About Me
My name is Marco Suarez. I'm a designer, fine artist, photographer, & musician. I love turning chaos into order. I love creating beauty. I'm not an artist or entrepreneur for the sake of making money, achieving grandeur, or snobbery. I want to contribute to this world, not take from it. I take pride in my work and treat each client with dignity and honesty. And I give each project my full attention and seek to solve each problem with the best solution in my ability. I have yet to have a client dissatisfied with my services. I only work with clients I believe hold the same ethics and passion about their business as I hold for mine.
My faith is what guides and controls me. We are all in submission to different things and I picked Jesus Christ. To some it sounds foolish but it makes perfect sense to me. I would not want to have faith in anything that is created or that has an expiration date. I have yet to find something here on this earth that truly satisfies me, so as C.S. Lewis said, I guess I was meant for somewhere else.
Branding is perception. How does your audience perceive you? How do you want to be perceived? This perception is the reputation, emotional response, and expectations your audience has of you. Every business has a brand (or perception) whether or not it is intentional. If you've never thought through your brand, your branding is telling your audience that you're not thought through. The reason why we designers place so much emphasis on your branding is because you have the ability to influence the perception of your business through things like your name, logo, business card, print materials, website, and your store-front. Branding tells your audience what your vision is, how to value your product or services, and what your purpose is for even existing. How are you being perceived? Is it accurate?
The first impression you give someone is the perception that person will have of you indefinitely until you intervene to change it. And it is more work to change that perception later than it is to make sure your first impression was right in the first place. Business' whose branding is off-target will have to work harder and advertise more to influence their perception than a business who's branding is on-target from the get go. Though proper branding will cost more initially, it will have a greater return and will cost less in the long run.
Any parent will tell you that consistency is vital to raising well-rounded children. The same goes with your audience. Nike, Apple, and Target did not get to the point where they can leave their logo off their advertising without being extremely consistent with their branding. Though you may not have the size of Apple, you can be just as consistent as they are. Every page on your website, every book shelf, every brochure has the opportunity to tell your audience something about you. Be shrewd. Turn every "utilitarian necessity" into a branding investment.
Logo
Your logo says who you are, what you do, and what you're like in a creative and recognizable way.
Identity
Business Cards, letterhead, envelopes, signage, and store design are all part of your identity.
Website
Websites help with the perception of legitimacy, they inform, they are your point of sale, and they advertise. They are one of the most important avenues that your audience will use.
Print
Print materials like, brochures, catalogs, direct mail pieces, etc, inform your audience of aspects of your business.
It is always good to know your limits. And though I am talented in some arenas, I am not in others. And for your benefit, here are some of my limitations.
I am not a copywriter
Though I can inform you what will work and what won't or help brainstorm, I am not a copywriter. The content in your website and print pieces is too valuable to just fumble through. It is never a bad investment to hire a copywriter. They are an invaluable resource.
I am not an SEO guru
SEO (search engine optimization) has many levels many of which I do not have the calling to delve into. I do set up every website I create to be organically SEO friendly. But I do not guarantee that you will be at the top of every search engine page. But I can refer you to those who can help.
I am not a marketing expert
I can give you educated counsel on what I think may help drive sales, and how your branding will influence the bottom-line. But ultimately, I cannot be responsible for the health of your sales. Marketing consultants have the ability to see the full-scope of your business and can inform you on direction and content. And a good consultant is invaluable.
Branding is my bag. It is what I'm passionate about and what I can help you with. I will give you 110% of my efforts to make sure what I create for you is on-target and will be a wise investment for you. I highly respect business owners and entrepreneurs. It is not an easy task and it is not for everyone. But if you have been given the gift of ownership of an awesome business then let me communicate that through your branding.
