Storey Creative - Certified WOSB

To truly understand the power of white space, it’s helpful to look at some real-world examples: Print Design: In print, white space can make a huge difference. Take high-end magazines like Vogue. They use generous margins and spacing around text and images to create a clean, sophisticated look. This not only draws attention to their visuals but also makes the content easier to read. Advertisements: Think about Apple's iPod ads. The minimalist design, with plenty of white space, made the colorful iPods and the iconic silhouette dancers pop out. This simple yet effective use of space emphasized the product without overwhelming the viewer. Web Pages: On the web, white space improves user experience and readability. The ample white space helps avoid distractions, enhancing functionality. Books and eBooks: White space makes text easier to read in books, especially for children. Look at Dr. Seuss's books. They use generous margins and spaces between lines to make reading easier for young eyes. This thoughtful design keeps kids engaged and helps them follow along without getting overwhelmed. Using white space wisely can make your designs more appealing and functional. . . . . #WhiteSpace #GraphicDesign #DesignTips #PrintDesign #AdvertisementDesign #WebDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignInspiration #VisualHierarchy #StoreyCreative #DesignShowcase

What free cup, magnet, sunglasses, or tote bag do you use all the time? I’m Astrid, founder of Storey Creative. For over twenty years, I’ve been helping businesses create impactful marketing, and branded merch is a classic! July is halfway through the year, so now is the perfect time to decide whether and what to order for the fall convention season and the holidays. Here are some of my top picks that people actually use and appreciate: High-end water bottles with a low-key version of your logo, like Stanley or Yeti. They’re durable and on-trend, so people love them. That cup and your logo will go everywhere. Custom Candles with a signature scent that represents your brand let you have a little fun. My candle would be called “Smells like Kerning.” Recycled totes are affordable and appreciated in states where plastic bags have been eliminated. Let’s see how many times you go to Trader Joe’s before the clerk asks you what “Storey Creative” is. Done well, branded gifts can expand your brand awareness. I’d love to see your favorite branded chotskies in the comments. . . . . #Branding #SwagItems #MarketingTips #CreativeEntrepreneur #StoreyCreative #SmallBusiness #BrandStrategy #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #CorporateGifts #BrandedMerchandise #MarketingStrategy #EndOfYearPlanning #Swag #BusinessAdvice

Can you believe it? Storey Creative is turning 5! ?? It feels like just yesterday, I was sketching out logos and dreaming up brand strategies at my kitchen table. Fast-forward five years, and here we are—a thriving, creative hub that's helped so many businesses tell their stories and grow their brands. Starting my own business was a leap of faith and boy, I am glad I took it! Over these past five years, I've worked with incredible clients, from small startups to large international companies. Each project has been a unique adventure, filled with creativity, collaboration, and, yes, sometimes a few late nights fueled by copious amounts of coffee. To all my clients, past and present, thank you for trusting me with your vision. Your success is my success, and I'm so proud of what we've accomplished together. Here's to many more years of creativity, growth, and collaboration. And because it wouldn't be a Storey Creative celebration without a bit of fun, let's play a little game: share your favorite Storey Creative moment or project in the comments for a chance to win a special anniversary gift! Cheers to five years and many more to come! ?? . . . . #StoreyCreativeTurns5 #BusinessAnniversary #CelebratingSuccess #CreativeJourney #GraphicDesignLife #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessCelebration #CheersToFiveYears #MarketingMagic #CreativeEntrepreneur

Borders and margins play a crucial role in defining your design’s structure. Here’s how I use them effectively: 1. Print Design: Bleed Area: This is typically 0.125 inches (3mm) beyond the trim edge to prevent white edges from appearing when the document is trimmed to size. Safe Zone: To prevent important text and images from being cut off, keep them at least 0.125 to 0.25 inches (3-6mm) inside the trim edge. 2. Web Design: Padding: 16-24 pixels for internal padding around text elements is a good starting point to ensure readability. Margins: Similar to print, using a margin of at least 16-24 pixels can help maintain a clean and uncluttered look. 3. General Design: Consistent Spacing: Using consistent margins and padding throughout the design creates a harmonious and cohesive look. White Space: Always make sure there is ample white space around your different design elements to allow them to "breathe." These guidelines provide a starting point, but adjustments may be necessary depending on the specific requirements and aesthetic goals of your project. Knowing how to use borders and margins, you can maintain a clean, professional look in your designs. . . . . #BordersInDesign #WhiteSpace #DesignTips #GraphicDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignInspiration #VisualHierarchy #DesignBasics #StoreyCreative #DesignShowcase

