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# Map

Strategic Brand and Design Agency - Graphic Design, Logo Design, Packaging Design, Digital Marketing and Advertising

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.map-agency.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [News](https://www.map-agency.com/?page_id=13) - Recent brand launches, design projects, events, and happenings at Map Agency.
- [5 Lessons I’ve Learned After 21 Years of Working as a Graphic Designer](https://www.map-agency.com/5-lessons) - For a good portion of my career, I was hired to sell things. Sweepstakes. Limited-time offers. BOGO promotions. As a graphic designer working in advertising, my job was to create marketing and communications appealing so that people would buy more stuff. I was pretty good at it, too. Eventually, though, I started to feel like
- [Timeless by Design](https://www.map-agency.com/timeless-by-design) - What Lasting Brands Know that Trendy Ones Don't Think about the logos you've recognized your entire life. There are two marks that, for me, feel just as relevant today as they did decades ago — Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. The visual identity for these brands has remained so consistent, so purposeful, that no recent visual style
- [Why Your Website Isn't Working](https://www.map-agency.com/why-your-website-isnt-working) - A few simple ways to immediately improve your homepage. One point four billion. Let that number sink in for a second. There are over 1.4 billion websites on the internet, reported Daniela Chan of Hostinger. The number might as well be a gazillion. Every day, potential customers make decisions about which ones deserve their attention, either while
- [Working With Map Agency](https://www.map-agency.com/working-with-map-agency) - What to Expect When You Start a Project With Us Graphic design is shrouded in mystery, isn’t it? Just think about the industry jargon. Ever heard of a pica? Sure, you can adjust tracking in Microsoft Word, but what exactly is kerning? While it’s true that some elements of graphic design have gained everyday cultural
- [Who Cares (About Your Brand)?](https://www.map-agency.com/who-cares-about-your-brand) - A Few Practical Ways to Find and Define Your Target Audience A few weeks ago, I was walking a client — a local wedding and private event venue — through their brand strategy. When I asked them to describe their ideal customer, the answer was unanimously, “everyone.” I couldn’t hide my smirk because, as I’ve
- [Your Target Audience Isn’t “Everyone”](https://www.map-agency.com/your-audience-isnt-everyone-2) - Define Your Best Customer and Enjoy Lasting Brand Benefits When bourbon blew up in 2019, I was admittedly already on the band wagon. It was the AMC special, Mad Men, that first introduced me to the brown stuff. My then-girlfriend, now-wife, and I would celebrate each episode with a homemade cocktail straight out of the
- [Pitch the Process](https://www.map-agency.com/pitch-the-process) - I’ve always been a big fan of documenting the creative process. Sure, it’s extra work. It can also seem like a complete waste of time, especially when you’re on the 12th round of client changes and there’s no end in sight. Times like these make one question, if I don’t like the final solution, what am
- [Share Your Story](https://www.map-agency.com/share-your-story) - Has anybody talked to their friends on Facebook recently? Me neither. It’s not that I haven’t tried. Every time I login, unfortunately, I see one person’s organic post for every five paid posts. I lose interest, and I leave to check out the scores on ESPN instead. I’m not the only one leaving so quickly.
- [Know When to Hold ‘Em](https://www.map-agency.com/know-when-to-hold-em) - I just spent the past six weeks planning a social media content series on custom typography for logo design. I carefully crafted a 2,000-word article, made umpteen revisions, and double-checked it against best practices in a concerted effort to beat the latest LinkedIn algorithms. I designed six follow-up carousel and video posts, all in support
- [Selling Space at Edmond Town Hall](https://www.map-agency.com/selling-space-at-edmond-town-hall) - Edmond Town Hall is a 1930's Georgian-style historic building in the heart of Newtown, Connecticut. As the name suggests, it once served as the town hall. Today, it's a community gathering place that shows movies and live performances in a 500-seat theatre. However, very few local residents realize that Edmond Town Hall also has rental
- [Snapshot: Instax Ad Audit and Optimization](https://www.map-agency.com/snapshot-instax-ad-audit-and-optimization) - In this hyper-digital world of augmented and artificial reality, many of us look to create memories we can hold onto. We’re physical beings, and touch creates a vivid sense of recall. Fujifilm is looking to fulfill this basic human need with Instax, a line of instant analog cameras. Here’s how it works: aim the camera,
- [Perfectionism, Play, and Punctuality](https://www.map-agency.com/perfectionism-play-and-punctuality) - Though I have no scientific ground to stand on, it’s quite possible that the behavioral pattern typically referred to as “Type A” was first used to describe a typographer. It’s easy to fall into the creative trap of perfectionism, especially when you're trying to design 26 unique characters. Every line and curve feels like it
- [TikTok: A Recipe for Marketing Success](https://www.map-agency.com/tiktok-a-recipe-for-marketing-success) - Just about every night, while I’m watching TV or reading in bed, something on her phone will inevitably make my wife giggle. Or crack up, laughing. We share a similar sense of humor, so eventually I cave and ask, what’s so funny? Check your phone, she’ll respond. I’ll click on the notification and, even though
- [Uncle Matt’s Freshly-Baked Influencer Marketing Strategy](https://www.map-agency.com/uncle-matts-freshly-baked-influencer-marketing-strategy) - Uncle Matt’s is a bakery in Sandy Hook, CT. The owner, Matt Kirshner, is a pastry chef that trained at renowned New York City establishments like the Russian Tea Room and the Essex House Hotel. He has a worldly view of baking that isn’t common in a small town, however, his bakery has become known
