consumption when I knew what I was asking it to make would only be used for this blog post. If you want to read more about AI’s energy usage, check out these articles:

   1. MIT Technology Review

   2. Outrider

2. AI image models don’t copy, they generate. That means if you’re trying to iterate something like a logo, it’s likely going to make subtle changes in places you didn’t ask. And if you’re trying to iterate a whole brand board at once, you may only want to update the color palette and end up with a completely different logo in the process. Want proof? Watch this short video.

3. I know exactly what’s wrong with the brand ChatGPT-generated solution because I’m an experienced brand designer. Most people trying to DIY a brand don’t have the knowledge or experience to give an AI model the correct feedback to improve the design.

4. What ChatGPT created is, for all intents and purposes, useless. And I don’t mean because of any of the design flaws I’ve pointed out. It’s useless because what it provided was a brand board as a single file. None of the brand elements are separate files. So, you could spend a lot of time iterating and decide you’re happy with what the AI model has generated, but you’re not going to get usable files. Even if you get the AI to generate each asset separately, you’ll end up with low-resolution jpg files. So, without getting into all of the technical details, trust me when I say you would still end up paying someone to redraw your logo in a more usable format.

5. AI doesn’t generate new ideas, so the chances of an AI-generated logo being unique enough to copyright are slim. And for that matter, it might even generate something that infringes on someone else’s copyright. When you work with a professional brand designer, they check their design against existing logos so you can rest assured you’re getting a unique mark.

I know I didn’t find many positive things to say about the AI-generated solution, but visual branding is such an important part of building a successful business that I have very high standards for what’s acceptable. Especially when it comes to small businesses trying to grow.

Small businesses need a brand that supports them and helps them move forward, not holds them back.

If you’re ready to work with someone who genuinely cares about your success and will do right by your brand, give me a hollar. We can make big waves together! Click here to get started.

TL;DR: Your logo is your face. Your brand is your reputation. This post, inspired by a comedy clip shared between our founder and her husband, breaks down how your logo and overall brand identity work together to create real, lasting connections with your ideal customers.

Our founder, Megan, recently brought in her husband, Brandan, as a part-time Director of Sales and Marketing. He has a knack for sending Megan video clips throughout the day, usually without any context. It’s a simple way of saying, “hey, this made me think of you.”

One recent gem was a stand-up bit from comedian Pat Burtscher, where he says:

“Some of you look like you’re having a good time, and some of you look like you’re not. And I don’t know if the people who look like they’re not having a good time aren’t having a good time, or they just don’t know how to use their face. Some people don’t know how to use their faces, and that’s why their lives suck.”

Funny, but then came the caption Brendan sent with it:

“Your logo is your face. Your brand is your reputation.”

Boom. It landed. He seamlessly connected comedy to branding in a way that made Megan’s heart swoon. So, let’s dive into the comparison.

Fix your face.

Have you ever met someone who made a poor first impression because they looked like they were scowling the whole time? Or maybe you’ve had to whisper to a friend, “Fix your face,” because their facial expression was inappropriate for the setting.

Heck, Megan (ORS founder) is often told she’s hard to read because her face isn’t always the most expressive.

Unfortunately, we may not always be in control of our face, but we are in complete control of how our brand shows up in the world. 🥳

Your logo is how your brand says hello.

It’s your first impression. Your handshake. Your eye contact across the room. It doesn’t need to shout, glare, or stare, but it does need to resonate with the people you’re trying to reach. Maybe even with a slight wink and a nod.

We’ve seen thoughtful, hardworking business owners put incredible energy into their products but not get the response they hoped for. And it’s often because their visual identity isn’t connecting with the right people.

The good news is that your logo is relatively easy to fix. And once it’s done, it will last for years. No scapel required, and no more accidentally sending the wrong message to potential customers.

Make lasting connections.

Nobody gets by for very long with just a pretty face. There has to be some substance below the surface to make real connections with people. And that’s where the rest of your brand comes in.

Your brand is the full experience: the colors, the fonts, the tone, the copy, the packaging, the way your business shows up and makes people feel. It reinforces that first impression and builds trust over time. Done right, your brand tells your ideal customer, “You belong here.”

It speaks directly to the folks who share your values, get your vibe, and need what you offer. It doesn’t have to wow the whole world, just the people who matter most to your business.

And that’s the goal. Not to cast the widest net, but to build real, lasting connections with the people who matter most to your business.

Because when your branding feels like an authentic reflection of the business you’re building, your reputation starts to speak for itself.

Building a brand is like building your personal reputation, but for your business. Over time, people learn what to expect from you and whether or not they can trust you. The more authentic you are, the easier it is for people to feel connected, and the faster you can earn their trust.

Ditch what’s not working.

If you’re ready to “fix your face” and build a more authentic brand, we’ve got you covered. At Olive Ridley Studios, we create thoughtful, strategic visual identities that connect with the right people and grow with your business.

If you’re not sure if your logo is sending the right message, let’s find out together!

We’re offering a free brand audit to help you figure out whether your current branding is helping or holding you back. No pressure, no judgment, just expert eyes on your brand and honest feedback you can use.

Click here to request your free brand audit.

If you’re ready to dive into change,

Grab our BYOBrand Strategy Workbook,

or reach out to start a full-service design project.

Either way, we’ll help you make big waves with your small brand.

TL;DR: Shapes speak louder than words. Round shapes feel sweet, soft, and friendly. Rectangular shapes come across as strong and reliable. Triangular shapes add edge, mischief, and a hint of chaos. Animators use this trick to build character, and smart brands use it to shape perception, literally. Whether it’s in your logo, typography, or mascot design, the shapes you choose quietly set the tone before anyone reads a word.

Ever wondered why some logos feel friendly while others look like they’re plotting world domination? It’s not magic—it’s shape theory. And if you’ve ever watched a Pixar movie, you’ve already seen this trick in action.

Let’s break it down.

Animators Know What’s Up (Literally. “Up” Is the Example.)

Animators are shape wizards. They use simple shapes to define personality, emotion, and intention. Think of the movie Up. Carl, our grumpy but loveable protagonist, is built from rectangles—his square jaw, boxy glasses, and stiff movements all say “stubborn but strong.” Ellie and Russell, on the other hand, are made of circles. Soft, warm, approachable. And then there’s Charles Muntz, the villain (spoiler?) with more angular, sharp features and an overall triangular-shaped face. Yep, triangles are the go-to shape for shady characters.

Why? Because your brain has opinions about shapes before you even know it. Round feels safe. Squares feel dependable. But triangles? Triangles are up to something.

But This Isn’t Just for Cartoons

Branding uses the same principles. Fonts, logos, and packaging all send shape signals.

Let’s say you’re designing for a sweet snack brand. Rounded letters feel soft and inviting, and evoke a sense of sweetness. Something like “QuinoWow” nails this basic principle. The letters are plump and playful, basically giving your brain a hug before you’ve even opened the bag.

