My 6 Step Brand Design Process

Ever wonder what goes into branding a business?

A graphic designer’s work often seems like it happens ‘behind the scenes… So I thought I’d give you a peek behind the curtain.

This blog post details EXACTLY how I go about branding my clients’ businesses!

Even though each project is unique, my process will remain the same. Everything is designed with intention and purpose. Using Google Meet I present in real-time. Keeping you in the loop the whole way through by presenting my designs to you at each step.

The most important system I have in place is my design process, as it helps me stay on brand throughout the entire project. Your business is your baby, and if you decide to trust me with your branding that is not something I take lightly. I pride myself on making design easy to understand & fun for my clients!

This process has 6 steps that make it run smoothly. So, what are the details?

Let me break it down for you!

1. Consultation & Onboarding

First, we both have to make sure we’re the right fit for each other! Before any project can begin, a quick 1:1 consultation allows me to learn about your project and any specific goals or deadlines you may have. If we’re a good fit, I’ll create a custom proposal & agreement specific to your needs. Once a deposit is secured, I’ll email you a creative brief questionnaire to gather all the info I need before work begins. This is all sent over through HoneyBook, where you’ll be able to view all the files as the project progresses.

2. Brand Discovery Call

A branding discovery call allows us to dive deep into who you are as a brand, and ensure that we’re on the same page when talking about your business & who you serve. In a google meet, we’ll define your brand positioning and core values, and then explore your target audience in greater detail. This meeting will help to cement who you are as a brand & what the best approach for your branding will be.

3. Design

The design process begins (aka my favourite part). Using what was discovered when we defined your business as a brand, I begin to design your brand foundation. I will present 3 mood-board options (in Google meet) to help define the creative direction moving forward. Once you have chosen the mood board that represents your business best, I will begin designing your various logos (primary logo, secondary logo, submark & favicon), along with your brand’s colour palette, font selection, graphics & any patterns or textures.

4. Show & Tell

Over Google meet, I will present you with a complete brand presentation, where you get to see a fully developed concept of your brand! This is one of the most exciting parts, as you will get to see what your brand looks like using real-world mockup examples. After the presentation, I’ll email over the full PDF for review and approval. I will also post it in the shared HoneyBook files, where you can add any additional comments or notes.

5. Fine-tuning

This is where things truly take off! I’ll be tackling any necessary revisions or adjustments to the branding. I’ll also start designing any project-related things like your website, any packaging materials, &/or marketing collateral. Once complete, we will have one final Google Meet to present your brand with all the included materials as a whole.

6. Launch

The final step! Here, I send over all your logo files with a complete branding style guide to boot. You’ll also receive files needed for any marketing and/or packaging materials. On top of that – I’m more than happy to assist with getting any project-related materials printed and shipped to you.

And that’s a wrap! This 6-step process helps the whole project stay on track because:

You’ll always be able to see where we are in the branding design process through the timeline I create for you
We’ll have plenty of opportunities for open communication and feedback
You’ll never be left wondering what’s next

If you’re interested in how I can help brand your business, contact me for a quick chat. It’s a free 1:1 consultation - no strings attached!

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