We’re proud to announce that Elements was awarded an American Web Design Award from Graphic Design USA for the new website we created for our friends at Caldwell & Walsh earlier this year. This was a major transformation from their previous site and shows off their fantastic work at important spaces of learning and living. Visit caldwellandwalsh.com to see it in action!

A Website Built to Impress

Caldwell & Walsh is a construction management, design/build and general contracting firm servicing the northeast with a focus on education, healthcare and laboratories with offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

Elements was hired to completely redesign Caldwell & Walsh’s website and establish a new, clean design to highlight their beautiful work. Our strategic use of an approachable color palette carries viewers through the site, and the use of larger images not only gives viewers a closer look at Caldwell & Walsh’s projects, but creates an experience that details the spaces and showcases their expertise.

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Amy was recently featured in February’s issue of Marketer, The Journal of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)! Below is her article about the secret to winning more work — a must read! Article / images ©Marketer, The Journal of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, February 2019, www.smps.org

Anyone who sells products or services understands how difficult it can be to win business. You often find yourself up against prospects who are under pressure to control costs, and therefore only seem to be interested in your price.

How do you move the conversation past price to demonstrate your value in the marketplace, and justify the price or fees you deserve? The secret is to compose a powerful customer value proposition.

What Is a Customer Value Proposition?

A customer value proposition is a clear statement that can help direct prospects to focus on what your products/services are truly worth and what makes you unique in the marketplace. It should explain how you will solve potential customers’ specific problem(s), how the solution will benefit them, and why they should select your products/services over your competitors. This is your unique selling proposition. Once a prospect understands what you offer, they can make an educated decision about whom to work with or what to buy.

Most companies do not have a value proposition, or they do not have one that truly impacts and motivates client opinions. I believe it is because many companies (and marketers) do not fully grasp the power of a well-written value proposition—or understand how to use one to win business—so it’s not in everyone’s purview. This is great news for you, because it can be to your sales advantage to write and use one.

The value proposition should be created with your marketing director or team—so that the messaging is on point and consistent, and aligns with your brand. Then it can be turned over to your sales team to use in proposals and/or pitches. Below, I break down the three steps to crafting your own customer value proposition.

Step One: Make It Distinctive

Invest the time to uncover and understand what your prospects are looking for. Learn everything you can about their business, pain points, and unique requirements/preferences. It may be beneficial to create a customer persona. Armed with this knowledge, it becomes clear how your offerings exceed those of your competitors on the precise points that are of utmost importance to your prospects. Determine one or two points of difference that will provide the greatest solution and value with the most unique distinction from your competitors.

Step Two: Make It Measurable

Demonstrate and document the value of your products/services and communicate this in such a way that is relatable to your clients’ business priorities. To make your value proposition persuasive, you must prove that you fully grasp their critical challenges. Use case studies to demonstrate savings, value, and results they would receive if they choose your products/services.

Step Three: Keep It Going

Prove your value proposition over time. This is not a one-time effort; you need to sustain and maintain your unique claim. Your value proposition should be adopted company-wide—not only by sales—and it should guide the way you conduct business.

Your customer value proposition should be the foundation of your business strategy. It should be your call-to-action to focus deeply on exactly what you offer, what challenges you’re addressing, and how best to offer a solution. It should also encourage you to continue to look for ways to distinguish yourself and for ways to communicate your uniqueness to your prospects. A great customer value proposition will affect every part of your business and align your company top-down. If done correctly, your effort will be rewarded with winning more business, better products and/or services, and increased customer retention/satisfaction.

Now that you understand the secret power of a great customer value proposition, will you create one for your business?

Need Some Inspiration?

Here are two examples of companies with great customer value propositions:

Uber

“Tap the app. Get a ride. Uber is the smartest way to get around. One tap and a car comes directly to you. Your driver knows exactly where to go. And payment is completely cashless.”

Why it’s great: Uber’s customer value proposition centers around convenience.

Apple, Inc.

“Why there’s nothing like an iPhone. Every iPhone we’ve made—and we mean every single one—was built on the same belief. That a phone should be more than a collection of features. That, above all, a phone should be absolutely simple, beautiful, and magical to use.”

Why it’s great: Every phone is a collection of features; what makes Apple’s customer value proposition unique is their commitment to simplification through design.

— Amy Graver | Elements, Principal & Creative Director

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NOTE: This position in on-site, based in Branford, CT. Preference will be given to local candidates (Connecticut). No calls, please.

To apply, please submit the following materials to studio@elementsdesign.com:

Resume:

Online portfolio with both print / web samples
A cover note including salary requirements describing why you are perfect for the position.
Candidates who do not adhere to these submission requirements will not be considered. We look forward to hearing from you!

About the Position:

ELEMENTS® is actively seeking another smart, professional, creative and talented designer to join our growing team. This is a full-time salaried position including some benefits. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working in a design firm or in-house design position.

This is a great opportunity to collaborate with an award-winning design team and to work on a wide variety of highly creative projects – therefore, the right candidate will be comfortable working in varied industries and mediums. On a given day, the graphic / web designer will handle projects ranging from print and marketing collateral and packaging to large-scale branding initiatives, websites and more.

