StarMedia Case Study: CHRD

At the StarMedia Advertising Agency, the client is always the number one priority. We've worked with clients regionally, nationally and internationally. Through the relationships we foster with our clients, we act as brand and advertising stewards, consistently and creatively producing solutions so that our clients can reap the results.

Here is the Case Study of the Cree Human Resource Development, one of our clients we have been working with in the last year;

The unemployment rate for the Cree population is around 25%, out of a labor force of 7,500. This number is particularly high, well above the federal and provincial averages. This unemployment rate doubles in the 15-24 age demographic.

The CHRD was designed to give the Cree, especially this large segment of jobless youth greater access to the proper resources to find employment. The CHRD wanted to enliven their materials. At Starmedia, our job was to create a strong visual product, well organized for ease of use. With the rich visual tradition in which the Cree culture is steeped, we thought it best to incorporate traditional motifs into a modern look of the CHRD, which would appeal to the Cree labor force.

Designing the CHRD materials became an interesting proposal for Starmedia design. It was our first experience working with the native Cree language, Iiyiyuu ayiimuun. In fact the materials were trilingual as French and English featured as well. The blend of these three languages required smooth lines and carefully modulated colors.

The colors for the material were selected through extensive research of the Cree traditions, and application of this new knowledge to the psychology of color: The greens express the northern boreal forest evoking growth, discovery, and respect. The burnt umbers and oranges of the autumn hearken the fall when folk tales and legends were told in the community. Red was used as a symbol for strength and courage. All of these colors correspond to the deep white background, suggesting the frozen tundra and winterscapes of the northern Quebec climate.

To see more please visit the CHRD Case Study or see other Case Studies on Our Clients page.

What's Your Favorite Color?

What’s your favorite color? It’s a question we’ve all been asked at least once in our lives and yet it remains one of those ever-changing notions. Very few people understand why they have certain alliances with colors. Whole research programs have been devoted to the study of colors and how they affect our moods and moreover, our drive to consumerism. Color Psychology dictates that human beings will respond faster and more intensely to colors than to words. Colors exist everywhere around us, and regardless of whether or not you’re aware of it, they have a strong effect on how we feel, how we work and what we want. People work harder in rooms painted with red and the majority of gyms have blue mats and paint to encourage motivation and add a calming influence. There are colors, however, with negative aspects. For example: orange is positive when used in small amounts, but it is also statistically one of America’s least favorite colors.

As such, serious time and effort should go into planning out what logo is best suited to your growing company. Your logo speaks to your customers before you’ll ever get a chance to and so you want it to send out the right message. While the main focus of logo design centers on designing an image that truly captures what your company stands for, it is also important to remember those seemingly smaller details that go into producing the perfect design. Inadvertently using a negative color in your logo design could result in the loss of customers. This is where serious Color Research fits into your branding process. Color Research is a professional service, which provides you with a detailed report of what colors work best with your services or products. Professional color specialists will ask the hard hitting color questions and provide you with the answers you need. What colors are best suited to your logo design and your company? Do your logo design colors work globally, or merely within North America? Which color choices will excite your customers? Which ones will drive them to your competitors?

Color specialists will determine which colors speak positively to your brand and which ones will hinder it. While it is easy to find numerous pages of information about Color Psychology online, it is significantly more difficult to decipher the information and to find reports on which colors bring negative aspects to your company. The effects of color on logo design have shown to be instrumental in the success of your company. Color Research is definitely a worthwhile investment. To find out more information about Color Research or how the Psychology of Color can affect your business, please email us at info@starmedia.ca or call toll free: 1-866-816-5646 to speak to someone now... a real person!