Now compare that to a bold, sour snack like “Rotten.” Their brand mixes sharp and rounded fonts, hinting that the flavor might bite back, but there’s still something playful underneath. The font choices are balancing sweet and sour, just like the snack itself.

Small Shapes, Big Vibes

You don’t need to plaster triangles all over your packaging to make a point. Sometimes, small shape choices speak the loudest.

Take the Professionally Evil mascot. His design plays with shape theory in the best way:

• A triangular chin for classic mischief.

• Sharp eyes to show he’s definitely plotting something.

• A more rounded hat and coat to balance the triangular horns and keep him looking professional

That’s the magic of shape theory. It works whether you go big or keep it subtle.

So, What Should You Use?

• Use round shapes if you want to be seen as sweet, safe, approachable, or fun.

• Use rectangular shapes to say “trust me, I’ve got this” with a side of reliability.

• Use triangles when you want to add a little edge, a little intrigue, or a pinch of chaos.

Think of shapes as your brand’s silent sidekick. They’re working behind the scenes, whispering messages to your audience before a single word is read.

And hey, if you ever feel unsure about which shape speaks your brand’s truth, we’re here to help you make big waves. Schedule an on-demand consultation anytime, or fill out our contact form to get started.

This month’s blog post is brought to us by Dana Herra. Dana is a messaging strategist and content copywriter who knows how to turn a brand’s voice into music for the right audience’s ears. She's spent years helping businesses and big-hearted entrepreneurs find the words that make people actually want to pay attention. And in this guest post, she dives into why branding and marketing are stronger (and more profitable) together.

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Back in the 1960s, Elton John was playing piano in pubs. Bernie Taupin was a struggling writer. Individually, they were good, but neither was achieving the success they were capable of.

In 1967, a newspaper ad brought the composer and lyricist together for what would become one of the most successful musical collaborations of all time.

Here’s how branding and marketing mirror that kind of powerhouse partnership.

Branding: Captures attention and builds trust

Branding is your company’s avatar. It’s an expression of your values, your personality, and what you mean to customers.

Nike’s brand is bold and determined. Fenty’s brand is fashionable and cool. Skittles’ brand is quirky and offbeat.

Your brand captures the attention of your ideal customer and turns it into an emotional connection.

As people are exposed to your brand over time, seeing and hearing it will trigger that emotional response, building long-term recognition and trust.

Your brand makes a promise to your audience: this is who we are and this is why you want to choose us.

Marketing: Targets an audience whose attention can be converted

If branding’s job is to capture attention, marketing’s job is to make sure it’s the right attention.

Marketing puts your brand in front of the people ready to buy your offer.

Marketing uses channels like campaigns, content, and events to engage potential customers. Its goal is to convert attention into meaningful results like leads and sales.

Marketing puts your brand promise in action. It tells your audience how to choose your brand and what they’ll get when they do.

Branding and Marketing: Better together

There’s not much money in being a best-kept secret. If you build a brand and never share it, it won’t have the opportunity to capture an audience’s minds and hearts.

On the flip side, marketing without a brand is much harder than it needs to be.

Without a brand people can recognize and build a relationship with, every marketing piece starts from scratch to establish identity and credibility before it can even begin to persuade people to buy.

Think of it like lyrics and melody: you can build, improve, and change them separately. But only when they come together can the song reach its full potential.

How Do I Put This in Action?

To drive your business forward, get brand and marketing working in sync.

• Make sure your brand is consistent with your business’s personality, values, and performance. Ensure every step of the customer journey reflects that brand.

• Plan marketing campaigns to put your brand in front of targeted audiences. Build your marketing around brand messaging, not just sales pitches.

Just like people, brands can develop and change as they mature. If it’s time for a tune-up, Olive Ridley Studios can make sure your brand reflects who you really are.

And if you’re ready to align that refreshed brand with a marketing plan you can stick with, the 90-Day Marketing Reset is designed to bring brand, strategy, and tactics into sync in just 12 weeks.

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Megan at Olive Ridley Studios for giving me the chance to share with y’all. If you’d like to follow me, hop on my Substack.

TL;DR: I recently had a wildly inconsistent brand experience that started with a seamless online quote for a windshield replacement but unraveled the moment I showed up in person. From so-so signage to a chaotic parking lot and a grimy waiting room, the real-world experience didn’t match the polished, professional vibe they’d promised online. It was a clear reminder that your brand isn’t just your logo or your website—it’s every touchpoint, online and off.

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Hey y’all, Megan here—Founder of Olive Ridley Studios and, apparently, a magnet for branding mishaps. Let me tell you how a $5 decision led me straight into one of the most jarring brand disconnects I’ve ever experienced.

What started as a tiny chip in my windshield had grown into a rather large crack. It was time for a replacement, so I did what most of us do: I searched online for someone who could handle it. Two companies stood out. Both looked legit—professional logos and websites with easy online quoting tools. Everything about the online experience made me feel like I was in good hands.

The prices were nearly identical, so I went with the one that was five bucks cheaper. Based on the websites, there wasn’t much difference between them—it seemed like a safe bet.

But, it turns out the difference was hiding offline.

The moment I pulled into the parking lot, I felt less confident about my decision. The signage looked like it had seen better days. (They had obviously used an old sign from a previous business and did the bare minimum to fix it up and make it their own.)

The parking lot was a game of automotive Tetris—no lines, no directions, no idea where I was supposed to leave my car. So, I found an open space and crossed my fingers.

Twenty minutes later, someone informed me I’d parked in the wrong spot and needed to move my car before getting help. Not a great start.

The building itself looked like your standard small-town auto shop. Nothing terrible, but nothing like the polished vibe they’d promised online. Inside was so much worse. The waiting room was cold, with dingy lighting and uncomfortable chairs. One corner had a massive cobweb situation, and a vending machine took up what felt like half of the room.

Thank goodness my husband had followed me to pick me up—I wouldn’t have lasted 10 more minutes in there, let alone two hours.

Customer service was... fine. A little underwhelming considering the polished digital experience, but they did the job. Mostly. When I picked up my car, they hadn’t even cleaned up the leftover glass. There were tiny shards on the seat and all over the steering column. Just what you want after a windshield replacement—bonus glitter. ✨

This whole experience was a perfect example of what happens when your brand lives in two different worlds. Online, they nailed it. But offline? Total breakdown. It was like booking a luxury suite online that turned out to be a standard room at Motel 6.

And it didn’t have to be that way.

This automotive glass company fell victim to a common misbelief: get a logo, build a website, and your brand building is done. But your brand isn't just your logo. It’s not even just your website. It’s every touchpoint, every interaction, every space where someone experiences your business. That includes your signage, your lobby, your parking lot, your follow-through. It’s the vibe you’re putting out into the world, whether building trust—or quietly chipping away at it.

