Design news, inspiration, and design FAQs from UNIVERSE

Beyond the tote bag: Creative ideas for branded promotional items

Think outside the tote bag! Brand something unexpected and ensure you leave your mark (logo) in a memorable way. Ideas for creative Toronto conferences, events, or general promotional material by UNIVERSE design studio.

How bad are logo makers really?

We used the top 5 logo maker websites on Google to see how they are doing in the year 2023. There is a lot of conversation about how AI and automation will change graphic design but we are sitting confident that a creative, and most importantly – strategic – mind is still winning today.

The power of authenticity in branding and communication

We live in an ever-evolving culture that is currently very conscious of self expression and online representation. What does this mean for you and your brand? How do you want to be perceived and how will you connect to your audience in an authentic way?

FAQ: How much does a website cost?

Because you asked: “How much does a website cost?" We did the research, asking Google Search and Chat GPT-4 to see what they say. We also give you our UNIVERSE web design and development estimate so you can consider and compare results.

Designing a cool logo in 2023: Tips & considerations for creating your brand design

In this blog post we discuss key considerations for creating an awesome logo, as well as FAQs such as "Should you compare or contrast with your competitors?" and "What style will appeal to your target demographic"? Let our experience help you guide your with your new logo design and make critical decisions.

The top 10 signs that your website is outdated

Is your website outdated? Are there warning signs popping up? See some common fails and learn a bit about web design and development best practices in 2023.

UNIVERSE Specialty: Report designs for Ontario think tanks

We have extensive experience creating accessible report designs and all related assets for their online marketing. We have worked with many Toronto and Ontario policy researchers, think tanks, and universities to create one-of-a-kind engaging report designs.

Colour palette considerations for your brand design

In this post we discuss colour considerations, trends and how the colours that we define for your brand's palette will define your brand visually and create immediate brand recognition.

The excitement & terror of AI in graphic design

We here at UNIVERSE welcome our new robot partners. The potential of automating repetitive, technically complex (and most importantly, uncreative) production work is quite exciting. The question of how much will eventually be possible when we give AI more specific direction is a fascinating one.

Colour psychology, cultural perceptions & your brand design

When people think about colour we each have personal associations that are based on preference and cultural connotations. Your brand design should absolutely reflect your own taste and style but also connect with your audience in a strategic way. Let's look at the latest research on colour and learn about the science and psychology of colours relating to brand design.

Why you need more than just a logo: The benefits of a complete brand design

It takes time to create an awesome logo, and even more time to create an accompanying brand design and visual identity. Universe Design Studio started out as a design studio specializing in stand alone logo designs, aptly named Toronto Logo Design, but we realized quickly that clients need more than just a logo design.

Creative designs for creative people: Supporting Toronto artists & creators

Being artists ourselves gives Universe Design Studio a unique role in the Toronto brand design space. We have a deep respect for creatives and artists and are here to help craft logo and brand designs that are the truest representation of how you want your identity to be known.

Our top 5 reasons why we love WordPress websites

Back again with more love for Wordpress! We find a lot of clients have similar questions about how Wordpress works and why it's the best platform for their website so here is a quick rundown of what we love about the Wordpress platform and why we only use it for our web design and development projects.

FAQ: How do I get my website to appear on the top of Google search results?

Search Engine Optimization [SEO] is the technical term for the ways in which we can design a website to maximize its potential to appear at the top of Google’s organic search results. Learn how we can help you to get your website to appear on the top of Google search results with tips from Google and UNIVERSE.

FAQ: What is a brand design vs. a logo?

Looking at brand design by definition and how our process develops your logo and brand design in unity.

Inspiration: What’s your passion?

We are driven to create exceptional designs for ourself and our clients because of our unwavering passion for design. What is your current obsession? How can we help you actualize a vision that has gripped you?

FAQ: How to create an AODA compliant website

A quick explainer about creating a website that is AODA compliant, what this accreditation means for you and your web design project and how we can help.

Typography styles and when to use them

Typography is one of the strongest identifiers of your brand’s identity. Much like the icon element of a logo, the type choice will immediately visually communicate the tone and style of your brand identity. In this post we identify what characteristics and style each typeface conveys, when to use them (including accessibility considerations), and examples of each in use.

FAQ: WordPress, Wix and Squarespace websites… which is best?

Wordpress, Wix and Squarespace websites... which is best? A comparison discussion about one of our most frequently asked questions.