A brand is the aspect of a business, organization or initiative that people connect with. The process of branding facilitates this connection—between initiatives with the potential for good and the people they need to make it happen. My goal as a brand consultant is to guide this process, partnering with initiatives to architect transformative brand identities and experiences. 

Here is a look into the process.

Step 1

BRAND AUDIT & STRATEGIC RESEARCH

The Brand Audit is about and making actionable insights. Before a brand is developed, it is to be placed strategically on a map. Strategic Research is about getting the lay of the land, its players and potential. Here we create a framework for analyzing the brand’s core objectives. With meaningful insights, we discover hidden truths and pinpoint the one great opportunity in the landscape.

Step 2

BRAND STRATEGY

Brand Strategy is about gaining deep understanding. The goal is to find the connecting threads between the brand and its audience – in intrinsic and aesthetic qualities, and in aspirations and solutions. Brand’s come to life with a story—one which encompasses their purpose for existing and their place in the audience’s lives. The better we know who that audience is, the better we can speak directly to them in telling a story which captivates.

Step 3

CORE BRAND & MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT

Core Brand & Message Development is about defining the brand’s DNA. Impactful brands are built upon a foundation of values, with a vision as a blueprint, and mission as a frame around which strategy is built. By defining the brand’s DNA we create a solid base upon which a comprehensive and compelling brand identity is to be architected. Here we define the brand’s internal and external scope of influence, weaving its DNA into a message that moves and motivates.

Step 4

VISUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Visual Identity Development is about merging form and function. Brand’s are often called to mind by their visual characteristics—instantly identifiable and innately memorable. Visuals have powerful influence in shaping perceptions, emotions, and engagement with audiences. Here bring psychological, aesthetic and strategic perspectives together to color the brand with a visual personality that communicates its substance by speaking directly to the human senses.

Step 5

BRAND INTEGRATION & IMPLEMENTATION

Brand Integration & Implementation is about holism and consistency—encompassing the full scope of a brand’s presence while focusing on each individual touchpoint with its audience. Totality is about completeness across these touchpoints. Tonality is about the spirit or essence of the experience. Both aspects work in combination to establish a memorable and moving relationship with a brand’s audience. Here we integrate the brand’s identity artfully and methodically.

Step 6

BRAND EXPERIENCE ACTIVATION

Brand Experience Activation is about community. Brand communities are empowering. They transform an ‘us-them’ relationship into a ‘we’ experience, making brands a meaningful and valued part of audience’s lives. Here look to brand’s culture to create a journey and experience that encourages and engages, creating avenues for participation. It is in this way that audiences turn from patrons to advocates, investing in the present and future of the brand.

A brand is the aspect of a business, organization or initiative that people connect with. The process of branding facilitates this connection—between initiatives with the potential for good and the people they need to make it happen. My goal as a brand consultant is to guide this process, partnering with initiatives to architect transformative brand identities and experiences. 

Here is a look into the process.

Step 1

BRAND AUDIT & STRATEGIC RESEARCH

The Brand Audit is about and making actionable insights. Before a brand is developed, it is to be placed strategically on a map. Strategic Research is about getting the lay of the land, its players and potential. Here we create a framework for analyzing the brand’s core objectives. With meaningful insights, we discover hidden truths and pinpoint the one great opportunity in the landscape.

Step 2

BRAND STRATEGY

Brand Strategy is about gaining deep understanding. The goal is to find the connecting threads between the brand and its audience – in intrinsic and aesthetic qualities, and in aspirations and solutions. Brand’s come to life with a story—one which encompasses their purpose for existing and their place in the audience’s lives. The better we know who that audience is, the better we can speak directly to them in telling a story which captivates.

Step 3

CORE BRAND & MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT

Core Brand & Message Development is about defining the brand’s DNA. Impactful brands are built upon a foundation of values, with a vision as a blueprint, and mission as a frame around which strategy is built. By defining the brand’s DNA we create a solid base upon which a comprehensive and compelling brand identity is to be architected. Here we define the brand’s internal and external scope of influence, weaving its DNA into a message that moves and motivates.

Step 4

VISUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Visual Identity Development is about merging form and function. Brand’s are often called to mind by their visual characteristics—instantly identifiable and innately memorable. Visuals have powerful influence in shaping perceptions, emotions, and engagement with audiences. Here bring psychological, aesthetic and strategic perspectives together to color the brand with a visual personality that communicates its substance by speaking directly to the human senses.

Step 5

BRAND INTEGRATION & IMPLEMENTATION

Brand Integration & Implementation is about holism and consistency—encompassing the full scope of a brand’s presence while focusing on each individual touchpoint with its audience. Totality is about completeness across these touchpoints. Tonality is about the spirit or essence of the experience. Both aspects work in combination to establish a memorable and moving relationship with a brand’s audience. Here we integrate the brand’s identity artfully and methodically.

Step 6

BRAND EXPERIENCE ACTIVATION

Brand Experience Activation is about community. Brand communities are empowering. They transform an ‘us-them’ relationship into a ‘we’ experience, making brands a meaningful and valued part of audience’s lives. Here look to brand’s culture to create a journey and experience that encourages and engages, creating avenues for participation. It is in this way that audiences turn from patrons to advocates, investing in the present and future of the brand.