FAQs
Working with me
Do you offer payment options?
Yes, I offer payment terms to suit you and your project. For example, many clients choose to pay in four instalments of 25% to help them spread the cost of their investment. I always ask for a minimum of 25% of the total invoice to be paid before work begins. This is to guarantee your place in my schedule as I like to work on one brand project at a time, to make sure you have my undivided attention.
How long does it take to complete a brand identity?
Every project is different and together, we’ll discuss and confirm the exact timings before work begins. My Starting Out package includes everything you need to launch your new brand and typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete, although if you require illustrations, it will take a little longer. My Growing Your Brand package includes everything you need to progress and typically takes 6+ weeks, while we create your choice of marketing materials. I always do my best to deliver your project on time and on budget.
What kind of brands and businesses do you work with?
Like all brand designers I’m extremely versatile and work with a range of businesses across many different sectors. However, I’m known for my soft, elegant and feminine style (as described by The Brand Stylist) so I often attract small to medium sized businesses that are looking to create a brand that embodies those qualities. Many of my clients are women or families who have created something truly unique to them. All my clients are looking to create a brand that will help them stand out in their industry, and want my expertise to help elevate their ideas and achieve their hopes, dreams and ambitions.
Do you help with sourcing supplier partners, such as printers?
Yes, I can recommend the best supplier partner to help complete your project and achieve the results you’re looking for. With my experience in the creative industries, I can also recommend the best approach and source cost-effective quotes, to help you make the most of your budget.
What happens if I don’t like what you’ve created?
I’ve worked hard to create a journey for you where this doesn’t happen, from agreeing your initial brief template and working closely together, to sharing and talking through each stage. That means that when you see your final brand identity, it should reflect what you’re expecting, along with your thoughts, ideas and feedback. If you’re unsure, we’ll review your brief template and brand vision document together, to see where something may have been miscommunicated for example. Because we co-create your brand together, each step is a collaboration and a shared responsibility, which is why communication is so important throughout.
How long will my project take to complete?
This depends on the nature of your project and your availability to review and approve concepts and designs. A brand project can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months. Each of the packages I offer includes an indication of the typical timeline involved and we can discuss your timings during the initial briefing stage. For example, if you have a certain deadline in mind.
How do I brief you on what I need?
I supply you with a brief template to complete - to guide you through the information I need to complete your project. This is an editable PDF which you can complete electronically, or print off and fill in by hand. The brief covers your business background, expectations, audiences, objectives etc, plus anything you think is relevant for me to know. Once I’ve read through your brief we arrange a call to talk things through and confirm what you’ve told me. The brief is a blueprint for both of us to refer to, and a kind of agreement outlining what your project involves. It’s important to take the time to complete it carefully and make sure you’ve covered everything you want me to consider when working on your project. Writing down your business aims and objectives is also a good way for you to reflect on exactly what it is you’d like to achieve.
How are you different from other brand designers?
Every brand designer promises to create a unique identity for your business. What makes me different is that I know my niche, have embraced my design style, and work with businesses that appreciate my design style and expertise. That means you can work with a designer that feels right for your brand, someone who shares your sense of style, passion and approach. I worked as Head of Creative for a brand design agency, so I understand the bigger picture and bring that big agency knowledge and experience to independent business owners.
Do you work with clients outside the UK?
I’m based in Derbyshire in the East Midlands, but I work with clients all over the UK and Europe, and even in America. Working together long-distance doesn’t change the way we do things as technology means we can still arrange the best time/s to meet and talk face-to-face via video call, as well as communicating via email and/or WhatsApp. If we’re discussing elements such as the tactile quality of paper and materials, or the look and feel of colours, I post samples to you, as well as sharing work electronically. I’m happy to use the technology of your choice including Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We just need to consider the time difference when we create a timeline for your project. I’ve collaborated with many clients this way, and we’ve created great brands together.
How soon can you start my project?
