Your customers are unanimous – the quality of your products and services is exceptional
Let them find out with branding that shows off your talents!
A secret that is a little too well kept.
The bright spark of enthusiasm you see in your customers’ eyes when they try your products means a lot to you!
They appreciate that extra special something you put into your services.
You have never sacrificed quality or authenticity for the sake of profit – and it shows.
Here’s the thing. A lot of the good stuff you do passes people by.
Because people can only discover it if they take the trouble to step into your cafe-bookstore, your artisan soapery, or if they have the chance to taste your café’s signature smashed avocado on sourdough toast.
—
It is true that you can’t always judge a book by its cover. But maybe you’re wondering if some custom branding – a logo and visual identity that reflects who you are and some exquisite wrapping that’s worthy of your products – would shine a new light on what you do.
Perhaps it would get you noticed and let people who haven’t come across your brand yet appreciate the exceptional quality and standard they can expect.
Do you fear that heavy-handed marketing could strip you of your authenticity along with the very essence of what your business is about? Are you worried that the end result just won’t look or feel like you? You don’t feel the need to please everyone, much less conform.
The obsession with viral marketing makes you want to run and hide
This approach doesn’t suit me, and I get the feeling it doesn’t suit you either.
—
How about we forget all that and instead take the time to look in depth at your business and your universe to discover what makes them unique and distinctive?
That way we can extract their essence and look to the richness and variety of different epochs, places and cultures for elements that echo these. These can be used to create a rich new aesthetic that is full of character and from which we will build your visual identity.
This is how I work. I believe in the power of a visual identity that takes your story and values into account. That highlights your expertise and reflects your authenticity.
A visual identity that you will want to keep because it has not been created to fit in with the fleeting trends of the moment.
I’m Judith Cotelle
or Judi, as I’m known in Japan.
And to give you the means to attract the customers or the audience you dream of.
By stepping away from passing trends and clichés.
And by focusing on your vision, to reveal your particularities with an image that breathes authenticity.
I was born in France, but I have already spent a third of my life in Japan.
Summer 2006 – I’m spending a summer vacation in Hiroshima. It was love at first sight. And… poof! Ten months later, I pack my bags and come back to settle down.
In 2013, I joined a Japanese creative agency. Then, after six awesome and rewarding years, I finally decided to go independent.
As you can imagine, I had to adapt, expose myself to a multitude of ideas and viewpoints, and question my certainties.
But Japan is not the end of the road. I also love to explore the rest of the world and soak up the richness of different cultures from around the globe. It allows me to broaden my mindset, free myself from preconceptions and shake up stereotypes.
With each new experience and encounter I develop as a Graphic Designer. It is from this diversity that I draw my inspiration. Not only from this, but also from other domains that fascinate me: art, music, cinema, photography, architecture, the list goes on…
Travelling the world is often travelling in different times and eras.
Ah… you can see it in the small Japanese neighbourhoods that have retained the retro charm of the Showa era!
Creating links between the past and the present
But I don’t mimic them!
I prefer to revisit them in my own way while retaining the depth that is often missing from current fads. I like to add a subtle vintage touch and a pinch of nostalgia to contemporary visuals so that they survive the test of time.
I need to analyze, dissect and scratch beneath the surface to better understand things and the world around me, and this is reflected in my working relationship with clients.
Like you and your customers, I have a passion for things made with love and care, considering beautiful materials and quality production.
I’d be happy to suggest beautiful papers as well as refined and original printing techniques to enhance your marketing collateral!
So I created the ‘The Artisanal Branding Atelier’ for you.
‘The Artisanal Branding Atelier’ is designed to show off the exceptional quality of your products and services.
A visual identity made up of your logo featured on two or three printed items of your choice to form memorable, real points of contact for you (your brand, your business, your products, your services) and your customers.
“she blended modernity and tradition harmoniously and elegantly”
(translated from French)
Isabelle Mallet – Galerie Mallet sarl / Autour du Japon
How does the service work?
Please contact me to discuss your project.
We can arrange a call or a Zoom if you would like me to accompany you on this adventure.
→ I will book planning time into my diary on receipt of half the project fee and set up a schedule.
Exploring your business and your world
through a detailed questionnaire that is specially designed for your work, sector, and mood board (I’ll show you how to create this).
I will use this material to source graphic elements and aesthetic inspiration from across different epochs, places and cultures that resonate with your business.
→ This will result in a distinctive visual identity that is guaranteed to perfectly match your brand values and benefits.
Presentation of two creative concepts
2 documents with detailed explanatory notes that you can take the time to look through at home with no pressure.
You don’t have to rush your decision so there are no regrets further down the line.
Take the time to comment on the design concepts. At this stage nothing is set in stone and I will respond to your thoughts with further refinements.
Developing the chosen concept
and the different elements that come together to create your visual identity (i.e. logo, colour palette, graphic elements, and fonts).
I will present these to you throughout the creative process so that you feel happy that we are both on the same page and that you will love the end result.
Choosing printed materials
that work best for your business.
I will also offer advice on your choice of printing techniques and paper.