Yes, your digital presence matters. A lot. But we still live in the real world. And if your online and offline experiences aren’t in sync, people notice. That gap becomes the story.

Your brand should feel like one cohesive journey—start to finish, screen to storefront. If something feels out of place, it breaks the spell. And when that happens, people start wondering what else you might be cutting corners on.

So let this be your reminder: Brand experience isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a commitment. A vibe. A promise you keep, from pixels to parking lots.

If you’re not sure where to start, Olive Ridley Studios can help. Let’s make waves together! 🌊

TL;DR: Just like flowers use bright petals to attract bees and caterpillars develop bold colors to warn predators, your brand is constantly signaling to potential customers—whether you realize it or not. Strong, professional branding builds trust, signals stability, and reassures buyers that your business is here to stay. On the flip side, weak or inconsistent branding raises red flags, making customers hesitant to commit. Want to make sure you're sending the right message? Use our quick Brand Signal Self-Audit. Signal wisely!

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It might surprise you, but nature is full of brilliant branding lessons.

Take flowers, for example. Their distinctive blooms aren't just pretty; they serve an essential purpose. Their vibrant petals act as neon signs for bees, saying, “Hey, I’ve got pollen, come and get it!” Without those signals, bees would have to spend more time searching, and fewer flowers would get pollinated. A disaster for both.

Or think about caterpillars. Some taste awful (according to birds, anyway). Over time, these foul-tasting bugs developed bright, unmistakable coloring to scream, “Eat me and regret it.” The result? Birds learned to avoid them, and those caterpillars lived to munch another leaf.

Now, imagine if flowers all looked the same or if every caterpillar blended in. Bees would be lost, birds would be rolling the dice on every snack, and nature’s delicate balance would fall apart.

Instead, flowers signal to pollinators using distinctive petals, and caterpillars signal to birds with unique colors and markings.

So, what does this have to do with branding? Everything.

Your brand is sending signals—whether you realize it or not.

Just like the example of the flowers, branding isn’t just about looking nice. It’s a subconscious message to the world about who you are, what you stand for, and—most importantly—why customers should trust you.

Ever picked one product over another without knowing exactly why? That’s branding (and signaling) at work. Our subconscious takes in all sorts of information to help us make decisions. And whether you realize it consciously or not, professional branding signals stability, trust, and credibility. It tells customers, “We’ve invested in ourselves because we plan to stick around.”

On the flip side, when a brand looks amateur or thrown together, it raises red flags. A lack of investment in branding or packaging design can make people wonder if a business will even be around next year. No one wants to buy from a company that might vanish when they need support or a refill.

As advertising legend Rory Sutherland puts it, “Upfront investment is proof of long-term commitment, which is a guarantor of honest behavior.” In other words, strong branding isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a promise to current and potential customers.

Your Brand’s Survival Depends on the Right Signals

In the wild, bad signaling could mean extinction. In business, bad signaling means lost customers, weak sales, and missed opportunities.

Your brand should stand out—not just for the sake of being different, but because it tells your story in a way that attracts the right people.

So, be the flower that gets noticed. Be the caterpillar that doesn’t get eaten.

Signal wisely.

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Brand Signal Self-Audit: Is Your Branding Working for You?

Not sure if your branding is sending the right signals? Use this quick checklist:

✅ Does my brand reflect my company’s personality and values? If someone saw my website or packaging, would they get a clear sense of what my company is about?

✅ Is my logo professional and memorable? Don't forget that if you use a logo builder or Canva template, other businesses can use the same logo.

✅ Do my website, packaging, and social media look cohesive? Consistency builds trust. Customers may assume your business is disorganized or untrustworthy if things feel mismatched.

✅ Am I attracting the right customers? For example, your branding might be misaligned if you're getting price-sensitive shoppers when you’re a premium brand (or vice versa).

✅ Would I trust my own brand if I were a first-time customer? Be honest—would you buy from yourself based on first impressions?

If you hesitated on any of these, it might be time to fine-tune your branding. The good news is, you don't have to do it alone. Olive Ridley Studios is here to help with done-by-you, done-with-you, and done-for-you branding solutions.

TL;DR: Color is a powerful branding tool, influencing up to 90% of first impressions. Each hue evokes emotions, but color meanings can vary across cultures, so it’s crucial to align your palette with your brand personality, audience, and industry. Choosing the right colors helps shape perception and strengthen brand identity.

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Color isn't just about making things look pretty; it's a secret weapon in your branding arsenal. The hues you choose can shape how customers feel about your business, often before they've even read a word or tried a product. Let's dive into the colorful world of brand perception and see what your brand colors might be saying about you.

Why Color Matters in Branding

First impressions are everything. Studies show that people judge a product within 90 seconds of initial viewing, and up to 90% of that assessment is based on color alone. (The Psychology of Color. https://digitalmarketing1.com/the-psychology-of-color/) This means your brand's colors silently but powerfully influence how potential customers perceive you.

The Emotional Palette: What Colors Convey

While we generally associate specific colors with certain emotions, it's important to remember that color psychology is subjective. The following associations are good rules of thumb but are not absolutes.

• Red: This bold color grabs attention and evokes strong emotions like excitement and passion. Red encourages appetites and creates a sense of urgency, so it's often used in fast food branding.

• Blue: Often associated with trust and professionalism, blue conveys a sense of calm and reliability. It's the most preferred color by men. The color blue can actually curb appetites, which is why you don't see it often in restaurant branding.

• Green: Symbolizing nature and growth, green is linked to health and tranquility. Green can also symbolize money and wealth.
  Fun fact: Green has been shown to alleviate depression!

• Yellow: Bright and cheerful, yellow exudes optimism and warmth, but be careful- yellow can also cause eye strain and fatigue.

• Orange: Represents friendliness, excitement, and enthusiasm. Orange is less urgent than red but can still signify aggression or urgency.

• Purple: Shows royalty, wealth, success, and wisdom. Purple is often used to represent creativity and imagination in branding.

• Black: Associated with sophistication and luxury, black can add a sense of elegance, exclusivity, and timelessness.

Cultural Nuances: One Color Doesn't Fit All

It's essential to recognize that the meanings of colors can differ significantly between cultures. For example, black is used as the color of mourning in most Western cultures, but certain Eastern cultures use white to symbolize mourning. Ensuring that your color choices are effective and meaningful means understanding who you're selling to.

Common Color Terminology

• Hue: Another word for color.

• Tint: A lighter version of a hue created by adding white to the original color.

• Shade: A darker version of a hue created by adding black to the original color.

• Tone: Created by adding gray to the original hue.

• Warm Colors: Think sunshine and positivity. Red, yellow, and orange are warm hues.

• Cool Colors: Blue, green, and purple are cool hues. Cool colors generally evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.

  
  Depending on the undertone, black, white, and gray can also be warm or cool.

