Typography and illustration as effective marketing tools
Typography and illustration as effective marketing tools
By
Charlotte Mary Rose
This guide explores how hand-crafted lettering and illustration can make your brand stand out.
To be bespoke in communications is to be original, unique and to be different. Delivering communications in hand-crafted lettering and illustrations shows a distinct personality which is moulded specifically around, within and through a brand. Admittedly, stock imagery, photography or standard typefaces are quicker to attain and cheaper to produce, but when brands commission craft, the world can see and will know that someone, somewhere actually used their skill to create an identity for the brand.
An excellent example of how a fashion brand engaged its consumers into the craft behind their fashion line is French Connection’s current #SketchtoStore campaign. This was a collaborative project between French Connection, jelly animation, our illustrator Jo Bird, photographer Rankin and The Full Service. The campaign used bespoke fashion illustrations to express that someone, somewhere actually designed their Autumn/Winter collection in a studio.
As you can see in the sixty second animation designed by jelly’s animation experts below, French Connection used completely nude models, who Rankin captured in monochrome and Jo Bird dressed in ink in the Autumn / Winter collection. The models were then photographed wearing the actual pieces from the collection to create the final clip.
The style and execution of this animation reinforces French Connection’s brand and sense of humour and, in line with their previous FCUK campaigns, grabs attention and gets people talking.
A picture is worth a thousand words. As a photography student I quickly realised that imagery and moving imagery have the power, despite the perceivers’ language, to captivate, raise awareness, spark a reaction or concern and ultimately, (if the content is effective enough) trigger a response. Now whether this response is to directly endorse a brand with a ‘like’ or a ‘re-tweet’, offer up a donation or even make a sale is inconsequential. The fact is that when a brand crafts superior creative work, consumers respond.
There are a number of channels in which brands now seek consumer engagement including TVCs, social media, direct mail, digital banners, microsites and apps, in print campaigns, through radio, in-store window displays, pop-up shops, sponsored events, trade shows and live PR stunts which aspire to go viral on YouTube. Illustration, bespoke typography and animations can contour brand campaigns across each and every one of these channels allowing for tighter and more consistent brand identity and communications.
Another really interesting example of how hand-crafted artwork can captivate an audience and raise awareness about an issue or campaign is Not for Rental. In July, jelly London illustrators, Steve Scott, Damien Weighill and Steven Bonner got involved in Not For Rental which was a movie-inspired art exhibition, presented by Little White lies and curated by our friends Timba Smits and 'Flash' Gordon Shaw. Along with over 200 other talented artists, they each designed a one-of-a-kind classic VHS artwork.
These unique and signed pieces went on sale to the public and all the proceeds went to Macmillan and Art against Knives. The charities' profiles have elevated and a pro-active conscientious audience are now endorsing, contributing to and promoting the charities’ outstanding work.
There is something wholly nostalgic and emotive of our inner child when it comes to illustration and hand crafted lettering. People relate to it.
Handwritten sign-offs make a brand more personable. Our hand lettering artists like Alison Carmichael and Steven Bonner are perpetually creating bespoke typography which personifies particular brands and helps them stand out. Whether typography is designed and created in Photoshop, Illustrator or by hand, distinctive avatars and signature lock-ups can capture the imagination of your audience, no matter what the proposition, from online dating to the butter you choose to spread on your toast in the morning. Here is an example of Alison’s hand-crafted Anchor Butter hand lettering:
The increasing popularity of infographics in marketing is testament to the need for complex information to be broken down into a more user-friendly design. Consumers now expect simple but interesting, exquisitely crafted and approachable content. Whether you are presenting the London Stock Exchange’s annual report or a campaign outlining the benefits of organic produce, you can market your brand more effectively when you reveal your personality through bespoke design. See Tony Wilson’s illustrated infographic below:
Another benefit is that in today’s multi-cultural society, using an illustration or an animation in marketing reduces the opportunity for perceived discrimination.
It is also worth mentioning that despite the extra time and cost involved in bespoke communications, budgets for illustrations, typography and animated content vary due to the specifics of production. Concepts may need to be more complex in some circumstances, which may cost more. Services can be tailored to meet your needs, so don’t let your budget restrictions affect your creative aspirations and solutions. By bringing back craft you can create and communicate your personality more effectively. At every possible opportunity, aim to engage and stimulate your consumers visually and make it your mission to stand out with bespoke branding.
Charlotte Mary Rose (@CharleyMaryRose) is Head of Creative Communications at Jelly London, a unique production agency representing some of the finest creatives in the sector.