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Like a lot of small business owners, I was eager to launch Electric Haze and get my work into the world. In the rush, a full logo suite fell by the wayside and I opted for a quick wordmark. But as the studio grew, I knew it was time for a more comprehensive brand identity. I had some clear goals for the new brand: A modern and approachable aesthetic:  I wanted the brand to feel more contemporary and inviting, reflecting the design work we produce. A logo that was both unique and memorable: In a crowded digital space, it was vital that Electric Haze stood out and left a lasting impression. A color palette that is more aligned with EH: The original colors were fine, but I needed a color palette that embodied that hazy feeling I wanted for the studio.  That wordmark carried my studio through until last summer when I realized I couldn’t put it off any longer - I needed a logo suite. Designing my own brand identity was hard! I went through several iterations before I found the right balance between a bold and calming color palette. I experimented with a lot of colors and font pairings (typography) before I found the right fit for Electric Haze Studio (O yea, I forgot to mention - we dropped the ‘Design’ from our name and have a new url! More on that in a minute). In a nod to our original bright color palette, I chose a deep, dark blue. To really play up the contrast, I chose a limey-er green as an accent color. I also expanded on the colors to give myself some room to play. I think the addition of the periwinkle and gauzy purple (Dreamy Drive & Cloud Gazing) helped to lean into the hazy feeling I was looking for. For the fonts, I stuck with Owners for the headings and updated the body copy to Neue Haas Grotesk. Take a look at our new branding elements below. Electric Haze Studio's new brand elements Like we mentioned earlier, with the new brand and new-ish name comes a fresh website, electrichazestudio.com . Dropping ‘Design’ from our name reflects our broader focus on creative solutions and allows us to expand our offerings to include more. Shoutout to my business mentors Sanjana & Harshita of @TheCEORally  for this incredible site! The new brand identity has brought a fresh sense of clarity and purpose, enabling us to better serve our clients and showcase our creative vision. Rebranding is a journey of self-discovery and I encourage all small business owners to embrace the process.  I’m so excited to finally share all of these changes with you!  Explore the new site and see the rebrand in action: electrichazestudio.com Feeling like it’s time for your own rebrand? Book a free Vibe Check today to see if we are the right fit! We’ll discuss your goals and explore how a new brand identity can elevate your business.

Back in May, I was browsing for new projects and opportunities in all the usual places. I went to Behance to check out the jobs listing page and was surprised to find a new addition to their navbar titled ’ Career Resources ’ . One thing about me is, I love free resources and learning and growing as a creative. So, I immediately started to scope things out. If you are wondering what exactly Adobe is offering, let me explain.  If you're wondering what exactly Adobe is offering, let me explain. This is an opportunity to “Kickstart your career with Adobe as your first client.” To participate, you need to choose a course from one of their free Career Guides . Most of the courses are about an hour long, and you can pick whichever is most interesting to you. There are several recognizable names and faces; I started with Freelance for Beginners with Jamie Brindle . I have followed his work on Instagram and jumped at the chance to learn from him. I've since completed three more courses and am in the process of a fourth. But that's just because I'm a nerd and jump at the chance to learn from successful creatives. For the sake of the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship program, you only need to complete one course to qualify to apply for commissioned projects. Landing the Project: My Adobe Creative Apprenticeship Experience Next step is making sure your Behance Portfolio   is up to date. Go through those old projects and make sure you have good mockups and short descriptions with each one (even if it's just explaining what programs you used to create them). Don’t forget to update your banner; it doesn’t have to be anything crazy, just be sure to include your name and title or something that communicates your skills, vibe, etc. This is what's going to act as a resume, so show your best stuff! With your Behance Portfolio looking fresh, you can go ahead and start applying to those commissioned projects. My advice is to respond with a custom message to each post that you feel aligns best with your skills, or that you think would be the best learning experience for you. At the end of the project, you’ll have a real-world client to add to your portfolio (and honestly? Validation! Are you kidding me? Adobe wanted to work with me?!). While I applied to literally every opportunity that was a fit for my skillset, do keep in mind that you can only be commissioned for one project. The following week I had a response and was selected to work on the Discord Banner refresh for Adobe Creative Careers! Working with the Adobe team was so fun and the process was incredible. The Creative Process: Bringing the Banners to Life Let’s talk about my commissioned project for Adobe Creative Careers! The brief involved designing a series of three new banners for their Discord server, a vibrant online community home to over 36,000 creative professionals. The core of the brief called for an "inclusive and forward-thinking refresh" of their aesthetic. My goal was to create visuals that would not only energize the space but also truly welcome all members, reflecting the diverse pathways within creative careers.  