Generally, I have a 4-6 week waiting list so it’s best to book in early. To make sure everything goes smoothly, I make it clear in my initial proposal when I’m able to start your project and what I’ll need from you to secure your agreed dates. This ensures each project has my undivided attention and enables you to plan ahead and put time aside in your calendar to review and approve your designs. Please note, a deposit is required to confirm your booking.
What happens once I’ve sent you my brief?
Once you’ve completed and returned my brief template, we’ll talk over the phone to make sure I’ve understood everything and to identify any gaps/questions that may need clarifying. In my experience, this is a really good way for us both to be clear about what you want to achieve and the best way of moving forward. Together, we’ll establish the next best steps before you invest in your project. The call is also a chance for us both to make sure we’re the right fit, before we begin working together.
Do you have a list of suppliers?
I’ve spent many years creating a handpicked list of trusted suppliers and am always happy to share their details with my clients if you’re looking for a particular skill or service. I’ve spent many years working with them, either directly or in collaboration, and they all work to the same high standard as I do and understand my perfectionist, detail-driven nature.
What is it like working with you? What can I expect?
I believe in creating something together. That means I don’t believe in big reveals – I work in stages so we can share and review progress and make sure you’re happy, engaged and inspired throughout your project. The brief template you complete is the foundation of your project and our base for each step of our journey together. Once this is agreed, I work on your brand vision, which includes your brand’s overarching creative direction, positioning, inspiration/muses, colours and proposed strapline.
From your brand vision, I create the concept for your brand identity, including your logo, complete with design examples to bring your new brand to life. I believe in creating a single concept, rather than multiple design options for the sake of it, because, once we’ve created your brand vision, we should have a clear idea of what your brand identity looks and feels like.
When we’ve talked through and made any minor adjustments to your brand identity and everything is approved, I’ll provide your logo (and any additional elements) in all relevant file types ready for you to start using. I also create your brand book, setting out how your brand should be used in print and online. We then design the marketing materials you’ve chosen to help launch your new brand identity. I’ll be on hand to support you as your brand launches, grows and takes it rightful place in your industry.
Branding
What is a brand?
A brand is your unique, distinctive identity, voice and personality as a business. It encapsulates what you stand for, what you do, what you have to say, where you’re going and how your audiences experience you, including your customers, staff and partners. That makes perfecting your brand a complex and nuanced process, but by working together to understand the spirit of your brand we can create a strong look, feel and message that attracts and connects with your target market, not just now, but in the future.
Do I need a brand identity before you design my website?
Yes, the design of your website will reflect and communicate your brand identity to your target audiences, so it’s important to make sure it’s right from the start. Your brand identity will become a base for developing all the tools you’ll need for your business, so it’s the key to everything you do.
Are illustrations included in your brand identity packages?
I’ve become known for my illustrative brand style through social media and also work with a number of extremely talented illustrators to create my illustrative brand identities. My Starting Out package doesn’t include illustrations, but these can be added at an additional cost. My Growing Your Brand package includes illustrations if you’re looking for an illustrative brand style. I create a whole range of brand styles, not just illustrative brands, including typographic and graphic styles. Once you’ve completed my brief template and I know more about your business and your aims, your brand vision document will set out the best way forward for your brand, in terms of its look, feel and style. That way, you’re brand will be true and honest to your brand spirit, not simply the latest design trends.
What do I get with a brand identity package?
I offer a choice of brand identity packages – one for businesses just starting out and another for more established businesses who want to take the next step and grow. Both packages cover the essentials you’ll need to brand and elevate your business, with the extras tailored to your specific needs. For example, your package will include logo design, colour palette, typography/font combinations, a mood board illustrating your brand’s overall sense of direction, business card design (or alternative), a strategy for your new brand and a style guide to help you use your new brand clearly and consistently – in print and online. The Growing Your Brand package also includes social media graphics and two marketing pieces of your choice, such as a flyer, presentation template or signage. Once everything is completed and approved, I’ll supply your brand in all the formats you’ll need to make the most of it, electronically via OneDrive.
