ABOUT US
ABOUT US
How We Work
Stellar brand strategy and creative execution are about utilizing both emotional and logical reasoning in your customers’ decision-making process. We believe that a well-crafted message that clearly expresses the problem your customer faces, empathizes with their challenges, and demonstrates you as an authority for the solution enables you to sell on value rather than cost.
Our core values:
WIN TOGETHER
We believe in relationships built on a foundation of winning together. Our process is designed to be clear, direct, and transparent, so we’re always on the same page. Our primary focus is to develop strategies with you that work within your budget while delivering on the expectations that we set together. Simply put, we understand that if working with us helps you be more successful, you will continue to retain our services — a win/win.
Strategy & Consulting
We believe in diving deep into what makes each of our clients’ businesses unique, the specific problems their products or services solve, and most importantly, the metrics from which we will measure success. We use this knowledge to develop the most impactful and efficient results possible. With strategies rooted in thorough research, you can trust that you’re making the best decisions with your budget.
The Power of the Guide
One of the most impactful tools for selling is leveraging the power of emotion, as well as logic, to demonstrate the benefits of your product or service. A well-crafted story that addresses your customer’s problem, while expressing why you do what you do, how you do it, as well as what you do, is the most effective way to connect and engage with your audience, so you can sell on value, rather than solely on cost.
What we do
Creative Services
Brand Strategy
Brand Audit & Analysis
Identity & Logo Design
Brand Voice & Messaging
Brand Aesthetic Development
Brand Guide Creation
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Ad Creation
Website Design & ADA Compliance
Infographic Design
Print Design & File Prep
Presentation Deck Design
Copywriting
Messaging Concept Development
Brand Narrative Development
Advertising Copy
Strategic Sales Copy
Technical Writing
Multimedia
Motion-Graphic Video Production
Graphic Animation
Photography
Photo Manipulation & Correction
Illustration
Our Secret Weapons
White Label Services
Hardy Design Co. was built around more than 25 years of experience gained from serving a variety of roles within a vast array of business models. During that time, we’ve aided our clients by expanding their resources beyond those of their core teams, freeing them up to focus on the work only they can perform. Through our collaboration together, it is our goal to provide our clients with the following:
- Consultive Services: With experience working with some of the world’s largest brands, we can help to provide real-world guidance as it pertains to brand strategy and creative execution.
- Budget Control & Risk Mitigation: By providing both retainer and ‘pay as you go’ models, we allow our clients to scale their capabilities up and down as needed.
- Empowerment: It is our goal to allow our clients to shine in their roles by easing the tension and anxiety of the projects they’re managing. Working with HDC means never having to worry about deadlines being met or budgets bleeding out.
BRAND STRATEGY
Powerful branding is the key to selling on value rather than relying solely on cost. When looking to connect with your audience, branding is the first place to start. Our approach to brand strategy incorporates brand scripting as well as brand-scape development to weave emotion along with logical reasoning to create a connection with your audience. This process helps to build trust and encourages your audience to evaluate you on the basis of value instead of cost.
- Brand Scripts: Our Brand Script process will help to define your unique selling proposition (USP) while clearly articulating the problem your audience faces, as well as establish you as an authority on how to help them solve that problem.
- Brand-Scapes: Our Brand-Scape process will provide the perfect visual aesthetic that will invite your audience in to listen to your message while providing design consistency for your brand—greatly improving your brand recognition and equity.
OUR TEAM
Creative Team
Award-winning brand strategy and creative execution—recognized by more than 50 Addy awards, as well as awards from ADC, Reggie, and 2 Emmy nominations.
Mike Hardy – Brand Strategist & Creative Director
An award-winning brand strategist with more than 25 years of experience in roles ranging from print production to high-end creative direction and brand strategy, Mike prides himself on understanding how to motivate an audience to take the desired action. Over the years, Mike has amassed numerous accolades, including more than 50 Addy Awards, while working with global brands such as Starbucks, Duracell, Harley-Davidson, Procter & Gamble, Coors, Kroger, Ace Hardware, and Polaris.
Heidi Jones – Project Manager
Heidi brings extensive project management in multiple industries to the table, and is experienced in bringing teams together to achieve client goals. Organization is her game, and work flows are her bag. She’s a master at follow through, believes in a strong work ethic, and that no day is complete without a hearty laugh!
Sheri Kowalski – Art Director & Copywriter
A creative talent with 18 years in the business, Sheri specializes in creative strategy and execution. Her unique ability to clearly visualize the desired outcome, bolstered by her abilities to bring it life through design, photography, and writing make her an amazing all-around talent for creative executions. 11 years working with motion graphics for CBS Television Studios, where she was nominated for multiple Emmys for design and animation, rounds out Sheri’s broad and experienced skill set.
Rich Connolly – Graphic Designer
As a lifelong creative, Rich boasts a diverse skillset that he loves to get his hands dirty with. From layout design, illustration, and writing—there’s nothing he won’t happily dive into as his true strengths lay in his adaptability and enthusiasm. He takes pride in being someone who can figure it out and rises to any creative challenge. Rich’s attention to detail enables him to complete projects quickly and his clever wit and humor are always welcome, especially when the deadline looms.
Nehemiah Harmsen – UX/Graphic Designer
Nehemiah is a user experience designer who creates great-looking, functional, and accessible websites. He has a strong fine art background and has experience in different areas of visual design including logo and print design. He also has experience in animation, audio production, and video editing. His goal has always been to try to have as many tools in his design toolbox so that he is able to provide exactly what is needed for a project.
TEAM AWARDS
National Addy Awards – National Silver Award for Direct Mail Marketing
District 15 Addy Awards – Gold Award for Direct Mail Marketing
Central Coast Addy Awards – 33 Awards including Gold Awards for Direct Mail Marketing, Corporate Identity, and Industrial Self Promotion
Central Coast Addy Awards – 23 awards including 2 Gold Addy Awards for poster design and Multi-Part Campaigns, and Best of Advertising Award for Multi-Part Campaign
PIA Awards of Southern California – 4 awards including the People’s Choice Award for Advertising Excellence
Hermes Creative Award Gold Winner – Wilbanks Energy Logistics Logo Design
Hermes Creative Award Gold Winner – Wilbanks Energy Logistics Website Design
ADCD Silver – Duracell Museum of the Obvious; for Duracell/Procter & Gamble
Reggie Award – Green Caps for Green Energy; for Silk/Whitewave Foods
NDAC Denver 50 – Green Caps for Green Energy; for Silk/Whitewave Foods
NDAC Denver 50 – Museum of the Obvious; website for Duracell/Procter & Gamble
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