This project allowed me to explore how visual design directly shapes a community's environment, a challenge I had so much fun with. Creatively, it was really good for me to get outside of my usual brand identity headspace and try a less structured, more hands-on approach. I really loved sourcing all the images and the satisfying, precise work of cutting out and fitting together different elements in Photoshop. It felt nostalgic and truly made me want to create more collage-style designs. Crafting a fresh aesthetic that would really resonate with this dynamic community was my main focus during concept development. And let me tell you, working with the Adobe team was an absolute dream. Katherine Chiu , who selected my application and started this whole experience for me, especially brought such a collaborative spirit and was so open to my ideas. She gave me all the room to experiment and just let me share whatever I was thinking, which was awesome. (Fun fact: she's even using one of the banners on her LinkedIn Profile !) Getting feedback and refining things together was key to making sure these banners were a perfect match for Adobe's refreshed logo. Beyond the Project: Mentorship and Growth After the project was over Katherine left me a really kind review for me to use on any of my digital platforms! The good news didn’t stop there, though. I found out that not only do you get a * free year * of Adobe Creative Cloud, but you’re also connected with a mentor from an incredible roster of talented people. Like, actually so many to choose from. You can let your project manager know if there is anyone you would like to be partnered with. I personally could not choose, but did let them know that I’d prefer to be paired with a woman I could learn from. I lucked out (again)! My mentor, Tara McCormack , has worked with some incredible brands like NBC/Universal, Peloton, and is currently working on a project for the FIFA World Cup. She has been so fun to connect with and learn from. I’ve gotten really useful feedback, and Tara’s inspired me to take bigger swings in my career. I’ve said it to the Adobe team from the start, but it was like winning the lottery.  I forgot two really huge benefits of this program. The projects are commissioned, meaning paid . Real-world experience and a paycheck? Yes please! And, once you have successfully completed your commissioned project, you can apply to actual apprenticeships with vendors that have been approved by Adobe. Way to bury the lead, am I right? These range from well-known agencies to smaller agencies that work with well-known brands. This is where I am in the program right now. I’ll write another post if and when I get to participate in an apprenticeship. I've applied to a few and am keeping my eyes on the page daily for any new opportunities. From what I have read, these are also paid and can range from 3-6 months and beyond depending on the outcome of your working experience. Commissioned by Adobe: The Final Look Here they are! The three new banners I designed for the Adobe Creative Careers Discord server. My aim was for these visuals to brighten the space and immediately welcome and energize the community. Katherine wanted to make sure we tied in the Adobe red, so I opted to use it as an accent color. I think this was a strong creative decision that connected the brand to the design. Your Next Step: Apply! My advice to any new grads, young creatives, and anyone who has taken the jump into the beginning of their own freelance careers: start now!  Choose a course from the Free Career Guides and get going! This is an unbelievable opportunity to learn how to work with clients, explore your creative process, develop an impressive portfolio, and connect with really cool people.  Check it out, you can apply too! behance.net/resources And if you'd like to see more of my design work, including the full Adobe Discord Banner project, check out my Behance Portfolio

Website Design Checklist Your website isn’t a generic digital space—it’s the face of your brand and often the first thing potential clients see. Sure, killer visuals like your logo, colors, and layout matter, but they’re only part of the equation. The rest? Your messaging. 🤝 Design and copy should work together to create a brand experience that’s cohesive and authentically you. Wondering if your website is pulling its weight? Use our Website Design Checklist to spot-check your site and see if it’s really reflecting your brand—or if there’s room to level up.‍ ✅  Consistent Brand Voice Is your voice actually showing up everywhere on your site? From your About page to your blog posts, and even that 404 page, your tone should feel like you  all the way through—whether you’re quirky, bold, or keeping it professional. ‍ ✅  Visual Consistency Are your colors, fonts, and images on-brand, or do things feel a bit disjointed? Your visuals should immediately tell visitors they’re in the right place. ‍ ✅  Clear Messaging on Your Home Page Does your homepage make it obvious who you are, what you do, and why it matters? If visitors are left guessing, it’s time to rethink your headline and subhead to reflect your brand’s value. ‍ ✅  User-Friendly Navigation Even the most beautiful site won’t matter if visitors can’t find what they’re looking for. Keep your site intuitive, with clear menus and buttons guiding users where they need to go. ‍ ✅  Strong Calls to Action Do your CTAs inspire action, whether it’s booking a call or subscribing to your list? They should feel aligned with your brand’s voice and lead your audience to the next step without hesitation. ‍ ✅  Mobile Optimization With everyone glued to their phones, your website needs to look and function perfectly on mobile. If it doesn’t, you’re leaving potential clients in the dust.‍ Graphic of a hand holding a phone with the Website Design Checklist Download your Website Design Checklist here! What’s Next? If you’re hitting all these marks, congrats—you’re on the right track! But if you’re feeling like your website’s falling a little flat, this checklist is just the beginning. A fresh perspective can make all the difference when it comes to refining your brand’s design and messaging. If you’re ready for a deeper look, our   Brand Reality Check  offers personalized insights to help you align your site with your brand goals. Let’s chat about how we can take your website from good to unforgettable. Your website should reflect your brand’s identity—authentically and clearly. This checklist is a quick way to see where you stand, but there’s always room to refine and optimize. When you’re ready to go deeper, we’re here to help with next steps that’ll elevate your site and make your brand shine.