I also offer a Crafting Your Strategy session where you can sit down with me to explore a clear plan of action for your business and an aspirational strategy for your brand. The sessions are ideal for any business, at any stage of development, including if you want to review and improve your current branding and marketing strategy.
What is a brand book and why do I need one?
A brand book is essentially a guide to help you use your new brand carefully, consistently and cohesively, so you can create the very best marketing and communications tools and deliver great brand experiences for your customers. You can use it yourself and/or share it with future designers. Your brand book will include how to use your logo, what size it should be, what colours it should be, how to use and combine the colours in your brand colour palette, how to use and combine your brand fonts, the hierarchy of different brand elements such as your logo and strapline, your image style, and your overall creative direction. Depending on your specific brand, your brand book may also include aspects such as how to use your brand tone of voice when writing in your new brand style.
I’ve got a logo, isn’t that a brand?
A logo is a visual representation of your business name, whether it’s simply type, or includes a symbol or graphic mark of some kind. Your brand goes far beyond your business name to encapsulate and communicate what you do, why you do it, who you do it for and how you do it. It covers everything from the colours, fonts and imagery you use, to your tone of voice and even the marketing approaches you use. Your brand is your spirit. It’s how you make people feel. It’s the experiences you create. That’s why your brand needs to be carefully, thoughtfully and honestly crafted, both in minute detail and with a bigger picture in mind, to make sure it’s true to you, connects with your target audiences, and stays strong, relevant and contemporary over time.
How much should I expect to pay for my brand identity?
I offer a choice of packages that have been carefully curated to support businesses at different stages of development, including start-ups, and more established brands. Your brand identity is fundamental to your business and every customer experience you create, so it’s important to invest in it and create a well-thought-out brand strategy that’s true to you and will stand the test of time. My Starting Out package starts at £1,400 (please note: illustrative brands aren’t included in this package and will be charged at an additional rate). My Growing Your Brand package starts from £2,200 (including illustrative brands). Whichever package is right for you, you will have a complete brand strategy, with all the elements you need to elevate your business. I also offer payment plans to help you manage the cost of your investment.
Websites
Do you design and build websites?
Yes, I create websites using the platform Squarespace. I work with their templates as a base and design and build a bespoke website that represents your brand identity. I also develop your site map, to make sure that each step of your ideal customer journey is covered and that your customer can reach their end goal within 3 clicks or less. For example, their goal could be to make a purchase, find out more, or get in touch. Alternatively, I can also design a website for a talented website developer to build in Wordpress or Craft for example. Ideally, I build websites for brands I’ve created, but I can also work on websites for existing brands, so you’re welcome to talk to me about what you’d like to achieve.
Do you support with website hosting?
I don’t offer hosting support or hosting packages directly, but I can help integrate your website with your chosen hosting provider.
What can I expect?
I offer two website packages. Your Brand Online includes a bespoke Squarespace template, easy to use content management system, blog functionality, social media and mailing list integration, coming soon page, connection to your domain and post-launch support (including up to two hours training) to help you use and update your new website.
In addition, If you require an e-commerce store, I use Squarespace to build beautifully contemporary, small online stores and can help you develop the ideal shopping experience for your customers complete with blog functionality, social media/mailing list integration, coming soon page, connection to your domain and post launch support/training. Squarespace offers unlimited products and flexible product variations, an easy to use content, product, inventory and order management system, online payment processing integration, checkout optimised for conversions, customised transactional email design and discount code functionality.
Whichever package you choose, your website will be secure, compliant and SSL enabled, to provide an optimal browsing experience across all devices including mobile. I offer guidance on your content strategy and copywriting can be provided for an extra cost.
How do I use my new website moving forward?
Squarespace is an extremely user-friendly content managed website platform, so it’s designed to be easy and intuitive to use. Once you’re new website is ready, we’ll spend up to two hours exploring it together and I’ll show you how it works and how you can update content, images and blogs. We finalise your website design as part of the training, so you’ll learn as you’re co-creating.