Creating a Brand Style Guide: Why and How
What is a Brand Style guide? Creating a brand style guide serves as a foundational document that ensures consistency and coherence across all aspects of your brand’s visual and verbal identity. Think of it as a holy text for anyone creating or modifying your brand’s assets, providing clear guidelines and standards for how your brand […]
Exploring the role of emotion in design
Is there a place for emotion in design? Aesthetics and functionality often take the spotlight in the design world, but there’s an unsung hero silently shaping our experiences: emotion. Emotion plays a pivotal role in the success and impact of design, steering user perceptions, interactions, and decisions. Understanding this facet unveils a world of opportunities […]
Illustration in the digital era: why it still matters
Illustration in digital design In a world dominated by pixels and screens, the artistry of illustration stands resilient, weaving its narrative through the digital landscape. Despite the proliferation of photography, advanced digital technologies and even AI art, illustration remains a potent force in digital design with a unique charm and versatility. We will delve into […]
The significance of keeping up with design trends
Investigating design trends You may not be able to identify the latest design trends, but most of us can spot when something looks a bit out of date. So much so that we will dismiss it in favour of something that looks a bit fresher. Let’s explore the profound impact of staying current with design […]
The Power of Personal Branding: Design Tips and Techniques
The Power of Personal Branding If you’re not used to crowing about your victories, talking about your personal brand can fill you with dread or at least a hefty dose of cringe. But your personal brand is everything your customers and clients love about you, and the reason they keep coming back. It’s a time […]
How to make your design project a success
What does it take to make your design project a success? Designing is so much more than making things look good. That’s actually only a tiny piece of what we do. It’s a meticulous journey that intertwines creativity, strategy, and purpose. Whether it’s crafting a website, developing a logo, or conceiving a whole new identity […]
The Impact of Typography in Graphic Design
What is the Impact of Typography? Typography is the silent hero of graphic design and wields immense power in conveying messages and shaping the visual narrative. It’s way more than the selection of fonts; it’s about evoking emotions, guiding attention, and amplifying the impact of visual communication. It’s also a key factor in readability – […]
Four quick design jobs that have long-lasting impact
Need help with quick design jobs? One of the best things about signing up to a design subscription service is the freedom of how you use your time with us. With plans starting from just four hours per month, you can use your time to work on the projects that matter. Not sure how to […]
Why a design service might be a better solution than hiring a freelance designer
Hire a Freelance Designer? Congratulations on your business success! What started out as you, a laptop and a dream, has blossomed into a new business that’s going places. When your design requirements outgrow your capabilities, it’s time to bring in some extra help. For a long time, your only choices were hiring a freelance designer […]
How to use negative space effectively in design
Want to know how to use negative space effectively? A huge part of successful design is considering what we don’t include. Sometimes, it can be equally as important as what we do. Using negative space effectively in design can create balanced, visually appealing, and meaningful compositions, but it isn’t always black and white. So, what […]
FAQs: Your design subscription service questions answered
Are you considering using a design subscription service but have some questions first? This FAQ is here to provide you with answers to some common queries you might have. If you have a specific question about Toast Design Services that isn’t answered here, get in touch. What is a design subscription service? A design subscription […]
The role of sketching in the design process
How significant is sketching in the design process? With digital platforms and AI-generated imagery steamrolling their way through the design industry, the age-old practice of putting pencil to paper could look obsolete. However, sketching remains a timeless and invaluable tool in the world of design. The humble sketch plays a vital role in the creative […]
Designing for diversity and inclusion
What is diversity and inclusion? As designers, it is our responsibility to craft solutions that not only cater to a broad spectrum of users but also celebrate the richness of human experience. This means designing for diversity and inclusion, understanding why it matters, and challenging how it can be achieved. Inclusive design is the practice […]
How to Create a Consistent Brand Identity Through Design
