Brand Insights is the editorial channel where Inkbot Design publishes thinking that exists outside the service structure — commentary on significant rebrands, analysis of shifts in the B2B marketing landscape, observations on how artificial intelligence is changing the practice of brand strategy and visual identity, and the occasional opinion piece on what the industry is getting badly wrong.
The branding industry generates a lot of noise. Trend reports are written by trend analysts rather than by project executors. Opinions are shaped by what generates engagement rather than by what is true. Awards that reward visual novelty over strategic rigour.
Brand Insights is the counter to that — a space for the kind of thinking that develops when you have 17+ years of agency practice to draw on and no particular incentive to tell people what they want to hear.
Stuart Crawford writes from Belfast, where Inkbot Design has operated since its founding, and from client engagements across 21 countries. The perspective is always practitioner-first: what is actually happening in brand strategy, what is working, what is failing, and why.
If you want polished takes from someone who observes the industry from the outside, there are plenty of those available.
If you want the view from inside a working branding agency that has run strategy workshops, designed identity systems, and managed global rebrands in the same week, this is it.
Stop wasting money on glossy, coffee-table design books that teach you nothing. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you need tools, not toys. This is the definitive, no-nonsense list of the 10 design books that will fundamentally change your thoughts about your website, brand, and customers. Read this before you buy another book.
The endless “Apple Pencil vs Wacom” debate misses the point. The real question isn’t about the pen but the workflow. This brutally honest guide cuts through the fanboy noise to give entrepreneurs and small business owners the practical advice to choose the right tool for the job. We compare drawing feel, workflow, portability, and the real cost of ownership.
Tired of staring at screenshots and trying to guess a font name? This guide cuts through the noise. We break down the 10 best tools for identifying fonts—from simple browser extensions to robust image analysis—and tell you what to do after you get a name. Stop procrastinating and start designing with purpose.
Whether you’re sketching out ideas, editing photos, or managing projects on the move, the right tools make all the difference. In this post, we highlight eight of the best free iPhone apps every designer should have on their radar. From intuitive design platforms to clever productivity boosters, these apps are essential additions to any creative’s toolkit—without costing a penny.
If you’ve plugged your MacBook Pro into an external monitor and been disappointed, you’re not alone. This guide cuts through the marketing fluff to review the five genuinely best monitors for your Mac, explaining the one spec that truly matters.
Buying an overpriced drawing tablet won’t make you a better designer. This guide for entrepreneurs and small business owners breaks down what truly matters—laminated screens, practical sizes, and real-world value—to help you find the best drawing tablet with a screen from brands like Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen without wasting money.
The future of graphic design isn’t about holographic logos or brain-implanted ads. It’s a fundamental shift in value from “making pretty pictures” to “solving business problems.”
Here’s the 5 best ultrawide monitors for creative professionals, focusing on what impacts your work: colour accuracy, screen real estate, and productivity. Find out which monitor is the uncompromising workhorse, the smart money move, and the specialist tool for your small business.
Most product photography is dreadful, but it’s not about the camera. It’s about the thinking. If your images look cheap, you’re making common, fixable mistakes. Here are ten product photography tips to stop wasting money and create photos that look intentional, build trust, and sell your product.
Creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation isn’t just about slides—it’s about strategy. These 6 expert tips will guide you through planning, designing, and presenting with impact so your message lands effectively every time.
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