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Why is it so hard to hire a world-class Design Director in LA who's exceptional at building iconic brands? It's not what you may expect... Everyone wants to hire them. But not everyone can. Branding agencies want them. Advertising agencies want them. And in-house teams want them. The problem is... Which one of the above is going to future-proof my career as a design leader? I think most people presume in-house. The biggest companies in the world can offer some really big paycheques. But I think they might be underestimating the power of design agencies... Particularly design agencies that have always focussed on what they are exceptional at. Building unforgettable brands that pave the future of great design through experimentation, exploration and boundless creativity that the rest of us will actually see. Leading a team to create the best design work with global names and brands of the future, where every day is different and every day you're creating work that will make an impact on the world. At UNKNOWN I'm lucky enough to be working with a design agency that is truly at the very top of their game, and only getting better. Design Director LA BASED (Hybrid) sally@weareunknown.io

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📣 Colours Pivotal Role in Visual Merchandising     Color plays a crucial role in product display and marketing, as it can influence consumer perceptions, emotions, and purchasing decisions. Here are several ways color can be effectively employed to showcase products:   1. Brand Consistency: Use colors that align with your brand identity to reinforce brand recognition and consistency. Consistent use of colors across your products, packaging, and marketing materials can create a cohesive brand image.   2. Highlighting Features: Utilize contrasting colors to highlight key features or benefits of your products. For example, using a bright color for a product's unique selling point can draw attention and make it stand out on the shelf or webpage.   3. Creating Visual Hierarchy: Employ color to establish a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer's attention. Use bold, vibrant colors for important elements such as product names or promotions, and more subdued colors for secondary information.   4. Emotional Connection: Different colors evoke different emotions and associations. Understand the psychological effects of colors and choose hues that resonate with your target audience and the desired emotional response. For instance, warm colors like red and orange can create a sense of excitement and urgency, while cooler tones like blue and green can convey calmness and trust.   5. Cultural Considerations: Be mindful of cultural connotations associated with colors. Certain colors may have different meanings or symbolism across cultures. Research to ensure that the colors you use are appropriate and resonate positively with your target audience.   6. Creating Contrast: Contrast can help products stand out and grab attention. Pairing complementary colors or using light and dark shades can create visual interest and enhance the visibility of your products.   7. Seasonal and Trend Adaptation : Keep up with seasonal trends and adapt your color schemes accordingly. For example, incorporating seasonal colors or themes can make your products feel current and relevant to consumers.   8. Aesthetic Appeal : Ultimately, the colors you choose should enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your products and create a visually pleasing display. Consider factors such as color harmony, balance, and proportion to create an attractive and engaging presentation.   By strategically employing color in product display, you can effectively communicate your brand identity, highlight key features, evoke desired emotions, and ultimately attract and engage consumers.

What if I tell you that you can create a premium visual merchandising experience for your online business? In the last post we discussed how visual merchandising can effectively contribute to creating a premium brand experience. But what if your business is only online and doesn’t have a store? Well you can create the same magic through your digital experience as well! ☑️ Clean, Minimalistic Web Design- A premium brand’s website is often marked by a clean, uncluttered design. Think of it as the online equivalent of a high-end boutique where every product gets its own space, allowing it to shine. Too many popups are a big NO. Don’t overwhelm visitors with too many elements or options. Simplicity creates a sense of elegance and luxury. Simple means neat here, and not boring :) ☑️ Use HD media- Whether it is pictures or videos, the quality should be top-notch. Whether you are shooting it yourself or downloading copyright free media, there should be no compromise on the quality. Even better if the images are very unique and not easily resembles other designs you usually see over the internet. ☑️ Immersive interactive elements- Just because you're online doesn’t mean you can’t provide an immersive experience. Incorporating interactive features like 360-degree product views, virtual try-ons, or zoom-in functions helps customers engage with your products as if they were in a physical store. This extra attention to detail makes the experience feel more premium. ☑️ Consistent Branding- Your premium brand image needs to be consistent across your website, social media, emails, and even your customer service. From fonts and color schemes to tonality and design language, every element should feel cohesive and refined. ☑️ Exclusive, limited access Scarcity drives exclusivity in luxury branding, and this tactic can work just as well online. Consider offering limited-time drops, exclusive collections, limited slots left or pre-orders to create a sense of urgency and privilege. Your customers will feel like they’re part of something special, enhancing the perception of your brand’s exclusivity. You don’t need a physical store to express exclusivity. You can create just the experience with the right strategies and command a higher value. If in case you’re unable to navigate, let us work together and create that positioning for you! DM for your digital media needs! By the way, what else do you think can add to a premium brand image for online businesses? #aashified #branding #marketing #founder #linkedinforcreators

