More Than a Logo: Reflections on the First Deeside Creative Morning
There’s a specific kind of nervous energy that comes with launching something new. It’s that flutter in the stomach right before you step into the unknown, wondering if anyone will actually show up or if you’ll just be talking to the espresso machine.
This morning, the very first Deeside Creative morning officially kicked off at The Boat Inn in Aboyne. I was floored by the positive response.
Launching this event wasn’t just about putting on a talk; it was about finding my feet in a new area and building a community. As one attendee put it toward the end of the session, I now have a group of like-minded business folk who ‘have my back.’ That’s a powerful thing to feel when you’re a solo creative or a small business owner.
Jumping Off the Cliff Edge
I have to give a huge shout-out to Mike Duncan of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Mike was essentially the one who pushed me over the cliff edge of actually hosting this networking event.
When you live in a rural area, you can’t just sit on your hands and complain that there aren’t enough networking events locally. You need to take the initiative and organise one. The well-attended event is a testament to the
Such a brilliant turnout for a Wednesday morning.
Moving Beyond the "Graphic Design Studio" Label
When people think of a graphic design studio, they often think of someone sitting in a dark room moving pixels around until a logo appears. But during my 15-minute talk, I wanted to pull back the curtain on what branding actually is, and why it’s so much bigger than a piece of vector art.
I called the talk "Branding for Small Business," and its core was to bring the abstract nature of a brand into a practical, usable view for SME owners.
I’ve spent a lot of time recently thinking about how we communicate our value. Whether I’m working on brand identity design or a specific branding and logo design project, I’m always trying to translate a vision into a story.
Practical Branding for SMEs
Translating that high-level concept into something an SME can actually use was the main goal of the morning. When I work on brand identity design at Wiselove Studio, I’m not just looking for a cool font. I’m looking for the ‘feeing’ of the business.
A Dynamic Exchange of Ideas
After the talk, the floor opened up, and the exchange of advice was exactly what I’d hoped for. We had seasoned business owners sharing their insights on pain points for newer startups, and creatives offering fresh perspectives on tackling visual challenges.
I’ve been documenting some of these journeys and conversations through our podcast, Wisenoise. If you're interested in how other creatives handle their practice, you might enjoy my recent chat with James Barnard on award-winning logos or Chris Sanders on focusing on process over portfolio. These conversations often mirror the exact type of energy we had in the room yesterday: honest, raw, and incredibly helpful.
What’s Next for Deeside Creative?
I met so many lovely new folk, and I’m genuinely excited about how we move forward. This wasn’t just a one-off; it’s the start of something. The Deeside area is brimming with talent, but it can often feel quite isolated when you’re working from a home office or a small studio.
If you missed this one, don't worry. We’ll be hosting more of these. Keep an eye on our news page for updates on the next Deeside Creative morning and other upcoming events, like my visit to Curio.
A final huge thank you to everyone who took the time to come along. You made the first one a resounding success.
If you’re looking to redefine the story your business tells, I’d love to chat. From full brand identity design to refreshing your current look, let's make sure your "myth" is one worth believing in. Drop me a line here.
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