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Akula Kreative

9212 Fry Road | Suite 105 | #255
Cypress, TX, 77433
(858) 255-1230
branding + design for creative professionals

A GRAPHIC + WEB DESIGN STUDIO IN HOUSTON, TX

Akula Kreative

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branding tip: don't use stock graphics to create a business logo

July 17, 2015 Nikki Mihalik
Small Business Logo Trademarking | Akula Kreative

If you've fiiinally decided to take the plunge and start a small business, you may be wondering how to go about getting a logo designed. The downside is, you're on a super tight budget. The upside is, you've discovered some amazing online resources that will help you make it yourself. Yes! This is the best idea ever! I'm reeeally good at DIY!

I would have thought the same exact thing...before I became a graphic designer. My first job out of design school was to create ads for clients of a luxury magazine. The businesses ran the gamut from local sole proprietors to international, multi-million-dollar chains. The branding files I received from said clients were just as varied. Some clients were in tip-top shape, handing over files that made my job a breeze. Other clients provided Microsoft Word docs and teeny tiny images on white blocky backgrounds. Some people couldn't even provide a logo file. "Can't you [the designer] just find one somewhere online? We can't wait to see our faaaaabulous ad!" You'd surmise the big chains would have it together, but I was shocked to discover that there was no correlation between the size of the company and the quality of their branding.

Where am I going with this? Well, if you've done some research, you may have come across some websites that sell stock graphics—even pre-designed logos and identities. All you have to do is type in your business name, and voilà! A beautiful, professional logo for under $20! There are even some apps that allow you to create your own layout, change colors, choose fonts, and move around graphic elements. As a fellow creative, I completely understand how satisfying—even exhilarating—this could feel.

Everything is awesome...until one of two things happens:

  1. You try to order something with your logo on it (think: t-shirts, bags, banners, etc.) and the logo file you have doesn't fit the technical requirements. BTW // this is very, VERY common. We run into this quite frequently when making custom stamps.
  2. One of your competitors is using the SAME design.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

  • Stock graphics are GREAT for personal projects. If you want to make stuff for a party or design your own wedding invites, go for it. Designers are putting out some gorgeous work, and I don't blame them for selling in this format. (Custom work is extremely time-consuming and you can make more money in less time selling one design to many people.)
  • Stock graphics are also fitting for small-scale "hobby" businesses. If you're selling crocheted scarves in your free time and don't plan on quitting your day job, there's no point in making a huge investment in branding. Just find something that works for you (and your budget) and roll with it.

On the other hand...

  • If you have quit your day job and you're serious about starting a business, my advice is to get a professional to help you. This does NOT mean you have to spend more than you can afford. If you want to save money, do as much prep work as possible. This may mean using some stock graphics to make a mock-up you like, then handing it to a designer to make some changes. In the end, you should have a logo that is UNIQUE to your business. This way, you can trademark your logo and protect your identity.
  • By hiring a pro, you'll be getting the RIGHT kinds of files. Every small business should have a logo in either .ai or .eps format. These are vector files that can be scaled to any size without losing detail. (You can also easily change the colors.)
  • When "interviewing" a designer, make sure they don't use stock graphics for logo work...otherwise you're back to square one.

THE TAKEAWAY

Branding can be expensive (and time-consuming), but if you build a solid foundation you'll be SO glad in the long run. Designers will be able to create what you need in less time...which will save you money, speed things up, and strengthen your brand. Plus, if you take the time to develop something you reeeeeeally love, you won't feel the need to rebrand every year.


P.S. I am so excited to announce that the abbreviated Akula Kreative logo is now an OFFICIALLY registered trademark. For a short talk about the process, click here.

P.P.S. We're sold out of v. 1.0 of the Branding Workbook, but v. 2.0 should be on press this month!

