Over 30 years ago, the United Nations defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In 2021, sustainable living is more important than ever.

Every day, you make choices that impact the environment, the climate, and other living things around you. While it’s important to make an individual choice to reduce your carbon footprint, businesses and corporations going green will have a much more significant impact.

Sustainable business practices are no longer an option—they are imperative for all business owners. Climate scientists have sounded the alarm for years, and people worldwide need to take action today.

Here are some changes you can make for your business to become more sustainable:

1. Build a Sustainability Strategy

Change should come from within, which is why it should be the main priority on all levels of your business, starting from top management. Sustainability should be integrated into your overall business strategy and must be stated clearly in your business goals.

Sustainability is not an overnight change and it will take a tremendous amount of effort. You need a clear plan of action that will shift most, if not all, of your current business practices to a positive direction. Besides your business model, developing sustainability policies concerning your workers is an important step as well. For sustainability to last in the long term, everyone should contribute to its success.

3. vendors & suppliers

Each year, more and more businesses and organisations embrace sustainable practices. Working exclusively with environmentally friendly vendors and suppliers will expand your impact on the environment. Partnering with like-minded business owners, lets you help each become better stewards for the. Highlighting these partnerships with your customers makes them more inclined to spend money on your products and services.

5. Stop Using Single-Use Products

Workplaces generate a lot of waste every year. There’s no longer any excuse to continue using single-use products when there are so many affordable and effective alternatives out there. Do an audit of your office supplies and swap them out for sustainable options.

Conclusion

Sustainability should not fall on one individual’s shoulders. If businesses and corporations worldwide employ sustainable business practices, conserving natural resources and ensuring a healthy world for future generations will become a reality.

If you’re on the hunt for businesses that prioritise sustainable practices and are passionate about ocean conservation, look no further. 55 Knots is an unlimited graphic design service in Australia that can help you make an impact. We offer premium output without unnecessary spending. Sign up for one of our design subscription services and get a 7-day free trial today

Almost every industry today can benefit from creative assistance when it comes to their marketing materials. Sure, some industries do get by with only minimal efforts in their creative design and marketing efforts, but some industries need more than that. Are you one of them? 

Here are some of the industries that need creative assistance the most: 

1. Advertising and Marketing

You might be surprised to see these two industries here, considering they are the ones who provide creative assistance to all industries today. This is because they could use the help of other design firms and freelancers to supplement their design staff. Having extra hands to work on projects can help their firms meet their deadlines and their clients’ deadlines when their design staff is loaded. 

2. Products Manufacturing and Packaging

Think about all the packaging created for some of the biggest brands today, and you will realise why this is one of the industries that need creative assistance the most. The industry hires the most full-time graphic designers because their turnaround times tend to be quick and time-sensitive; the industry needs design firms over freelancers to meet their needs. 

3. Textbook and Magazine Publishing

Despite the decline in employment in this industry, they are still not letting go of quality design. The only difference is that the industry has switched to working with freelance artists and designers to create their design. By doing so, it leaves the industry with reduced costs as they no longer need to pay full-time designers. Even though it is known that printed publication is dying, it remains to be one of the industries today that require creative assistance. 

4. Motion Picture and Video

The motion picture and video industry is not a surprise as the nature of the industry requires a high number of creative professionals. In addition to that, the industry has boomed over the past few years to the point that video has become a huge ranking factor in the digital world. 

5. Specialized Design

You will be surprised that the industry of specialised design has a high number of designers. This is because the industry covers a wide range of businesses, and all of them need design services. Moreover, the industry includes interior and industrial design and graphic design. 

Get Creative! 

Creative assistance and graphic design is required in all industries. However, the industries that we listed here are the ones that need the most creative help. 

Keep in mind: creative assistance isn’t only about getting help with logo design, business cards, brochures, etc. It’s also about getting help in graphics that you will post on your social media pages, blogs and websites. Moreover, this includes traditional marketing efforts like direct mail pieces, magazine ads and newspaper publications. 

Conclusion

Are you in one of the industries listed above? Even if you’re not, and you need creative assistance, you’re in luck. There are many creative firms out there to help you out, and finding the right company that suits your needs is crucial. When you find the right creative firm, you can guarantee that you will get the most innovative team that can boost your brand. 