Choosing the Right Colors for Your Brand

When selecting your brand's color palette, consider the following:

1. Brand Personality: Align your color choices with the traits you want to convey. For example, if your brand is eco-friendly, incorporating green can immediately communicate your commitment to the environment.

2. Target Audience: Different colors appeal to different demographics. Research your audience's preferences to ensure your colors resonate with them.

3. Competitor Analysis: Understanding the color schemes of competitors can help you choose colors that differentiate your brand--especially within a specific product category.

Your brand colors are more than just a visual element; they're a powerful tool in shaping customer perceptions and building brand identity. You can create a memorable and impactful brand presence by thoughtfully selecting colors that align with your brand's personality and resonate with your target audience.

If you're feeling lost or overwhelmed, don't forget that Olive Ridley Studios is here to help. Define your brand's personality and ideal customer with our BYOBrand Strategy Workbook, or book a one-hour consultation and get all your questions answered with Brand Management on Demand.

Our favorite color psychology resource: https://www.webfx.com/blog/web-design/psychology-of-color-infographic/

TL;DR: Your logo doesn’t need to explain your entire brand—it’s just an identifiable mark that sparks recognition and trust. Pair it with a mascot for added personality and emotional connection, and you’ve got a recipe for a memorable brand identity.

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When new business owners start thinking about their logo, they often picture something like a visual biography—a design that tells the world everything about their brand. But here's the truth some of you might not want to hear: your logo doesn't need to do all that. It's not a tiny storyteller. It's not an autobiography. It's an identifiable mark, plain and simple.

So, let's clear up some common misconceptions about logos. A logo doesn't need to spell out your business model or be a literal representation of what you sell. Need proof? Look at Nike. Their swoosh isn't a running shoe. It's a dynamic, simple mark that represents speed, movement, and motivation. Gucci's iconic interlocking Gs don't scream "luxury handbags," yet they're synonymous with high fashion. These logos succeed not because they explain the brand but because they embody its essence.

What a Logo Should Do

Think of your logo as a first impression at a party. It doesn't need to recite your résumé—it just needs to catch someone's eye and make them curious to know more. Your logo's job is to:

• Be Recognizable: When someone sees it, they instantly think of you.

• Be Memorable: It sticks in their mind like a great tune you can't stop humming.

• Set the Tone: Whether it's playful, professional, bold, or elegant, your logo gives a hint of your brand's vibe.

Notice what's not on that list? "Explain your entire business." Your logo isn't a billboard or a sales pitch. It's a visual cue that sparks recognition and builds trust.

Why Simplicity Wins

Real talk: simple logos tend to stick better. Think of Apple's bitten apple or Target's red bullseye. You don't need a magnifying glass to understand them. A good logo is like a lighthouse—clear, striking, and easy to spot from a distance.

So, if you're agonizing over how to cram your entire mission statement into one graphic, take a deep breath. You don't need to. Instead, focus on creating something clean, timeless, and reflective of your brand's personality.

The Role of Mascots: Humanizing Your Brand

If a simple mark isn't your thing, let's talk mascots. Mascots aren't just cute characters; they're a way to humanize your brand and tell a story without saying a word. Think of the Geico gecko, Tony the Tiger, or Olive, our sea turtle mascot here at Olive Ridley Studios. These characters do a lot of heavy lifting:

• Humanizing Your Brand: Mascots create a sense of approachability and warmth that makes your brand feel more relatable.

• Amplifying Personality: A well-designed mascot embodies your brand's vibe—whether that's playful, quirky, or sophisticated.

• Building Connections: People naturally connect with faces (even cartoon ones), making mascots powerful tools for fostering loyalty.

Mascots add a layer of storytelling to your logo and brand. They become ambassadors of your brand's values and personality, engaging your audience on an emotional level. A logo may spark recognition, but a mascot can spark a relationship.

Your Brand Is Bigger Than Your Logo

A logo is just one piece of your brand puzzle. Pair it with consistent colors, typography, messaging, and maybe even a mascot, and you've got a full brand identity. That's where the magic happens—when all the pieces work together to tell your story. You can read more about that in our previous post, "Logo, Visual Identity, or Brand Identity?"

At Olive Ridley Studios, we love helping small businesses create logos and mascots that pack a big punch without overcomplicating things. Because when your brand is authentic and cohesive, people won't just recognize it—they'll remember it.

Need a logo, mascot, or complete brand identity that feels true to your business? Reach out today, and let's make waves together! 🌊

TL;DR: Trends can help your brand stay relevant and visible, but blindly following them can dilute your identity. To use trends effectively, evaluate whether they align with your brand’s values, customize them to fit your unique style, and maintain consistency with your existing brand elements. Visual examples show how Olive Ridley Studios adapted popular styles while staying true to its branding, demonstrating how small tweaks in color, fonts, and design can make trends work for you—not the other way around.

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Trends are a double-edged sword in the branding world. They can boost your brand's visibility, but they can also lead you down a path where you start to lose what makes your brand unique. For small business owners aiming to make an impact, the trick is finding that sweet spot where you can adopt what's popular—without letting your brand blend into the background.

Why Trends Matter (But Shouldn't Define You)

Trends aren't inherently bad. They grab attention, especially if you're competing on social platforms where everyone's vying for that coveted double-tap or the magical "Subscribe" button. Being part of the IYKYK (if you know, you know) crowd can even provide a sense of community at times. But hopping onto every trend without a filter is a surefire way to muddy your message and make your brand look inconsistent. The goal is to balance being relevant with staying recognizable.

Practical Steps for Small Business Owners

From a branding perspective, you should always adapt a trend to your brand. Here are our top 3 tips on how:

1. Evaluate the Trend: Before diving in, ask yourself whether the trend aligns with your brand's values and message. Will your audience connect with this, or are you just chasing clicks?

2. Customize Thoughtfully: Adapt the trend to fit your brand's aesthetics. Use your established color schemes, fonts, imagery, and voice to make it your own.

3. Maintain Consistency: Ensure that any new elements harmonize with your existing brand assets to avoid confusing your audience.

Takeaway: When adapting trends, focus on elements that will naturally align with your brand's established colors, fonts, and overall tone. That way, the trend becomes an extension of your brand, not a distraction.

Real-world, Visual Examples

The first example below is based on very real advice we've seen floating around the internet. Well-meaning "content gurus" have recommended using red and black text for the hook at the beginning of your Instagram reel for more views. For YouTube, they've said your thumbnail needs to use a specific style (like the example below), again using mostly black and red if you want to increase clicks and views.

This type of advice overlooks a key component of marketing: It's impossible to stand out when you look like everyone else. It also does nothing to build brand recognition. In fact, if red and black aren't part of your brand's color palette, following the guru's advice will actually harm your brand's recognizability.

That's why we recommend adapting trends (and advice) to fit your brand, as we've done below.

