Some of us take and some of us get took.

Movie still from "The Apartment" featuring Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon.

Can you be in a dysfunctional relationship with a client? I’ve been very lucky. I’ve been in business for myself nearly 20 years, and my clients are wonderful. I have very rarely had cause for alarm in any respect. I know that I have been lucky and I am so thankful for knowing and working […]

Does my logo need to include LLC?

Google, Inc. logo with a question mark.

Andiamo works with many small businesses, organizations and start-ups, and we typically start out developing their branding. The question inevitably comes up as we begin logo work – does my logo need to include LLC? does my logo need to include Inc? Ltd? The answer is a resounding “NO.” Nothing makes you look more rink-dink than making a mistake like that.

Fast, cheap AND great – how do you like your graphic design?

Venn diagram illustrating the concept of fast/cheap/great.

To promise great, fast and cheap as a matter of course degrades the creative process and does a disservice to the graphic design industry as a whole. You might be able to pull that kind of service out once in a blue moon, but certainly you can’t promise that every time. Creative inspiration doesn’t turn on like a light switch. And even if it could be done, it shouldn’t be done.

How to spot the crazy

Simple icon style graphic showing a woman taking off a man's head.

Horns? Red eyes? A T-shirt that says “I’m the devil”? Would that it were that easy to spot. I’ve worked with my share of difficult clients over the years and it can be a tricky thing to see coming. On occasion I’ve seen the signs and worked with the client anyway – thinking I could deal with it and it wouldn’t be too bad. But I’ve always ended up regretting that decision. Some things are just not worth it.

What to do when everything hits at once

Man in white shirt and tie holding a large clock up in front of his face.

Time management. This can be very tricky when you run a small business. Most small business owners wear multiple hats on any given day and just keeping up with work flow can sometimes be a daunting task. I’ve been running my own business for many years and my list of to dos is always full. […]

Paying into the Good Faith Fund

Black and white mouth open as if in mid sentence.

Ever start communicating with a potential client and you suddenly find they’re taking up an enormous amount of your time? Way more time than they should? The Good Faith Fund is there for a reason, but it has it’s limits.

When is it time to update my print materials?

Illustration of hand holding up a business card with a question mark.

Print profile: Reasons to update your print collateral New logo or updated brand: The first reason to update your printed collateral is if you’ve updated your logo. All of your collateral needs to reflect a consistent message, so if you’re thinking of updating your logo or your color palette, then it’s also time to update […]

Mark + Color = Brand

Typsetter's blocks spelling out "Design"

Logo and color palette A well-designed logo shouldn’t need to be changed often. If it’s done well, it should be a lasting brand for your company that is recognizable to your clients and memorable to your potential clients. However, if you started your company on a shoestring and hired your neighbor’s kid who was good […]

Crafting the right message for your brand

Man holding tin cans to his ears.

When you first started your company, did you take the time to define and target your message? If you did, how has that message changed over the years? Does it still reflect the company you’re running today? Does it reflect the company you plan to run tomorrow? If your message has changed, that needs to […]

Starting a new business?

Create a new business.

If you’re in the process of starting a new business, chances are you’re full of excitement and promise at the thought of your new venture. Your business is going to change your life and maybe the lives of others for the better. All you have to do is file papers for your LLC, start a […]