Though more and more businesses realize they need a website in today’s at your finger tips online information age, there is still a lot of misconception that surrounds having one. A major misconception is that “once I have a website, the money’s just going to start rolling in.” That’s just not the case in most instances. If you do nothing to promote the website, it ends up being like home gym equipment: It’s there, but nobody’s using it. What we tell people is that you ... Continue Reading

For the second consecutive year, LogoLounge has recognized Effusion for brand design excellence.

OK so we're tooting our own horn, but we're proud of what we do here and being recognized in your industry to what a panel of international judges judging over 30,000 logo submissions and considering your work "solid design" is worth a mention. Below is one of the two logos that made it into the book.

Many clients are resistant to change.

When we have a client approach us for one type of project we often will suggest the idea of rebranding if a mark looks unprofessional or just isn't inline with today's standards of logo design. The first thing we hear is "oh no, can't do that — our logo is everywhere and. . .my wife created this years ago and everyone loves it."

Yes but is it effective? Does it do for you now what it did 5 or 10 years ago when your business was in its infancy?

Can your brand be carried through to every ... Continue Reading

These ads should all all be titled "Yeah Just Like That."

Yes, I'm a devote lamb following Apple every where they go, but aside from that, I have to share with you how creative I thought one of their most recent ads were for a product called Shazam. The last dozen or so TV ads have featured a theme song playing in the background just wallpaper music to accent the spot. Well Shazam is a very cool application (I can vouch for it — it works everywhere from the car to a Starbucks to a noisy restaurant — pretty amazing) ... Continue Reading

When Metallica set out to create a themed branded identity for their 1st album in 5 years they wanted a huge visual impact. Because the music industry is in a huge flux these days the band realized it needed to approach this album in a more creative way. Turner Duckworth (who've worked with giants such as Amazon.com and Coca-Cola) were tapped for the challenge and the end result was nothing less than spectacular. Using strong iconography and branding it across everything from t-shirts and cell phone screens ... Continue Reading

When it comes to reputation and longevity in the business Pentagram is clearly a design deity. Clean and well thought out design is something that precedes their work. You hear the name and think yes. . .pure quality and creativity without compromise. Their talents run the gamut from branding to architecture and they've left their mark on giants like Saks 5th Avenue to Harley Davidson. If there's ever a design firm (and that term seems a disjustice to their organization) that Effusion aspires to ... Continue Reading

Obama's marketing campaign was a well oiled machine, in touch with the youth, in touch with today's technology and very "now" in terms of interacting with today's new media to get his message out.

What's even more amazing about Obama's image is his brand. In a market watch article it states that the Obama symbol of hope logo has stronger momentum than both Google and iPhone which is a feat in and of itself and speaks volumes to the importance of creating a unique, memorable mark that people can not ... Continue Reading

A huge huge campaign that was based upon sarcastic reverse psychology was very well done. They took between 30-50 entertainment personalities to prove a point. That point being to not do anything, not to vote because why would it make a difference, why would one person or a dozen people make a difference in an election. Well it did.

The message got out and people like never before who have never seen a voting booth went out to vote.

... Continue Reading

We’ve all heard the term “spring cleaning,” but being a transplant from the East Coast to the Phoenix, Arizona area has altered my schedule for this ritual of clearing out closets and deep cleaning. Here, we wait for cooler weather to set in, which is right on the border of the start of the holiday season (Halloween through to the New Year). It made me think of some of our past and in-progress clients who have taken action to update and “refresh” their branding, and with it their ... Continue Reading

Like everywhere around the country, here in Chandler, Arizona we see businesses closing up shop all around us. My son works at Jamba Juice, and when I was picking him up yesterday someone came in saying the Pizza shop next door closed down. I proceeded to ask the general manager of Jamba Juice how their store is being effected by the downturn in the economy. She told me their sales were actually up from last year, and attributed it to Jamba Juice’s corporate commitment to providing slower stores with more marketing ... Continue Reading