Building your Business Brand - from the inside out CANCELLED (OL15L05A)

Course overview

There's so much more to your brand than your logo - in fact, brands are just like people! And we understand brands in the same ways; through how they behave, how they look and what's said. And just like people, first impressions count!

This course will help you to examine and explore who you are; what your business does, what motivates you and what makes you different. And then investigate your brand's personality and how it's reflected through visual style. Do your clothes fit?

You will develop some useful tools to keep your business focused and consistent in the way it represents itself.

Where This is an online course.

When Thursday, 1:30pm - 3:00pm from 24th September 2020 until 22nd October 2020 for 5 weeks.

Cost The full fee is £51.00. The concessionary fee is £34.00.


Additional Costs
Please see information under "What do I need to bring to the first session?" To avoid unnecessary cost please do not purchase any materials or text books until you are certain that your course will run. Course decisions are normally made a week prior to the course start date. .

What you already need to know

Suitable for micro and small business owners or those planning a new business venture. This course will appeal to anyone who wants to understand what branding is, and wants to develop and manage their visual identity.

What you will learn

With Sarah you will explore:
- The difference between a logo, visual identity, and a brand and why managing them is important.
- Who you are and what makes you tick - your purpose, passions, values and strengths and how they make your business stand out in a crowd.
- Develop a base for your brand's personality and how to reflect that through visual means.

By the end of the course, you will have completed a planning document that shows insight into your small business so that you can match your marketing materials to who you really are.

How you will learn it

Using the online medium you will learn directly from your tutor as well as through presentations, videos, online resources and group discussion. You will have plenty of opportunity to develop your practical skills and your tutor will give you guidance and feedback.

Bring to the first session

ACRES' online courses will be taught in real time using the video platform Google Meet, supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time.

You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or phone) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection.

Though it is not essential, you may choose to create a separate email account for your online learning (preferably Gmail which is most compatible with Google Meet). This will give you the added security to allow you to share your email address with your tutor and other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

At the start of the course and before each lesson your tutor will send you an invitation with a link to join the class and any further information including resources and equipment you will need for the lesson.


Materials and items you will need to do the course

Pen and paper
If you already have them, please bring a selection of your marketing materials e.g. logo, business cards, website link etc

Extra study or practice

You will need to carry out research into aspects of your business and planning between class sessions.

How to enrol

You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on 01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.

Previous students say

This is a new tutor to ACRES.
Sarah Thompson's career as a graphic designer has spanned 3 decades where she has worked across the full range of design disciplines from logos to websites, packaging and publications (and even the occasional bus!) She has also created a range of personalised, illustrated gifts which retailed through a well-known online store.

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

Look out for more online courses with Sarah in the New Year.

Future steps beyond ACRES

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

Please visit the ACRES website, see our brochure, or alternatively contact a member of the team on 01825 761820.