Behind the scenes of my branding process
Been thinking about investing in branding, but not too sure what the process entails? I totally get it! I’m the same - I like knowing exactly what I’m in for, and every step of the process, before I make a commitment (type A personality reporting in).
My signature design process is something that’s taken me years to refine and shape into what it is today. It’s a unique method that takes a holistic approach to branding (read my blog post on holistic branding here), and I get proven results with it - every single time.
So, let’s break it down! I’ll walk you through every step of the branding process, from initial enquiry to post-launch support.
Enquiry
First things first - to start the process off, you’ll need to submit an enquiry through my form. Give me as much detail as you can about your biz and project, and if your application is a perfect fit for the studio, I’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a little personalised ‘hello’ video and info on the next steps.
Let’s get chatting
So your initial application has been approved - go you! Now it’s time for us to have more of a chat about your business, project and future goals. Grab a coffee (totally not necessary, but if you know me, you know I love coffee) and we’ll catch up via Zoom or Instagram voice notes. This is also a great time for you to ask me any burning questions you may have.
Book your spot
After we chat about your project, I’ll send through a proposal including a few bespoke package options that would be perfect for your biz. Once you’re ready to book, you’ll just need to sign your contract and pay your initial deposit invoice of $500AUD. Now you’re all scheduled into my calendar. Let the fun begin!
Welcome aboard
You’re officially part of the Haven brand family! It’s time to get the party started. I’ll send you a welcome video, intro guide and access to your private client portal. Inside your portal, there will be a number of project prep worksheets for you to complete, as well as creating some Pinterest moodboards.
Deep-dive strategy
Our project kicks off with our strategy workshop. Every Haven project begins with a strategy phase in order to build a solid foundation for the holistic design process. The deep-dive strategy workshop is a 1:1 session where we’ll dissect your brand, breaking it down into its simplest form, and putting it back together from the ground up. After our collaborative workshop, I’ll investigate your competitive landscape, flesh out your target audience, uncover your unique selling points and more. All of this key info will help me discover how best to design for your business in a way that will get you the results you want to see. The complete brand strategy guide you receive will also act as a roadmap for you when it comes to decision making, messaging and alignment within your biz.
Emotive storytelling
Once our research-driven portion of the strategy is complete, I’ll look closely at the soul of your business and the magic that drives it forward. I’ll discover your unique vision, values, purpose and strengths - and at the end of it all, I’ll unearth your one-of-a-kind brand story. This is what forms the emotional connection between your brand and your audience, and it forms one of the key pillars of holistic branding - the spirit of your business. Once I’ve extracted your incredible story and discovered your brand’s driving force, it’s time to translate it into a visual direction.
Creative direction
Before I jump into designing your brand concepts, we’ll start with a creative direction phase. This is where I compile your strategy, story and brand purpose into two distinct brand direction concepts. You’ll be presented with bespoke moodboards, colour palettes and typography options that align with your vision and solve the root issues discovered during the strategy process. This phase is where much of our collaboration will take place, and it’ll make sure we’re both on the same page before we move into the concept design stage. At this point, the visual side of your holistic brand is starting to take shape.
Purpose-led design
This is where it all comes together. Once I’ve chatted with you to see which visual direction you’d like to move forward with, I’ll start transforming the chosen direction into a purposeful identity. I’ll look at your business from a big-picture perspective to make sure I’m translating your strategy and story into designs that are functional and magnetic. Everything I design for your brand concept will be purposeful and intentional - and I’ll explain it all to you in your brand presentation videos. By marrying your strategy and story, your branding will be completely unique to you, and serve a purpose well beyond beautiful visuals - it’ll elevate your brand now, and well into the future.
Identity reveal
Once your branding has been approved and rolled out (along with any extras in your custom package), it’s time to show it off to the world. With your new branding, you can expect to feel more connected to your business, more aligned with your visuals and more confidence in your offerings. Your new holistic identity has been handcrafted to tell your unique story, help you stand out from your competitors and attract your target audience - so all that’s left to do is take your place as a sought-after industry leader.
Future support
After your project is complete, I’ll send you a project wrap-up guide. But this doesn’t have to be goodbye! As a business owner, it’s highly likely you’ll have other needs pop up over time. I’m here to be your dedicated creative partner, which is why I have a number of support options for my past clients. I offer monthly website maintenance if you need help keeping your site up to scratch, and design sprint days which are perfect for getting a full 4 or 8 hours dedicated to your biz and any nagging design to-dos you want completed.
Had a read through and like the sound of my process? Send through an enquiry to kick things off for your brand. I’m so excited to chat with you about your project! If you’d like to learn more about what holistic design is all about, click here for my full breakdown.
