Collateral Material – Channing Maddox

So what’s the big idea? Why would these small types of things be so important for a company? To put it simply, it is ALL about the details. Nowadays, it is hard to connect with customers on a personal level. Since everything is online nowadays, it is much easier for people to just click a few tabs and be done. By defining these small details, it allows for you and your company’s personality to shine through your material.

I made this business card for the Oklahoma City Zoo. I wanted to incorporate real photos of the animals at the zoo to allow customers to have a personal connection with the zoo’s mission. You want to be able to provide that for your company and its consumers. Now it is easier for people to find a connection with a living animal, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do the same for your own company.

Let your personality shine through your creativity and design. It is amazing how much more interest people show in things that they deem pretty rather than something plain and simple. When making letter heads and envelopes, you want to still be a personal as possible. Write professionally, but also kindly to your customers. It allows them to understand who YOU are as a person and not just as a strict business.

Collateral material is vital to your success in a company. You want consumer to be excited to work with you and remember you. One of the best and easiest ways to do that is by being creative with your work.

Why a Business Card?

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 7, 2022

In Collateral Material, Collateral Material

Business cards are vital when it comes to the marketing and PR side of companies. You want people to be able to find your information when needed. Business cards help people always have your information on hand and ready to find your contact information at anytime. I highly suggest keeping business cards on you at all times so when people ask, you will be able to deliver.

Creating a business card can be so exciting and fun, but also overwhelming. If you are not one to be super creative, that’s okay! There are many different website that let you choose from templates or having designs already laid out for you where all you have to do is enter your own information. A site that I love using is Canva. They have so many different options for all type of designers. Canva allows you to start from scratch or fill in your information. If you are wanting a free option, then Canva is the way to go. Here are some of the options that Canva allows you to choose from.

If you are very tech savvy and love creating all on your own, I highly suggest InDesign. It allows you to create all of your own dimensions and exactly what you want to put onto your business cards. InDesign does cost money to buy so use that if you are wanting to design more things with the application. Otherwise, Canva does allow many of the same things that InDesign does.

Here is a great YouTube video from Linda Ward that explains how to create your own business cards in InDesign

When designing a business card, you want to first look at what your competition business cards look like. You want to have a card that is unique to your business and your own style. Make sure you business card is not too overwhelmed with information and is easy for your customer to read and understand. I suggest making an inspiration board on Pinterest that will allow you to see what aspects you like on other business cards and what you do not like. Let your personality shine through your business card. You want people to be excited to work with you! Let your designs flow and get excited from your inspirations! Happy designing.

Brainstorming!

By Channing Maddox Palacios

On June 2, 2022

In Reflections

I have never been a very good brainstormer in the moment. It always happens during random times of the day like when I am driving or doing the dishes. This will definitely be a blog that I come back to and will have to add to as we go, but that’s the wonderful part about having a blog.

I will be using different types of designing platforms like Canva and InDesign to be brainstorming the different designs in my mind for the Oklahoma City Zoo. I want to focus on the animal aspect of the zoo and what the Oklahoma City Zoo stands for: conservation. I would love to incorporate any type of animal that has come to the OKC Zoo for rehabilitation. I think another great idea would be to have images of the babies that have been born in the Oklahoma City Zoo like the baby giraffes, elephants or the upcoming tiger that is expected during summer of 2022.

Lola, the Sumatran Tiger, will be giving birth sometime this summer

These images will allow for more of a connection with the animals and how these visitors are helping these animals rather than just walking around, staring at them all day. Some people may have heavy feelings about zoos, but it is important to do research to understand how much the Oklahoma City Zoo is helping out our wildlife.

Course Blog

Tag: Collateral Material

Why is Collateral Material Important?

Why a Business Card?

Brainstorming!