If you've started your search for a brand designer, you’ve probably heard by now that a logo by itself is not a brand. Sure, eye-catching design turns heads, but without powerful messaging to back it up, your brand is just another face in the crowd. At EH, we’ve learned that powerful brand messaging is the key to audience recall. Effective brand messaging is the voice that tells your story, showcases your values, and connects with your audience. Are you tired of your boring brand messaging? Do you wonder if you even have a brand voice in place? Let's fix that. Brand   ‍Messaging: The Unsung Hero When powerful brand messaging aligns with your strategically crafted brand design (Hi! That’s what we do! 🤠) it creates a complete identity. Think of brand messaging as the words you will use in things like emails, newsletters, web copy, and social media posts - basically anywhere text meets your brand’s visual elements! Create Genuine Connections Compelling brand messaging speaks directly to your audience’s wants, needs, and dreams. Build Unshakeable Trust Authenticity builds credibility, and people can spot BS from a mile away. Amplify Your Identity Your message is your megaphone 📣 Without it, your voice will go unheard. ✷ Fact Check : The average person sees up to 10,000 ads a day. Is your message cutting through, or just adding to the noise? Why Brand   ‍Messaging Matters More Than Ever Ever wonder why some brands have a cult-like following? It’s more than just the visuals that draw people in. They stick around when your brand’s values are clearly communicated and align with their own. Connecting with brands and business owners that speak to their deeper values turns casual shoppers into loyal superfans. Think about the hair salon that you love to tell the girlies about–the one where the stylists understand the assignment every time. Or that cute little bakery you can’t stay away from, with the sweetest staff and even sweeter treats. We love to tell our friends and even strangers about great experiences! Great brand messaging creates those experiences and builds your loyal community. ✷ Pro Tip: Every word should nudge your audience closer to taking action—whether that’s clicking, buying, or sharing. Strategic Design + Brand   ‍Messaging = Unstoppable Brand Identity Design grabs attention, but messaging is your brand's hidden superpower-it's what truly keeps your audience's attention. And that keeps you on their mind which boosts brand recognition! Now, as we're working towards that loyal community of superfans, we can speak authentically and connect on a human level. ✷ Pro Tip:  Stay on brand! Keep your message and visuals cohesive across all your platforms. Consistent branding leads to increased revenue. Now that you understand the basics of brand messaging, how do you feel about yours? Does it feel like your brand has more to say but you're just not sure how to say it? Maybe you're tired of blending in and you just need a fresh pair of eyes to help your brand really shine. We're here to help you get real results. Our No-BS Approach: The Brand Reality Check At EH Studio, we took a hard look in the mirror and got real with ourselves. Now, we're offering you the same no-nonsense insight with our free Brand Reality Check. It’s a 15-minute, honest-as-hell review of your brand, messaging, and online presence. Get ready to uncover hidden gems in your brand and pull the curtain back on a whole new stage of your business. Deep Dive Hold onto your hats! We're going deep into your brand's mission, audience clarity, and positioning. Let's make sure you're not accidentally calling in your grandma instead of your ideal client. 👵🏻 Messaging Magic Is your copy a siren song or a snoozefest? We'll help you find the magic words to lure your audience in. Style Spotlight We'll take a look at your logo, color palette, typography, and other design elements to see if your brand's aesthetic is serving lewks or a hot mess express. Are you ready to face the truth about your brand? Think your brand has more to say but you're not sure how to say it? Or maybe you're just tired of blending in. At Electric Haze we are alllll about crafting badass messaging for brands that don't settle. If that sounds like you, contact us today to ‍claim your free 👉 Brand Reality Check  and let’s see where you stand! ✷ Pro Tip:  Don't wait too long, we only offer three (3) Brand Reality Checks a month!

