Sarah Kate Snyder is the owner of Studio Snyder, and one of our 10 branding specialists.  I love how smart and strategic Sarah Kate is!  She’s not just creating branding identity, she’s developing a marketing strategy for your business.  And, she’s just a super sweet person too!  Smart and sweet all rolled into one Sarah Kate.  OH – and check out the fab holiday guide she created for Pizzazzerie!

Sarah Kate Snyder
Studio Snyder
www.StudioSnyder.com
Established 2007
Designing since 2003

What is your design specialty?

I specialize in creating modern brands with a classic twist and applying them across a wide range of platforms, including social media. A strong visual identity can effortlessly transition from a twitter icon to a billboard, all while conveying the personality of the business behind it. I strive to make each design to stand out in today’s market, yet also have the capacity grow as the business continues to evolve. Although I particularly enjoy working with wedding industry professionals, my experience with clients across a variety of disciplines allows me to constantly incorporate new influences that make each project distinctive.

Describe your design style. How do you get inspiration?

My designs are very clean and sophisticated, but always have a friendly splash of color. When designing a logo, I like to incorporate more than just fancy text by adding a signature icon that can function as a stand-alone representation of the brand. Much of my inspiration is drawn from beautiful typography, but I am also strongly influenced by photography and architecture. I am particularly drawn to the classical wrought iron decor and intricate trim on historical buildings; I never leave home without my camera just in case I see something wonderful!

What is the process like to work with you?

Great conversation, open exchange of ideas, and an “anything is possible” mindset are the starting point for building our designer-client relationship. I like for my clients to think of me as an in-house design & marketing resource – always just an email or a phone call away before, during, and after your project is complete. Each project is custom-tailored to suit your business and grow your brand, which means anything IS possible!

Give 3 tips on what a small business should do before they hire a designer.

1. Do your research. Earmark a few companies (both within and outside of your industry) whose brands you admire, and identify the specific elements you like about them. Do they have a captivating, colorful logo or a witty, educational blog? Perhaps they excel at engaging their customers on Facebook or Twitter in a unique way. Think about what draws you to the companies you’ve identified and consider how best to incorporate those attractive qualities into your new brand.

2. In addition to defining your existing customer, also define your ideal customer. This is a natural time to evaluate whether your branding goals are firmly aligned with your business goals. Go back and study the lifestyle preferences of your most desired customers and strive to visually emulate those sensibilities in the development of your new look. As the saying goes, “Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want!”

3. Know your strengths. What qualities or services define your business, and what differentiates you from everyone else in your field? The answers to these questions should be emphasized through your company’s look, style, tone and presence across every medium (ie: printed materials, website, social media, and email marketing). A consistent, focused brand will capture your target audience at first glance and distinguish your business from the great sea of vendors in the wedding industry.

Featured work from Studio Snyder…

1 – Pizzazzerie’s 2010 Holiday Gift Guide – Design and layout of online magazine

2 – Big Charities – Logo design with branding and naming guidance.

3 – Universal – Development of comprehensive re-branding, advertising and social media platforms, with ongoing email marketing and social media campaigns.