When I had the idea of starting Sho-Kola, all I had was a great recipe and nothing else. I had a very specific idea of the feel but I didn’t know how to translate it in to visuals. I met with Ellen Petty from Identity Kitchen, she listened, asked questions, soon after I had my logo. She really understood what I wanted and made it happen. That was my first very pleasant surprise, the next one, is that she was thinking of everything…. The greeting cards, the website, the photographer….. It is hard enough to get a business started, it was such a luxury not to have to think about any of the design, visual, marketing aspect of things. Ellen was always a step ahead. I couldn’t have done it without her.
Suzan Koc, Sho-Kola
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As the Vice President of a Marketing start-up online luxury retailer, WSH (now Identity Kitchen) made a tremendous contribution in helping us create outstanding collateral materials that captured the brand essence we were starting to develop. They also provided solid creative direction for both the website and other online marketing vehicles. Their design skills are superb; yet equally important, they are a pleasure to work with – always meeting impossible delivery dates and keeping a positive attitude while working with and overstretched marketing team.
Jill Vollmer, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, Mondera
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I think I may been Identity Kitchen’s first and I would definitely consider myself their biggest fan. Anyone want to fight me for that title? I don’t know what I would have done without Ellen’s help throughout my whole rebranding process. Her gentle style of coaxing key words out of me and helping me to really establish and refine my brand has been invaluable to my business. My new brand identity is strategic and all about reaching out to my ideal clients as opposed to running with a look that simply suited my own personal taste. The end result is a stark and elegant white-on-white theme which looks both expensive and friendly at the same time. I’m still not quite sure how Ellen pulled that one off. Since the launch of my new blogsite, I’ve fallen back in love with blogging again and have seen my web hits double in the last 3 months. And we’re not even finished yet…
Justine Ungaro, Justine Ungaro Photography
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The new identity and blogsite you designed for us has completely surpassed my hopes. I feel it has placed the studio in the right realm by subtle means, such as your font choices, palette, and clever use of space. It suggests much without our having to say it in words. Thank you for that, because saying it in words diminishes the message.Your good nature throughout the process can’t be underestimated either. No drama, only a sort of cheerful buzzing creativity from Identity Kitchen.
I am so proud of the new site, I can’t stop asking people to look at it. Thank you for everything!
Diana Adams, Studio Diana
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It only takes a glance at their portfolio before the difference is clear – the passion, love, and true talent that Identity Kitchen delivers is unrivaled. There is simply no other studio that comes close. I had no intentions of updating my brand until I viewed Ellen’s work… after that, the rest is history! Intrigued with IK’s work, I shopped endlessly for companies specializing in identity and graphic design to see how other company’s compared. Simply put: her work was so inspiring, and it defined everything I wanted my business and brand to portray. I compiled a hefty RFP so Ellen and I could begin collaborating various ideas and end goals. I immediately detected Ellen’s expertise in the communication with her clients. She triggered so many ideas that truly made me reflect on the direction and intention with my business. Throughout the drafting process, Ellen’s ability to refine her art to fit a client’s request was just astounding. It was SO stunning to see her take an idea, apply her creative touch, and return the modification exceeding my expectations. Identity Kitchen beat their quoted timelines every step of the way. Amongst the cameras, lenses, software, actions, computers, this and that… Identity Kitchen was hands down the BEST investment my studio has made. I look forward to a long lasting relationship with Identity Kitchen!
Mario Masitti, Mario Masitti Studios
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After hearing good things about Identity Kitchen, I decided to fill out the contact form and I am so glad that I did. I knew right away that this process would be so different from my past experiences. Ellen asked me questions that made me realize that she really understood branding and the importance of getting it right. This identity and brand is everything I wanted and more. The new website and blog quickly followed completing the new look. For once, I felt my brand represented me and expresses Lisa Carpenter Photography so very well. Thank you Identity Kitchen for a great experience and a new look that my business will continue to grow with!
Lisa Carpenter, Lisa Carpenter Photography
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Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons asked WSH (now Identity Kitchen) to shape its Annual report…the talented team succeeded in creating a powerful design that echoed our institution’s traditional strengths while simultaneously heralding our breathtaking medical research and scientific advancements. We were most pleased with the results.
Michael Hyde, Editor, Columbia University Health Services
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I wrote my blog on an ugly template for an entire year, before deciding to go with Identity Kitchen for my re-design. Knowing that I wanted them to design my brand was a no-brainer, but the decision to make the investment took longer. Was I to do it again? I wouldn’t have waited nearly as long! Not only was I blown away by the designs that they created, within months my business increased exponentially, which I attribute to the fresh and professional look of my site. Identity Kitchen was a pleasure to work with, and I came away feeling as if they really listened in order to meet my needs. When I decide to do it again, I’m going to IDK for sure!
Bethany Winters, Founder, L.A. Stylist Mom
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Identity Kitchen does an AMAZING job. I hired them late last year as I realized I didn’t only need a new logo, but a “brand” which could be wrapped around my entire business – one that would speak to the clients I wanted to attract! Before starting, Ellen sent me a questionnaire to fill out and I sent her a novel back. I told her everything – from what my studio looked like (a warehouse) to the stores I like and pointed her to several other logos that I like. A few days later I received an email with several more designs which absolutely blew me away! I LOVED every single one of them – they were spot on. She also created a great little watermark symbol with my first initial. This symbol can be used on stickers, t-shirts, address labels, stationery, on wallets, etc. I am now in the process of updating all of my packaging, websites, blog, etc. with my new identity. It is so much more fun putting these things together with a cohesive look and color scheme that I feel truly represents my work, my workplace, and target market!