Consistency is not about doing things regularly, it is about doing things correctly. We investigate how design can create a consistent brand identity. A Brand Is What You Make Of It A brand identity may be created in a graphic design studio, but it only ever truly exists in the minds of your customers, staff […]
The importance of wireframes in web design
How critical are wireframes in web design? Think of the architectural sketch for a masterpiece or the rough draft of a novel. These things are the foundation that helps build greatness. Without them, grand projects would falter long before completion. This is the role of wireframes in creating a website, and skipping this vital step […]
Unlock your creativity with the power of mood boards
What are Mood Boards? Finding creative inspiration for design projects is hard enough, but how do you translate your artistic vision into a workable blueprint for the client and the design team? It’s time to create a mood board. Mood boards are visual collages that encapsulate the essence, style, and emotional undertones of a design […]
How to choose the right design agency for your business
Which Design Agency? A well-designed brochure, logo, or marketing materials can set your business apart from the competition and leave a lasting impact on customers. But how do you choose the right design agency to help bring your vision to life? With so many options available, it can be a daunting task. Fear not, as […]
Incorporating sustainability in design
A Time to Change Now more than ever, businesses across the UK embrace eco-friendly principles and incorporate sustainability into their designs. From architecture to fashion, we are at the forefront of this movement. Let’s explore how sustainability shapes the design industry, with a spotlight on two businesses that are leading the charge. What is sustainability […]
Design Thinking: A creative approach to resolving business challenges
Think for a Change Solving complex problems requires innovative thinking and a fresh perspective, and traditional problem-solving methods may not always cut it. That’s where Design Thinking comes into play. What is Design Thinking? Design Thinking is a human-centred, iterative problem-solving approach that places people and their needs at the heart of the process. It […]
The power of visual storytelling in branding
Humans are inherently visual beings We process visual information 60,000 times faster than text, making it no surprise that visual elements play a pivotal role in our decision-making process. When it comes to branding, visuals are the first thing that grabs a potential customer’s attention. Think about iconic logos like the golden arches of McDonald’s […]
The intersection of design and psychology
These two themes might not necessarily seem related… but how can we expect to create good design without understanding the people that the design is intended for? The fusion of these disciplines shapes not just visuals, but also emotions, perceptions, and ultimately, human behaviour. By understanding the captivating dynamics between psychology and print design, we […]
How good design enhances user trust
Authenticity and credibility are prized qualities for any company, and the marriage of design and trust becomes a strategic imperative for brands aiming to rise above the noise. We’re looking at the profound impact of good graphic design on user trust, drawing insights to illuminate this symbiotic relationship. The power of visual identity A brand’s […]
10 common design mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced graphic designers can fall into certain pitfalls that hinder the effectiveness of their work. Let’s explore ten common graphic design mistakes and how to steer clear of them, ensuring your designs don’t end up on one of these lists… Ignoring the importance of a good design brief Mistake: Neglecting to produce a thorough […]
The power of minimalism in modern design
There’s a lot going on everywhere you look, so the allure of minimalism in modern design has become more potent than ever. The day-to-day adage of “less is more” has transcended aesthetics, shaping everything from product design and architecture to user interfaces and visual arts. It’s a design philosophy with the power to create impactful, […]
How To Create a User-Centric Design
Users First If you’re designing for a product or service, some important things that matter are if the audience likes it and if it represents you well. Designers want people to connect with a design that looks clean and says what it needs to. So let’s look at some techniques that can get you on […]
Why You Should Have a Design Subscription to Prepare For 2024
It’s simple and hands-free. If you haven’t already considered it, we recommend doing it before the year ends. Design subscriptions, especially ours, offer a plethora of benefits that are hard to ignore. So why should you take the time to consider your business and give it some very well-earned TLC? 1. Cost-effectiveness Traditional design services […]
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Design Subscription Service
Choosing the Best Service for You Business critical decisions are always best made when they are the outcome of a considered and informed process of discovery. Decisions such as which design subscription service you should choose must be based on the principle of which service is the best fit for your business needs. We have […]