Design Skills:

• Prior design firm or in-house department experience (1-2 years minimum)
• Demonstrate an excellent eye for color, composition, type and detail
• A portfolio demonstrating a high level of creative ability with a diversity of style appropriate to a mix of projects, including both print and web (packaging a bonus, but not necessary)
• Proficiency in all Adobe design software required
• Experience creating sitemaps / wireframes / architecture
• Strong web design / production skills
• Familiarity with best practices for WordPress, HTML and CSS
• Knowledgeable about HTML, CSS, Dreamweaver and capable of basic coding for website updates, online advertising and email marketing as well as designing for others to code
• Production knowledge
• Skillfully manage vendors, including but not limited to, printers, illustrators, web developers and photographers and solid knowledge of pre-press processes
• Demonstrated understanding of production for print, packaging, web, design and branding
• Strong organizational & work skills
• Bring fresh ideas, a new perspective and a sense of humor
• Unique solutions and flawless execution
• A demonstrated ability to understand clients’ business strategies and challenges and be able to translate those needs into compelling visual and communications solutions
• Work efficiently within a busy environment, meet deadlines and self-manage
• Superior written, verbal and interpersonal skills a must
• Be able to present personal work and the work of others in a well-articulated, professional manner
• You should be able to work comfortably independently or as part of our group

About Elements:

ELEMENTS is an award-winning graphic design, social media and marketing communications firm based in beautiful Branford on the shoreline of Connecticut.

Elements provides a full range of creative services for all marketing communications needs that includes branding, brand review and analysis, consumer marketing, environment and events, interactive and digital media, package design, print collateral, public relations, social media, strategy and positioning, and website design and development.

We work collaboratively with companies of all sizes on a project-by-project basis or acting as an offsite marketing department. We strategize to develop and execute smart, creative, and effective solutions that help our clients achieve their full marketing potential.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We look forward to hearing from you!

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We are excited to announce that our team was awarded an American Package Design Award from Graphic Design USA for work on behalf of our client, Uji Smoothies.

The American Package Design Awards is a more than 50-year-old annual, national design competition conducted by Graphic Design USA Magazine, recognizing the best work in graphic design and emphasizes the value graphic design brings to business. This year’s entries topped 2,000, and only a highly selective top 15 percent were recognized with an award in this year’s competition. We are honored to be among them.

UJI Smoothies is a nutritional smoothie beverage company that uses the best grains from regions around the world to create a delicious and healthy beverage. Elements created a refresh of the packaging to convey the healthy and delicious ingredients sourced globally.

We congratulate our client, Uji Smoothies, with whom we share this distinguished award. Go team!

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The post Elements Awarded Multiple Honors in GDUSA’s 2016 American Graphic Design Competition appeared first on Elements.

Read more >

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Don’t get Amy Graver started on the power of design. Or maybe you should. She lives it. Breathes it. Write about it. That’s why when her clients are looking for the most awe-inspiring ways to use it in their promotional, marketing and communications initiatives, Graver is the first one to jump on the pedestal.

Read more >

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Over the past several years graphic designers have been asked to take on an increasing number of services that go beyond what we originally set-up shop to do. The design landscape has completely shifted and changed with no end in sight. Our roles are continuously evolving and it has become a question of keep up, or get left behind.

Read more >

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This is a great opportunity to collaborate with an award-winning design team and to work on a wide variety of highly creative projects – therefore, the right candidate will be comfortable working in varied industries and mediums, with special focus on website design, branding and packaging. On a given day, the graphic designer will handle projects ranging from print ads and business cards to large-scale branding initiatives and websites.

To apply, please email your resume, a link to an online portfolio and a cover note describing why you are perfect for the position to studio@elementsdesign.com. No calls, please. Please be prepared to share website designs and links.

We look forward to hearing from you!

NOTE: Designer positions are on-site, based in Branford, CT. Preference will be given to local candidates (Connecticut area).

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Designer is responsible for initiating and taking independent leadership on design projects, and will work hand-in-hand with the Principal / Creative Director and co-Designer for design direction, as well as independently initiate and develop design moodboards / concepts through final production files. The Designer is expected to take ownership of projects from inception through completion, with the support of the account management team. The Senior Designer may be asked to participate in new business pitches and should be comfortable participating in and leading client meetings and presenting creative work, as necessary.

DESIGN SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Must haves

• BA in Graphic / Web Design, or equivalent experience
• Experience creating sitemaps / wireframes / architecture
• Strong knowledge of designing for web and ability to communicate with and manage developers
• Familiarity with best practices for WordPress, HTML and CSS
• A portfolio demonstrating a high level of creative ability with a diversity of style appropriate to a mix of projects, including web design and links to active sites
• Strong web production skills
• Strong branding skills and ability to follow brand standards / guidelines
• Experience with responsive design and email marketing (variety of platforms)
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite

Nice to haves

• Design firm experience
• Mobile design experience
• Package design / production experience – CPG and natural / specialty food

Production Skills

• Skillfully manage vendors, including but not limited to, web developers, printers, illustrators, and photographers and advanced knowledge of pre-press processes
• Expertise in production for web and print

Organizational & Work Skills

• Bring fresh ideas, a new perspective and a sense of humor
• Unique solutions and flawless execution
• A demonstrated ability to understand clients’ business strategies and challenges and be able to translate those needs into compelling visual and communications solutions
• Work efficiently within a busy environment, meet deadlines and self-manage when necessary
• Superior written, verbal and interpersonal skills a must
• Be able to present personal work and the work of others in a well-articulated, professional manner
• Equally comfortable working independently or as part of a group

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

ELEMENTS is an award-winning creative communications firm based in Branford, Connecticut.

Elements provides a full range of creative services for all marketing communications needs that include brand identity, brand review and analysis, consumer marketing, environment and events, interactive and digital media, package design, print collateral, public relations, social media, strategy and positioning, and website design and development.

We work with companies of all sizes and in a variety of different ways – on a project-by-project basis or acting as an offsite marketing department. We strategize to develop and execute smart, creative, and effective solutions that help our clients achieve their full marketing potential.

To apply, please email your resume, a link to an online portfolio and a cover note describing why you are perfect for the position to studio@elementsdesign.com. No calls, please. Please be prepared to share website designs and links. We look forward to hearing from you!

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