Aw but in the end it IS image...maybe they have squeezed helvetica, but nice counters, chairs etc...that's IMAGE. What we sell is IMAGE, in limited media. We are pushing a message, but also...so is the condition of their building, the people who work there. It's all one working package that influences a person before they even taste the product. I believe for a restaurant to succeed, it requires both IMAGE and PRODUCT. They have to taste good....and look like their food (well, you know what I mean).
I actually want to write an article about businesses succeeding with a poor logo, as it's always the hardest customer to pitch to IMO.
But the place I am talking about is a craphole, no good furniture, lousy counter, cheap menu with handwritten items taped to the side... if the image is craphole, they got it... but it's not even a cheap craphole, it's kinda pricey.
The reason I bring it up is, I can design a really good logo, but if it's posted on crap with poor products, it's lipstick on a pig. I really push hard for a system....(logo, stationary, environment and sub out website) I rarely get that type of job. All I do is make things pretty, its the client who needs to make a big deal about their "brand" "image"... the start of it may be hiring me, but I only make it pretty and try to make it clever and inviting, but the client has to follow through with it.
I'm reminded why people wear t-shirts, it's all image, but it's their image or lifestyle, you just hit a nerve with them. One of the first things I designed as a freelancer many years ago, the design did not do all that well at first, the company gave it to some celebrity to wear and all the sudden the shirt was flying off the hangers, my client was pushing the product right.
I'm reminded of another thing... a lot of people on here treat business cards as throw-aways, I think of mine as a way to contact me. I don't just hand it out to anyone. When I do hand it out, they will get a verbal invitation to call me... most of you probably do that too, but I really believe in it otherwise I would not have made the investment in it... I have handed clients their new box of business cards, you usually get 2 reactions... one will toss the box aside and say goodbye, the others tear the box open like it's a Special Edition XBOX.. heck, I have even seen them sniff 'em. Who do you think is excited about their "brand" or image and will get the message out, that excitement is usually worth more than my design
The OP is showing a logo that may have some qualities, but he is showing something that only as 25 minute investment... that can, give a false sense of security, or more accurately, complacency on the designers end... there is no "real" reason for the client to bite.. it is good practice and you can open up discussion on adding wall, window, stationary and clothing graphics as part of the up-sell. But the effort deserves to be paid for, and more thought needs to be made on the designers end.
"This looks better than yours" is not a good sales technique...