How to Create a Consistent Brand Identity Through Design
Consistency is not about doing things regularly, it is about doing things correctly. We investigate how design can create a consistent brand identity. A Brand Is What You Make Of It A brand identity may be created in a graphic design studio, but it only ever truly exists in the mind of your customers, staff […]
The Role of Design in Content Marketing
There is an ever-growing demand for online content that brands must respond to; the difference between success and failure is Design. We investigate why. More Online Content, Now… You can not move these days without reading articles or opinions on the importance of content marketing in today’s digital landscape. Undeniably, we live in a world […]
How to Create an Effective Logo for Your Brand
Effective logo design is a combination of specific challenges and criteria, and shouldn’t be left to chance. Find out how: Logo? How important is a logo in brand identity? Very. A logo is the most prominent and visible element of your brand and needs to embody your core values. This prominence puts the most significant […]
How a Design Subscription Can Help Even the Smallest of Businesses
Some of the smallest businesses have the biggest dreams, do not limit your ambitions and consider the benefits of a design subscription approach. Great things come in small packages It is undeniable that good design is as essential to all businesses as other business-critical services such as banking or premises. Businesses of every shape and […]
Why Our Design Subscription Stands Out from the Competition
See what sets our design subscription apart and how it can benefit you and your designs. Design for Everyone The time when good design was the sole province of FMCG brands has long since passed. Every organisation now appreciates the critical importance of design in ongoing success and growth and has started to utilise design subscription […]
Save Money and Boost Your Design Game with a Design Subscription
Design subscriptions offer cost-effective access to high-quality design tools and resources to take your designs to the next level. Save Money and Boost Your Design Game with a Design Subscription Good design improves every element of our lives at home work and play, no facet of modern life is missed. Examples of bad design […]
Affordable Design Subscription Plans for All Budgets
If you are looking for a design subscription plan but unsure of what they offer or why you should consider them? Then read on as we investigate further. Good Design Benefits Everyone Good design is essential in this day and age, whatever industry you are working in and there are affordable design subscription plans for […]
Why a Design Subscription Can Beat One-time Purchases
Businesses today are continuously on the lookout for new ways to stay ahead of the competition and maximise profits. We examine how a Design Subscription Beats One-time Purchases Here at Toast Design Services, we wanted to help our customers to retain their competitive edge whilst still benefitting from our high-quality design services, so we introduced […]
What are the benefits of a design subscription?
Before we can even start to outline the benefits, it makes sense to clarify precisely what we mean by Design Subscription.
Digital forms: stuff you didn’t know (but should).
Digital forms offer a unique set of advantages over printed forms. But they’re often overlooked and under utilised. Many people aren’t aware of the versatility offered by digital forms. Read on: you may be surprised by the features available…
Digital brochure design.
Toast can convert your brochure into a digital format. Getting your brochure converted into an accessible and engaging digital format isn’t as hard as you think. Toast are experts in converting existing or creating new brochures into a digital brochure design format. You can then share, send and access the digital brochure easily and quickly. […]
Zerb magazine cover refresh.
The GTC’s industry magazine cover just got a face lift. As with most industry magazines, it is important to evolve over time and Zerb is no exception. It was a good time to refresh the magazine cover design as it coincided with two factors. The first was the introduction of a new managing editor. The […]
Brand guidelines for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Designing a bold and compassionate brand book. The UK arm of The Elton John AIDS Foundation needed help on how to consistently brand marketing materials. After approaching Toast, both organisations worked together to define what was needed in order to create unique but helpful brand guidelines for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The ‘brand book’ […]
What is full service design?
A common term used in design circles, we look at what it means. ‘Full service design’ means that the design agency can provide a large range of services. These can range from display graphics to digital brochures. Agencies will differ slightly on what they provide. But you’ll normally find their services on a service page […]
Should I use crowdsourced design?
