So you’ve been staring at the same logo for fifteen years and you’re getting a little tired of it. It looks stupid on your trucks, you hate that color of yellow, and the font looks very late 90s. You’ve decided that you want to do something about it, but how far should you go? Is it time to rebrand entirely …
The 5 Most Common WordPress Misconceptions
Why the Bad Press About WordPress (And Why It’s Wrong) I was sitting down to dinner with a potential client last week. It was a beautiful day out on the Arcata Plaza and I’d finally tracked down a meal at the Italian restaurant that was suitable for my non-dairy diet. As the waiter refilled our glasses, we decided to get …
Which Social Media Networks Should I Be On?
I hear this question a lot. You may be surprised to hear that the answer is not “all of them,” or even “most of them.” It’s a simple question, but the answer is not as simple as you might think. When you’re trying to establish your brand’s social media presence, it’s important to take a look at three key factors …
The 2nd Annual Haunted Mill Tour Is Coming
Once again, David Hamilton Design is proud to be a sponsor of the Blue Ox Haunted Mill Tour. Last year’s event was fabulous, with crowds of around 2,500 people over the course of the four day event. This year we’re adding three more days, extended hours, and online sales. As usual the fantastic photographs are courtesy of Evan Wish Photography …
David Hamilton Design Gears Up For Political Season
It’s November in Humboldt County. The leaves are turning color, car defrosters are suddenly a very popular feature, and political figures are raising money for next year’s election. For a graphic designer that means political logos, yard signs, business cards and websites. I recently finished up this logo and website for District Attorney candidate, Arnie Klein, a former deputy district …
New Jewelry Site, Just In Time For Christmas
Just showing a little blog love to a new client website launching this week, Peyote Moon Jewelry. Peyote Moon is based out of Arcata, California and features themes ranging from the American Southwest to Ancient Egypt. If you’re looking to make a purchase for Christmas, move soon! All Peyote Moon’s jewelry is made to order, which allows possibility for customization, …
How To Be A Dream Client (And Get A Better Finished Product)
My girlfriend loves the website clientsfromhell.net . At least three nights a week as I’m curled up in bed ready to go to sleep, I see the glow of her smartphone screen and hear her starting to giggle about some poor unfortunate designer whose client thinks you clean your computer cache using Windex. I can’t laugh very hard because I’ve had …
Why You Should Spring for a Good Photographer: Part II
Branding is about imagery, and the job of the best websites is to deliver that imagery to the consumer in the most user-friendly and smooth manner that they can. It’s very rare that someone talks about their favorite restaurant and says “I just love how the flash buttons on the home page load.” What sticks in the customer’s mind are …
Why You Should Spring for a Good Photographer: Part I
The Blue Ox Haunted Mill Tour this October was a complete success, bringing in over $10,000 for charity and turning away more than one thousand customers. Hundreds of posters were hung up around the county, there was advertising on television and radio and the event’s Facebook page gained 500 followers in the course of two weeks, yet as I stood …
The Tempest – A Marketing Case Study
Every year or two, the theatre bug gets into me and I get roped into directing a Shakespeare production at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Of course, my pet peeve in local theatre productions is that companies don’t know how to properly promote and market their shows, so with The Tempest, I set out to build an effective marketing campaign from …