- [Crafting a Spicy Sales Strategy](https://www.map-agency.com/crafting-a-spicy-sales-strategy) - As the owner of a small creative agency that typically sells services, designing a digital product to sell is unfamiliar territory. But I also understand that every business needs marketing. When I decided to create font, I knew the letters weren’t going to sell themselves. Pepperoni, a bold, geometric display font inspired by Connecticut pizza,
- [Pepperoni: The Final Kern](https://www.map-agency.com/pepperoni-the-final-kern) - Nothing bothers a graphic designer more than opening a “Thank You” card that reads “Thank Y ou.” Among the character pairings that require extra attention, the “Y” next to the “O” is prime suspect numero uno. To ignore the kerning between these two letters is just plain lazy. Allow me to explain. Kerning is the
- [John's Top 4 Monogram Logos](https://www.map-agency.com/top-4-monogram-logos) - It's almost impossible for a graphic designer to pick his or her favorite logo. How does one even decide between a word mark, a pictorial logo, or an emblem? There are too many variables. To make it easier, John narrowed his logo options to just monograms. Below, he describes the reason for each of his
- [Branding: Wordmarks](https://www.map-agency.com/branding-wordmarks) - Unlike a symbol, a word mark — or logotype — uses only a custom typeface or a unique treatment of the name to create the logo. Though this approach might seem simple, there's an unlimited number of creative possibilities, and tremendous brand potential: type has the ability to speak! Here's four logotypes that Map Agency
- [Think Small Again](https://www.map-agency.com/think-small-again) - The timeless “Think Small” Volkswagen ad, created in 1959 by Doyle Dane Bernbach, is embedded in most of our minds as the quintessential example of, ironically, the “Big Idea.” You know the one — the tiny silhouette of the VW Beetle, grounded by shadow but floating asymmetrically in a sea of negative space. The famous
- [What's in a Brand Style Guide?](https://www.map-agency.com/what-in-a-brand-style-guide) - If the purpose of branding is to build a sustainable competitive advantage, then the main function of a brand style guide is to help ensure visual and verbal consistency across all brand communications. The best examples can accomplish much more, though, by motivating team members and inspiring that other magical marketing component: creativity. Why is a style guide so important? Creating a
- [Cemetery Seminar](https://www.map-agency.com/cemetery-seminar) - The Frederick R. Laffond Cemetery Management Seminar was held at the beautiful Publick House in Sturbridge, MA this year. Thanks to Maureen Crick Owen, Lisa Vaeth, and everybody at the New England Cemetery Association for inviting me to speak about the Power or Branding, and how we applied it to the new identity system for the CT
- [Legible, Appropriate, Timeless](https://www.map-agency.com/legible-appropriate-timeless) - There are always going to be trends in design, some of which even we're not immune to the temptation of trying. But when it comes to logo design, we have a few simple rules. No matter if it's simple and bold or intricate and elegant, hand-written or typeset, serif or sans-serif, word mark or iconographic,
- [Brand Patterns](https://www.map-agency.com/brand-patterns) - Another great way to help define and differentiate your brand in the marketplace: brand patterns and textures. Patterns can be used in a number of ways on marketing materials, in presentations, on packaging, as backgrounds or design elements, to spruce up swag, and our personal favorite - step and repeat patterns on the red carpet.
- [Brand Iconography](https://www.map-agency.com/brand-iconography) - Brand icons help to organize content and clearly symbolize specific information. When designed and presented as part of a brand identity system, they also develop a visual language that is unique and own-able for your organization, helping to stand out in your business category and the marketing landscape. Over time, your audience — whether customers,
- [Navigating NATO's Organic Social Narrative](https://www.map-agency.com/navigating-natos-organic-social-narrative) - NATO has been in the news a lot lately. Otherwise known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the transnational military alliance includes 32 members, including the United States, and was established in the aftermath of World War II. The security pact is simple: each independent member state agrees to defend each other against attacks by
- [The Social State of Connecticut](https://www.map-agency.com/the-social-state-of-connecticut) - Connecticut is in a state of exodus. Big businesses, and all their tax-paying employees, have been leaving the state for years. General Electric, the company founded by Thomas Edison, left for Boston in 2016. They blamed state taxes as a major issue. LEGO, based in Enfield, announced their headquarters will also moving to Boston by
- [Alexa, Cancel Surveillance Capitalism](https://www.map-agency.com/alexa-cancel-surveillance-capitalism) - Remember when businesses had to make something and sell it to turn a profit? Find a way to produce it cheaper, decrease costs, increase revenue, and investors lined up at the front door. That’s how corporate America worked since the Industrial Revolution. When companies were fraudulent or corrupt, customers stopped buying their products, Wall Street
- [Attention, Please!](https://www.map-agency.com/attention-please) - Build brand awareness and loyalty without distracting your audience. By definition, branding is a marketing tool used to promote an organization. It allows businesses to illustrate the values they stand for, and helps to differentiate them from the competition. A compelling brand creates meaningful connections with the intended audience, gains customer loyalty, and increases sales.
