The Branding process

01 | Inquire.

Our collaboration begins with a conversation. The best partnerships are based around mutual respect and trust, and we'll spend time determining if we're a good fit for each other. To start, fill out my short inquiry form so I can learn about your business and current needs. I'll follow up with an email with full information about my current services, pricing, and FAQs. From there we can schedule a phone call or continue conversing via email.

02 | Book.

Once we decide to work together and you've selected the services you'll need, I will send you a contract and an invoice to book my services and secure your place on my calendar. We will work together to select a time for which you are readily available to provide timely feedback. You'll also get a link to my project managment system so you'll have an idea of where we are in the project and can check in on the progress at any time.

03 | Prepare.

After I receive your deposit, I’ll send you a branding questionnaire to get a better idea of the scope of the project, and help you to define your brand voice more clearly. This gives me a chance to learn about you and your business, and you’ll have a chance to tell me about your goals, your ideas, and your vision. The clearer we both are on the project’s goals and considerations from the beginning, the more efficiently I can work to create the best design solution for your project.

The branding workbook must be completed in advance of the project start date to ensure I have all the information I need to create the best designs for you in a timely fashion. This is also the time for you to finalize and collect any content, photographs, products, or additional items needed if we’re creating a website together. Note: all website content must be completed and delivered by the start date. 

04 | Research + Vision Alignment.

We’ll begin with an inspiration board: a collection of images, typography, and graphic elements I’ll collect to set the tone for your new design, and give you something to visually respond to. I’ll also send a color palette to get started, and notes about your overall brand strategy. Once approved, I’ll move forward with the various stages of design: logo, supporting graphics, brand board, and web design (if applicable). Though it seems like a small step, this shapes the whole project in terms of determining audience values and establishing the right direction for your business.

05 | Concept Development.

After the inspiration board is approved, the design fun begins! Thanks to the extensive work we'll have already done to discover your business' core values, the vision you want to project, and the key audience you're trying to reach, I'll use my understanding of your business and branding goals to brainstorm and explore multiple ideas until I arrive on one ideal design solution, which I'll present in full color along with multiple brand elements and mockups to give a context for how your new logo and branding will live beyond just a simple black and white graphic on a computer screen. Your presentation will include these elements along with a glimpse of the process it took to get there, and the rationale for the solution presented. This is the part of the stage where you can fully trust that your business in the hands of a skilled professional with your best intentions in mind.

06 | Refine.

After you've had a chance to review the initial concept presentation, you'll have a chance to provide feedback. If something doesn't seem like it resonates with your ideal customer or misses the mark, we'll use this stage to make it right. Once you're happy, I'll design the three collateral items and supporting brand elements to match. Each stage of the design process (concept and collateral) includes up to two rounds of refinement at no cost (after two rounds of revisions, additional changes are billed at $75/hour).

07 | Package + Chat.

Once all designs are finalized, I’ll put it all together into a brand guide so you’ll know how to best put your new designs to use. I’ll include information about the fonts I’ve used and where you can find them, color palette with web and print values, suggested uses for logo types and graphics, and more.

If you've also purchased web design services, we'll schedule a strategy call to discuss implementation and begin the web design process.

With everything finalized, we’ll schedule a Skype chat to review your branding materials and site maintenance if applicable. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, hear my recommendations for implementing your new designs, and review everything that’s been packaged for you so you can make the best use of it. For websites, we also go over your site’s back end to make sure you’re comfortable making updates and maintenance going forward.

08 | Celebrate!

You’ll have everything you need to implement your project. I’m always happy to share the results in my portfolio and through social media to showcase a successful collaboration.

TIMELINE. A timeline specific to your project will be created and sent in your welcome package once you book my services. In general, with timely feedback the branding package takes about 4-6 weeks.