Amy Lynden, Amy Lynden Photography
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Identity Kitchen is amazing! I’m a tough customer. A control freak. It so was hard to give up control over the creative process involved in developing my identity. But when I first saw her work, I knew right away this would be the person to take reigns. Working with Ellen was an absolute dream. She was able to take the mish mash of ideas in my head and combine them with a vision that she coaxed out to create a design that I had not expected- and yet when I saw it I knew immediately that it was ‘the one’. The design is exactly what I wanted- something modern but also organic and clean. I also needed something versatile, that would lend itself not just to great web graphics, but a design that could also could grow and fit into various print ideas that I had been cooking up. It’s all that and more. Every day people write to give compliments on my new logo, and I get constant compliments on how amazing my business cards and print materials look. I couldn’t be happier! The only thing I’d change is that I wish I had contacted her a lot sooner. Thanks so much, IDK!
Kim Seidl, Kim Seidl Photography
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My experience with Identity Kitchen has been one of the best investments I could have made for my business. Ellen’s ability to truly listen to the message you wish to convey sets her apart from the average graphic designer/brand developer. As with other high end services, her customer service is unparalleled. When I received my first round of designs, they didn’t quite fit the vision I imagined. We went back to the drawing board and what emerged was unbelievable. It matched my vision, my dual fine art and portrait personalities, and is the embodiment of Jessica Riehl Photography. Everything about my brand now conveys my love for the environment, my desire to create a story for my client and an upscale brand. I could not have done that with out Identity Kitchen. You will not regret your investment.
Jessica Riehl, Jessica Riehl Photography
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I read the article in Design Aglows Issue No. 6 publication and stumbled upon Identity Kitchen and that was all it took, I contacted Ellen via email and we hit if off immediately, (of course it was coincidental that we are both Western NY natives)! One of the first things that Ellen did was to schedule a time to personally talk on the telephone which I thought was so professional on right on the mark for getting to know your customer in the technical age that we live in. We can tend to be so impersonal with emails etc, so having a phone conversation was the key to me choosing Identity Kitchen for my branding. I chose a logo from that first round! To add to the loveliness of this whole experience, Ellen went above and beyond my expectations by designing a business card and a gift certificate for me that I just adore! Thank you Ellen and Identity Kitchen for branding my business and understanding me!
Patrice Bennett, Patrice Lyn Photography
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I had spend weeks trying to create my own logo for my photography business. I kept changing it over and over again and not having any consistency. I realized finally I AM NOT A GRAPHIC DESIGNER! I am a photographer! I met Ellen at the Modern Portrait and learned the value of your brand and how it really resembles who you are and your business. I am a pretty frugal person and hate spending money on something I *think* I can do on my own. I am SO happy I hired Ellen to redo my logo! The money was incredibly worth it! She took the time to get tons of details about me, my style, who I am…etc. and she incorporated this into my design. I can’t even tell you how many people LOVE my logo now and how it really resembles me and my personality. I wanted something fun for my portrait side of my business but nice for my weddings. I get told often my logo really shows who I am.
Ellen is so nice to work with and I refer her to anyone who needs branding and a logo…or just a fun friend to talk to…IDK rocks :)
Hillary Garnder, Stills By Hill
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IDK is fabulous and I wouldn’t EVER trust anyone else with my business identity. Ellen really does care and understands the individuality of what she is presenting to you. She takes the time to understand your vision. Identity kitchen delivers great service with knowledge and experience to back it up.
Emily Deisroth, Emily Deisroth Photography
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Working with Ellen from Identity Kitchen was amazing! The first round of designs came, and she really had captured the essence of what I was about… I actually think I accused her of knowing my family and I somehow. Ellen was great to work with through out the process- punctual, imaginative and understanding- and the end result was a logo that reflected myself and my business perfectly. She went above and beyond my expectations with all aspects of the design of my logo and business cards. I’d highly recommend Identity Kitchen and I am actually a little sad to have our project come to an end!
Kristen Johse Parker, Johse Parker Photography
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I had a fabulous experience working with Identity Kitchen. Ellen really took the time to get to know me and my business thru phone conversations, e-mail exchanges, and a questionnaire. The end result was a set of very polished logos, all of which contained elements of what I was trying to convey with my branding. I highly recommend her!
Cindy Yen, Cindy Yen Photography
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We found Identity Kitchen through a photographer’s forum and a well-known photographer who had been working with her. When we asked for her services, we had been stuck for nearly two years trying to figure out how to name and brand our business. After lots of questions and pages full of name ideas we came up with a name together and in no time at all she had magically produced a stunning logo that was far beyond our expectations. We are very grateful for her excellent job and fantastic attitude throughout and cannot recommend her highly enough. We will be requesting her advice for more marketing-related issues in the future.
Lukas Agelastos & Spiridoula Gouskou-Agelastou, Story Studios, Greece
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My experience working with Identity Kitchen was wonderful. She really took the time to get to know me and understood exactly what I wanted to convey with my branding. She nailed my logo on the first try! I can’t recommend her enthusiastically enough – she is a talented visual artist, and really ‘gets it’!
Abby Rose, Abby Rose Photo
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Identity Kitchen helped me get excited about where I’m going and, most of all, has obviously invested effort and care into her product. I highly recommend Identity Kitchen; you will receive so much more than you can imagine!
Lara Swanson, Lara Swanson Photography
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Ellen was listening! She asked questions, wanted to know what I was after, and Who I was after. We swapped visuals, talked color and font, and demographics. She wanted to know how the logo would be used, and even gave me different color options to switch out for different programs I run. After selling and listening to my own clients All The Time, it was great to have someone let me talk about my vision and what I was going after. Yay! I have a real logo!
Jen Capone, Jen Capone Photography