We’re wildly creative and big thinkers but we’re also super methodical when it comes to branding. As much as we love visualising and storytelling, we also like a plan. There is a process to everything we do and we break it down into 5 key stages:
- Question and listen
Knowledge is power. We always start in question mode. It’s the investigation part of the branding process. It’s about digging deep and unearthing all the information about your business. Granted, it’s not always going to be pretty but it’s the only way we can get a real feel for what is going on with your company or organisation. What makes you stand out from your competitors? How do you want to come across to the outside world? We address any problems you face and explore all the opportunities that exist or await. This research is invaluable when it comes identifying weak spots or gaps that need to be strengthened or filled. - Define
Once the groundwork research is done, we can start to really define what your brand is about – what it stands for and its core purpose. This is the “verbal” bit of the brand. Think of it as our “define before design” stage. We need to know what your brand narrative is before we can visually tell your story. By narrative, we mean how you would sum up your brand in words, like a headline or a paragraph. What do you want your brand to say to people? At this point, we’re already thinking how this verbal part will connect with the initial visual part of the branding process. Verbal and any early visual elements should ideally influence each other and come together or at least bounce off each other so we can prepare for the main design work, which becomes part of the overall story you want to tell. - Design
Now the design work can start. We define a brief and the entire creative process is discussed in detail. The ideas begin to bounce back and forth until the strongest ones start to flow in the right direction. And if we need to do more research or have more discussions at this stage, we will. Then we’ll create 3 different concepts for you to choose from. This will give you an ideal opportunity to compare and contrast – to see which design speaks to you the most. - Execute
Decision time, action time. This is when everything comes together – the preparatory research and the verbal and visual work of steps 1 and 2 have been carefully crafted into concepts that represent your brand. We showcase each one so you know exactly what to expect, which hopefully helps when it comes to picking “the one”. Once you’ve decided and everything’s agreed, we implement the concept and move it forward. Good execution at this stage means a successful launch. It means your brand it will be seen, heard, and understood. - Develop
Yes, that’s right, we don’t stop. It might be the last stage but it’s by no means the end. Once your brand is launched, we know there’s still work to be done. To us, this “develop” stage is an on-going one because brand work needs to be monitored and progressed. We need to see how it comes across to people, how it engages them and makes them take notice. We’re on this brand journey together. Our focus and commitment keeps your brand fresh and relevant. There’s no point building a brand if no one’s around to take care of it. And down the line, when the time comes to revive it or refresh certain aspects of your brand, we’re already on the case.