- [Less News is Good News](https://www.map-agency.com/less-news-is-good-news) - Stepping into the General Store is like taking a step back in time. Glass jars full of Tootsie Rolls and Swedish Fish greet you at the front door. The cracked walls are lined with photos showing the Deli as the town’s original grocery store. There’s a framed copy of the local newspaper, and the headline
- [To Solve, or to Shrug](https://www.map-agency.com/to-solve-or-to-shrug) - Give a Creative Director a creative brief and make yourself a bucket of popcorn. Sit back and watch as he or she questions the objectives, pushes back against the target audience, and argues over the communication points and product benefits. The brief is all wrong, the Creative Director will explain. It needs to be reworked.
- [Talk Designer to Me](https://www.map-agency.com/talk-designers-to-me) - Designers and project managers are like oil in vinegar — they don’t mix. Project managers focus on budgets, objectives, deadlines, and the process of getting from point A to point B. That’s foreign language to designers. We’re concerned with colors, patterns, fonts, and the way things look. Creativity doesn’t always spark according to a detailed timeline. Of
- [Crossing the Great Digital Divide](https://www.map-agency.com/crossing-the-great-digital-divide) - In 2005, I worked in the basement of the Byrd Library at Syracuse University. My job was to help students load the microfilm machines. Microfilm was already outdated, but I enjoyed the physical nature of thumbing through the card catalog, jotting down the call number, and locating the tiny white box among aisles of stocked
- [Confessions of a Professional Procrastinator ](https://www.map-agency.com/confessions-of-a-professional-procrastinator) - My name is John, and I’m a procrastinator. I openly admit to this apparent character flaw because, as a graphic designer, I’ve worked alongside an Olympic-sized roster of procrastinators. We’ll come up with any excuse to delay a project. Ask any designer how much time it takes to complete a specific assignment, and you’ll get
- [The Importance of Your Brand's Tone of Voice](https://www.map-agency.com/pup-cup) - Have you considered the importance of your brand's tone of voice? Are you fun and playful, or confident and matter-of-fact? It's equally important to consider both what you say, and how you say it. Use language that resonates with your intended audience. If targeting German Shorthaired Pointers, for example, a casual "let's go to the
- [We ❤️ Mom](https://www.map-agency.com/we-❤️-mom) - We're big fans of Mother's Day around here – just ask the kids. One day, we hope they understand and appreciate that our tattoo appropriated Milton Glaser's original I ❤️ NY design. Though, similar to the updated campaign from the Partnership for New York City, "I" has been replaced with "WE." We thought it would
- [Welcome Sarah](https://www.map-agency.com/welcome-sarah) - Everybody, stop what you're doing and say hi to @jaco.designs! For the past few weeks, Sarah has been working on executing both print and digital projects for Northstar Fertility, River Bend Cemetery, and Van Dellen Solutions — all while getting her senior portfolio together for this week's Emerging Professionals Workshop with @aigact! She's been laser focused, as
- [Sportster 883](https://www.map-agency.com/sporster-883) - Somehow I knew I'd like riding even before I bought a bike. Just something about being on the open road. Maybe it was those long camping trips to Canada during my youth. Or hooking up the boat and traveling miles while watching the sun rise. The adventure has always intrigued me as much as the
- [To All You Brand Trailblazers](https://www.map-agency.com/to-all-you-brand-trailblazers) - As I was recently walking in the woods with my two little ones, Owen and Samantha, we stopped near a small stream where they like to skip stones. Then, they did something so humanly intuitive – they started stacking the rocks. They created cairns. Any outdoorsman might recognize these simple rock formations as blazes, often
- [Work in Progress](https://www.map-agency.com/work-in-progress) - Thanks to @cindylatte and @andywollner for inviting me to speak to the Visual Communication Design majors @hartfordartschool, where I presented "Work in Progress: Some practical thoughts on navigating a career in design." What struck me the most were the thoughtful comments and purposeful questions by so many of the students. I hope I was able to provide some professional insight,
- [Newtown Municipal Center](https://www.map-agency.com/newtown-municipal-center) - We love Newtown! Thanks to @newtownsandyhookct for inviting us to display our services at the Municipal Center. We’ll be camping out there for the next few weeks, so stop by when you’re dropping off your taxes! Pick up a copy of Topographic, a small publication about the big world of branding, take a rack card featuring 3
- [CT State Flower](https://www.map-agency.com/ct-state-flower) - This post is for all you botanists out there. Did you know that the CT State Flower is the Mountain Laurel? Yup, they decided that back in 1907. Straight out of the Connecticut State Register & Manual, "...the Mountain Laurel is perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Its fragrance and the massed richness
