9 things to expect when you hire me for your small business brand design
Last year we hired a builder to carry out several areas of building and maintenance work on the house. Suffice to say, it didn’t go quite as anticipated.
The builder was nowhere near as hands-on as we thought he’d be; regularly disappearing-off to other projects, leaving a team somewhat lacking in experience to do a lot of the initial work.
And the schedule was sketchy. Parts of the project we believed would be phased, all began at once – causing upheaval when then the project drifted on. Weeks turned into months. Conversations became more difficult. It was hard to envisage a happy ending.
Fortunately (and somewhat surprisingly), it all came good in the end. But it’s only now, over 6 months later, that the memory of this, shall I say, ‘challenging’ experience has eased. Looking back, much of the stress and frustration could have been mitigated with better communication early on.
Setting expectations is so important. And it’s this experience that inspired me to write the following post – to explain exactly what you can expect if you hire me for your brand design. After all, every brand designer or branding agency offers something slightly different – with varying ways of working and contrasting approaches.
So, if you’re anything like me and prefer to know all the details up-front, I hope this helps you decide whether I sound like I’m the right brand designer for you and your small business.
Here’s what you can expect from our journey together:
1. Much more than just a good-looking visual identity
The first thing to explain is, my brand design offering extends far beyond simply delivering you a stylish logo, harmonious colour palette and beautiful typography. That’s just part of the story.
My approach combines strategic thinking, creative vision and intentional design – specifically with the aim to help bridge the gap between where your business is now and where you want it to be. To move you forwards on a commercial level.
To do this, we get clear on your ideal clients, your magic, and the impact you want to make – to form a strategy that then underpins the creative direction for your brand and resulting visual identity. This strategic work will also help inform your future marketing. Not-to-mention give you extra clarity, focus and confidence.
2. A carefully-considered guided journey
I’ve poured a lot of thought into developing and refining a process that enables my brand design projects to flow smoothly, so that it is enjoyable for both of us. This strategic approach helps insights and ideas to unfurl, and the most effective and compelling solutions to result.
Each stage of the process builds on the one before. And although the process is structured, it has flexibility built in – for creativity to flourish, and importantly so we can tailor it to what will be most valuable and useful to you.
Expect an illuminating experience as I guide and support you step-by-step throughout this transformative journey.
3. To commit your time and effort, if you want the best results
I view each project as a collaboration. A willingness to share both your dreams and the obstacles blocking your way, to look at your business with fresh perspective, and to tackle challenges side-by-side, will allow us to get the most out of our work together.
For the most fruitful outcome, some in-depth work on your part will be required. Particularly in the first stage of the journey, where we get really clear on your brand. After all you know your business and customers best.
However, as the project progresses you won’t need to be as actively involved – I’ll be working away more behind the scenes. But you’ll still hear from me at regular intervals with updates and to ask for your feedback.
4. One-to-one service with a personal approach
I immerse myself in your world and care greatly that the work we do together helps you and your business to thrive.
From beginning to end, all work on your project is carried out by me – not outsourced – whether that’s helping you define your brand essence or trawling through 100s of fonts to find the perfect one. You’ll also always deal directly with me. I don’t have a virtual assistant screening my emails.
Working this way makes for a seamless experience with joined-up thinking. That said, if your project calls for a specialist skill (e.g. photography, copywriting) we can always bring an extra collaborator on board.
5. No surprises (only good ones)
What is included (and what isn’t), timelines and payment schedules are always made clear before we get going on your project. This means no unexpected invoices in your inbox, no month-long silent gaps when you’re wondering what’s going on, and a heads-up about what you might wish to budget for outside my brand design package.
Of course, sometimes unforeseen circumstances come up, but as long as we keep each other in the loop – that’s the key. Communication is everything.
6. One Concept Method
Other brand designers or branding agencies may offer three brand identity concepts. But I’ve got a more efficient, expert-led approach. After exploring multiple concepts as part of my own process, I dedicate all my time and energy into presenting to you the ONE solid concept I believe best answers your brief.
That way you’ll get to see an outstanding, fully fleshed-out brand identity with tons of examples to help you envisage how it would work in the real-world, rather than three rather diluted options.
And because we will have already established and agreed the overall feel and creative direction for your brand during the strategy stage – including a mood board to visually articulate this – you can trust we’re starting out on the same page. Plus there’s the added reassurance of any refinements if necessary.
7. Clear, regular and open communication
You’ll receive a Welcome Guide, which together with your Proposal will outline everything you need to know for the project to get underway. And throughout the process, I’ll always explain what the next step is – no leaving you hanging!
There is opportunity for feedback at each stage. I’ll send through both the Strategic Brand Vision/Creative Direction and Brand Identity presentations, each with a video walk-through to explain my thinking, then invite your feedback.
And if there’s something you’d like to discuss at any point you can always email, or if it makes more sense we can arrange a video call.
8. A realistic timescale
Working with you to understand your business inside-out, forming a strategy to help you move forwards, then designing a brand identity that fully aligns with and supports the strategy AND seeks to make a commercial impact, takes time. After all, I’ll assume when you invest in your brand identity you’re not looking for a quick-fix.
It can’t be rushed. But it shouldn’t drift either. My timeline keeps us both on track and the momentum going. It allows the breathing space your project deserves for an inspired vision to emerge and an elegant solution to result. Whilst outlining the key dates for collaboration and feedback, so you can plan ahead.
9. An intentional visual identity that’s uniquely you
From the choice of fonts to layout, the colours and shapes, to the style of imagery, every brand element in the visual identities I design has strategic thought and purpose behind it. Every detail is deliberate. Nothing is surface-level.
Your bespoke brand elements will combine to create a brand identity that’s distinctively you – designed to give people a true flavour of your brilliance, tell your story and express the nuances of your brand.
All with the ultimate aim to resonate with your perfect-fit customers, create a compelling experience for them, and bring exciting opportunities your way.
And so there you have it – a snapshot of what you can expect if you hire me for your brand design. Whether you’ve never worked with a designer before, or were wondering how I differ from other designers, I hope that has given you a clearer understanding of how I work and what I can do for you.
If you think we might be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you. Simply fill in my form and I’ll send you further details, including how to book a free discovery call.