Journal
Notes on brands, packaging and getting products to market.
Practical guides from the studio — what we have learned designing identities, packaging and retail spaces, written for the people building the businesses.
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How do you know when it is time to redesign your packaging?
Packaging does not last forever. The signs that yours needs a refresh, and how to change it without losing the customers who already know you.
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What makes a great logo — and the beginner mistakes to avoid
The best logos share a handful of qualities. The weakest share a handful of mistakes. A practical checklist for judging your own.
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Redesigning your business website: when to do it and how to do it right
A website redesign is a chance to fix what is not working. The signs it is time, and a process that avoids the usual pitfalls.
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Hire a web designer or build it yourself? An honest comparison
Website builders have never been better. Designers have never been more accessible. Here is how to decide which route suits your business right now.
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Decided in a glance: how visual cues shape what people buy
Most shoppers never read your pack. They read its colour, shape and contrast in a second or two — and decide. Here is what they are actually picking…
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Barcodes for product businesses: what you need to know before you print
A barcode looks like a small detail. Get it wrong and a retailer can refuse your product. The essentials, explained simply.
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Switching to more sustainable packaging without losing the plot
Shoppers want less waste, and brands want to deliver it. Here is how to make a real improvement — without greenwashing, spoiling product or breaking the budget.
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Should your product business offer a subscription?
Subscriptions bring predictable revenue and loyal customers — for the right products. How to tell whether yours is one, and how to design the offer.
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Starting a specialty food business: six steps from kitchen to customer
Sauces, salsas, seasonings, sweets — specialty food is a rewarding category with real hurdles. Six steps that take a recipe to a real business.
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Shopify or WordPress? Choosing a website platform for a product business
Both are excellent. They are good at different things. How to decide which suits your product business today — and where it is heading.