Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The same is true for branding.

Contrary to common belief, a brand is not a logo. Neither is an icon. These are manifestations of a brand, but more importantly, parts of a much larger system.

Brands are like people. They’re multifaceted. You don’t understand a person from a single photo just as you don’t fully understand a company from a logo. Each branded asset serves a different purpose while communicating the same conclusion through different languages — or from different perspectives.

Consistency does not mean repetition. The different parts should not parrot each other, but rather enrich the overarching concept with nuance and cohesive complexity. Each asset is valuable on its own, but is ultimately a chapter in a greater story. The value compounds when those chapters are experienced together. Together, they create the context — or world — where your products and/or services live.

A brand turns an ordinary item into a work of art. A brand is to a product as a gallery wall is to Duchamp’s Fountain (1917). Context changes perception. Perception shapes preference. Preference creates value. Simply put, brand design is worth the investment.

logo set

A launchpad and centerpiece.

visual identity

A guide for emerging brands.

brand identity

An intricately woven tapestry of touchpoints.

Select a package from the list above or book a discovery call to build a custom package, answering your unique needs.

THE PARTS: MY FIRST BRAND AS A CASE STUDY

name

How you introduce your brand.

Naming a company is more than choosing a word that “sounds like” the brand. Coming up with something that is both relevant and original requires a broad association range. Navigating cultural associations while respecting live trademarks is delicate work. Striking the perfect balance between familiar and exciting is an art form.

Reigns’ business card

usp

Unique selling proposition: what makes you different.

A clearly defined USP helps you capitalize on your authentic value. As an entrepreneur, the most important question you should be asking yourself is not how do I compare? but rather how am I original?

Reigns’ hang tags offered a brief guide to their unique size chart

values

Guiding principles.

Your principles are the tint on the glasses you wear for every company decision. They shape what you notice, what you prioritize, and what you create. When your values are clear, people understand what drives your decisions — and what they can expect from you. That consistency builds trust. It makes your brand feel reliable, not just recognizable.

A simple, shareable phrase posted to Reigns’ IG feed

mission

A brief story: who you are, what you do, & where you are going.

A mission statement, or manifesto, paints an aspirational picture of a future where your company realizes its fullest potential. It is a value-driven dream that invites customers to help bring it to life.

A custom wax seal stamped over Reigns’ mission statement

voice

If your brand was a person, this is how they would speak.

The way someone talks to you impacts the way you feel about them - and yourself. A brand voice works in the same way. It casts the brand into a role in its audience’s play. Is the brand an advocate, relatable big sister, class clown, coach, partner in crime, grandma, or someone else? The voice tells all.

Interview with Reign's’ founder for EQLuxe magazine

tagline

A phrase that captures your brand’s position & personality.

A motto, or tagline, is the elevator pitch of your elevator pitch in your brand’s voice. For example, Nike isn’t Nike without “Just Do It.” When paired with a jingle, a tagline can be an effective and memorable tool for creating a emotional connection with your customer.

Reigns’ motto, “stride forward,” was etched into zipper tabs

mood board

A compilation of cohesive images, forming an abstract personality.

The mood board is the first sketch; it is the concept in development. While its primary purpose is to serve as a clear path forward, it is also a means for finding common ground. Some things have to be seen to be understood.

Mood board for Reigns’ first season, Regalia

logo

An original, artfully tactful identifying mark.

A logo is the brand’s autograph, signifying I made this, I do this, I am here, or you are here. It is your brand’s identity wrapped into a symphony of color, shape, line, space, and texture.

Reigns’ logo dissected

icon

A simplified version of the logo or a complementary identifier.

An icon is the brand’s initials. It is the nickname. It is the IYKYK mark. The icon can also be incredible tool for building brand recognition without over-marketing, which can disengage customers.

Reign’s “R” embroidered onto a custom-dyed satin gift bag

palette

A hierarchical set of colors that work together to tell your story.

Color affects the psyche on a primal level, implying temperature, mood, age, and energy. Thus, it is a powerful complement to some of the more explicit aspects of a brand. Even more, custom colors can be a trademarked. Consider Tiffany blue, for example.

The color palette for Reigns’ first product release

type

A custom combination of typefaces and text stylizations.

The same words hold different meanings when displayed in different fonts. The look and feel of your brand’s fonts should match its voice as well as its intended effect on customers.

Zoomed-in screenshot of type from Reigns’ first catalogue

style

Guidelines for branded imagery & graphics.

Stylized imagery offers a window into the brand’s world and its mind’s eye. Achieving a recognizable look requires a consistent combination of edits and/or illustrations. A popular example of this is Love Shack Fancy, a brand whose imagery layers a pink haze over victorian settings, bows, and frills to create a girlhood dream — a feminine fantasy land.

An image from Reigns’ catalogue taken by Lauren Schulz

digital impression

High-level strategy for your online presence.

Approximately 1 in 3 consumers prefer to find - and over 3 in 4 of Gen Z consumers are likely to discover - new brands on social media. If you want to grow your brand, invest in your online presence.

Screenshot of @reignsbysavannahfellers Instagram feed

touchpoints

Interactive manifestations of your brand.

A touchpoint is a branded experience. These can include, but are not limited to: ads, apparel, customer service collateral, billboard, business cards, glassware, email newsletter, hang tag, office accessories, packaging, pamphlet, poster, social media posts, stationary, surface pattern design, trade show backdrop, wine label, etc.

Repeat pattern developed from Reign’s “R” icon

brand guide

A roadmap to consistency.

Understanding the brand is one thing. Applying its aesthetic to new assets is another. This guide transforms your brand’s look and feel into a step-by-step recipe. Its sole purpose is to preserve the integrity of the brand as you scale. Think of it as a playpen for your in-house creatives; it helps them find independence within boundaries.

We offer two versions:

  • Essential Brand Guide, included in Visual Identity package

  • Immersive Brand Guide, included in Brand Identity package

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