Q2 2019

12 | Q2 2019 The world has never been more connected and, similarly, it has never been easier to expose your business to the markets that matter the most. After all, the online marketplace is a wonderful thing indeed, but, the question remains – how do you make your company stand out from the masses? To be recognised as different, unusual, and unique? Branding. Good branding can be that crucial differentiator, that small factor that stops a would-be client in their tracks and compels them over your threshold – be it in a very literal way, or not. A strong visual identity has become one of the most powerful tools in a company’s arsenal, so it pays to invest in it. This is where Original Nutter Design comes in, as Bo explains in more detail. “We work with small businesses to develop their visual identity. Typically, that would start with a bespoke logo design, which would then be used as a cornerstone for other designs. We work on all things from traditional print to web and online. As all of our own marketing focuses on logo design, I would argue that it is our specialism -where we excel. That said, as a team, we each have our own focus. For example, Chris would typically work on most logo projects, whereas I would work on web.” Experts in Revitalising Your Brand’s Image Original Nutter Design is an award-winning design firm of experts in designing visually engaging logos and promotional material for businesses. We spoke with Owner, Bo Beaumont to find out more about his company, their work and what the future has in store for the greater design industry. Most of Original Nutter’s clients are start-ups looking to solidify a strong brand message from the beginning – realising early on that it is important to capitalise on every advantage. As a 100% online business, as Bo explains, they have far less overhead when compared to more traditional brick and mortar design houses. “That means we can give the same quality service at more affordable price tags. That is important when working with start-ups as budgets vary, so we try our best to accommodate by offering different levels of service. As we aim to establish long-term client partnerships it is rewarding to see our clients grow over time.” This is especially impressive when you consider that Original Nutter Design is comprised of four people, who all play a vital role in the ongoing development of the business. “I am exclusively the client-facing side of the business. That is, in part, because it’s the easiest way for me to ensure a consistently good client experience, but also because it is so hard to let go! Another positive of that is that Chris and the others can focus entirely on design, which is what they want to do. Plus, as cliché as it is, we’re all essential cogs in a well- oiled machine. Everyone plays an important role that contributes the success of a project.” The conversation soon turns to greater developments in the industry. Of particular note is the looming presence of artificial intelligence and automation, who look set to trigger a paradigm shift in the design sector in the not too distant future. Bo takes a moment to emphasise that, he believes, human-created designs will never be matched by computer-generated ones. “Automation is an exciting area across most industries, offering numerous benefits in every day life. Of course, there is that ‘darker side’ represented by worker redundancy. In design, we’re already seeing ‘AI’ generated products. Type in “logo maker” in Google and you’ll see countless examples of automated DIY programmes that will create a logo for you. Granted, they are always shockingly bad, soulless designs, but, will they be better in ten years? Almost definitely. Will they ever be as creative as a professional trained designer? I find it hard to believe. If anything, I think automation will force businesses in the creative industry to focus on higher-end services which produce better work as a way to compete against a rising tide of lower quality AI driven design. Only time will tell.” Bo comes to the end of the interview with a call to action to small business owners looking to revitalise their visual image for 2019. “There have been some pretty contentious rebrands in the last year: Slack and ASOS to name two prominent ones and LUFC – for any Leeds readers – although that never came to pass after huge fan backlash. We said after each that we’re 100% sure we could do better. So, for the remainder of 2019, we challenge SME News readers that are toying with the idea of updating a tired brand to get in touch. We’ll even give an exclusive discount. ” Name: Bo Beaumont Address: Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Website: https://originalnutterdesign.co.uk Telephone: 0333 050 1245