How to become a market leader and be chosen by more people, more often and at a higher price.
Are you about to begin a new business venture where you need more certainty of success? Or perhaps you’re entering a highly competitive marketplace with an offer that simply must stand out? Maybe even both?
Often the solution lies within working with the right person at the right time, someone who can give your startup the confidence it needs to act decisively and unlock its full potential.
Work with a seasoned brand designer
With well over 20 years experience helping startups punch above their weight, through stronger, more effective branding and logo design. I can work with you to position your company as the only viable choice.
Who I’ve worked with
“Throughout all stages Brian would share his ideas on branding and website design. He also worked closely with me to make sure that I got the business outcomes I was looking for. I would thoroughly recommend Brian, he is a true visionary with unique ideas.”
David Mattingley
Senior Program Manager, Microsoft
How I’ve helped others
Everything I do is fuelled by a passion for what I do, the people I work alongside and the businesses I help. My skills are specific and fine-tuned and as a specialist I build brand identities and experiences to elevate and empower startups, helping them achieve all their business objectives.
Below you’ll find a few recent examples of branding, logo and website design projects that have gone beyond the ordinary helping each one realise their full potential through better, stronger branding.
ALB watches
Every brand and logo I design has to answer these 3 questions with a definite “yes”, is it appropriate? is it memorable? and is it simple? By taking this approach it ensures that the brand being created becomes a long-term, high value business asset. The ALB watches branding was no exception with its minimalist design and distinctive colours that reflected the company values and their own approach to watch design.
The ALB Watches logo with its strong geometric shapes has a distinctive and timeless appeal.
ALB’s e-commerce website gives their customers an easy way to connect with their brand and become lifelong customers.
Offline marketing materials help close the gap between the virtual and the real, further strengthening their brand and securing their market position.
Flexform Furniture
With Flexform Furniture it was important for their logo to fit their personality and become a container holding all the associations and feelings surrounding the company. This is much easier said than done when their branding had to work across many different touch points.
The only solution was to reduce everything down to its simplest forms making the logo easier to work with, long-lasting and distinctively different. Their colour palette supported and strengthened their brand personality in a way that was both warm and inviting. This was complimented with a typeface that underlined the companies character and values.
The “F” in Flexform’s logo has a three dimensional feel that gives it a unique and distinctive character.
Flexform’s website design quickly communicates who they are and what they stand for and why you should care.
A strong brand is one that’s simple, memorable and consistently applied at every turn.
Jensen Motors
With a deep interest in sports cars I pulled out all the stops with a stand-out brand identity, logo design, website and brochure for Jensen Motors who specialise in sourcing ultra-high specification sports cars from around the world. It was important for them to convey a feeling of modern prestige, yet with a sense of nostalgia that connected to their classic car specialisation.
The logo design came about through studying the exhaust systems of classic cars and how their shapes resembled the letter “J”. The design I created became a distinctive mark that worked by itself or together with the name. The use of a deeper, richer British racing green helps communicate the spirit of the company and makes that important visual connection to racing.
The logo for Jensen Motors became an emblem that represented the spirit of their brand.
Brochures represent a great way of getting in front of potential new clients.
Everything about the website for Jensen’s was focused on communicating their value to their idea clients.
Fletcher + Partners
A great design solution is impossible without fully understanding the problem. As with every project I work on I act as a “sponge” absorbing as much relevant information as possible about the client and the project before any work begins. This includes finding out what distinguishes them from their competitors, where they’re going in the future and what, from their perspective, the branding must help them achieve.
With Fletcher + Partners having a deep understanding of who they are, what they stand for and why their ideal clients should care was critical to the success of the project. Taking this approach ensures their branding says all the right things in all the right ways, setting them up as the obvious choice to their ideal clients.
Fletcher + Partners logo became a decorative symbol that embodied the brand.
Their home page had to quickly communicate Fletcher + Partners value and lead you deeper into the website.
When designing the dashboard for Fletcher + Partners client app it had to be immediately obvious how it worked, as with logo design, simplicity is the key to a great user experience.
SkinSmith
Finding out where a brand stands (or more importantly doesn’t stand) is a crucial first step. Skinsmith were in the hugely competitive marketplace of mens grooming, so having a clear understanding of where they stood was critical to building a solid foundation for their brand.
Through their research they found what they believed to be a “sweet spot” in the market and wanted to convey a combination of ruggedness, outdoor adventure and premium quality. With this in mind I created a logo and brand identity that conveyed the exact brand personality they were looking for.
The challenge we faced with the logo design was to make it simple yet memorable, combining the letter “S” with an anvil gave us the breakthrough needed.