A group of friends casually chatting in bed Your brand voice is more than the words you use—it’s the way you share your story with your audience. It’s how you convey your values, your mission, and what makes you unique. If you’re ready to stop blending in and start making a real connection with your audience, it’s time to define your brand voice. Here’s how to make it happen: ‍ 1. Clarify Your Core Values First things first—what does your brand genuinely stand for? Dig deep and be honest with yourself. Write down five words that capture the essence of your business and how you want others to perceive it. A few examples to get your mind going Funny Sarcastic Reliable Bold Innovative These words will serve as the foundation for your brand voice, guiding how you communicate and the impression you leave. ‍ 2. Understand Your Audience While your brand voice reflects who you are, it also needs to resonate with your audience. Who are they? What do they care about? How do they communicate? Ask yourself Who is my ideal customer? What values and interests do we share? What kind of language speaks to them? By understanding your audience, you can tailor your voice to speak directly to them, making your communication more authentic and effective. ‍ 3. Find Inspiration Without Imitation Look at brands that catch your eye and hold your attention. What is it about their voice that appeals to you? Is it their humor, their honesty, or their confidence? Take notes on what you admire, but remember—your brand voice should be uniquely yours. Use these insights as inspiration to help shape your own style, not to copy someone else’s. ‍ 4. Decide on Your Tone While your overall voice remains consistent, your tone can shift depending on the context. Think about how you want to come across in different situations. For example When addressing customer inquiries, you might be warm  and supportive . When launching a new product, you might be excited  and energetic . When discussing serious topics, you might adopt a more respectful  and thoughtful  tone. Defining these nuances will help you maintain consistency while still being adaptable. ‍ 5. Create Your Brand Voice Guidelines Consistency is key to building a recognizable brand. Once you’ve defined your voice and tone, document it. Create a simple guide that outlines your core values, your preferred language style, and examples of do’s and don’ts. This guide doesn’t need to be lengthy—it just needs to be clear. It will serve as a reference for anyone who communicates on behalf of your brand, ensuring that your voice stays consistent across all channels. ‍ Ready to Define Your Brand Voice? If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start, we’re here to help. We specialize in crafting authentic brand voices that resonate with your audience and set you apart from the competition. Defining your brand voice is a crucial step in building a strong, memorable brand. By clarifying your core values, understanding your audience, finding your unique style, and maintaining consistency, you’ll create a voice that not only stands out but also builds trust and connection with your customers. So, are you ready to let your brand’s true voice be heard? ‍ 👉 Get in touch with us 👈 and let’s work together to make your brand’s personality shine! ‍

Consider your favorite brands – the iconic logos, catchy slogans, and the emotions tied to their products or services. This is the essence of branding. When a company invests in building a strong brand, it's not just about aesthetics – it's about creating lasting connections beyond the product or service. Strong branding possesses a magnetic power, drawing customers in and influencing their perception with familiar logos and packaging. What makes it fascinating is that customers are often willing to pay more for brands they trust and feel connected to. The value they see in the brand goes beyond a one-time purchase; it keeps them coming back and inspires them to recommend it to others. Think about the various touchpoints you have with a brand – from ads and websites to customer service interactions. Each contributes to the overall brand impression, creating a magical synergy that fuels business growth. ‍ When we talk about the ROI of branding, it's not an abstract concept. ‍ It translates into real, tangible benefits such as increased sales, a better reputation, and passionate brand advocates. For business owners wondering how to measure the ROI of their branding, think of it like monitoring vital signs. Utilize brand health metrics to understand audience perceptions, conducting surveys, analyzing online search volume, and assessing customer acquisition rates. Metrics like customer lifetime value (CLV), Net Promoter Scores (NPS), repeat business, and customer retention rates provide insights into long-term brand impact and customer loyalty. If your branding ROI falls short, it might be time for a strategic rethink – enter rebranding. It's about evolving your brand to better connect with your audience and drive better results. Before & After images of Poppi's packaging ‍ The journey of "Poppi" serves as a compelling example of successful rebranding within the beverage industry. Originally known as “Mother,” an apple cider vinegar beverage packaged in glass bottles, the brand underwent a strategic transformation to broaden its appeal and emphasize its core value proposition. Recognizing the need for a more distinctive and consumer-friendly identity, Poppi's creators embarked on a year-long rebranding endeavor. Through extensive market research, they discovered that consumers were deterred by the association with vinegar and identified the preference for aluminum cans over bottles. The relaunch as Poppi marked a significant shift in branding, focusing on the drink's health benefits while avoiding the negative connotations of apple cider vinegar. Bright colors and vibrant graphics inspired by flavors like Orange, Lime-Ginger, and Pineapple-Turmeric adorned the packaging, concealing the tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in each 12oz can. The name "Poppi," a playful nod to "soda pop," repositioned the beverage as a "better-for-you" soda, appealing to a younger demographic with its simplistic, Pop Art-inspired aesthetics. The successful rebranding efforts catapulted Poppi into the realm of viral products, embraced by influencers and fostering trust among consumers. The brand's evolution exemplifies the transformative power of strategic rebranding in capturing new audiences and reinvigorating market presence. By closely monitoring your metrics and being adaptable, you can ensure that your branding efforts consistently yield the ROI you seek in our ever-changing marketplace. Stay agile, stay responsive – that's the key. Inspired by Poppi's success? Our free Brand Reality Check can help you assess your current branding and identify opportunities for a strategic refresh.

