This is one of the main things discussed in the initial consultation and we talk about the branding strategy in order to get a clear picture of exactly what you want and would like to convey before an estimate is written up. Most custom brand creation and the building of the website takes an average of 4 to 6 weeks.
Examples using photos or links to things that have a similar visual identity helps with this process, as branding is an extension of the business personality. A Pinterest board can really help a client to figure out the general direction they’d like their business to go in. Some projects we’ve done were created with very little direction and others had more specific criteria to follow. We are always open to try different ideas, learning new methods, and our goal is to make every project be unique.
We are happy to collaborate with the client and bring their ideas to reality. However, there are technical methods and creative reasons for making certain design decisions, which is the role of a professional. For those interested in taking on the role of the designer, rather than to work as a team, it may be more economical to hire a production artist. Our portfolio gives an indication of the type of work that we do, which encompasses a broad range of styles. Most people come to us because they’ve seen our work and our style suits them.
After the deposit is made and the contract is signed, a mood board is the next step for both branding clients. It will set the tone for the rest of the project, and we can build upon it and tweak it from there. If a logo design is required, we would begin with a round of designs and then refine them from there. The color scheme, fonts, patterns, and other branding elements would be created into a full concept brand guide, with matching graphics for print and social media.
If website design is needed, we’d start with the home page draft. We would then follow the style and concept as outlined in the estimate and mood board. Additional changes to the design past those initial 3 can be created for an additional fee. It is a rare occurrence, but a total re-direction of the project after we’ve started working can also be done for an additional fee. In most cases, we have the design solidified by the third revision and once the design is finalized and the homepage is built, we carry over the look and style to the inside pages of the site and create the rest of the site. After the template is built for the interior pages, the client submits their complete and edited content and we program it into the site. Once all pages are complete and we launch the site, the client many times has the ability to edit content themselves, or we are also available for website maintenance if they prefer.