- [Alive at Five IRL](https://www.map-agency.com/alive-at-five-irl) - Because so much of the design we create these days only lives on the internet, it is so nice to be able to get outside to see the work in real life, and enjoy it with some friends while listening to really loud music. Thanks to @stamforddowntown for another amazing opportunity this year to work on the
- [Dress Code Conundrum](https://www.map-agency.com/hello-world) - What to wear, what to wear… Most professionals habitually ask themselves this deceivingly simple question each and every weekday morning. It’s a valid question, with a solution usually made infinitely easier by looking for helpful cues around the workplace; construction workers throw on jeans and work boots, accountants select between a black or blue suit, and nurses slip into their scrubs. Graphic designers, on the other hand, have had a difficult time throughout history defining an appropriately unique look, and have, for the most part, resorted to inheriting the fashion trends of other professions. In an industry whose practitioners solve complex visual problems on a daily basis, it might come as a surprise that the most perplexing visual problem is what to put on before heading to work. Even so, designers remain undoubtedly confused when it comes to personal attire, and this isn’t simply a problem of individual identity; evidence suggests the dress code conundrum has been an underlying crisis for an entire occupational demographic since graphic design’s inception.
- [Map Agency Featured in ConnCreatives](https://www.map-agency.com/map-agency-featuring-in-conncreatives) - How was Map Agency born? Like many businesses that started during the pandemic, Map Agency was born in our home office which, believe it or not, was actually the garage for a short time. Interesting in learning more about us, the types of clients we work with, and why we choose Connecticut to be our
- [Topographic in Print!](https://www.map-agency.com/topographic-in-print) - Introducing the print version of our newsletter, Topographic. Standing at a tall 5 1/2 inches, it's a really Small Publication About the Big World of Branding. We start each issue with a burning question about branding or design. Then we share our journey to explore and discover creative solutions — helping to make sense of
- [Accelerate the Patient Pathway](https://www.map-agency.com/accelerate-the-patient-pathway) - Some recent work for Frontera Strategies, an outsource medical diagnostic company based in Texas. We designed a direct mail piece aimed at private practices, as well as a recruitment flyer for upcoming college career events.
- [The Greene Hotel](https://www.map-agency.com/the-greene-hotel) - The story goes a little something like this: In 1958, Mr. and Mrs. Greene got married in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and spent their honeymoon at the Nevele — one of the great but now-gone Catskill Mountain resorts. 65 years later, with four kids, 11 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild on the way, their Florida house has
- [Abstract Iconography](https://www.map-agency.com/branding-abstract-iconography) - The logo is arguably the most memorable part of a brand identity. Out of all the elements that makeup a brand identity system, it is usually the most consistent. However, that doesn’t mean a logo can accomplish everything that helps define a brand and its values. Which is why an abstract icon can help add
- [Auto Show](https://www.map-agency.com/auto-show) - Long overdue thank you to @dhpictures for this sweet tabloid of his most recent series titled Auto Show. We’ve been a friend and huge fan of Don’s work for quite some time, having worked with him back in the day at @taylordesignct. He has an uncanny ability to capture thoughtful, introspective candid moments in his commercial work, and
- [The Devaluation of Stock](https://www.map-agency.com/the-devaluation-of-stock) - On Monday, March 2nd, 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial average fell under 7,000 for the first time since 1997. NPR had assured me of this as I was packing up for the day. Since I rarely concern myself with the stock market, the numerically sound fact struck me as something that surely related to design, but I couldn’t remember what that was. I wrapped a scarf around my neck and headed out, one foot in front of the other trying to reconnect-the-dots in the frigid winter air. As soon as I entered my apartment, I began fervently shuffling through papers in the recycling bin. Whatever complacent connection I was trying to make was in there somewhere.
- [Create Annual "Rapport"](https://www.map-agency.com/expanding-models-for-annual-reports) - The traditional 64-page, full color printed Annual Report stands at an interesting junction. On one hand, the Annual Report is an excellent device to inform company shareholders of their intelligent investment. On the other, it often takes more than 64 glossy pages to convince investors, institutional or individual, that their hard-earned dollars were put to good use — especially when corporate earnings don’t exactly beat analysts’ expectations. Certainly, company profits could be spent more wisely than printing these 64 pages, thousands of times.