And obviously as the materials are created I will make sure to check your opinion, right up until final approval.
End of the journey. You pay the balance and I deliver your branding pack
- A main logo + 1 or 2 alternative logos (this is a variation of your logo using different orientation, composition, colour, simplified or condensed for use on social media or perhaps in monogram; for more flexibility when the main logo is not suitable.
They will be supplied in different formats and colours (RGB and CMYK) so they can be printed or used on screens, and resized without any loss of quality.
- A simple set of branding guidelines (not a 50-page corporate style manual but a summary of your logo with its spacing guidelines, your colour palette with HEX and CMYK codes, fonts, and the graphic elements or motifs used in your visual identity).
→ This is useful when you need to use other service providers like web designers or when you want to create simple documents yourself, post on social media and still keep your branding coherent.
- Print-ready files of your two or three printed items that you will just need to send to your printer or suppliers.
- A main logo + 1 or 2 alternative logos (this is a variation of your logo using different orientation, composition, colour, simplified or condensed for use on social media or perhaps in monogram; for more flexibility when the main logo is not suitable.
The Artisanal Branding Atelier
Branding package
- Payable in two instalments
- Main logo
- 1 or 2 alternative logos
- Visual identity
- Branding guidelines
- Graphic design of two or three printed items
The ‘peace of mind’ option
Printing and suppliers
- I handle the sourcing of suppliers and organise printing right up to the delivery of your materials to your home or business.
A category + option
One extra category A printed item/packaging
- One additional printed item from category A
- Please see the details of categories A and B in the FAQ
B category + option
One extra category B printed item/packaging
- One additional printed item from category B
- Please see the details of categories A and B in the FAQ
Judith succeeded in transcribing (the spirit of my restaurant) perfectly in my visual identity”
“In the traditional Japanese restaurant industry, there is a lot of use of classic and chic aesthetics. But I wanted something more modern and playful. I didn’t want the restaurant to give the impression that it was too luxurious so that average customers weren’t reluctant to enter. But I still wanted it to be clear at first glance that we were serving excellent fish-based cuisine. Judith managed to translate all that perfectly into my visual identity. I’m thrilled with it.”
(translated from Japanese)
Gaku Hirosawa, Kisuke owner (Hiroshima)
‘The Artisanal Branding Atelier’ in a single sentence
With a visual identity drawn from rich imagery from around the world and different places and across time that comes to life with your principal branding elements.
You feel proud of your visual identity; confident and ready to attract your dream customers.
FAQ
How much time does it take?
Six to eight weeks depending on the complexity of the project and your availability in terms of approving the work. We will agree on a schedule when we start to work together.
What are the methods of payment?
Bank transfer or online with a credit or debit card.
Isn’t it difficult to do this remotely, without being able to meet?
I regularly work with clients in Europe and the USA without any problems. I mostly use email or chat (but a phone call or video meetup is possible where necessary).
How can I be sure I will like it?
There is an in-depth discovery phase and a gradual approach. I will regularly show you the work in progress to find out your opinion and reviews are possible before it is finalised.
How do we communicate while the work is being done?
By mail or chat is best as there are no problems with different time zones. But also, writing keeps a trail that we can both check at any time to avoid the omissions and misunderstandings that can happen with verbal communication. But we can call you if you need us to!
Our business has been around for generations and we feel very attached to our logo
If your logo has been with you for a long time it is normal for you and your customers to feel attached to it.
The aim isn’t necessarily to get rid of this precious asset! We can give it a makeover that retains its spirit and handle communication tools by reconsidering how they work together.
I don’t know any printers and I don’t have the time to look for one
You can add the ‘peace of mind’ printing and suppliers option. I manage the entire process up to the delivery of your items to your home or workplace.
Are printing costs included in the price?
No. Printing costs vary depending on the items you choose, the printing techniques, and the quantity printed. It isn’t possible to include this cost in the price beforehand.
What sort of printing can I choose?
Restaurants and cafes
- Menu (B)
- Sign (A)
- Window decal (A)
- Coasters (A)
- Napkins (A)
- Table mats (A)
- Aprons/Uniforms (A)
- Chopstick bags (A)
- Paper cups (A)
- Printed crockery (A)
- Take away food wapping/packaging (B)
- Paper bags (A)
- Stamp (A)
- …
Stores and shops
- Paper bags or tote bags (A)
- Business cards or loyalty cards (A)
- Tissue paper (A)
- Stickers (A)
- Labels or tags (A)
- Boxes (A)
- Stamp (A)
- Sign (A)
- Window decal (A)
- Ribbon (A)
- …
Food product brand
Packaging (wrapping (B), labels (A), boxes (B))
Cosmetic brand
Packaging (wrapping (B), label (A), boxes (B))
Services, Professionals
Business card (A, for up to three people’s details with the same design, envelopes, and headed paper) (A)
This list is not exhaustive. Just tell me what you need!
What if I want extra designs?
You can add an option (see the list above)
What about copyright?
These are included in the price for an initial duration of three years as detailed in the contract so that you can legally use your logo and visual identity.
This can be further extended as per your business and its development.