If you are thinking of using crowdsourced templates and freelancers instead of a professional designer, read on. What is crowdsourced design? Whether you need a logo or a brochure designed, it’s never been easier to go online and find a group of freelancers on sites like Dribble and Fiverr. Many of them offering cheap rates […]
Why using a magazine design template is a terrible idea for marketing people.
So you need a magazine designed. Naturally, it should look great. It has to be completed on a deadline. And if you can get it done at low cost, so much the better. An obvious solution is to do it yourself with a magazine design template. There are loads of them on the internet. And […]
Considering a monthly subscription for design services?
A new way to manage your design needs. Monthly subscriptions are so common these days. From your mobile phone to online streaming services – their ease of use and benefits are clear to see. So why not apply the same approach to your graphic design needs? Are you considering a monthly subscription for design services? […]
Annual review design for QVSR.
Annual review design to aid and support a good cause. Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest (QVSR) is the Seamen’s Mission of the Methodist Church. They offer aid and support to current and ex-seafarers and ex-servicemen in need of accommodation. They have two specialist residential centres in London, and 2019 saw the completion of an ambitious modernisation […]
Brand development with a design subscription package.
Optimising your marketing budget. As we’re always keen to offer great value, we offer our clients a graphic design subscription package. This suited MaxRock, who wanted our strategic input as well as our design and layout know-how.
Applying the new National Archives branding.
The new 2020 Action Plan. What we did. Toast has just finished creating the 2020 Action Plan for The National Archives. This was a new step for Toast and The National Archives as it involved implementing their new brand style to the booklet.
Exhibition Graphics and much much more for Tibbetts Group.
Subscription design services that work. Banbury-based Tibbetts Group is one of our longstanding design subscription clients. They send a variety of projects our way every week from exhibition graphics to corporate reports and everything in between. Tibbetts deliver high quality engineering products and components to a range of specialist sectors including automotive, aerospace, industrial, construction […]
Exhibition banner artwork for a luxury global brand.
Exhibition stand design for KOHLER UK. Toast has just finished creating some exhibition stand design of two pull-up exhibition display banners for luxury global brand KOHLER UK promoting their ‘ModernLife’ product range. KOHLER UK supplied us with some superb images that we used to create modern layouts driven by design.
Creating multi-language documents and infographics.
For Delivery Associates. Toast recently completed an annual review for Delivery Associates, creating multi-language documents and infographics in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. While the French, Spanish and Portuguese translations were quite straightforward, the Arabic version needed extra work converting this from a left-right to right-left orientated document. Charts and infographics also needed flipping to […]
Project management across international time-zones.
SaaS Magazine design. SaaS Magazine is a publication for the SaaS community. SaaS stands for software as a service – essentially, subscription-based online businesses. Spotify is a well-known example, but there are tens of thousands of SaaS companies around the world. If you need help project managing your magazine design.
Magazine design for the Guild of Television Camera Professionals.
Toast has worked with the Guild of Television Camera Professionals (GTC) for over 10 years with magazine design for Zerb, their trade publication.
How working in close partnership leads to client satisfaction.
Working in close partnership led to client satisfaction for Edenred, who are a leading incentive company. They offer employee engagement solutions to 830,000 corporate clients around the world, and their services are used by 47 million employees globally, channelling rewards and benefits from 1.7 partner merchants.
Event material for Hanson Wade.
Templated digital brochures. The recent brochure we created for the LEAP HR Retail conference is just one example of the event material we regularly design for Hanson Wade, the world-leading conference and events company.
An e-learning package with a unique business goal.
We took an open brief for an e-learning package and ran with it. The e-learning package we produced for MaxRock is a great example of using motion graphics to solve an unusual business challenge.
14 ways a design agency can add value.
Do you need the help of a creative design agency? If you’ve been handling all of your marketing, design and web presence in-house so far, it can seem like a huge jump to be joining forces with another company. Here are 14 ways a design agency can add value as it might be a step […]