Example 1

Original Trending Style (YouTube thumbnail image)

Trending Style with Olive Ridley Studios' Brand Applied

Changes made:

1. Brand colors and fonts applied

2. Headshot stylized to match brand guidelines

3. Removed graphic elements that didn't match our brand

4. Added ORS brand-specific graphic elements

Example 2

Original Trending Style (Instagram quote)

Trending Style with Olive Ridley Studios' Brand Applied

Changes made:

1. Replaced the grainy background with a solid color

2. Brand colors and fonts applied

3. Replaced the templated oval with a brand-specific oval around the quote credit

Example 3

Original Trending Style (beige and earthy colors with serif typography)

Trending Style with Olive Ridley Studios' Brand Applied

Changes made:

1. Brand colors and fonts applied

2. Images replaced and stylized to fit our brand guidelines

*Note: We focused only on the visual elements of this post, but when using templated text, you should also make any necessary edits to keep the language on brand.

Closing Thoughts:

Not all trends can be adapted to fit your brand. Staying relevant is important, but only if it doesn't harm your brand recognition. Consider your brand goals, values, and personality when deciding whether a trend suits your brand.

Ready to make trends work for you—not the other way around?

We've got you covered if you need help managing your brand and making design-related decisions. Book a Brand Management on Demand session anytime to spend an hour working through your branding woes with our founder.

Or, if you need to take a step back and figure out your brand strategy, we can help with that, too. Dive into our Build Your Own Brand Strategy Workbook and get ready for the brand clarity you've been searching for.

TL;DR: Once you’ve nailed down your brand strategy, the key to success is putting it to work consistently. Make sure your brand is reflected in every part of your business, from your team’s actions to your customer interactions. Use your strategy to guide your marketing, keep your visual identity sharp, and be ready to adapt as your business grows.

So, you've finally nailed down your brand strategy—congrats! It's a major step toward growing your business, but now you might be wondering, "What's next?" Don't worry, you're not alone. A lot of small business owners breathe a sigh of relief when they get their brand strategy in place, only to quickly realize they're not sure how to actually use it in their day-to-day operations. So, let's dive into how you can start putting your brand strategy to work and making it count!

Bring Your Brand to Life

Your brand strategy isn't meant to gather dust in a drawer. It's a living, breathing part of your business! Start by weaving it into the fabric of your day-to-day operations. Your employees (or, if you're solo, *you*) need to understand the essence of your brand. What does it stand for? What kind of experience are you promising customers?

Take time to train your team (or remind yourself) on the importance of delivering on that brand promise. Are you a boutique soap company positioning yourself as luxurious and eco-friendly? Make sure that's clear in how your products are displayed, how your customer service team interacts with buyers, and how you communicate on social media.

Consistency is Key

The most important thing you can do with your new brand strategy? Be consistent. Every piece of content, every interaction, and every touchpoint should reflect your brand's message, values, and voice. If your strategy defines you as a quirky, fun brand, let that shine in everything from your Instagram captions to your email signatures. If you're all about being eco-friendly and socially responsible, make sure that ethos carries through on your packaging, website copy, and even how you talk to customers.

This isn't about being robotic—it's about creating a cohesive experience. Consistency helps your customers "know, like, and trust" you. And trust? That's where the magic happens. Once your audience trusts your brand, they're way more likely to stick around and buy from you again and again.

Leverage It for Marketing

Your brand strategy is a goldmine for your marketing efforts. You now have a clear roadmap for messaging, visuals, and even which platforms to focus on based on your ideal customer. Use this to create marketing campaigns that speak directly to your target audience.

For example, if your strategy emphasizes being community-focused, consider campaigns encouraging user-generated content or giving back to local causes. Don't just post because you feel like you need to; post with purpose and let your brand personality shine.

Keep Your Visual Identity Sharp

Strategy sets the tone for your brand's verbal and visual identities. If you update your brand's visual identity—think logo, color palette, typography—as part of your new strategy, don't forget to apply those fresh visuals to every corner of your business. Everything from your website and business cards to your product packaging and storefront should reflect the new, cohesive identity you've worked hard to create.

This is another area where consistency pays off big time. Whether someone is checking out your website, visiting your shop, or scrolling through your social media, your visuals should all feel like they're part of the same brand family.

Adapt as You Grow

Let's be honest—your business isn't static. It's going to evolve, and your brand strategy should evolve with it. That's why it's crucial to revisit your brand strategy every so often to make sure it's still aligned with where you are and where you're headed.

Maybe your audience has shifted, or you've started offering new services. If that's the case, don't be afraid to tweak your strategy to reflect those changes. But remember—progress over perfection. You don't have to overhaul everything every time you pivot. Just make sure your brand strategy stays relevant and continues to support your growth.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

Having a brand strategy is step one. But knowing how to bring it to life is what's really going to set you apart from the competition. If you're looking for more guidance or want to fine-tune your approach, book a Brand Management On Demand consultation to spend an hour with our founder and get your questions answered.

Or, if you're starting from scratch, grab our BYOBrand Strategy Workbook. It's perfect for self-starting entrepreneurs looking to find their place in the market and create a standout brand.

Let's make waves together! 🌊

As Amber guides Megan through the process of designing a custom scent, they discuss how scent can evoke specific emotions and memories and the importance of aligning a scent with your brand’s values and customer experience.

Amber also provides insights into how small businesses, even without physical stores, can use scent branding creatively, such as integrating it into packaging or using it for events. The interview concludes with a conversation on the inclusivity of scent branding, considering factors like scent sensitivities, and how businesses can navigate this aspect thoughtfully.

It’s a deep dive into the power of scent and how it can be used as a branding tool to create a memorable and emotional connection with customers.

Here’s a quick recap of 5 key takeaways:

1. Scent enhances brand experiences: While visual branding is important, incorporating scent adds a multi-sensory layer to the brand experience. It helps customers remember a brand more deeply and can evoke specific feelings tied to the brand’s values.

2. Scent directly impacts emotions and memories: Scent bypasses the brain's thalamus and goes straight to the olfactory bulb, which connects with the hippocampus and amygdala, responsible for memories and emotions. This makes scent a powerful tool for creating fast and lasting brand associations.

   

3. Custom scents for personal and business brands: Megan and Amber explore creating a custom scent specifically for Megan’s personal brand vs for Olive Ridley Studios. This highlights how entrepreneurs can use scent to represent both themselves and their businesses in distinct yet complementary ways.

4. Creative applications of scent branding: Small businesses can incorporate scent branding in unique ways, such as in packaging, direct mail campaigns, or even events. Amber also used the example of a yoga studio selling a custom scent customers can use on their mats at home to show how small businesses can consider turning scent(s) into products.

