ICM Creative

Author: ICMCreativeAdmin

What are spot colours?

Posted on by ICMCreativeAdmin
CMYK of not knowing where you RGB when it comes to spot colours?

Spot colours are very specific shades of a colour that match across multiple media including Print, Electronic, paint and textiles. These inks are specifically mixed or ground up to be a very specific shade, vibrancy and/or effect. They are often used where CMYK can not create such an effect (such as metallic ink) or where Brand consistency is vital.

There are many companies that specialise in maintaining standards and systems, one in particular is Pantone. This corporation set a standard and tolerance for their Pantone colour matching system. Different outlets – possibly even on different sides of the globe, can produce materials that when brought together will match in colour very closely. Often the name Pantone will be used in place of the term Spot Colour and will often have a code number (for example Pantone 072).

Pantone spot colour
Pantone spot colour
 Brand Guidelines and Accuracy

As part of a brand guideline, variations for both CMYK breakdowns (predominantly Print) and RGB (Electronic and on-screen breakdowns) are also listed by Pantone. These have been calculated to be the closest that CMYK or RGB can get to a true Spot Colour and often are very close to the original spot colour.

Alternatives and Advantages

The main advantage of adhering to a spot colour guidelines include a consistent experience for your brand. This can instil confidence in a brand who take that extra step to present themselves in this way. Maintaining a strong and consistent experience via your communication channels re-enforces your message.

Build Strength and Confidence in your Brand

Depending on your project a spot colour may be advantageous or sometimes even necessary for a particular project. Ask our team about how we can easily integrate consistency for your projects using spot colour knowledge.

How to survive a networking event

Posted on by ICMCreativeAdmin
Hello. My name is….

I don’t go to many networking events, so when I was invited to a networking lunch with a client I looked to the internet for support and encouragement.  Googling ‘networking icebreakers’ led me to some cringey (and borderline inappropriate) conversation openers so here’s my take on the whole affair, let’s learn this together!

  • Don’t eat (and if you don’t eat, also don’t drink wine)

If the event is serving food my advice is to eat beforehand. You’re there to meet people and give a good impression, not fill your face.

If you’re not convinced then this lunchtime eat your lunch with one hand, while also holding a drink, standing up, and constantly either talk or smile. Don’t forget to keep one hand free to shake hands too! Ha. Still not convinced? Do it in front of a mirror.

  • We’re British

This sounds like an excuse doesn’t it but I think it’s important to note that we are British people and even the most extrovert among us find this type of social/business setting a tad uncomfortable. Acknowledging this to each other could be a good icebreaker!

  • Read name badges before talking to the person

This isn’t very easy but it’s a lot easier than surreptitiously glancing down while talking and listening and maintaining eye contact. If you miss their name tell them or use the excuse of exchanging business cards ‘I’ve really enjoyed our chat – let’s exchange cards’.

  • Plan

It helps me if I read the attendee list first and check people out on LinkedIn. Sometimes you remember faces which is a good start, and sometimes they will have things in their profile that you can use as openers – even if it’s a mutual connection.

  • Ask the host for help

Don’t be apologetic about the reason we’re all there. We want to meet people to grow our businesses! If there’s someone there that you really want to meet, ask the host to introduce you.

  • Help each other

See someone wandering around not talking to anyone – help them! Ask if they are looking for anyone in particular – you might be able to make the introduction.

Comments and other tips gratefully received – email me or comment below, we’re all in this together!

PPMA Show 2017

Posted on by ICMCreativeAdmin

We were thrilled to work with clients Karmelle and Cama at this years’ PPMA Total Show at the NEC.

PPMA Total is the number 1 event for processing and packaging machinery, and it’s our second year of attending.

We worked with our clients to design and build impactful exhibition stands, taking the pressure off them so they could focus on being on-stand for the three day show (with all the energy that requires!).

We’ll be back at PPMA Total next year – though will more than likely be back at the NEC a few times before that!

How to choose your design agency

Posted on by ICMCreativeAdmin

Moving design agencies can be an unnerving activity, but one full of opportunity.  Here are our thoughts on why (and when) it’s worth considering, and how to make the process less bumpy.

(Note to existing clients: you shouldn’t need to read this – just skip to the blog entitled ‘we love our existing clients’).

  • Nice to meet you

We suggest meeting with agencies throughout the year (even if you currently have no intention of moving), to see what they are like. If you feel like you could work with them as people, and their skill set matches your requirements, then file their details away somewhere where you’ll remember them. Check back to their website periodically to catch up on their latest activities and if they really want to work with you, they will keep in touch with you too. That way if you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on a project, for whatever reason, you’ll have a good starting point.

  • Do you have that image we used on the 2005 brochure?

Well, no. Your existing agency will have past artwork from the year dot, some product photography and they know how you take your tea. It feels like a big task to change. Well, now’s the time to weigh up whether it is worth exploring other agencies – maybe make a list of pros and cons. Chances are any experienced agency (like, say, us!) will be well versed in making it a smooth transition.

  • But I have 10 agencies in my ‘prospective agency’ file!

Humm…do you really? This is where point 1 comes in handy. Have you met with all 10 of those agencies? Or have you just filed ‘Dear <insert name>’ emails away for that rainy day, without exploring that agency at all? If you’re ready to approach another agency but don’t know where to start then check them out online – do they tick some of your boxes in location/industry experience/people don’t look like a bunch of prima donnas…? If so then meet 2 or 3 of them and take it from there.

  • Ok, have a go

If you’ve met with an agency and you want to see what difference they would make, then give them a try on one project. See how they approach it, and what new ideas they bring. This is far better for a marketing manager/department and the agency then putting out a (fake) brief and getting a load of meaningless (albeit lovely) creative back. How in the world people evaluate agencies in that way remains a mystery.

If you are ready to take that tentative first step them give Louise a call on 0113 236 1707 and we can arrange to meet.

Welcome!

Posted on by ICMCreativeAdmin

You found us – hello!

After successfully navigating your way to this first blog post we expect you probably know how to browse the rest of our new site, so we’ll leave you to it.

Designing and writing this site has often been akin to running through treacle (writing about ourselves/blowing our own trumpet doesn’t exactly come naturally to us – we prefer to crack on creating work that works for our wonderful clients). Having said that it’s been great to take a few steps back and consider our collective strengths as an agency, review our work examples and plan for the future.

You will see that we have highlighted the key industries we continue to work in time and time again, and our service offering within the ‘What we do’ page has been streamlined. All with the view of making it easier for you to make your purchasing decision based on our specific areas of expertise. Remember we’ve been established since 2001, so if you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for just ask, if we haven’t done it ourselves we’ll know someone who has.

We want this blog to inform, inspire and motivate you, while also shining a light into life here at ICM (a torch, not a flood light – we don’t want to scare you). The information within may just improve your general knowledge, and come in handy when you find yourself needing an explanation as to why we request eps files and vector graphics (whatever they are!? Actually we do know – blog post to follow!), or why it’s so important to know the printer specs before we start your packaging design.

If you only take one thing away when looking through our site please let it be this: we’re a team of passionate people who love what we do, and we’re told we are great at it too.

The next step would be for us to meet.  We’re ready when you are.