Measuring success on social media is tricky. Hi, I’m Astrid. I’m the founder of Storey Creative, a full-service marketing company. I’ve been helping clients with their social media for over a decade. As a vendor, I have to measure something, so I track reach, engagement, and conversions. However, these don't tell the whole story. Here’s why: Constant changes to the platforms mean who and what they can track are so inconsistent that you’re comparing apples to oranges each month. People will buy because they saw your posts but won’t follow or engage with you. How do you track that unless you ask every purchaser where they heard about you? Even if you do, they may not remember because most people buy after being exposed to multiple touch points (social media, websites, ads, emails), so the value of social media goes underrepresented. In my opinion, if your social media content improves public perception of your brand, shortens the customer journey, or supports the long-term growth of your business - it’s valuable. How are you measuring success? . . . . #SocialMediaMarketing #MarketingMetrics #CreativeEntrepreneur #TipTuesday #TuesdayTips #MarketingStrategy #StoreyCreative #SmallBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessAdvice #SocialMediaStrategy

Client turnover is a natural part of every business, including mine. Since I started my business, I’ve learned that evolution and change bring opportunities. When a client moves on, it's a chance to reflect, evolve, and reinforce my belief in maintaining a balanced mix of big and small clients, retainer and project clients. Relying too heavily on one major account can make your business vulnerable. If they decide to go elsewhere, you're left scrambling to replace them. But with a diversified client base, you spread the risk. If one client leaves, it doesn't significantly impact your overall business. Plus, it keeps things fresh and dynamic. Retainer clients, in particular, offer a unique opportunity to really get to know the client and their brand. Working together for longer periods allows me to dive deeper into their brand and become part of the team. This deeper understanding allows for more effective and consistent support, making it my favorite way to support a business. So, if you’re feeling the sting of client turnover, remember – it's a chance to grow, adapt, and create new opportunities. How do you manage client turnover in your business? Share your thoughts in the comments! . . . . #CreativeEntrepreneur #SmallBusiness #ClientTurnover #BusinessGrowth #StoreyCreative #EntrepreneurLife #MarketingAgency #BusinessAdvice #Resilience #Adaptability #BusinessStrategy #ClientRetention #RetainerClients

Images are a powerful part of your design, but they need the right amount of white space to shine. Here’s how I do it: Balance and Proportion: Don’t crowd your images with text or other elements. Give them enough space to stand out and be appreciated. Consistent Padding: Maintain consistent padding around images to create a harmonious look. It helps in balancing the composition. Strategic Positioning: Use white space to draw attention to your images. Placing images with ample white space around them can make them the focal point of your design. Balancing images with white space enhances their impact and guarantees they don’t overwhelm the overall design. . . . . #ImagePlacement #WhiteSpace #DesignTips #GraphicDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignInspiration #VisualHierarchy #DesignBasics #StoreyCreative #DesignShowcase

You might think your logo is your brand, but it's not. Hi, I’m Astrid. I’m a Graphic Designer, owner of Storey Creative, and a recovering brand expert. Here’s how BRANDS and LOGOS are different: A BRAND is how the public and, specifically, your intended market perceives your company overall. A LOGO is a symbol that visually identifies your business. It’s born out of the work you did to uncover your brand. A basic brand kit has logos, fonts, colors, and a specific way of communicating–woven together intentionally–to help the company reach its audience and achieve its goals. So, don't just stop at a logo. Hire a professional to develop a complete brand strategy if you want to have the tools needed to stand out and connect with your audience. I don’t offer this service anymore, but I can refer you to someone I trust. Drop “Brand Kit” in the comments and I’ll connect you. . . . . #Branding101 #LogoDesign #SmallBusinessTips #CreativeEntrepreneur #StoreyCreative #BrandStrategy #MarketingTips #SmallBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #Branding #BusinessAdvice #TipTuesday #TuesdayTips

Do you need a graphic design superhero? Storey Creative is looking for new retainer clients who need a reliable, high-quality design sidekick for their marketing adventures. Has your team recently downsized and left you without a designer in-house? Maybe your designer is out on temporary leave, whether it's medical or family-related, like maternity leave. Or your business is growing, and you need professional marketing and design services but aren't quite ready to bring someone onto your payroll just yet. Whatever the reason, partnering with Storey Creative means you'll have access to top-notch design skills and a seamless experience. I've been running Storey Creative solo for years, and I understand the importance of reliable and consistent service. With a retainer, you get the benefit of my expertise without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire. Ready to team up? Let's chat! Drop a comment or send me a message to learn more. . . . #GraphicDesign #CreativeEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessOwner #MarketingServices #DesignProduction #StoreyCreative #SoloEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #RetainerClient #BusinessAdvice #DesignServices #EntrepreneurLife

3 things I do to give text on banners, social media graphics, or printed materials the space needed to make the message easy to read and digest: Use Line Spacing (Leading): Increasing the space between lines of text makes it easier to read and less cluttered. Aim for a line height that is around 1.5 times the font size. Generous Margins: Give your text some breathing room with ample margins. It prevents the text from feeling cramped and overwhelming. Paragraph Spacing: Add extra space between paragraphs to break up blocks of text. This makes the content more digestible and visually appealing. Proper text placement is key to creating a clean, readable design. By giving your text room to breathe, you enhance both its readability and visual appeal. . . . . #TextPlacement #WhiteSpace #DesignTips #Typography #GraphicDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignInspiration #VisualHierarchy #DesignBasics #StoreyCreative #DesignShowcase