Big Brand System | Create a Multipurpose Graphic

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BIG BRAND TECHNIQUES

Create a Multipurpose Graphic

One graphic can carry the marketing load across a multitude of formats

I have a secret to share that most designers don't want you to know. Many of your marketing needs can be met by a single graphic if it's well-planned and carefully constructed.

A header graphic can do an admirable job of representing your company on your web site, newsletter, e-books, flyers and even ads. Using the same image across all of these items will go a long way toward unifying your company's graphic style.

What's a header graphic? Here are a few I've done recently:

The elements of a successful header graphic are:

A clear, easy-to-read company (or web site) name
A tag line that is no more than 7-8 words long
A graphic style that says something about your product or service

This one graphic, if it's done well, can sit at the top of a multitude of marketing pieces, tying them all together in one unified presentation. If there's one graphic you invest in for your business, make it a multipurpose one like a header graphic so you can put it to work in everything you do.

PAMELA WILSON
Big Brand System

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DESIGN SCHOOL

What's the Best Size for a Header Graphic?

To make the most of your header graphic, make it (or have it made) in a versatile size and format so that it's easy to repurpose.

If you plan to use it on the web, a graphic that's 960 pixels wide will be more than wide enough for most sites. Remember, it's easy to reduce the size of the graphic, but you may lose resolution if you try to enlarge it, so make it large to start, and reduce it if needed.

Create the graphic at print resolution, which is 300 dpi. Once you have a 960 pixel wide graphic at 300 dpi, you can reduce it as needed for print materials and for the web.

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Your company might be small, but your brand can be BIG. Well-designed marketing materials, whether they're in print or on the web, will help your business look professional, communicate effectively and sell more. That's what the Big Brand System is all about.

In 2010, the Big Brand System will offer an online course to teach small business owners to save money and have more control by creating their own marketing materials. To find out early about the course (and receive discounted pricing), sign up for the Big Brand System Early Notification List here.