🔔 Visual Merchandising It plays a crucial role in attracting customers, creating memorable experiences, and ultimately driving sales. Here are some effective tips for enhancing your visual merchandising: 1. Know Your Target Audience: Understand the demographics, preferences, and buying behavior of your target customers. Tailor your visual merchandising strategies to appeal to their tastes and needs. 2. Create a Strong Theme or Story: Develop a cohesive theme or narrative for your displays that resonates with your brand identity and the products you offer. This could be based on seasons, trends, cultural events, or any other relevant theme. 3. Prioritize Product Placement : Highlight your best-selling or high-margin products by placing them at eye level or in prominent areas of your store. Use strategic positioning to guide customers through your space and encourage exploration. 4. Use Lighting Effectively: Lighting can dramatically impact the mood and ambiance of your store. Experiment with different lighting techniques to accentuate products, create focal points, and evoke desired emotions. 5. Utilize Color Psychology: Incorporate colors that evoke the desired emotions and align with your brand personality. Consider the psychological effects of different colors on consumer behavior when designing your displays. 6. Keep Displays Fresh and Updated: Regularly refresh your displays to keep them engaging and relevant. Rotate products, change props, and update signage to maintain customer interest and encourage repeat visits. 7. Focus on Visual Balance and Harmony: Pay attention to the principles of design such as balance, proportion, and symmetry when arranging your displays. Aim for a visually pleasing layout that draws customers in and makes it easy for them to navigate your store. 8. Tell a Story with Props and Visual Elements: Incorporate props, signage, and other visual elements to tell a compelling story about your products or brand. Create immersive experiences that captivate customers and leave a lasting impression. 9. Offer Interactive Elements : Integrate interactive elements such as touchscreen displays, product demonstrations, or experiential zones to engage customers on a deeper level and encourage interaction with your products. 10. Maintain Cleanliness and Organization: Ensure that your store is clean, organized, and clutter-free at all times. A well-maintained environment enhances the overall shopping experience and reflects positively on your brand image.

Unlocking Retail Success with Visual Management: Lessons from a Shoe Store Visual Management isn't just for factories and warehouses—retailers can benefit immensely from it too. I’m not a retail expert, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express (LOL)… Seriously, I have 15 years as a Retail Business Manager while with Canada Post, before my Lean Six Sigma training, so retail isn’t foreign to me. During a recent visit to a shoe store, I noticed several opportunities for enhancing visual effectiveness to drive consumer behaviour, considering my experience with visual management and my desire to purchase new sneakers. Here are a few key areas of improvement I felt might apply in this store to make my shopping experience more efficient: Clear Labeling and Signage: The current setup lacked clear labels and signs to guide customers to different sections or highlight promotions. Implementing eye-catching, well-placed signage can make it easier for shoppers to find what they’re looking for and draw attention to featured products or sales. Strategic Product Placement: Shoes were, in my opinion, displayed in a somewhat random order. Organizing products by categories such as type, brand, or purpose (e.g., running, casual, formal) can help customers navigate the store more efficiently and find products that meet their specific needs. Color Coding: Utilizing color coding for different sections or product categories can enhance visual appeal and simplify the shopping experience. For instance, using different colored backdrops or shelves for different shoe types can make the display more intuitive and engaging. Interactive Displays: Adding interactive elements, such as digital kiosks that provide product information, customer reviews, or sizing guides, can enrich the shopping experience and assist customers in making informed decisions. I suppose I could use AI for that before I entered the store. Lighting: Adjusting the lighting to highlight key products and areas can significantly impact customer attention. Proper lighting can enhance the visibility of products and create a more inviting shopping environment. Some stores master this! Clean and Tidy Displays: Ensuring that displays are neat and products are organized can make a big difference. Cluttered or disorganized displays can overwhelm customers and detract from the shopping experience. Sort of a 5S for the shoes. By applying these Visual Management principles, retailers can create a more engaging and efficient shopping environment that not only attracts customers but also enhances their overall experience, leading to increased satisfaction and sales. What do you think? Have any examples of good visual management outside of manufacturing you can share? I’d enjoy hearing about them. #VisualManagement #RetailSuccess #CustomerExperience #ContinuousImprovement