- [Implement a Planning Process](https://www.map-agency.com/implement-a-planning-process) - A planning process seems obvious, but how many of your clients actually have one? Between your authors? None. When we think of planning, we think of long hours, battles between brand and shopper teams, so many great ideas on the chopping floor... we get it. But what oftentimes gets overlooked is the opportunity to take
- [Partner with Private Label](https://www.map-agency.com/partner-with-private-label) - If bundling private label products with your brand drives traffic or increases basket size, the retailer will be interested. Bass Pro Shops, the national outdoor and sporting goods chain, has been partnering with national brands for years. Every catalog they drop devotes space for fishing rod and reel combinations that combine their private labels rods
- [Leverage Retailers’ Cause Marketing Plans](https://www.map-agency.com/leverage-retailers-cause-marketing-plans) - Retailers, no matter how big or small, are starting to realize the impact they are expected to have in their communities. For example, Family Dollar partnered with local Boys and Girls Clubs of America to produce a custom SKU of private label paper towels designed by kids. Kids got their designs featured on a product
- [Invest in Design](https://www.map-agency.com/invest-in-design) - Historically, one area private label fell short was design. Shoppers didn’t believe the store brand packaging reflect high-quality products. But the Revolution is being led with strong design. Shoprite just debuted “bowl & basket,” its new food and beverage private label brand. Handsomely designed with a simple bespoke typeface, a warm color pallet, and understated
- [Private Label Revolution](https://www.map-agency.com/private-label-revolution) - Introducing 4 ways brands can shift their marketing approach to keep up with Private Label success Branded packaged goods have dominated retail for almost a century, while private-label products have been seen as the lower-quality value option for thrifty shoppers who sacrifice quality to keep a few extra bucks in their pockets. But things are
- [Master of Imperfection](https://www.map-agency.com/master-of-imperfection) - In the early 2000’s, Art Chantry was experiencing somewhat of a revival in popularity, partially due to the release of his recent monograph. In retrospect, the overwhelming response in awards can be seen as expected, after almost a decade of computer-generated design. His low-tech approach for album covers associated with the grunge scene was fresh
- [Vision in Motion](https://www.map-agency.com/vision-in-motion) - Kenneth Hine, a professor at Syracuse University, kept a bibliography of the most important books on design, cleverly titled, “Hine Sight.” He sold perfect-bound versions of it at the copy center, and I believe even offered course credit to anybody that read every book listed. Of course, the task was impossible – the book is
- [Art Direct America](https://www.map-agency.com/art-direct-america) - In America, the occupational title of the art director preceded that of the graphic designer. While the lines between roles have been blurred today, the importance of advertising in editorial created a more specific need for the Art Director in early 20th Century. It wasn’t until the Art Director’s Club of New York, formed in
- [A Sip from the Crystal Goblet](https://www.map-agency.com/a-sip-from-the-crystal-goblet) - When I first read Beatrice Warde’s 1930 lecture on printing, “The Crystal Goblet” (in Helen Armstrongs’ crucial Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field, 2009), I thought, fuck that shit. Mind you, I was just a few years removed from design education at Syracuse, a concept school with heavy Swiss influences. My heroes at the
- [The Fox and the Bird](https://www.map-agency.com/the-fox-and-the-bird) - Context is important when we look back at the history of branding and design. In the 1960’s and early 70’s, American Corporate identity was heavily influenced by the Swiss International Style, the wordmark having largely replaced pictorial representation of companies and brands. Recall, Vignelli introduced American Airlines to Helvetica in 1967, and Rand streamlined IBM
- [King Gets His Due](https://www.map-agency.com/king-gets-his-due) - Brody, Saville, even Bubbles ­— All British designers whose work pushed established norms and helped define graphic movements in the late 70’s and early 80’s. At least within the pages of history, they each became synonymous with a certain look or style — Bubbles is to Punk what Brody is to New Wave Typography. Perhaps
- [Design Confession](https://www.map-agency.com/design-confession) - I hardly knew anything about graphic design, or its history, as an art student in the college of Visual and Performing Arts. As part of my work-study program, I was getting paid $5 an hour to assist students load Microfilm and Microfiche machines in the basement of Byrd Library. The “computer consultant,” who sat on
- [Always Give Credit](https://www.map-agency.com/always-give-credit) - A fun exercise to try when you’ve run out of design solutions: set Futura Heavy Oblique knockout on bright red – maybe Pantone Red 032. Then take said layout and share it with a colleague, casually asking, “Does this design resemble anything you recognize?” Design students are fairly educated today, but there was a time
- [My Next Best Agency](https://www.map-agency.com/my-next-best-agency) - I learned practically everything I know about design at my favorite agency in Connecticut, Taylor Design. It was the job I didn’t get coming out of Syracuse University — which made it all the more attractive — and especially rewarding when they hired me two years later. I spent the next 7 years as a