Messaging That Connects Let’s cut to the chase—you’ve probably heard by now that a logo isn’t a brand. Sure, eye-catching design turns heads, but without powerful messaging to back it up, your brand is just another face in the crowd. At EH, we’ve learned firsthand that messaging is the hidden superpower that takes a brand from forgettable to unforgettable. It’s the story you tell and the words you choose that leave a lasting impact. We’re all about playing big, and so should you. Let’s break down why bold messaging is the secret sauce your brand needs to stand out and make some serious waves. ‍ Messaging: The Unsung Hero of Branding Your brand’s messaging is your superpower—the voice that tells your story, showcases your values, and connects with your audience. Create Genuine Connections:  Messaging lets you speak directly to your audience’s wants, needs, and dreams. Build Unshakable Trust:  Authentic words build credibility. People can spot BS from a mile away. Stand Out or Step Aside:  Bold messaging highlights what makes you different. Blend in, and you’re forgotten. ‍ ‍ Why Messaging Matters More Than Ever ‍ 1. Unlock the Power to Cut Through the Noise In a world where everyone’s shouting, your messaging is the hidden superpower that amplifies your brand’s voice. ✷ Fact Check:  The average person sees up to 10,000 ads a day. Is your message cutting through, or just adding to the noise? ‍ 2. Messaging That Moves People Great messaging doesn’t just sit there looking pretty—it’s the unseen force that drives action and gets results. ✷ Pro Tip:  Every word should nudge your audience closer to taking action—whether that’s clicking, buying, or sharing. ‍ 3. Build a Loyal Community People don’t just buy products; they connect with brands that speak to their deeper values. ✷ Real Talk:  Messaging that resonates with your audience’s beliefs turns casual shoppers into loyal superfans. ‍ Design + Messaging = Unstoppable Brand Design grabs attention, but messaging is your brand's hidden superpower—it’s what truly captures the heart and sticks with your audience long after the visuals fade. Unified Front:  When your visuals and words are in sync, that’s when the magic happens. Consistency is Key:  Keep your message and look cohesive across all channels to build recognition and trust. ‍ Make Some Noise or Fade Away In today’s world, playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. If your messaging isn’t making people sit up and pay attention, it’s time to shake things up. ‍ Our No-BS Approach: The Brand Reality Check At EH , we took a hard look in the mirror and got real with ourselves. Now, we’re offering you the same no-nonsense insight with our Brand Reality Check . It’s a 15-minute, honest-as-hell review of your brand, messaging, and online presence. Strategy Snapshot:  We’ll see if your brand mission and audience targeting are hitting the mark or missing by a mile. Copy Snapshot:  We’ll check if your words are connecting or just taking up space. Visual Identity Snapshot:  We’ll find out if your visuals and messaging are playing nice or clashing like plaid and polka dots. ‍ Let’s Get Started Think your brand has more to say but not sure how to say it? Or maybe you’re just tired of blending in. We’re here to help you cut the crap and get real results. ‍ 👉 Grab your free Brand Reality Check 👈 and let’s see where you stand. ‍ ‍ Because at EH , we’re all about crafting badass messaging for brands that don’t settle. ‍ Ready to level up? Contact us today , and let’s craft a story that doesn’t just get you noticed but remembered. ‍