The simplicity and strength of the logo made it easy to apply to their full range of mens grooming products.
Other logos and brand marks
Every logo and brand mark I create has a story to tell – full of meaning, clarity and purpose. Each time I push beyond the expected to deliver a solution that’s both timeless and memorable.
How it all works
I take a very strategic problem-solving approach to creating your brand identity, logo and website design. While I don’t follow any personal or artistic agenda or style. Instead, I work with you to address the challenges and parameters of your project in search of the best visual and marketing solutions.
Every project is based on us each having our own domain of expertise and between us we make the project a total success through close collaboration.
By following my rigorous and proven process it guarantees you’ll be equipped with a stand out logo and a strong brand identity that turns your business idea into a reality, connecting deeply with your audience, staff and investors alike.
How to get started
There are 4 ways to immediately engage with me that allows you to pick a level that suites your urgency, your level of comfort with risk, and of course your budget:
Each option includes an unlimited number of revisions, ensuring you’re fully satisfied with the end result and work begins with payment of a 50% deposit and we agree a scheduled end date for completion. The remaining balance on the project is due 30 days later, or when the project is completed, whichever is soonest.
Brand identity design
This is a complete end-to-end solution that gives you a long-term, high value business asset. You’ll receive all the tools and resources needed to confidently launch and grow your business.
Stage 1: Breakthrough workshop
In the Breakthrough workshop we’ll work together to develop a strategy that will accelerate your growth, build an irresistible brand and unlock additional revenue for your business.
Between us we will create and define your:
Brand personality
Brand statement
Core values
Customer profiles
Customer journey
Mission statement
Business goals
Everything learned here will be applied to the entire project, giving you a solid foundation to a strong and memorable brand.
Stage 2: Brand and marketing playbook
We take everything surfaced in the Breakthrough workshop and turn this into a brand and marketing playbook you can use to help you create marketing and advertising campaigns that hit the mark every time.
Stage 3: Brand mark design and development
You’ll receive 3 high-quality brand mark logo designs to choose from that are based on your brand strategy, stylescape and your overall business objectives. One brand mark logo is then chosen and developed further until we arrive at the ideal solution.
Stage 4: Design and develop your brand identity
Using your brand and marketing playbook as our compass your final brand mark logo an entire visual identity system will be developed. You’ll have a consistent and cohesive visual identity that clearly defines who you are and what you stand for in way that’s both unique and distinctively different from your closest rivals.
Stage 5: Brand guide
The single best way of protecting your investment in your brand is to have a complete brand guide that defines how your logo and other brand assets should be used. It also includes your brands core values and guidance on how to use your brand voice. This ensures all communication is presented consistently, no matter who you work with.
Logo design
Here we focus on creating a long-lasting and distinctive brand focused logo. This gives you the foundations needed to build a strong and distinctive brand, positioning you as the leaders in your marketplace.
Stage 1: Logo Accelerator
I’ll ask you a series of questions to surface the core information about your company, what makes you different, who your closest rivals are and the vision you have for your brand. I’ll also work with you to create your brand tagline that gives you a positive, memorable phrase that sticks in your customer’s mind, helping them understand who you are and why they should care.
Stage 2: Mood board
By using carefully researched and curated visual reference we find inspiration for the design of your logo, ensuring that it appeals to your target audience, meets your business objectives and fits your vision.
Stage 3: Logo design and development
You’ll receive 3 high-quality logo designs to choose from that are based on your answers to the logo accelerator, mood boards and your overall business objectives. One logo is then chosen and developed further until we arrive at the ideal solution.
Stage 4: Single page logo guide and stationery
Once the logo design has been finalised a logo guide will be created to define how your logo should be applied throughout your marketing. This will be provided as a PDF with download links to your logo in a variety of formats.
In addition to this you’ll also be given digital artwork for a full set of print ready branded stationery, which includes, letterhead, compliment slip and x3 business cards.
Brand name creation
The name of your new brand will become your companies greatest asset and will quite likely be with you forever, so it’s critical that you get it right.
What might seem like an easy task to begin with can quickly become incredibly challenging because of all the limiting factors involved.
By combining creativity, perseverance and a proven process we’ll arrive at a name for your startup that not only sounds great and can be registered as a .com or .co.uk, it will also reflect who you are in a way that’s memorable, unique and timeless.
Stage 1: Research
I’ll ask you a series of questions to uncover what your business does, what services you offer, who your closets rivals are and what makes you unique.