- [Oh Baby! A New Brand for Origin Finance](https://www.map-agency.com/oh-baby-a-new-brand-for-origin-finance) - We are so excited to announce the launch of a new Brand Identity System for Origin Finance, fertility experts on a mission to help make parenthood financially attainable for more families. Origin provides information and financing options for parents looking to grow their family through IVF and surrogacy. They needed a brand that was going
- [The Power of Brand](https://www.map-agency.com/the-power-of-brand) - On Tuesday, June 8th, Map gave an introduction the importance of branding in the 21st Century entitled, The Power of Brand. The event was hosted at the Booth Library in Newtown, CT, in partnership with the Newtown Chamber of Commerce. In his speech, John Rudolph, Principal and Creative Director at Map Agency, spoke about the
- [Meeting Uncle Matt](https://www.map-agency.com/meeting-uncle-matt) - I first met Matt in the Fall of 2020 and, like so many introductions during the pandemic, ours was virtual. It was an interview of sorts — he was looking for a designer to build his new bakery's website — though it didn’t feel like one. We talked about our families, life in our small
- [What would de Harak do?](https://www.map-agency.com/what-would-de-harak-do) - Pure. Simple. Rational. Those are the words often used to describe de Harak’s work, but the trained eye knows that achieving any of those qualities doesn’t come easy. It’s almost frustrating, the amount of work – the practice, the iteration, the reservation – that it takes to distill a communications challenge down to the core
- [State of the Agency](https://www.map-agency.com/state-of-the-agency) - On April 14th, we officially put the “Open for Business” sign on our front door — metaphorically speaking, of course, since our announcement came by way of Instagram and LinkedIn. We didn’t actually have an office door to hang the sign. Then again, we didn’t have a single client either. Or a project to our
- [A Delicious Taste of Branding](https://www.map-agency.com/a-delicious-taste-of-branding) - We like to think of branding as big, ripe avocado – an analogy we borrowed from Brian Dougherty’s book on “Green Graphic Design” (Allworth Press, 2008). Dougherty relates the three layers of an avocado to important roles of the modern designer; 1. Manipulator of stuff, 2. Message maker, and 3. An agent of change. It’s
- [Refresh. Revive. Revitalize.](https://www.map-agency.com/refresh-revive-revitalize-how-the-arts-spark-economic-activity) - Investing in cultural infrastructure is often overlooked during a recession, even though studies prove the arts help spark economic recovery. Creativity stimulates the local workforce, supports the development of tourism, and bolsters civic engagement. This year, we're tapping into the critical connection between the arts and the economy for the Cultural Alliance of Western CT's
- [Top Branding Agency in CT](https://www.map-agency.com/top-branding-agency-in-ct) - Map Agency has been recognized as a Top Branding Agency in Connecticut by DesignRush. The DesignRush community lists over 9,300 agencies from over 50 different countries and is consulted by thousands of decision-makers looking to start a project. We're honored and excited to be recognized as we continue to grow our business and add services
- [AIGA CT](https://www.map-agency.com/aiga-ct) - Board members met this past Sunday, at the sweet space provided by @districtnhv. Co-presidents @ijacinabear and @jordinstah led a group session with Gerrit de Vries, @rachaelconti2, @imsaraaaa, @jennyjreed, and @melanieuribe. Excited to kick off a new year of programming with AIGA CT — If you're an @aigact member, look for design goodness to come!
- [Open for Business?](https://www.map-agency.com/open-for-business) - Small Business Saturday is almost here – can your audience find you? Do they even know you have this cool product/business/idea/thing that exists?!! As much as we hate to admit, most of us don’t break out the Yellow Pages to find a local coffee shop these days. We Google it. In light of the ensuing
- [Map is Moving](https://www.map-agency.com/map-is-moving) - Sitting on the banks of the mighty Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook, CT, sits a 150-year-old brick mill building where, legend has it, Charles Goodyear once experimented with the vulcanization process of rubber. Built in 1870 with timber framing and a gabled roof, we're proud to announce it now houses the new Map Agency office! Should
- [Opposites Attract](https://www.map-agency.com/opposites-attract) - On February 16th, Map Agency hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with AIGA CT called Opposites Attract. The event featured 6 incredibly talented creatives that work at opposite ends of the design spectrum. Each set of "opposites" spoke about specific topics. Sam Becker, Software Director at IDEO, chatted with Rietje Becker, Creative Director at Soulsight about
- [First Brand to Move](https://www.map-agency.com/first-brand-to-move) - Traditional marketing puts an overwhelming amount of importance on the coveted first to market, especially in digital technology, product innovation, and even retail. It’s reasonable to understand why – the first mover is often rewarded with early adopters and a large slice of market share. This is especially true when the initial audience is relatively
- [The Arts Attract](https://www.map-agency.com/508-2) - New work for the CT Arts Alliance — The ONLY statewide non-profit organization that advocates for the arts in Connecticut. We are so humbled by this amazing opportunity to position the brand of a non-profit that is driven to build a healthy and vibrant arts sector. In an era when the arts fight for relevance
