If you want exciting and innovative Graphic Designers in Kent you've just found us. We are a powerful team that offer a full creative design and multi-media service specialising in corporate identity, social media marketing, brochures, stationery, exhibition graphics, newsletters, and websites to name but a few. Our design ideas are exceptional, but the service that comes with it is what you will really love! You will be treated like a star, have fun, and feel supported all of the way - www. ...

ARE YOU WINKING IN THE DARK

The cliche “Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you’re doing, but nobody else does” is as relevant today as when it first appeared in an article in The New York Herald Tribune in 1956, even if it may sound slightly sexist now.Surveys have shown that companies who continue to spend on advertising during tough economic times will maintain or increase their market share and be even stronger when the economy improves. Mcgraw-Hill Research reported that following the USA recession in 1981-82 , of the 600 companies surveyed, those who continued to advertise aggressively had risen 256% by 1985 over those who had held back on advertising budgets.http://www.integratedresourcemgmt.com/advertising.htmlAs the author and journalist Eric Clark has said, “Advertising is totally unnecessary, unless you want to make money”. Think like the customer and not like the supplier. What would encourage you to buy a product or a service? An engaging advertisement or strong marketing message on an up-to-date website, or having to trawl through the free listing in theYellow Pages to do your own research?So how can you ensure you are maintaining a strong presence with your marketing? Submitting regular press releases or updating your website, isn’t going to cost a great deal. The relatively new fusion marketing can be used effectively to build your brand.Even, or especially, in a potentially slow trading period, advertising and brand development should be focused and consistent and not spread too thinly. An effective message should have layers that can be built on over time, delivering a unique and memorable brand. Keep the light on….we need to see that wink.

THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE ANNOYING

When Gibbs SR won a lottery in 1956 to promote their toothpaste on the first TV advertisement shown in the UK, no one could ever have imagined how the media would evolve over the next 44 years. I would bet that most viewers who saw those early ads can still remember the strap lines and jingles. Murray mints, too good to hurry mints. Esso means happy motoring. Go well, go Shell. The message was more important than the image.TV ads may well be more thought-provoking and visually entertaining but does the sight of a gorilla thumping his drums along to Phil Collins vocals make you want to rush out and buy a king-size bar of Cadbury’s chocolate? Possibly, if you happen to like Phil Collins and don’t have an aversion to big hairy primates. Personally, give me a gorilla any day over a meercat comparing the market. Is an irritating ad more memorable if it grabs your attention even if it’s for the wrong reason? You’ll probably remember the domain name on an annoying and persistent ad like confused.com, but will it put you off buying the product?If the call to action is all-important, personally the kid who wants to use the toilet at his mate Paul’s house doesn’t persuade me to rush out to buy whatever air freshener the ad is promoting. In fact I can’t even remember the brand. Now the Sean Bean narrated O2 rubber duck advert, where the ducks make their journey down rivers, waterfalls and ice flows, ending in a fisherman’s pond has me transfixed. I may not switch my mobile network provider, but if anyone can come up with one of the ducks, I might just be hooked.

Can Valentine's Day survive without creativity

Is love in the air, or is Saint Valentine’s Day now nothing more than what is known as Hallmark holiday in America, existing primarily for commercial purposes. Wikipedia describes it as an annual holiday held on February 14th celebrating love and affection between intimate companions and suggests it’s traditionally a day when flowers, chocolates and greeting cards are exchanged.We are confronted with the traditional sight of hearts, doves and cupids, with advertisers or society putting pressure on reluctant givers. When we’re given the predictable gift of flowers or chocolates, do we truly feel that this comes from the heart, or do we accept that something is better than nothing, and that very little thought went into the sentiment?Being creative doesn’t need to be expensive, in fact it’s likely to be far less costly than the over inflated price of red roses on Valentine’s Day that wilt two days later. It’s the little things that say the most and can gift a moment of romance which will remain imprinted in your memory forever. A trail of flickering night-lights leading to a special surprise, or a fragrant bath filled with dried rose petals. A hand-made card promising a massage or a romantic day-out shows more thought than an off-the-shelf greeting or gift.In the 18th Century, prolific and elaborate love messages were sent in the form of billet-douxs (sweet notes) and were traditional Victorian courtship on Valentines’ day, when the sender would remain undisclosed as the secret Valentine. During the 1880’s the creativity of card designers Kate Greenaway and Esther Howland shone through but failed to be continued after the onset of World War 1, when the tradition faded out.Bringing it into the 21st Century what do we have now? A feeling of guilt if we don’t come up with the goods and a bored approach to deciding what to send and a ‘that will have to do’ attitude? Anna-Marie’s memory of the Chas and Dave ‘I wish I could write a love song’ CD posted through her letterbox, made her cringe until she listened to the lyrics: http://www.chasndave.com/lyrics/write_a_love_song.htmlIt was a millions miles more poignant and thought provoking than the last minute dash to buy flowers from the local petrol station.So what do you think is the most exciting thing about Valentine’s Day?Is it the anticipation of receiving anything at all, the anonymity of the giver, or the creativity of the thought behind it?

Specialist Services

Transform a room with our spectacular wall art, floor to ceiling vinyl graphics. Complete bespoke photographic artwork or design to whatever theme takes your fancy. Perfect for trendy bars, hotels, shop displays, nightclubs, waiting rooms or exclusive properties. For more information visit: www.spacebuss.com

Trade Bodies / Associations

Director and member of the West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Winner of Kent Business Awards 2008 - Creative Industry Award

Trading Since

2000