5. Considerations for scent sensitivity and inclusivity: While scent can be a powerful branding tool, it's important to account for potential sensitivities or preferences among customers. Using high-quality, eco-friendly ingredients can help avoid adverse reactions, making scent branding more accessible.

If you’re interested in creating your own custom scent, reach out to Amber at The Scented Vine.

If there's one phrase brand designers mutter more than most, it's this: "Your brand isn't about you; it's about your audience." As true as that guideline is, designers love finding a good reason to break the rules, and the brand we're examining today broke all the rules in the best possible way. Let's dive in.

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Who is Studio 618?

Studio 618 is a story-driven signage and wayfinding consultancy based in Charlotte, NC. The studio's founder, Lauren Stern, takes an artful approach to experiential graphic design and wayfinding--relishing in the joy of transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.

Since Studio 618's inception in 2021, Lauren has completed more than 60 projects in 36 cities and 13 states. Her business was clearly working, but as its third anniversary approached, Lauren realized her brand wasn't necessarily sending the right message.

Time for change.

The development of a tagline sparked the initial drive for a brand update. After being in business for a couple of years, Lauren realized she wanted to make it more obvious why a potential client would hire Studio 618 over another experiential design firm. What really separates Lauren's work is her artful approach to what can often be an overlooked area of design.

Lauren wants Studio 618 to be known for "Elevated design with an artful approach." Unfortunately, her existing logo and brand identity didn't embody those qualities. It was time for an overhaul. And although Lauren is a brilliant designer, branding isn't her specialty. So, she enlisted our help to develop a new brand identity that would better represent her company ethos.

Breaking the rules with intention.

When we went through the brand discovery process for Studio 618, we uncovered three critical pieces of information that allowed us to break some rules thoughtfully and intentionally.

1. Lauren is the face of the brand. She prides herself on offering clients one-on-one service.

2. The people who hire Studio 618 are not the end client.

3. Studio 618, as a brand, exists almost entirely online.

Let's break each of those down a little further.

Number one: If you hire Studio 618, you'll work directly with Lauren. Potential clients need to know, like, and trust both the brand and the person behind it, making the branding process deeply personal. We needed to consider Lauren's personality when making decisions for her brand. Rule #1: Your brand isn't about you—broken.

Number two: Defining Studio 618's audience was more complex than it is for many brands because of the type of work Lauren specializes in. She does a variety of work for commercial and residential developers, including custom signage and wayfinding, artful focal walls, and parking garage graphics for workplace and multi-family residences. Most people who hire Studio 618 are men over 40, so it might surprise you that we decided to use neon pink as the new primary brand color.

The logic behind that decision came from the knowledge that while men are often in charge of the projects Studio 618 gets hired for, the men leading the projects are not the target audience for the completed development. Project leaders are looking for designers who can infuse personality into developments, making them more attractive to potential buyers. Rule #2: Your brand is about your ideal client—broken.

Number 3: We usually steer clients away from neon colors. They're incredibly hard to reproduce in a physical environment, require specialty inks to be printed, and can drastically increase production costs. But, when reviewing Studio 618, we realized that while Lauren's work resides in the real world, her brand exists almost entirely online. Because of Lauren's expertise, she has more knowledge of color and more experience working with specialty vendors than the average business owner. So, rule #3: Don't use neon colors—broken.

More than just a logo.

If you're familiar with Olive Ridley Studios, you know we never design just a logo. We always create a visual brand identity, including brand fonts and colors, at a minimum. For Studio 618, we went even further, developing additional brand-specific graphic elements, an icon set, and social media templates. Here's the final result of our work together:

Quick wins, thanks to Studio 618's new brand.

Once we finished developing the new brand identity, Lauren handed the new assets and brand guidelines to her web development team. Having a clearly defined brand with all the extras made the web design process a cinch. Here's what Lauren had to say about it:

“Having a clear set of brand assets that spoke to the essence of what Studio 618 was about elevated the website to a whole new level. Megan, Olive Ridley Studios, provided an assortment of assets ranging from our color palette, icon set, typography, fun shapes and patterns, and even a classy marble pattern. Those assets were what we ended up incorporating throughout the website. Having a custom icon set that told our story and the services we provide elevated the website even more. Everything looked custom and unique, which was what we were going for. Providing a consistent and unique set of assets from various logotypes, to the adorable Dewey the dog mascots, to the brand-specific patterns and vibrant color palette, really helped the web design team get off on the right foot. 

Before working with Olive Ridley Studios, my brand was not consistent and lacked the vibrant and artful qualities I try to evoke. Now, with the brand and website relaunch, it is clear as day what Studio 618 is all about. I am so glad that I worked with Megan to create the brand first and then was able to provide my web team with brand assets so everything was consistent. Speaking from experience, you need more than just a logo. These additional assets are necessary for a consistent and unique brand that will stand out above the rest.”

You can see the new website in all its glory here.

Web Designer: Emma McGoldrick (ESM Creative Studio: https://www.emmamcgoldrick.com/)
Web Developer: Steph Powell (The Cont Co.: https://www.thecont.co/)

Since launching the new and improved Studio 618 earlier this year, several people in Lauren's circle have commented on the updated brand, remarking that the new look is "so her," which is the best compliment either of us could have hoped for. Not only does the new brand embody Lauren's personality, but it's also positively impacting her business—most directly by increasing the number of requests that have come through her website since the relaunch.

We're honored to have helped Lauren make big waves with Studio 618 by leaning into her authentic self and unapologetically infusing her personality into her brand.

Ready to build a better brand experience? We'll help you make big waves with your small brand in a way that's "turtley" you. Click here to get started.

TL;DR: In an experiment highlighting the significant impact of brand identity and customer experience on pricing strategies, Payless rebranded its discount shoes as a luxury brand, duping influencers into paying hundreds for $20-$40 shoes.

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In 2018, Payless Shoesource conducted a wildly successful experiment in shaping customer perception. You might have heard about it at the time, but the story has been circulating again recently, so let's dive into why this experiment worked so well and what lessons we can learn from it.

The experiment: dupe fashion influencers into paying hundreds of dollars for shoes that generally sell for $20-40. How? With luxury branding and an elevated in-store experience. Here's a short recap of the experiment:

We're not suggesting you should sell $20 shoes for $400, but the Payless experiment demonstrates how consumer perception can be just as valuable as the product itself. The influence of branding and customer experience on pricing can't be overstated. You can't sell shoes at Aldo prices with Payless branding.

Establishing Perceived Value

By rebranding their discount shoes under the fictitious luxury name "Palessi," Payless demonstrated that a strong brand identity can drastically alter customer perceptions. The same shoes that sold for $20 to $40 in a typical Payless store were purchased for hundreds of dollars when presented as high-end products--illustrating that consumers are willing to pay a premium for products they believe are associated with a prestigious brand.