Generalist vs. Specialist: What Does Today’s Job Market Seek More? As industries and technologies transform, professionals and hiring managers alike are asking: who brings more value to the table, a generalist or a specialist? 🔫Generalists have a broad range of skills and knowledge, adaptable to various roles and environments. They connect the dots across different disciplines and navigate complex projects with versatility. 🏹Specialists possess deep expertise in a particular area. Their in-depth knowledge and skills make them invaluable in roles requiring high levels of precision and technical proficiency. Specialists drive innovation and excellence through their focused expertise. 🌄My Journey as a Generalist Reflecting on my career as a Creative Director, Fashion Stylist, Graphic Designer, Visual Merchandiser, and Photo Retoucher, I’ve come to appreciate the immense value that a generalist skill set can offer. 🛠Versatility and Adaptability: Throughout my career, I’ve navigated roles in fashion styling, graphic design, visual merchandising, and photo retouching. This versatility has allowed me to seamlessly transition between different functions, adapting quickly to new challenges. For example, as a Fashion Stylist at Maison DNA, I'm not only styling, but photographing, editing and retouching as well all for the same project. 💡Holistic Problem-Solving: As a generalist, I’ve often found myself in positions where a broad perspective is crucial. By drawing on knowledge from various domains, I’ve approached problems holistically, identifying innovative solutions that might not be immediately apparent to specialists. My ability to connect the dots has been instrumental in driving projects forward and achieving organizational goals. 💹Leadership and Team Dynamics: In my role as Creative Director and Co-Owner at Maison DNA, my generalist background has enabled me to effectively address business needs with diverse skill sets. Owning a retail business requires more than just management but requires visual merchandising, buying, marketing, branding and so much more. 📖Continuous Learning and Growth: Embracing new challenges and acquiring skills across different areas has kept my career dynamic and engaging. This continuous learning process has not only enhanced my professional development but also equipped me to anticipate and adapt to industry changes more effectively. Conclusion: Embracing Versatility In today’s job market, the demand for generalists and specialists varies by industry and role. However, as my journey illustrates, being a generalist offers unique advantages that can drive career success and organizational value. By embracing versatility, continuous learning, and holistic problem-solving, generalists can thrive and make significant contributions in any professional landscape. Join the Discussion What are your thoughts on the generalist vs. specialist debate? Share your experiences below! Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

Visual merchandising is a crucial aspect of retail and one of the most commonly asked question is "What role does color psychology play in visual merchandising for Indian consumers?" As a VM professional, discussing the role of color psychology in the context of Indian consumers is integral. It is a powerful tool that influences emotions, perceptions, and purchasing decisions, especially in a diverse and culturally rich market like India. 1 Cultural Significance In India, colors hold deep cultural and symbolic meanings. For instance, red signifies auspiciousness, passion, and celebration, whereas yellow represents prosperity and positivity. Incorporating these colors into visual displays can resonate strongly with consumers, tapping into their cultural beliefs and emotions. Example- Red's Compelling Allure It symbolize auspiciousness and vitality and data shown a potential increase in impulse purchases by up to 25% if brands tactically incorporate red during festive seasons according to research by Colorcom. Opulence in Yellow and Gold Studies by the Institute of Color Research reveal that colors like yellow and gold can influence purchase decisions by nearly 45%. Brands like Fabindia, strategically utilize these hues to evoke opulence and cultural heritage, resonating with luxury-seeking consumers. Green for Trust and Sustainability Nielsen's Global Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility suggests that around 73% of consumers in India are willing to pay 20% more for sustainable goods. 2 Brand Identity and Positioning: The chosen color scheme should align with a brand's identity and the message it aims to convey. Luxury brands might leverage rich, sophisticated colors to communicate exclusivity, while youth-centric brands may opt for vibrant, trendy hues to appeal to their target audience. 3 Tailoring Color Strategies to the Indian Market Crafting effective visual merchandising strategies in India demands a nuanced understanding of color preferences across regions and demographics. For instance: Regional Variations: Different regions in India attach varying significance to colors. While red signifies auspiciousness in North India, South India often favors vibrant shades like orange and magenta. Youthful vs. Traditional Preferences: The younger demographic might resonate more with bold and trendy colors, while older generations might incline towards traditional hues with cultural connotations. 4 Utilizing Data and Feedback Data analysis and consumer feedback play a vital role. Tracking sales based on color variations, conducting A/B testing in-store, or analyzing online engagement metrics related to color choices can provide valuable insights into what resonates best with Indian consumers. Visual merchandising isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s a strategic tool rooted in psychology. Understanding and harnessing the influence of colors in the context of Indian consumer behavior is the brushstroke that paints successful retail experiences.

Hey designers! Do you also think that B2B shouldn't be Boring-2-Boring? Join us for €4200-5000/month, and let's bring creativity to B2B! 🔥 We're looking for a Senior Graphic Designer / Art Director to create eye-catching visuals for our clients, some of the largest Nordic B2B companies. Here's what you'll be doing with us: ▪️ Designing concepts and ads for clients across digital channels and formats ▪️ Creating & pitching solutions that solve creative challenges and improve advertising performance ▪️ Working with seriously talented and accomplished marketers ▪️ Learning a lot. I feel like my knowledge is challenged every day ▪️ Having fun and building the best B2B agency together with The F Company and Precis. Sounds good? See the link in comments for more about what we offer you & expect in return. 👇 And if you know a great designer who wants to challenge the status quo, please share this with them. 🙌 #rekry #hiring P.S. If you didn't spend your pre-internet childhood in MS Paint, you don't even know what you're missing

What you need to know when hiring a brand designer