Stage 2: Brainstorming and shortlisting
Together we’ll come up with a list of names that meet the criteria of the earlier research. The names will then be shortlisted and checked to make sure they’ve not yet been taken or registered in Companies House or registered as a trademark. We’ll also go through the sometimes lengthy process of making sure the names are available as either .com or .co .uk.
Stage 3: Final selection and securing your brand name
Once you’ve chosen your name it’s important for you to move quickly and secure the rights and protections you’ll need to make sure your name is legally yours and protected from any other parties coming in and trying to take it. The most common way to protect your business name is for you to form a limited company and register this at Companies House. I also recommend registering your new name as a trademark with the help of an intellectual property specialist.
Website design
There’s no doubt about it, your website is one of your most important marketing tools for finding new business leads and converting them into loyal customers and clients. With this in mind, every website I create is entirely focused on getting you the results you need. By applying the proven design and marketing strategies I’ve developed and refined over the past 10 years you can be certain your website will exceed all expectations.
STAGE 1: Website Accelerator
This is an in-depth Q&A process we go through that clearly defines your business objectives and provides a reference point and strategy for the project going forwards, ensuring we remain on track and focused on your business goals.
STAGE 2: Content
It’s time for you to provide all the websites content before design and development begins.
STAGE 3: Website design
Using your logo, brand assets, strategy, content and sitemap, I design 3 concepts for the homepage. From the three designs one is selected for further design development. Once the design is finalised, I design the remaining pages of the website and provide you with a working prototype for review. Any revisions you request are turned around within 24 hours.
STAGE 4: Website development
The website will be developed on the Webflow CMS platform following the earlier approved designs. It will be fully mobile responsive, fast loading, secure and have all the tools needed for you to easily manage all your content. Foundational on-page SEO will also be applied to help ensure the website is correctly indexed and ranks well within Google and Bing.
STAGE 5: Hand over
Once you’re fully satisfied with the end result the website will then be transferred to your Webflow account and I will help you connect your domain name. I’ll also provide training on how to work with and manage your new website.
STAGE 6: Testing and launch
With the site now live any last minute revisions and adjustments will be made. I will also provide 14 days unlimited technical support and 3 hours for any further website design or text revisions that might needed.
Frequently asked questions
+ What do I need to provide before the project starts?
I’ll give you a list of what I need if we proceed. For website design; all tech access: domain registrar login info, mailing list access, Google Analytics access. You also need to have polished content for your website, along with enough time set aside to take this project to the finish line.
+ How do you determine who you work with?
It’s a science and a gut thing. I only take on projects and clients when I feel strongly that I can help, based on my past experience, available data, and the project goals. But, I also listen to my instincts and I don’t take on any project that doesn’t feel right. It’s better for both of us that way.
+ Do you build websites in WordPress?
No, after working with WordPress for over 10 years I’ve found it to be one of the most unstable, insecure CMS platforms there is. The main reason for its popularity is because of the monthly maintenance fees developers can justify charging you, just to keep your website secure and free from being hacked. Now I only build websites on webflow.com where you have the same flexibility with none of the problems or security headaches commonly associated with WordPress.
+ What if I miss a deadline?
This whole process works because we both have strict deadlines which rely on prompt feedback and response. This ensures mutual focus, momentum and efficiency so we can move onto the next step in the process.
What others are saying
“For 10 years, from the founding of MarketDeveloper to its successful sale to Blue Venn Group Brian was our outsourced Creative Director. He used his undoubted creative talent to develop the look and feel of our brand from initial Brand Design through all the versions of analogue creative and took us into the world of online advertising.
In all that time he was both wonderfully creative and his personal charm and thoughtful nature made him a genuine delight to work with. He ensured that for 10 years all our advertising and promotional material stayed consistent, relevant and “on brand”.
I would work with him again in a heartbeat if and when I’m back in startup mode. I unreservedly recommend his work to anyone who needs to hand their brand work to a safe pair of hands.”
Paul Schultz
Chief Data Scientist, BlueVenn Group
“Brian is an amazingly talented and driven designer. His problem solving abilities are rooted in a deep understanding of his clients needs which he uncovers through rigorous research and creative process. As a fellow designer I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with him. If you’re looking for a friendly, positive and brilliant designer then Brian is your man!”
Antoney Calvert
Creative Director, Colour Form
“Brian is a talent by nature. The difference between someone that creates graphics and a talent is that the talent discovers the soul of the project, while all others just draw something related to the project.”
John Delavera
Internet Marketer
“Brian one of the best graphic designers in the business. His work is visually pleasing and technically perfect. I would recommend him to anyone who needs amazing graphics for whatever they're doing online or off.”
Pat Marcello
Digital Marketing Consultant