Creating Emotional Connections

Creating an emotional bond with consumers is a hallmark of effective branding. At the Palessi event, influencers weren't merely purchasing shoes; they were investing in the allure and prestige of what they believed was a high-end brand. This emotional connection is a strong motivator for higher pricing, as customers are frequently willing to pay more for products that align with their personal identity and aspirations.

Enhancing Perceived Quality

Customer experience plays a critical role in reinforcing a brand's perceived value. At Palessi, the upscale store design, attentive service, and luxurious presentation all contributed to an enhanced customer experience. This made the shoppers believe that the shoes were of higher quality, justifying the inflated prices in their minds.

Building Trust and Loyalty

A well-defined and designed brand identity paired with a positive customer experience fosters trust and loyalty, both of which are essential for charging premium prices. Consistent positive interactions with a brand make customers more inclined to view it as trustworthy and worth the investment. In the case of Palessi, the influencers' trust in the luxurious setting and the brand narrative convinced them to pay more, even though the product was unchanged.

Key Takeaways for Your Business

Invest in Strong Branding:

• Craft an engaging brand narrative that speaks directly to your target audience.

• Ensure your brand identity communicates your desired attributes like quality, prestige, or friendliness.

Enhance Customer Experience:

• Focus on creating memorable and positive customer interactions.

• Invest in store design, customer service, and presentation to reinforce the perceived value of your products.

Understand the Power of Perception:

• Recognize that perception often trumps reality in consumer decision-making.

• Use branding and customer experience to shape your products' perception, especially if you want to charge a premium.

The Payless experiment with "Palessi" is a striking example of how powerful branding and a well-crafted customer experience can significantly influence pricing. How will you position your brand? Are you a Payless or a Palessi?

TL;DR: Over half of first impressions about a brand are visual, with color playing a significant role in brand recognition. Consistent branding can even increase revenue by up to 33%.

It's likely you grew up hearing the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover." The sentiment is nice, but in reality, it's rubbish advice our brains are hardwired not to follow. If it were true, publishers wouldn't create different book covers for various markets (they do), and Netflix wouldn't make different cover images for different audiences (they do).

In the world of branding, the cover—or rather, the logo, packaging, and visual design—is often the make-or-break factor for capturing consumer attention and driving sales. There are rarely direct ROIs that can be tracked for branding activities, which can be a big hurdle to overcome when investing in your brand. So, let's look at why visual design and branding are critical for growth, backed by solid statistics.

Lasting Impressions

Over half of first impressions about a brand are visual. Smart design choices help grab attention and leave a lasting impression (Exploding Topics, 2024). It typically takes 5 to 7 brand impressions before a customer remembers a brand. Logos are the most recognizable brand identifier, followed by visual style and signature colors (Designer People, 2024).

Using a signature color can increase brand recognition by up to 80%, and 81% of consumers are more likely to recall a brand's color than its name (Exploding Topics, 2024). Colors evoke emotions and memories. By investing in high-quality design and aesthetically pleasing environments, you can ensure the feelings you evoke are positive, which is crucial for building brand loyalty (Emerald Insight, 2023). Customers who feel good about your brand are more likely to return and recommend you to others.

We talk a lot about brand consistency around here, and there's a good reason: Consistency in branding helps build consumer trust and recognition. When consumers know what to expect from your brand, they are more likely to remain loyal. In fact:

A consistent brand presentation can increase revenue by up to 33% (Oberlo, 2023).

With stats like that, it's easy to see why high-profile companies spend millions of dollars developing their logos and brands. According to Tech Report, BP spent $211 million rebranding in 2008, and Accenture paid $100 million to redesign its logo. While those numbers obviously represent an extreme, investing in a professional logo design can enhance brand recognition by up to 33% and inspire brand loyalty in 48% of consumers (Linearity, 2023).

The Power of Packaging

This statistic might worry some of you, but it highlights the critical role of packaging in consumer decision-making: 52% of consumers have switched brands due to new packaging designs (Enterprise League, 2024).

The importance of thoughtful, appealing packaging that resonates with your target audience has never been higher. According to Enterprise League (2024), around 40% of consumers share images of unique or branded packaging on social media. This means your packaging isn't just about protecting your product; it's a powerful marketing tool that can enhance your brand's reputation and boost sales through organic, word-of-mouth exposure.

However, packaging considerations aren't just about design. There's a growing shift towards eco-conscious buying habits, with approximately 50% of US consumers willing to pay more for sustainable packaging (Meyers, 2024). Investing in sustainable packaging benefits the planet and appeals to a large market segment willing to spend more on products that align with their values.

Building a Brand in a Post-Covid World

In today's market, authenticity is king. 88% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding which brands to support, and 74% have increased their demand for transparent communication from brands since the COVID-19 pandemic (Oberlo, 2023). Authentic brands that communicate openly and honestly build stronger connections with their customers.

Honest communication includes transparency in product labels, too. Building a narrative of trust and reliability can set your brand apart in a crowded market. In fact, 74% of consumers stated that honesty in product labeling helps build trust in a brand (Enterprise League, 2024).

The Bottom Line

Brands with strong visual elements and clear, consistent branding provide a better customer experience, which is directly linked to increased sales and customer retention. Companies that succeed in delivering a great customer experience see sales growth rates 4-8% higher than their competitors (Bain & Company, 2024). Investing in visual design can lead to a higher price premium on products and services, as consumers are often willing to pay more for a better visual and experiential interaction with the brand (Emerald Insight, 2023).

Visual design and branding are not just superficial elements. They are critical components that influence consumer behavior, build trust, and drive sales. So, if you want to make waves with your small brand, investing in thoughtful, authentic, and consistent visual branding is not just advisable—it's essential. And the next time someone tells you not to judge a book by its cover, you can confidently say, "That's a bunch of bull."

P.S. Have you heard about our new virtual networking events? Click here to check out Make Waves & Network!

TL;DR: Building a brand involves creating a cohesive brand identity that includes your logo, visual elements, and brand story. By understanding the distinct parts of brand identity and choosing the right professionals, you can create a brand that stands out and resonates with your audience.

You've started a business, and you want to build a brand. But do you need a logo, a visual identity, or a brand identity, and who do you hire to help you figure it out? The short answer is that you need all three. Let's break down what each means and discuss the service providers who can help.

First up, let's talk brand identity. Your brand identity includes everything that helps your audience recognize and connect with your brand.

Brand Identity Elements:

• Brand Name

• Brand Personality

• Brand Story

• Visual Identity

• Verbal Identity

• Products or Services

It's important to note that visual identity is just one part of your brand identity. This distinction is crucial when seeking professional help for brand development. The terms' brand identity' and 'visual identity' are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. Understanding this can empower you in your brand-building journey. So, let's continue exploring the differences.

Your visual identity includes all the visual elements that help your audience easily identify your brand.