- [Alive at Five Revived!](https://www.map-agency.com/alive-at-five-revived) - The Alive at Five concert series has been a staple in Stamford for over 20 years. (We remember when it was free – and you could bring your own cooler.) When Stamford Downtown reached out to help bring the event back to life this summer, we just assumed the original “Alive @ Five” lockup would
- [CT Arts Director's Club Awards](https://www.map-agency.com/ct-arts-directors-club-awards) - Congratulations to the CT Arts Alliance and Sunfish Technologies for their recent Excellence Awards in Brand Identity Design from the @thecadc! We're so luck to partner with clients that are passionate about what they do, and have a true vision for how their brand should look and act. Our design solutions are always a result of
- [Support Arts Champions](https://www.map-agency.com/support-arts-champions) - We've made a pledge to support the arts. It's super easy and you get that warm feeling like being hugged by flannel in the fall. A couple of ways to do it: 1. Sign up for Create the Vote CT.2. Check out the CT Arts Alliance survey responses to find out if your candidate also
- [Business Supports the Arts](https://www.map-agency.com/business-supports-the-arts) - This year’s “Business Supports the Arts” theme was inspired by one of our favorite artists, Jean-Michel Basquiat, who often worked wearing Armani, showing up at public events in paint-splattered suits. We used the simple black tie as a symbol of support from local businesses, and a holding device for all the different forms of art
- [It Finally Happened!](https://www.map-agency.com/it-finally-happened) - After two years of virtual events, the Business Supports the Arts breakfast was back in person. We're so humbled and proud to be a part of this amazing organization and signature event. How lucky are we, to get an invitation to partner with some of the most brilliant and creative minds in the area? There's
- [Delicious Food Photography](https://www.map-agency.com/delicious-food-photography) - One of the first brands we helped to develop was for a small bakery right here in our little town, Sandy Hook. It's still one of our favorites. And with his amazing breads, desserts, and sandwiches, it's certainly no surprise the amount of success Uncle Matt is having. He was recently visited by one of
- [Holidays & Headshots](https://www.map-agency.com/holidays-headshots) - LinkedIn profile pics are about to get sharp in CT! At our AIGA CT Community Meeting last week at Reverie Brewing in Newtown, CT, special guest Lisa Nichols, AKA Bread & Beast Photographer, AKA @bread_and_beast, set up a makeshift studio to take everybody's headshot. (Yes, we finally got to work with her!) We had over 50
- [Happy Office-versary](https://www.map-agency.com/happy-office-versary) - A year ago today we packed up the home office and signed the lease on this little studio on Glen Road. While rent isn't our favorite, we kind of like it here — It's especially cozy and welcoming during the Holidays. If you're ever in Sandy Hook, stop on by. We'll pour a couple cups
- [Acts of Kindness](https://www.map-agency.com/acts-of-kindness) - The St. Joseph School Acts of Kindness campaign is an opportunity for students to raise funds for their school and in return for any support received, pay it forward through acts of kindness. They invited us to create a few typographic lockups and illustrations to use on various marketing materials. For a T-Shirt design to

## Pages

- [Map Agency Cover](https://www.map-agency.com/) - Map Agency is a strategic branding and graphic design studio in Sandy Hook, Newtown, CT, for start-ups, corporations, education, municipality, and non-profits.
- [What's in a brand style guide?](https://www.map-agency.com/brand-style-guide)
- [About](https://www.map-agency.com/about) - Map is a design agency that helps people and businesses build their brand. We believe that creating a unique and memorable brand presence is the best long-term investment your organization can make in today’s competitive landscape.
- [Services](https://www.map-agency.com/services) - Map Agency develops brand identities, websites, print solutions, marketing platforms, and advertising campaigns that are unique and own-able in the marketplace.
- [Map Agency - Home](https://www.map-agency.com/map-agency-home)
- [Brand Style Guides](https://www.map-agency.com/brand-style-guides)
- [Ideas](https://www.map-agency.com/ideas) - Our most recent projects and thoughts on business, branding, and the state of design.
- [Schedule a Call](https://www.map-agency.com/contact) - Have an interesting project in mind? We'd love to hear about it! Email us at hello@map-agency.com or, better yet, give us a ring at (203) 304-1846.
- [Work](https://www.map-agency.com/work) - Our favorite design projects meet at the intersection of Concept, Craft, and Creativity.
- [Topographic](https://www.map-agency.com/topographic) - Stay up-to-date with the brand landscape by subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Topographic. Enter your email address below, and we'll send a curated snapshot of brands that are activating innovative ideas to drive business.
- [Edmond Town Hall - website announcement](https://www.map-agency.com/eth-ig-announcement)
- [Circle of Joy Video](https://www.map-agency.com/circleofjoy)
- [Upstage Newtown](https://www.map-agency.com/upstage-newtown)
- [Testimonials](https://www.map-agency.com/testimonials) - Some lovely things our clients have said about us.