In things we love Tags branding, logo, small business, trademark
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I officially want to blind emboss everything. Happy Friiiiiiday!
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#f #letterf #handlettering #typespire #typography #logo #logodesign #branding #brandidentity #brandingdesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #graphicdesign #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstoncreatives #houstongraphicdesigner #printdesign #stationery #stationerylove #emboss #blindemboss #stationerydesign #calledtobecreative #creativepreneur #bossbabe #dailydoseofpaper #papergoods #paperlove #htx #akulakreative
As a *token* of my love and appreciation, I made y’all a card! (I posted the free printable card on the blog that includes a link to the gold scratch-off stickers I used.)
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👉🏼 akulakreative.com/blog
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Swipe for another free printable card, perfect for guac lovers. 🥑
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👉🏼 prettypeas.com/blog
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Happy Valentine’s Day!!! 🖤
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#happyvalentinesday #freeprintable #illustration #mailday #handmade #papergoods #paperlove #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #happymail #sendmoremail #penpal #stationery #stationerylove #scratchoff #snailmailrevival #craftsposure #flashesofdelight #stationeryaddict #shopsmall #texasmade #htx #valentinesday #valentine #valentinesday2019 #freebie #prettypeaspaperie #akulakreative
A mock-up of the logo for The Big & Little Animal Rescue Ranch.
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In case my previous post seemed super random to you (and you don’t know me personally), I have a THING for dogs. When I was little, I wrote “dog” on my Christmas list every year until we got one when I was in seventh grade.
My dad was an avid animal lover as well, and after he passed away in 2008, I adopted a pit mix after fostering her for two weeks. She was nothing like the outgoing, boisterous golden retrievers I grew up with. She was scared of everything :: walks, objects held in your hand...even trash bags sitting on sidewalks. I still remember how excited we were the first time she accepted a toy and “played” with it. Over the years, she became a beloved member of our family and my loyal companion. She helped me through the loss of my dad, then years and years of not being able to have a baby.
This logo is based on her silhouette, and this little ranch is what I hope to build one day. The monogram has even more meaning to me because B and L are my dad’s initials. :)
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Anyway, if you’re still reading this... when I say “your logo should tell a story,” this is a great example. If you’d like to work together on something special, please contact me via our website. Spring is booking up quickly but I would be honored to have the opportunity to tell YOUR story! 🖤
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#bl #typography #monogram #typography #typelove #logo #logodesign #branding #branddesign #brandingforcreatives #creativepreneur #hustleandheart #brandingforphotographers #brandstylist #doglover #adoptdontshop #pitbullsofinstagram #womeninbusiness #houstongraphicdesigner #tuesdaystogetherhtx #risingtidesociety #animalrescue #creativehappylife #dog #doglogo #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
Anyone interested in this custom monstera leaf wax seal stamp? I’m cleaning out part of my studio and looking to rehome this little guy. For fun, I’d love to try to raise a small donation for my favorite local animal rescue, @cap4pets.
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Here are the rules:
- Bidding starts at $10. Your bid includes the cost of First Class shipping anywhere in the US.
- To bid, comment below with your dollar amount and tag the person above you (so they know they’ve been outbid).
- Each bid must increase by at least $1.
- Auction ends in 24 hours.
- I will DM the highest bidder. You must reply, make a payment via PayPal, and provide a shipping address within 24 hours or you forfeit your winning bid.
- All proceeds (minus the cost of shipping) will be donated.
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Only ONE of these wax seal stamps is left and it could be yours for the price of filling a homeless pup’s belly!!!
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P.S. Even if you don’t bid, I’d really appreciate you sharing this with someone who loves snail mail! Thank you so much!
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#waxseal #monstera #customwaxseal #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #sendmoremail #longlivesnailmail #sendmoreletters #branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #creativepreneur #calledtobecreative #creativehappylife #womeninbusiness #stationery #stationerydesign #stationerylove #dailydoseofpaper #paperlove #envelopeart #tropical #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #dogood #instaauction #akulakreative
“The creative adult is the child who has survived.” - Julian F. Fleron
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I don’t know about you, but rainy days are the most productive for me. There’s something about having to stay in and get cozy that gets me excited to hole up in the studio, make a cup of tea, and CREATE. Whatever it is you need, I hope you find it this Monday morning!
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Photo by @kimberlychau
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#branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #brandingworkbook #creativepreneur #calledtobecreative #creativehappylife #womeninbusiness #stationery #stationerydesign #stationerylove #dailydoseofpaper #paperlove #envelopeart #envelopeliner #watercolor #cactusclub #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #simplecleancreative #akulakreative #mondaymotivation
For guac lovers and those EXTRA [special] people in your life. 🥑🖤
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Head over to our sister site for the free printable Valentine’s Day card!
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👉🏼 prettypeas.com/blog
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#extra #guacamole #freeprintable #guaclove #mailday #handmade #papergoods #paperlove #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #happymail #sendmoremail #penpal #stationery #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #craftsposure #flashesofdelight #stationeryaddict #shopsmall #texasmade #htx #valentinesday #valentine #valentinesday2019 #freebie #prettypeaspaperie #akulakreative
Gearing up to show you a couple of new SquareSpace sites that launched recently! In the meantime, here’s a peek at a little surprise I have coming for Valentine’s Day. Any guesses? (It’s not stamps, but it IS snailmail-related.) 🥑✉️
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#branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #graphicdesign #webdesign #studiolife #squarespace #squarespacedesigner #squarespacecircle #houstongraphicdesigner #houstonwebdesigner #htx #flashesofdelight #freebie #creativehappylife #creativehome #womeninbusiness #creativepreneur #bossbabe #akulakreative #prettypeaspaperie
“Simplicity is the keynote of true elegance.” - Coco Chanel
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White space is your BFF when it comes to branding. It allows designs to breathe and it tells our eyes where to focus.
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I love the simplicity of this logo for Crumby Bakeshop. The C and Y extend just enough to fill the void created by the handles of the rolling pin, and the stamped submark gives it that little extra somethin’.
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A well-designed brand is your ticket to getting noticed. If you have a premium product or service, you need a look that will attract clients with a bigger budget. We are here to make that happen!
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©️ Crumby Bakeshop
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#branding #brandingdesign #logo #logodesign #whitespace #logodesigner #brandstylist #branding101 #brandingforcreatives #baker #blush #bakinglove #bakerybranding #houstongraphicdesign #houstoncreatives #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #bossbabe #crumbybakeshop #bakery #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
Vintage meets Modern in this submark we designed for Crumby Bakeshop! With Lindsey’s brand words of “clean, creative, charming” and “high end yet approachable” in mind, we came up with this vintage-inspired hand illustration in a clean and even stroke. If you saw this in a bakery window, wouldn’t you want to pop in for a smell? I’d go in for the business name alone!
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©️ Crumby Bakeshop
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#branding #brandingdesign #logo #logodesign #logodesigner #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #baker #blush #bakinglove #bakerybranding #houstongraphicdesign #houstoncreatives #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #bossbabe #crumbybakeshop #bakery #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
Happy Chinese New Year! Do you know which animal represents your birth year? I was born in the year of the dog and I couldn’t be more proud. 🐶😬
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Swipe left for the [actual] logo I made for The Dog & The Pig via Outlaw Creative. Every time I hear “pig” I think of this now.
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#branding #logodesign #branddesign #brandingforcreatives #brandstylist #lunarnewyear #chinesenewyear #chinesenewyear2019 #calledtobecreative #womeninbusiness #pig #pigsofinstagram #yearofthepig #lunarcalendar #womensupportingwomen #graphicdesign #creativeprocess #houstongraphicdesigner #tuesdaystogetherhtx #htx #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
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