GIVE YOUR BRANDS ARMS AND ARMOUR!

When it comes to a brand, most people think of the visual identity first – and in most cases, the logo.?Although there is?much?more to a brand, there is no denying that good visuals are one of the most appealing aspects of a brand.?Your visual identity is your target market’s first point of contact.?So why, oh why, do so many brands get it SO wrong?

So asks Graphic Designer Daniel J. Moore of?Iron Dragon Design,?who says your brand’s visuals should always be ‘battle ready’.?He says:

“Your visual identity is like a warrior’s weapons and armour.?Going into battle without them is a bad idea.?You might survive through luck and skill alone, but a sword and shield will make it easier!?It’s the same with your visuals.?I love a good strategy, but at some point you’re going to have to show it.?And that’s just what a strong identity does - it shows your audience who you are, and what you stand for.?When done well, your visuals show your purpose and values.?Your potential clients want to see what you’re about quickly, it’s easier for like-minded clients to find you, and it makes you stand out from the competition.?And that’s what you want, right?”

If you want to know more about the role Colour Psychology plays in branding, and also what the top three Brand Killers are, then you can find out more on Daniel’s website using this link:

https://www.irondragondesign.com/visual-identity-your-brands-arms-armour/

'On The Couch'?– WEDNESDAY?@ 11am GMT

This week we are chatting to Photographer Brigitta (NUX) Scholz Mastroianni of NUX PHOTOGRAPHY.?

She’s had a very interesting career path – from being a much sought-after model and actor in Paris, to becoming a successful photographer in the UK.?

She is renowned for bringing out the best in her subjects, and for producing stunning headshots - particularly of those in the corporate world who want more than the usual boring profile pics!?Brigitta has recently persuaded several business people to strip off and pose nude – and will be exhibiting the photos at Camden Image Gallery in London from the 16th-27th?of May.?

She’s called the exhibition ‘Dressed With A Smile’, so pop in if you’re in the area!

You can catch the livestream on the CR38IVES YouTube channel, on the CR38IVES Facebook page, and on the CR38IVES LinkedIn page this?Wednesday the 3rd?of May @ 11am (BST).??

You can watch the livestream this Wednesday at 11am GMT on LinkedIn:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/onthecouch-withphotographerbrig7057264543051190272/

Worried you'll miss it??Not to worry, you can watch it?on the @CR38IVES YouTube channel, by clicking below:

CATCH UP!

If you missed last week’s ‘On The Couch’ chat with the Author, Podcaster, Journalist and Radio Producer Paul Waters , then you can catch up on the CR38IVES YouTube channel.?

He talks about his book?‘Blackwatertown’, a historical crime thriller set in the Irish border area in the 1950s, as well as his new mystery series set in India.?He’s also recently had a short story included in the?‘Taking Liberties’?anthology of short stories.?Paul is an award-winning BBC producer and co-presents the award-winning podcast?‘We’d Like A Word’, which focuses on books and authors.

WHAT'S ON & WHEN:

BOOK LAUNCH!

FIVE STARS FOR ‘STANDOFF’!

‘Standoff’, by Author RICK KARLSRUHER is getting Five Star reviews - and is now available in the UK!

It tells the tale of how the Cold War REALLY ended, when the superpowers decided they couldn't blow each other off the face of the Earth!?They had to make another plan, and this is their story - and they are sticking to it!

"A mad ramble of international schemes and duplicity, with a story that makes way more sense than history does.?I loved it." – Best-Selling Author MATT GALLAGHER

You can buy your copy at:?https://dixibooks.com/product/standoff/?fbclid=IwAR3E9FPbhUkNsuVIl5a4xQbuoP-pgibTwVopGoXaKmEKeFzpH8IUHvgiFgs

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

IN THE SPOTLIGHT?- CR38IVES Member - Voice Over Artist - LIZ DRURY

Liz Drury is a freelance Voice-Over Artist based in the UK.?She works from a broadcast quality home studio for clients around the world – a far cry from when she started, huddled in a walk-in wardrobe!?

Liz’s voice can be heard on radio, internet and TV commercials, guided audio tours, telephone systems, corporate and explainer videos, and e-learning modules for online courses.?

“The best thing about being a voice-over artist is that every day is different - a bit like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get!” says Liz.?“My favourite projects are those that tell a story, especially audio guides for museums and galleries.?Those are always so interesting to narrate.” As well as recording the audio, Liz can also edit it, so that it’s ready to use. If required, she can source background music or sound effects as well.

Liz voices projects for small local firms and multi-national big name companies.?She’s won several awards for her work, which have led to her receiving special invitations to 10 Downing Street and The House of Lords!??

Liz has also been invited to speak at several conferences on such topics as networking, applying for funding as a small business, and marketing and communication.?She also regularly gives talks to sixth-form college and university students about the world of voice-over, and runs free marketing webinars online for her peers in the voice-over industry.?You can sign onto these webinars on her website:?https://lizdrury.com/

Liz also hosts the weekly?‘Small Business Big Network’?podcast, which has soared to No. 5 in the Apple charts for marketing podcasts.?Every week she interviews a small business owner who is using networking effectively to grow, and they share their stories and provide tips.?Each episode streams every Monday morning, and you can listen in on the usual streaming services.

There’s currently concern in the Voice-Over industry that Artificial Intelligence will replace humans in the next few years.?AI doesn’t get tired or sick like real people, and you can make it say whatever you like.?But while Liz feels that it?isa worry, she thinks fit doesn’t pose as much of a threat as most people fear.?

“One of my clients has switched from using AI to using me.?They've said that I can articulate the script in a way that AI can’t, and I pronounce things correctly,” she says.?“Of course, AI will continue to improve, but it will never have a soul - and I hope that the clients who really care about their products and services will continue to want real humans to narrate their content.”

As if she doesn’t have enough on her plate, Liz is also a judge for the Audio Production Awards, and for the ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards, formerly the Sony’s).??You can follow her on all the usual social media platforms, and can contact her at:?[email protected]

GET?CR38IVELY?CONNECTED!

If you are a creative professional with a fantastic story, come and tell it 'On The Couch'!?We'd love to hear about what you do, and why you love doing it!?If you’d also like to lead a discussion on a topic of interest to creatives on a live CR38IVES Clubroom audio chat, then contact us.

You can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube – and if you are a professional in any creative field, then come and join our growing private networking group!

Here's to your continued success!