8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...8th and FINAL step!

Process Step #8 LAST ONE

Customer service

My service doesn’t end once clients pay the final installment. I’m always on hand to answer design-related questions, to offer my opinion on how the design has been applied, to help with print procurement, or offer design assistance in whatever way I can.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...7th step.

Process Step #7

Optional business stationery

The brand marks I design are used for a wide variety of purposes

• websites, corporate stationery, vehicle wraps, billboard advertising. Additional business collateral is an option.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...6th step.

Process Step #6

Finishing touches / revisions

Following client review, I’ll then either finalize the project, or make any revisions suggested and agreed upon. My main aim is to create a brand identity that works for the respective business, and works for many years to come, and there will always be flexibility in my process.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...5th step.

Process Step #5

Creative presentation / client feedback

Design options are supplied as PDF files. The work will be presented using contextual mock-ups and formatted in monotone, helping clients concentrate on the shape and form of the identity. Colour options are also shown, if required.

Now it’s over to the client to spend some time thinking about the designs and to prepare feedback.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...4th step.

Process Step #4

Rendering / prototype design

I normally narrow the design focus until I have four strong options for developing. The rendering stage involves taking these options and transferring them to Adobe Illustrator and completing a complete branding study which will contain anything from 10-30 ideas.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...3rd step.

Process Step #3

Sketching

Sketching ideas helps me generate a large number of possible directions. Most of them will eventually be made redundant, but the point is to think laterally and not rule out any directions in order to achieve the most effective brand mark.

Design Chef's Recipe of the week

Paprikash 

1 plain roasted chicken from Wegmans prepared foods, remove meat from bones and set aside
2 chopped garlic cloves
1/2 tsp hot hungarian paprika
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs paprika
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream

Cook spices in oil, add broth and sour cream, stir until smooth.
Add chicken.
Serve over spatzel noodles (or egg noodles)

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...2nd step.

Process Step #2

Research and brainstorming

I spend time reviewing client information and begin the research and brainstorming stage. Here I take into account client competition, trends in the market, what sets the client apart, the history of the business, the future, the current brand, and the one aspired toward.

8 steps of The Chef's Design Process...1st step! New step daily.

Process Step #1

Design Brief

Compiled from a Q&A session with the client, a detailed brief ensures that no time is wasted, and that clients receive targeted design options from the outset. The brief helps focus attention on the areas that best serve the business in question, producing a result that’s both relevant and effective.

Design Chef Chicken Chili recipe

Design Chef Chicken Chili

2 pounds ground chicken
2 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup red hot sauce
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
1 small onion, finely chopped


Cook chicken in a large stock pot then add remaining ingredients
and simmer for 1 hour. serve over freshly prepared corn bread

5 elements to good web design

Color schemes

• Analogous—makes use of colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
• Complementary—combines colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel.
• Monochromatic—uses different hues of the same color.

Themes

• Good websites make use of a consistent theme; they are focused, clear and obvious. Theme refers to not only to the subject or purpose of your site, but the overall design of your site.

Fonts

• It is important to consider how much text your site will have and use the same font consistently throughout your site. Too many fonts and font sizes (how large the letters are) can be distracting and visually distasteful to Web surfers.

Usability

• Good company websites are easy to navigate, quick to load and provide visitors with useful information and resources. To make your site user friendly, make sure the file sizes of images are not too large and make sure your site is easy to get around.

Clear contact information

• A good design will strategically incorporate your contact information to make it easy for customers to get a hold of you.

Full article: 5 Elements that Make a Good Website. SonicSEO.com

What is web design, what is a logo, what is branding?

The American Marketing Association defines branding as

"a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination..."

Branding objectives:

• Delivers the message clearly
• Confirms your credibility
• Connects your target prospects emotionally
• Motivates the buyer
• Concretes User loyalty

"To succeed in branding you must understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects. You do this by integrating your brand strategies through your company at every point of public contact."

Article titled: What is Branding and How Important is it to Your Marketing Strategy?
Laura Lake, About.com guide

Design tips for fast food logos!

"Logo becomes the identity of the company. It can capture attention of customers. Today gastronomical design has evolved to such an extent that we find many restaurants taking cooking and eating to higher levels."

Color, style, font elements etc.

Color: Consider using warm and vibrant colors in fast food logos because warm colors like red etc are associated with hot food and these colors instantly draw attention.

Font: Font for food logos needs to be simple. Simplicity and clarity can create a striking visual effect thus making the logo stand out.

Style: Style in food logo needs to be in the form of an expression that can maintain the personality, depict a casual effect and with grace as well.

May 14th social media FREE DESIGN WEBINAR!

I just registered for the next free webinar from The TAS Group to learn more about social media.

CHECK it out, 3 different times during the day on the 14th. All you have to do is register. I'm sure we'll learn a ton of useful information.

There are always new webinars.

http://www.thetasgroup.com/webinar.html

Branding and design! Business cards and much more!

The importance of branding and what it takes to get your small business out there?

Design Chef Studios is LAUNCHED in Rochester

Becky Olsen Launches a new brand "Design Chef Studios" centered in Rochester and branching out to Tampa, Chicago and Boston

Creation of the following

• business cards
• design studio
• web designs
• custom graphics
• logos

DESIGN CHEF Highlights for the month of April!

April Highlights

Szurlgit Electric, a premier electrical contractor orders a custom website to boost their residential business.

Rochester Landscape orders a custom website to gain more business through the on-line marketplace.

MC Home Improvement orders a rebranding and new brochure design to match
his recently created website.

Sarofsky of Chicago requests Design Chef to contribute on Oprah's final
season graphics.

Becky Helps Harvest Moon property maintenance launch a new business.

Intrepid Advertising partners with Design Chef to create a new brand for
Westside Medical Supply.

http://designchefstudios.com/about.html