what I do

brand identity + brand strategy + design

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what I do

brand identity + brand strategy + design

Your brand inspires your audience, attracts new customers, holds on to the ones you have, and serves as a bulwark against challenging times. Beyond just your logo and colors, your brand is the entire persona of your business. It is how you are perceived, what you believe, and how you work. Your brand is your style, voice, message, and values. It is the meaning you want to convey, the values you stand for, and the things you do that make you unique. The part you see, the visual style is how we communicate that.

Do you need a brand strategist or just a designer?

there's a difference

Just like there is a difference between architects and interior designers, there is also a difference between a brand strategist and a graphic designer. Architects create beautiful structures with engineering, structural integrity, form, function, and aesthetics. It is art, yes, but it is also science. An architect may also redesign an existing space that is no longer functional or has become outdated.

Just like there is a difference between architects and interior designers, there is also a difference between a brand strategist and a graphic designer. Architects create beautiful structures with engineering, structural integrity, form, function, and aesthetics. It is art, yes, but it is also science. An architect may also redesign an existing space that is no longer functional or has become outdated.

So often today, people equate “brand” to the product and the visuals. That’s the design and not the structure. It’s so much more. Iconic homes have both strong architecture and beautiful design. Great brands are the same. But they don’t just look good. They’re intentionally crafted to represent the business, to appeal to the target audience, and to have an emotional appeal that creates relevancy and loyalty. 

The brand conveys the meaning. It is not the meaning itself.

If you don’t have a well-defined brand, aren’t sure where to start, or feel like you’re all over the place, you need a brand strategist. If you have a solid brand and need some additional assets created, you need a designer.

what I do

the branding process

My work is a blend of research, market knowledge, strategy, psychology, storytelling, imagination, and art.

I work with my clients to find the match between who the business is, their ideal audience, and what makes the business and the audience tick. We work together to “architect” the structure of the brand to fit not just what the company does but who it is, who it serves, and why it exists. We find that balance of form and function that creates the structural integrity the design needs to live within.

The design comes after that, essentially furnishing that space. That’s the logos, print pieces, website, social media layouts, business cards, website design & build, and so on. It’s the visual and tangible aspects of the brand that you and your team use every day. I work with my clients to determine what brand assets are needed and create a package based on that. I find it’s almost always more manageable for my clients to do all of the branded layouts and content together rather than try to piecemeal them through other designers or recreate the style on their own. It’s more cost-effective, saves my clients time, and keeps a strong and cohesive brand style.

how long does it take?

it depends

No two clients are exactly alike. Some need basic branding with identity, a style, logos, and business cards. Others have more extensive projects and need everything from branding to website, print materials, social media layouts, email marketing, signage, and custom swag. Some also have a more clear vision of where they want to take their business, while with others, it’s a long process to get that clarity. Some clients get feedback on revisions back the same day, and others need to take time to think about things.

Trusting a brand strategist to bring your vision to life is a leap of faith. I don’t take that faith lightly. We have regular communication throughout the process, I turn work around as quickly as possible, and I respect my clients’ timeline requirements.

what's the best way to start?

let's chat

Contact me, and we can set up a time to chat. The first call is usually 30 minutes to an hour. I don’t charge for that. We’ll talk through where your business is now, where you want it to go, and your current needs. The first call gives us a chance to get to know each other and decide if we think working together makes sense.

let's talk about you

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Copyright 2022, Stacy Stateham

My work with archetypes in branding is based on the work of Carl Jung, Margaret Mark & Carol Pearson, authors of The Hero and The Outlaw, Margaret Hartwell, author of Archetypes in Branding, as well as many others.. I take no credit for their incredible work.