- [which-way-to-logo](https://www.map-agency.com/which-way-to-logo)
- [Attention, Please!](https://www.map-agency.com/attention-please)
- [Brand ROI](https://www.map-agency.com/brand-roi)

## Projects

- [Connecticut Cemetery Association](https://www.map-agency.com/work/ctcemeteryassociation)
- [Edmond Town Hall](https://www.map-agency.com/work/edmond-town-hall)
- [River Bend](https://www.map-agency.com/work/river-bend)
- [Oak Lawn](https://www.map-agency.com/work/oak-lawn)
- [MP Pepperoni](https://www.map-agency.com/work/mp-pepperoni)
- [Arts Hub Study](https://www.map-agency.com/work/arts-hub)
- [Circle Surrogacy](https://www.map-agency.com/work/circle-surrogacy)
- [Sunfish](https://www.map-agency.com/work/sunfish)
- [Van Dellen Solutions](https://www.map-agency.com/work/van-dellen-solutions)
- [Cultural Alliance](https://www.map-agency.com/work/cultural-alliance-western-ct)
- [Uncle Matt's Bakery](https://www.map-agency.com/work/unclematts)
- [CT Arts Alliance](https://www.map-agency.com/work/ctartsalliance)
- [Borough of Newtown](https://www.map-agency.com/work/borough-of-newtown)
- [TCS](https://www.map-agency.com/work/tcs)
- [CT Main Street Center](https://www.map-agency.com/work/ct-main-street-center)
- [Wegmans](https://www.map-agency.com/work/wegmans)
- [Wiggle & Thump](https://www.map-agency.com/work/wiggle-and-thump)
- [Origin Finance](https://www.map-agency.com/work/origin-finance)
- [Alive at Five](https://www.map-agency.com/work/alive-at-five)

## Footers

- [Footer](https://www.map-agency.com/footer/footer)
- [Footer - Topographic Form](https://www.map-agency.com/footer/footer-duplicate-2)

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://www.map-agency.com/category/uncategorized)
- [Design](https://www.map-agency.com/category/design) - Design information and inspiration from Map Agency.
- [News](https://www.map-agency.com/category/news) - The latest news from Map Agency.
- [Ideas](https://www.map-agency.com/category/ideas) - Ideas and insights from Map Agency.
- [Branding](https://www.map-agency.com/category/branding)
- [Writing](https://www.map-agency.com/category/writing)
- [Creativity](https://www.map-agency.com/category/creativity)
- [Technology](https://www.map-agency.com/category/technology)
- [Productivity](https://www.map-agency.com/category/productivity)
- [Social Media](https://www.map-agency.com/category/social-media)
- [Social Media Analytics](https://www.map-agency.com/category/social-media-analytics)
- [Targeting](https://www.map-agency.com/category/targeting)
- [Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/category/marketing)
- [Shopper](https://www.map-agency.com/category/shopper)
- [Website](https://www.map-agency.com/category/website)
- [Typography](https://www.map-agency.com/category/typography)
- [Fonts](https://www.map-agency.com/category/fonts)
- [Logo Design](https://www.map-agency.com/category/logo-design)
- [Audience](https://www.map-agency.com/category/audience)
- [Print](https://www.map-agency.com/category/print)
- [Website Design](https://www.map-agency.com/category/website-design)
- [Advertising](https://www.map-agency.com/category/advertising)

## Tags

- [Graphic Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/graphic-design)
- [Event Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/event-marketing)
- [Branding](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/branding)
- [Logo](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/logo)
- [Logo Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/logo-design)
- [Poster Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/poster-design)
- [Digital Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/digital-marketing)
- [CT](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/ct)
- [Connecticut](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/connecticut)
- [Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/marketing)
- [Newtown](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/newtown)
- [Advertising](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/advertising)
- [Technology](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/technology)
- [Business](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/business)
- [Social Media](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/social-media)
- [Social Media Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/social-media-marketing)
- [Analytics](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/analytics)
- [Retail](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/retail)
- [Font](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/font)
- [Fonts](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/fonts)
- [Typography](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/typography)
- [Font Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/font-design)
- [Type](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/type)
- [Display Type](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/display-type)
- [Sans Serif](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/sans-serif)
- [Logos](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/logos)
- [Process](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/process)
- [Digital Strategy](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/digital-strategy)
- [Storytelling](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/storytelling)
- [Sketching](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/sketching)
- [Targeting](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/targeting)
- [Target Audience](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/target-audience)
- [Audience Segmentation](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/audience-segmentation)
- [Benefits of Targeting](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/benefits-of-targeting)
- [Brand Marketing](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/brand-marketing)
- [Website Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/website-design)
- [Digital Media](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/digital-media)
- [Website](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/website)
- [UI/UX](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/ui-ux)
- [Timeless Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/timeless-design)
- [Design](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/design)
- [Shopper](https://www.map-agency.com/tag/shopper)