Our Journal
We believe in order to change the world we must always be open to new ideas.
Peruse our best practices for marketing and design, musings about the world, tips on running ethical and sustainable businesses, and much more. We think it’s important to note that we believe in the continual learning, growth, and stretching of our minds and worldviews. With that in mind, our viewpoints may shift over time.
We ask that you not only welcome this but do the same.
Embracing Fresh Starts in Your Business’ Brand Identity
After 12 moves across countries and continents, I’ve learned that change—while scary—is a powerful catalyst for growth. The same is true in business. A brand refresh can transform how you see your business and how others experience it.
How My Empathy Makes Me a Better Designer for Nonprofits
When I left my cushy advertising design job to pursue nonprofit work, that’s when I really realized how deeply I cared. But over the years and late nights pushing pixels for big Ad, I realized something: I hated it. I wanted to feel like my work was making a difference.
Balancing Representation and Imagination in Icon Design
Icons can go beyond literal representation to strike a powerful balance between symbolism and imagination, evoking emotion, telling a story, and sparking curiosity in branding.
What’s the Cost of Design on your Organization?
When we say “cost of design” we don’t mean these literal costs like your transactional expenses. We mean what you’re not getting due to poor or less-than-adequate design.
The Power in Original Art and Design in Storytelling
Come watch me illustrate this dragon for my annual Chinese New Year party invite while I talk to you about originality in art + design.
Our Favorite Brand Identity Projects of 2023
At Sereth Design we are honored to have worked with some incredible clients whose work inspires us daily. Getting the opportunity to design their websites and refine their digital corner of the world is a honor and responsibility we do not take lightly. Here are our favorite brand identities launched this year.
Elevate Your Brand with Effective Presentation
Capturing the attention of your audience is more crucial than ever. While having a good idea or mission is the foundation of your business, without effective communication and a strong visual presentation of your offerings, your brand can fall short. In this newsletter, we'll explore the relationship between design and copywriting, and how leveraging this dynamic duo can not only enhance the immediate impact of your brand but also contribute to its longevity.
How to Prune Your Brand / Website
As your business grows and evolves, it's important to regularly assess your brand and website to ensure they are properly aligned with your mission and vision. Here are some steps to help you prune your brand and website for maximum impact.
How I Became a Designer for Nonprofits
This is the story of how I, Esther (the founder + leader designer at Sereth Design), became a creative director and designer for nonprofits + brands that give a crap.
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Certification
Sereth Design, a full service graphic design, website design and development studio, is proud to announce national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Development Center - Midwest, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC Certification is the gold standard for women-owned business certification in the United States.
How to Know When You Need to Reevaluate Your Design System
Even the most well-designed systems can become outdated or ineffective over time, especially as audience expectations and preferences evolve.
Maintaining a Consistent Brand Image Through the Shifting Seasons
In the digital age, it’s super important to maintain a professional and consistent image at all times. Yes, even when you’re in the process of developing a new website or revitalizing your branding! Here are our best tips to maintaining a consistent brand through the changes.
How to Breathe New Life into Your Branding
There’s no better time than now to take another stab at the new year and breathe new life into your business and brand. You don’t actually need a date or a New Year to tell you when to refresh your brand; you just need to know when it’s time to.
How to Use Design to Make the World a Better Place
Good design can help people connect with people, inspire action, bring joy, and ultimately touch the planet.
When it’s Time to Create a Sub-Brand or Second Brand
As your brand grows and evolves you’ll likely experience the occasional growing pain in your branding. You may begin to ask yourself questions like, “should I create a sub-brand?” “what about a second business?” If you’re wondering where to take your branding from here, the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone!
Launching a New Brand: How to Celebrate Your Design
A brand launch is one of the most exciting and momentous parts of the branding process. To avoid critical mistakes and give your brand the buzz it deserves, you should be thoughtful about your brand launch.
Brand Workshops: What are They, and Does My Business Need One?
If you’re hoping to grow your business and establish yourself as a leader in your industry, you’ll need a strong brand. The best way to build one? Complete a brand workshop with your team, led by a branding professional. Here’s how it could help you!
Four Signs Your Business isn’t Ready to Invest in a Full Branding Process Yet
Most companies know that professional design and branding are essential to appearing credible and trustworthy to their customers. However, for various reasons, some businesses aren’t yet ready to invest in a full branding process. Here’s how to know when it’s time to hold off on investing in a full professional brand.
The Importance of Knowing Your Audience
To make your customers feel like your brand truly understands them, you first need to know your audience. Knowing your audience inside and out is crucial to successfully building a lasting relationship because it allows you to tailor your marketing and brand design directly to your customers.
Graphic Design vs. Brand Design
As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to grow your company. However, it can be hard to know what strategies you should prioritize first. For example, should you hire a designer, a brand manager, or both? Here’s how to know!