Our 3 steps to effective branding
Each agency will have its unique, multi-faceted approach to a brand project. For us, there are 3 overarching steps that take place in order to take a concept to brand. Learn how these 3 steps work for us:
Many users that interact with huge brands on a daily basis, would rarely pay attention the subtleties that may influence their decision to become a consumer of their businesses over a competitors. There is a vast amount of thinking, process and work that goes behind the finished product that we all see and consume on a daily basis.
Each agency will have their unique, multi-faceted approach building a brand, and that’s what works for them and their clients. For us, there are 3 overarching steps that need to take place in order to go from concept to brand.
1. Discovery ✅
Each need, client, and scenario are vastly different to the next. Whilst there may be a blueprint that helps dig deeper, the is a huge level of personalisation when it comes to truly understanding the business need. Completing a Discovery is essential to both parties for a whole host of reasons. Besides matching chemistry and ensuring the energies match between client and agency, which by the way, can certainly make or break a branding project primarily because you’re explaining intangibles a lot of the time. Feelings, visions, emotions all come into play when we’re referring to brand.
Particularly when we work with start-ups, understanding the founders vision is critical. There are often ideas that cannot be quantified or fully ‘answered’, and becomes increasingly important to take time to really learn about them as an individual, what the business means to them, why they feel now is their opportunity. This becomes less about outcomes and more about the purpose of what we’re partnering to create. Sometimes this means asking questions that may seem obvious, or hard to answer. It’s vital to build this working relationship, and ensure we move forward with a clear feeling of what we’re partnering to create.
2. Design ✅
This is the stage where it becomes more tangible and outcome orientated. Whilst there is, in no surprise, a multi-layered approach to ‘design’, we begin by gathering mood boards and vision boards with the intent to outline sub-directions which we could go down. Even once you have understood the vision and what the end may look like, there are many hurdles to jump over before reaching a finished product.
Put simply this is the ‘fun’ part where we put pen to paper and things get exciting. Turning the intangibles and feelings we spoke about, into actions, designs and graphics is no meant feat and involves many hours of research. Nonetheless, it’s critical to mention, without the Discovery taking place prior to this step, it would be like shooting in the dark on a snowy day… there would be very few bullseyes!
3. Review ✅
Finally, the step which can again be difficult to quantify or put a timeline on. This is where we tweak, dig deeper into certain areas and offer our consultative advice and recommendation as we move further along towards a finished product. Communication, honestly and more often than not, challenge, become hugely important when we’re in the review stage. At times things align perfectly, and early design concepts are just perfect. Other times it requires more finalising, tweaking and subtle changes.
It also depends on the personalities in which you are working with. We’ve had clients that are spontaneous, know what they want and provide, instant thoughts. And others that are great reflectors that require more time, logic and consultative conversations. Both work and provide us with insight that is essential to deliver an impactful branding solution.
Put simply, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building a brand, but there are key stages that we take to ensure we are well equipped to bring your idea to life.
To learn more about building a brand, click here.
To talk to us about your brand needs, drop us an email on josh@blueberry-media.co.uk or contact us here.