55 Knots offers affordable graphic design services in Australia. Get our on-demand graphic design subscriptions. Reach out to us today for more information!

The COVID-19 outbreak brought uncertainty to many businesses. Although 2020 was an incredibly challenging phase for every business, now that we’re a year into the pandemic, we’re still far from going back to normal. 

Since online selling has become the go-to for many consumers, many businesses, including your own, may have had to create a website on a whim. And now that we’re a year into the pandemic and we have a better grasp of the e-commerce world, you might’ve realised that it’s time to give your website that much-needed makeover. 

Giving your website a revamp is a good investment since it can reduce your site’s bounce rate, push people to try your products and services, and improve your online reputation. 

For this reason, it’s best to invest and work with a creative agency like 55 KNOTS who offers graphic design subscription services. This way, all your digital and graphic needs will be up-to-date, and your e-commerce website will thrive in the competitive landscape. 

If you’re thinking of giving your website a new look, read on. Here are some pandemic-safe, sustainable tips that could help with your e-commerce revamp. Let’s take a look!

Tip #1: Know Customer Expectations

Now more than ever, it’s important that you put your customers first and understand their expectations. Consumer behaviour is much different now, and people are more comfortable buying stuff online. 

With that being said, you must grab their attention right away and practice design techniques that will push them to remain on your site. Remember — competition is hot, and the digital marketplace is saturated. When your customers aren’t happy with your site, they’ll most likely bounce to another competitor. 

Tip #2: Don’t Sleep on Your Graphics and Template

Last year, you probably worked with what you had and produced a website that isn’t of high quality. But now that you know the importance of a well-designed website, you need to ensure that you put time and effort into every element. 

For this reason, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the latest graphic design trends and what the market is doing today. We’re living in a visually-driven world, and because of that, it will help if you purchase graphic design subscription services to ensure that you have quality design output on your site.

Tip #3: Optimise Your Website

Sure, you may have the best graphics and illustrations on your website, but did you optimise your site? Failing to optimise your site could lead to a plethora of problems, such as slow loading speeds, website crashing, and more. When this happens, don’t be surprised if your customers leave your site. 

Because of this, it’s vital to prioritise website optimisation while you give your website a revamp. With an optimised website, you’ll be able to improve user experience, which could ultimately do loads to your business’s sales and reputation.

The Bottom Line: Why Should You Revamp Your E-Commerce Shop During These Times?

Seeing that we won’t be going back to pre-pandemic normal anytime soon, your business must stay with the times. With that being said, revamping your website to ensure that it operates fully in a time where everything has gone digital is crucial. 

Fortunately, website and graphic solutions are more accessible now, thanks to high-quality graphic design subscriptions. This way, you’ll always have the best-looking website with premium performance, allowing you to thrive in a saturated digital landscape. 

Are You Looking for Affordable Graphic Design Services?

Business owners wear many hats, but when it comes to creative demands, it’s best to leave it to professionals. 

55 KNOTS is one of Australia’s leading creative agencies that offer on-demand graphic design subscriptions. Sign up for a free trial today and start giving your website that much-needed makeover!

The most successful businesses in the world understand the importance of design. It’s the best mode of communication, one that helps a brand stand out in a sea of competitors. It also helps a business build a unique presence, which enables customers and prospects to retain them as top contenders. 

It’s the reason why we recognize the swoosh checks, a bitten apple, and even the big yellow M. These designs trigger memories and evoke emotions, all of which enable brands to secure the spot of the most trusted and credible. Coming up with your unique designs can be a straightforward process, but there’s a crucial fact you need to know—graphic designs and illustrations are vastly different. 

Although both critical visual communicators, they involve specific tools and techniques. They’re also used for different purposes, which is a mistake new and small brands often make. As a result, it can be difficult to come up with innovative designs and resounding messages, even with a clear idea in mind. 

For these reasons, it’s important to define the line between graphic design and illustration, as this can affect your business brand’s bottom line. Never put your creativity at risk: 

Illustration

Visual presentation

Although illustration also makes use of similar skill sets, it pertains mostly to a visual representation of an idea or concept. Illustrations are essentially used to provide audiences with visual features, all of which are woven together to decorate an idea or explain a message. 

