Lilacs on York Creative Studios :: Impact Storytelling for Nonprofits, Consultants and Schools

Whether it's collaborating with creative teams or working one-on-one with early entrepreneurs, we’re committed to making REAL connections as we work because we believe that, for us, they lead to innovative, impactful results. It’s honestly the only way we know how to work. Every project is an opportunity to bring something new to life, and that’s the real joy of this work. #Collaboration #Design #Entrepreneurship

A key factor in using your brand kit consistently that is often overlooked: ??????????????. A broad brand kit gives you the flexibility to stay on-brand without getting bored AND allows you to adapt different needs without constantly rebranding. For example, the Lilacs On York brand kit has… ???? 4 color variations of our main stacked logo ???? 3 color variations of our horizontal logo ???? A logo icon in 4 colors ???? 7 brand colors (including a very dark blue and a very light green that stand in for black and white) ???? Wallpapers made from the logo icon in each color ???? 3 fonts (for headlines, subheadlines, and body copy) ???? 2 sub-logos for two of our major service offerings Why have so much variety? It helps us ???????? ???????????????????? while keeping things fresh. When we first started, we used a bright yellow that felt energetic and youthful, reflecting Miami–where I was living at the time. But as the company grew, we wanted a more mature, professional presence, so we transitioned to a darker yellow with a pop of coral to maintain that energy. After a year, we switched to using coral as the lead color, all while staying true to our brand’s story. This variety gives us the freedom to shift colors and adapt our visuals without rebranding—and ensures we can always use the logo and elements in the best way for different spaces and platforms. The takeaway? Having a broad set of materials isn’t about overcomplicating things, it’s about giving yourself the tools to r?????????? ????????????????????, ??????????????????, ?????? ??????????. -Alison K. #Branding #BrandKit #Design #Consistency #Marketing #Entrepreneurship

At Lilacs on York, it’s never just about the destination; it’s about the path we take to get there. From the initial concept to the final execution, we’re committed to bringing creative ideas to life in ways that are thoughtful, intentional and impactful. Every detail matters, and every project is a chance to learn, stretch our creativity and grow. #Design #Branding #Creativity

Here’s something that isn’t talked about much: A successful brand kit isn’t about choosing what’s trendy or just entirely finding and creating what your target audience might prefer—it’s also a lot about what ?????? like. What really matters in this process? Your personal connection to the brand kit. You have to feel comfortable with it, even if it’s not the "perfect" design. A good designer will craft a logo that sits at the intersection of three key ideas: 1?? What represents the essence of you and your work 2?? What looks great and follows design best practices (or breaks them with intention) 3?? What ?????? like and will use ????????????????????????—Pssst: ???????? is where the magic really lives.? #Branding #Design #BrandKit #LogoDesign #Entrepreneurship #Marketing

Ready for another branding unpopular opinion? Here we go…When creating or updating your visual branding, the preferences of your target market and the brand look/feel of your competitors really don’t matter as much as you might think. Here’s the thinking behind that…. If you choose a design that perfectly fits your audience and sets you apart from competitors but you don’t actually like it, you won’t use it consistently. For example, if the “perfect” color for your brand is bright red, but you can’t stand bright colors, you’ll likely end up avoiding it or adjusting it to something you’re more comfortable with. And ???????? ?????????????????????????? ???? ?? ??????????????. Here’s what can happen: 1?? You might avoid making marketing materials because you don’t like how they look. 2?? You’ll use colors inconsistently (today it’s maroon, tomorrow it’s pink) and your branding will lack cohesion. 3?? Consumers won’t be able to visually associate your brand with a consistent color or feel, which is a huge part of building a strong visual identity. For example, my audiobook app and my project management app are almost the same color, and even though they’re in different folders on my phone, I sometimes grab the wrong one just based on the color. It shows how much a consistent visual identity can influence recognition! The takeaway? Pick a brand kit ?????? actually like, so you’ll use it ????????????????????????. ????????’?? where the magic happens.? -Alison K. #Branding #DesignConsistency #VisualIdentity #Marketing #Entrepreneurship

It's all about telling a story. Alison K., founder of Lilacs on York, shares her insights ??

This is something I’ve been thinking about lately and it might sound weird. Stay with me…???????? ???????? ??????????’?? ???????? ???? ???? ??????????????. Sometimes clients get stuck on choosing their logo or perfect color palette or agonize over what each single choice means about them and their work. And while those elements are important and necessary, they’re only a small part of the bigger picture. In reality, your visual branding doesn’t need to be: ?? Perfect or without flaws ?? Exactly what you envisioned ?? Fully or even partially representative of what you do You know what REALLY matters? ??????????????????????. Using your brand kit—logo, colors, fonts, and other design elements — consistently is what makes your brand recognizable. Take the Lilacs on York logo, for example. I’ll be honest and vulnerable and say…I find it a bit thin and on its own, it’s sometimes hard to read. And, it doesn’t in any way represent what we do. But guess what? We use it ???????????????????????? — and because of that, people associate us with it. And THAT’S what matters. So, don’t get too hung up on perfection. Focus on consistent application of your brand elements. That’s what builds recognition and creates a lasting impression. -Alison K. #Branding #BrandConsistency #Design #Marketing

Alison K., founder of Lilacs on York, shares powerful reflections about what Black History Month means to her.

At Lilacs on York, we’re doing more than just graphic design. We see our work as driven by a purpose: to create beauty, increase access, and support justice. We love to do our thing in partnership with individuals and organizations focused on equity… doing what we can to be part of a better future.

“Bulldog on a chicken leg” ???? Kayla’s birthday ?? and Year of Service anniversary ???? are within a few days of each other in early January. I sent her a few things that arrived on time but there was one custom gift that I thought of that was gonna be a week or two late. It arrived while we were on our weekly check-in yesterday so I got to see her face while she opened it. ?? Like the origin story that she shares close to the end of this video, she often serves the role of being the tough one who really ensures that we have good healthy boundaries in our work (cause GOOD BOUNDARIES = GOOD CLIENTS). I can be a softie at times and she makes me and the businesses better by being our resident “Bulldog on a chicken leg”. ?? Kayla Byrd Lilacs on York Creative Studios :: Impact Storytelling for Nonprofits, Consultants and Schools