Marketing Design Supporting Red Automotive’s Expansion

Red Automotive is a full-service auto repair shop in Kitchener- Waterloo that helps individuals, corporations, and fleets get more out of their vehicles.

Challenge

Red Automotive experienced significant growth in 2019, leading to the decision to open a second location to accommodate increasing customer demand. To support this expansion, the team needed marketing assets that could promote the new location, attract customers to both shops, and support not only the grand opening but also ongoing marketing initiatives afterward.

My Role

I joined the Red Automotive team to support the brand’s expansion and contribute to marketing initiatives before, during, and after the launch of the second location. Working closely with the team, I helped define and execute key deliverables, including print collateral and social media assets, that supported the grand opening and extended into ongoing promotional efforts. My focus was on creating clear, engaging materials that could drive foot traffic, maintain visibility, and support customer engagement over time.

Outcome

All marketing materials were delivered on schedule, contributing to a successful grand opening that attracted higher-than-anticipated attendance. Beyond the launch, ongoing initiatives such as seasonal promotions, exterior signage, and window graphics helped strengthen brand visibility, encourage foot traffic, and support continued customer engagement at both locations.

From Dreams to Reality

One of the first tasks was to design new business cards for the business. The owner would write down appointment details and notes on the business cards to serve as reminders for customers. However, the old business cards had a problem; the black background made it difficult to write on them, and they also needed an update to include the new address of the second location.

To address these issues, I revamped the design of the business card. I changed the background color to white, allowing for easy note-taking on the back of the card. I ensured ample white space for the owner to jot down reminders. Additionally, I incorporated the unique Red Automotive branding, providing a professional look with all the necessary contact information and addresses of their locations.

Following the business card project, I faced the challenge of designing a coupon and social media posts for the grand opening day. These assets were vital in promoting the new location and attracting a larger customer base while increasing brand awareness and fostering a strong relationship with existing and potential customers. I successfully delivered all these assets on time, contributing to the success of the grand opening. Red Automotive received warm and welcoming messages from customers, reinforcing the positive impact of the promotional efforts.

Post Grand Opening

After the successful grand opening day, there was a need for more graphic assets to be addressed.

I worked on creating notepads, folders, and gift cards that could be given out to customers. The notepads served as practical tools, allowing customers to easily jot down notes and reminders. Meanwhile, the folders added a professional and organized touch to the overall customer experience. By incorporating the distinct red lines from Red's brand, I maintained brand consistency and heightened brand awareness, establishing an additional touchpoint that reinforced the Red Automotive identity in the minds of customers.

The new location of Red Automotive is located on a bustling street in Kitchener. This was as a great opportunity to maximize visibility by using a flag and window graphics to catch the attention of passing traffic and encourage them to visit the shop.

To achieve this, I used Red Automotive's captivating branding to design the flag and window graphics. The objective was to create visuals that truly stood out and effectively showcased Red Automotive’s services to potential customers. After finalizing the designs, I coordinated with the print house to provide print-ready files for production, ensuring the designs would come to life exactly as envisioned.

Time for Winter Tires

I created the visual materials for the winter tire promotions, which were shared on Red Automotive's social media platforms. The winter tire service holds significant importance for Red Automotive’s business. The objective was to establish a stronger connection with both existing and potential customers who would be seeking winter tires to navigate the challenging winter conditions.

I ensured brand coherence by seamlessly incorporating Red's distinctive brand tone and style elements into the post. This involved integrating the vibrant color scheme and signature red lines that are synonymous with Red's branding. My intention was to craft visually arresting content that would compel people to pause amid their scrolling and engage with the post. The goal was to create graphics that captivated attention, inviting viewers to absorb and interact with the post's message

Final Reflection

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone to Explore Print Design

This project pushed me beyond my usual focus on mobile apps and websites and gave me the opportunity to explore the world of print design. Creating physical materials such as flyers, signage, and other printed assets challenged me to think differently about layout, scale, and how design exists in real spaces.

What began as a short-term engagement evolved into a long-term collaboration, and I had the rare chance to see my work come to life in a tangible way. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my designs play a role in Red Automotive’s growth and success. This experience deepened my appreciation for print design and expanded my confidence in working across mediums.