Visual Identity Elements:

• Logo Design

• Color Palette

• Typography (Font Choices)

• Brand-specific Icons and Graphics

• Imagery/Photography Style

The way your brand's visual elements are used in printed and digital applications, such as packaging and website design, also becomes part of your visual brand identity. It's important to note that your logo is one part of your visual identity. Each piece builds towards a complete and cohesive brand identity. 

You need all these pieces in place to build a strong brand. So, where do you start? The honest answer is that it depends on your current situation, goals, and budget. But we'll break it down a little further to help you decide what's right for you.

At Olive Ridley Studios, we don't recommend hiring someone to design a logo and nothing else. The reason is simple: you need more than just a logo, even if you're just getting started. You will need to market your business through your website, social media, or printed materials. That means you need, at a minimum, brand colors and fonts that pair with your logo and that you can use consistently across all marketing efforts to start building brand recognition. Ideally, you want a basic visual identity instead of a logo on its own.

You'll need a brand designer to develop your visual identity. When you're ready to dig deeper and develop a full brand identity, you'll want to work with a brand strategist. Some brand designers are also brand strategists, and some are not. The best way to find the right service provider for your specific needs is to do your homework—look at the services they offer and review their past work.

If you're building out a comprehensive brand identity, you'll also need to involve a brand voice specialist to develop your verbal identity. Having a distinct brand voice ensures your brand is recognizable not only by visual cues but also by the language you use and the style of writing throughout your marketing efforts.

Building a brand is a journey that requires time, effort, and the right partners. By understanding the distinct elements of brand identity and choosing the right professionals to help you, you'll create a brand that resonates with your audience and stands out in the market. If you're ready to make waves with your small brand, connect with us at oliveridleystudios.com, and let's dive in together! 

Building a memorable and recognizable brand requires three things: personality, consistency, and time. Without a unique brand personality, it will be hard to gain interest. Without consistency, it’s impossible to become recognizable. And without time, your audience won’t have a chance to get to know your brand.

But building a brand is only the beginning. Brand management ensures every point of contact, from websites and social posts to packaging and retail environments, tells a unified story.

Craft a winning personality.

The first part of building any brand is strategy. Brand strategy helps you create your own map to the destination of your choice. It defines your brand’s personality, identifies your ideal client(s), and ensures you’re building a brand that can help achieve your goals. It’s what makes the difference between drifting at sea and setting a clear course.

Your brand’s personality is how it looks, sounds, and acts. Once those pieces are defined, you can create a brand persona. A brand persona is an imaginary figure who embodies your brand’s values and voice. It creates a character you can use as your North Star when making decisions for your brand. If you’re unsure if a choice fits, simply ask yourself, “What would [Brand Persona] do?” This brings your brand to life in a way that makes it easier to maintain consistency and authenticity in every decision, from design to customer interactions.

Your brand persona can’t be built in isolation, though. It needs to be developed alongside your ideal client persona(s) to ensure you’re building a brand your ideal client will connect with. When your brand connects with potential customers, you can start building brand recognition from day one.

Keep it consistent.

Consistency builds recognition. On average, humans need to see or hear something 5-7 times before committing it to memory. That means your potential customers need to see your logo, your brand colors, and your brand font(s) 5-7 times before they’ll recognize it as your brand. The same is true of brand messaging. It won’t be remembered or associated with your brand until it’s been seen or heard 5-7 times.

So, while it might seem boring and repetitive to use the same brand assets over and over, keep in mind that while you’re familiar with every detail of your brand, your audience only sees your content sporadically. Consistent use of visuals and voice is the most important part of building brand recognition.

Just think of well-known brands you recognize. Have you ever seen Coca-Cola stray from its classic red and white palette? Unlikely. Have you ever seen a UPS truck that’s not brown? Hardly. Take a cue from what the big brands do well: use consistent branding.

Give it time.

Brand management isn’t just about keeping things the same. It’s about growing and resonating with your audience. Applying your brand’s core values and aesthetics consistently over time takes patience, persistence, and attention to detail. You’re not just maintaining a brand, you’re keeping a promise to your customers through every visual and word you share. People buy from brands they trust, and trust takes time to build.

If you’d like help on your branding journey, Olive Ridley Studios is here for you. Dive into brand strategy with our BYOBrand Strategy Workbook, or get help managing your brand with a Brand Management on Demand session!

Hello to all our wonderful wave-makers out there! This is Megan, Founder and Brand Experience Designer of Olive Ridley Studios, and today, I'm diving deep to share some personal insights and exciting updates with you. This post is a bit more intimate, as I reflect on our evolution and the pivotal changes that are on the horizon for Olive Ridley Studios.

Much like the life stages of a sea turtle, my journey with Olive Ridley Studios has been a profound adventure. Since breaking out of my shell in 2020, the first three years of business felt like a sea turtle's daring dash to the ocean—a journey filled with constant challenges and surprising turns. Now, as we navigate years 3-5, it's clear we're in a transitional phase, where the strategies that worked on the beach need to be rethought for our life in the vast ocean.

Our business, much like the sea turtle, has grown and adapted. From a tiny being making a mad dash with no clear direction, to finding our way and discovering where we thrive, this journey has taught me the importance of adaptation. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my commitment to commerce without capitalism also echoes the growth of sea turtles—starting small, growing into something bigger than our baby selves ever thought possible, and then maintaining an ideal size once it's reached. Our mascot and namesake keep becoming more and more relevant to our brand values as time goes on, a testament to growth over time.

Behind the scenes, I'm weaving these lessons into the fabric of Olive Ridley Studios. With our upcoming relaunch, you'll notice refreshed visuals, including a new look for The Ripple. But the changes go beyond the surface. We're introducing a brand new process with "quick-turn," "high-touch" design services, ensuring our clients not only receive swift, quality solutions but also enjoy increased one-on-one collaboration with me, giving our clients the best of both worlds while establishing a process that's wholly unique to Olive Ridley Studios.

In response to a clear market need, our relaunch will also include a brand new way to work with me one-on-one: Brand Management on Demand—consultative services by the hour or day, without long-term commitments. This flexibility means I can support more small businesses in making significant impacts with their brands.

You might be asking yourself why a full brand relaunch is necessary. To be perfectly honest, even though I specialize in branding, my business isn't any different from yours. I started with what I could, but as my business has evolved, my brand needs to evolve with it. A brand that evolves ensures it remains relevant, engaging, and true to your expanding vision. It's not just about having a logo or a color scheme; it's about creating a living identity that reflects your business's journey, values, and future aspirations. Our updated visual identity will ensure our brand is ready to grow with us moving forward.

Our goal, as always, is to help you make big waves with your small brand. This relaunch isn't just a new chapter for us—it's a recommitment to helping small businesses like yours unleash their full potential. We're on the brink of something truly exciting and look forward to riding these waves together.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here's to making waves and navigating the vast ocean of opportunities together!

Warmly,
Megan Kranzler
Founder & Brand Experience Designer