Tag Archive for: design

Improve your brand style, learn visual storytelling tricks that are used by film directors!

Another important skill for creative professionals, designers, art directors, creative directors, advertising experts, photographers, videographers, film directors, is the ability to spot the style. If you want to stand out, build up a brand that shows you differently, you can practice this skill too!

When you know styles in fashion, art, design, when you can spot them, you are, basically, learning a new language. Style is a language where each element is a letter and the overall outlook is the sentence. The brand is created from such sentences and your clients read the book that is you or your business. Their imagination does the work, they do build relationships with your brand subconsciously.

Let’s dive into the Brand style exercise!

  1. Just like in the previous post about visual storytelling & hunting colour, you are going to set your goals first. In case of style, I’d suggest looking for inspiration on Pinterest or museums or any other place that has a decent collection dedicated to a specific style.
    I’m collecting interesting images regularly in the secret boards on my Pinterest.
  2. Find the spot. Here is the trick. This process in the photo and video industry often called the recce of the location. When you know what you want to achieve you are trying to find or sometimes build a location for the case. In this case, I was looking for the old European building and just by accident saw the car that just sealed the deal.
  3. Plan your post-production ahead. When you know what you plan to achieve you will use equipment that will minimise your postproduction time and will serve for the occasion.
    When the final result is matching your initial idea it feels great :)

Bonus step for advanced creators! If you love photography but mostly look at your photos in digital format, start printing. When you will see your photos printed on A3 or A2 paper size you will instantly know what to improve. It will lead you to better equipment and smarter choices.

This process will teach you to spot the style online and offline. It will improve your photo skills and give you a lot of photo material for your social media content. A few selfies in the process is a good idea as well!

Colour inspiration for visual storytelling. Colour red.

There are many ways how you can stimulate your creativity simply using your smartphone. One of them is idea or concept hunting.

In this exercise, you are learning to focus and tell your brand story on social media without words. If you work with the premium segment and the audience that prefer a luxury experience, this exercise may give you a few interesting insights on visual storytelling.

You may say: “I’ll delegate this part, I don’t want to do it”, and then this post is not for you. But if you are eager to unleash your creative dragon for personal development and because you are adventurous and curious…let’s play!

Here is how you can improve your creative thinking and stretch your visual storytelling muscles.

  • Step 1.
    Choose the idea. In this case, I was looking for the representation of the red colour. It was inspired by the building of the red University and as it’s an interesting statement colour I started my hunt.
  • Step 2.
    Focus on one idea. I know it can be tempting to do all ideas at one go. (In fact, you will be able to do it when you will be a pro). Yet, if you want to achieve the result dedicate yourself to one idea. Colour is a good vibrant and clear idea to hunt, I’ll share more ideas in the upcoming posts and more colours too.
  • Step 3.
    Add additional parameter. In my case, I wanted to have perspective, and retro (I used this in the postproduction but kept it in mind before the shoot)

How this can help you with your brand?

  • You will learn how to focus on consistent colour expression in your posts.
  • You will learn how to look around like artists do. Look for inspiration and a creative source for your story.
  • Practice composition, visual storytelling, be playful with your social media content

The method of idea hunting is often used in film, design and photo schools. It can help you to show up on video as well because now you will add the meaning to the colour in your frame and tell the story with visual non-verbal elements.

P.S. If you feel that you need to get some camera confidence and go live like a super pro, reduce your visibility fears, improve your visual storytelling and learn how to enjoy your video, check the Visibility Gym

An effective brand is successful. A Successful brand is profitable. The Brand has many aspects and visual pillars that play the role of the wrap around the brand core. If the wrapping is empty, your brand will fail. If the core of your brand has a powerful “Why”, it understands its audience, it leads and walks its talk, also, the visual wrapping works as an invitation to your ideal clients.

So what are these 4 pillars?

What is the secret of a good design? Why are photos taken by you don’t work for your design as much, as you would like it? Why is the text that you dictate to your secretary may not be so interesting to your client?

Design is created by designers, photos are shot by photographers and the copy is written by copywriters. Yes, I’m the Captain-obvious now. When the client trusts these professionals that results in fantastic brochures, digital designs, photography, videos and it raises your company to a new level of communication. So delegate what you can’t do and focus on what you love to do. You can’t delegate only public speaking and video speaking in person, the rest doesn’t need to be a burden on your shoulders.

Design.

Let’s start with the brand design. Your design is not just images and text. Effective design is a successful implementation of the idea. The professional layout uses the elegant readable font, an interesting thematic collection of images and other design elements, styles for copy, footers and headers, informative charts and tables. A professional designer will also help you to choose unique professional photos for your project.

Photography is a unique tool.

Professional photography raises your design to another level, the light effectively emphasizes the advantages of your product, the mood communicates the quality of your brand and the dramatic colour schemes entices the buyer to a potential “purchase decision”. Photography is not just a camera and a photographer, this is the result of the usage of complex equipment, expert skills and sophisticated post-production. It’s beneficial if you can invest in a professional photographer!

Copywriting.

No matter how beautiful pictures are your brochure, it’s of no use if it doesn’t convince your client to read your brochure and buy your product or service. An interesting design does not go to the trash-bin or scrolled off. Professional copywriters speak to your customers from their heart; it causes your clients to believe in you. Headlines retain the attention of your customer and they like to re-read the text again and again. A good text is always written for your customers and creates a strong association with the positive qualities of your product and brand in their minds. The interesting text encourages your client to read your next brochure and want to know more about you.

Video.

Now video plays a powerful role for your brand, helping to connect people globally. If you work in a local business you can use video to build trust and attract people to your store. Yet, when you work for a global audience video become a necessary tool. Also, if you are an expert and you feel that presenting on video scares you, I can help you to overcome this fear. The truth is you can’t delegate your presentation in person on stage or video. And as this medium is a big part of your brand you need to learn a few ideas on how to build an emotional connection with your customers. I’ve created the “Visibility Gym” for experts and entrepreneurs who want to improve their relationships with video in 10 days. So if you are curious, check “Visibility Gym”!

So delegate as much as you can. Employ a team of professionals on board or hire an agency who help you with design and brand strategy.

P.S. You can’t delegate your own performance on stage and video. That’s why you need to learn this skill. It takes time and practice so start today! Join “Visibility Gym” to improve your videos!

P.P.S. This article was first created and published in 2009. This is an updated version of the article.

Tag Archive for: design

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