It can be a part of a brand design’s overall layout, making it fall under graphic design’s territory. However, keep in mind that illustration can stand independently without words. For these reasons, illustrations are used for commercial purposes, particularly when it comes to creating elements to support product packages, magazine articles, advertising campaigns, and so much more.

What can be produced using illustration?

• Magazine articles
• Book illustrations
• Comic books
• Supporting elements
• Graphic novels
• Poster designs
• Infographics

Defining The Creative Line

The world of art can be daunting to dive into, especially since imagination and creativity are a must. Thinking outside the box is merely a daily routine, and rightfully so—it’s fierce competition out there. Only the bold and the brave can make it big in the world of design, which is why brands scramble to get creative.

Simply put, graphic design and illustration play a critical role in advertising, marketing, and branding. They’re essential tools to the brand-building process, which is why it’s important to strengthen the foundation. Learning about their differences is a good starting point, and from there, you’ll be off to create a brand image that resonates across industries. 

If you’re ready to plunge into the world of art, allow 55 KNOTS to help. We offer you the best unlimited graphic design service in Australia, done and operated by a talented team of creative designers. Change how you see the world—book a demo today. 

Back in the heydays of the internet, social media channels like Myspace and Friendster dominated the scene. Setting up a profile felt fun, quirky, and entertaining, but it was never a space for making true connections, let alone a professional one. 

But in recent years, building a strong online presence is a critical part of engaging real people, making it a prime channel for businesses to be part of a community. Heavy-hitters like Facebook climb their way up as the most popular social media platform to sweep the internet generation. While other contenders like Instagram, Twitter, and more follow behind, nothing beats the sheer diversity of users on Facebook. 

For businesses, Facebook is the biggest marketing tool that can generate high-quality leads, increase brand awareness, and ultimately make more sales for their bottom line. With 2.80 billion monthly active users, brands have a wide demographic to tap, so this earns the title of being the top drivers of ROI compared to other social networks. 

But with the platform saturated with ads from thousands of competitors like you, what can you do to design Facebook ads that stand out from the crowd?

Tip #1: Design Facebook Ads with the Ad Format In Mind 

Before you think about the look and feel of your Facebook ad, you can already set your ad up for a stronger impact by outlining the design based on your desired ad format. You can set up your format in the following ways: 

• Photo
• Video
• Stories
• Messenger
• Carousel
• Slideshow
• Collection
• Playables

Depending on your message, the right format can increase its impact, so consider what kind of ad format works best for your campaign’s goals.

Tip #2: Design Facebook Ads with the Ad Placement In Mind 

When you already have a format in mind, the next step is to consider which ad placement would maximize your campaign’s message and generate the most engagement. Here are a few ways to explore your options: 

• Desktop Newsfeed – Best for long-form copies with link descriptions and for generating sales, leads, or engagement;

• Mobile Newsfeed – Great for brand awareness and discoverability, but the copy should be shorter compared to desktop ad placements;

• Marketplace – Excellent placement for e-commerce businesses who are already promoting their products to high-intent shoppers;
• Stories – Offers a fun, unique, and interactive experience to users that are great for increasing brand engagement;
  

Tip #3: Design Facebook Ads that are Mobile-Friendly 

79 per cent of Facebook users now browse their feeds using their mobile devices, which means you’ll be losing a large chunk of your target audience if you don’t design your ads with mobile responsiveness in mind. 

In that regard, it’s time to start designing your ads using vertical images or videos. It needs to be eye-catching and high-impact since it needs to speak for itself, especially since people tend to skim over large blocks of text on smaller screens.

The Bottom Line: The Unbeatable Engagement and Lead Generation Potential of Facebook Ads

Social media channels like Facebook reign supreme today and continues to be one of the most results-driven marketing tools for businesses. With so many marketers utilizing social media, working with professional designers and digital agencies can give your brand an edge. 

Are You Looking for Graphic Design Subscription Services?

Here at 55 Knots, we’re a leading creative agency in Australia that offers premium-quality innovative solutions. With our on-demand graphic design subscriptions, we can tailor your plan and ensure it suits your unique needs. Get in touch with us today and try our 7-day free trial!