01 / brand
Brand identity
Start with a recognisable foundation.
THE CAPABILITIES
What do you need to make?
Start with a particular need or bring us the bigger question. We’ll discuss the scope that makes sense.
6 services to explore
Start with the decision, then choose the service
If you are deciding how a business should look and feel, begin with brand identity. That work can establish a logo system, typography, colours and practical guidance for the places the brand will appear. If the identity is already settled, you may need an application of it rather than another round of brand development.
Campaign assets focus on a connected set of materials for a particular message or launch. Digital design focuses on the hierarchy and experience of screen-based material, from a landing-page layout to a presentation. Describe the audience and the action you want to support before choosing a format; a list of outputs is useful only when their purpose is clear.
Match the medium to the production requirements
Print and editorial work may involve a brochure, menu, publication or other material that needs a considered reading order. Bring the intended quantity, format, supplied copy and any printer requirements into the discussion. Design and artwork preparation should be distinguished from ordering, manufacturing and delivery of the printed items.
Packaging design starts from the product, its variants and the approved production information. Labels, sleeves and artwork on supplied dielines can be discussed. Technical packaging development, mandatory copy approval and manufacturing sign-off remain separate responsibilities. A visual concept is not a substitute for testing the proposed material or checking a production proof.
Combine services where the dependencies are real
A hypothetical launch might begin with identity work, followed by packaging artwork and a small set of campaign assets. The order matters: changing the logo after the packaging has been approved can create further work. Identify which decisions must be settled before the next stage, and which assets can be produced independently.
Creative support is a starting point when the need recurs: keeping materials current, adapting an approved layout or preparing a defined backlog of assets. Discuss the expected volume, editing tools, priority system and approval contact. A recurring requirement does not automatically mean an unlimited service or a reserved production slot; capacity and terms must be agreed.
Prepare the inputs and name the boundaries
Collect the current logo files, brand guidance, approved copy and imagery you are permitted to use. Explain what is final, what can change and what is still missing. For digital design, identify the developer or implementation owner. For print and packaging, include supplier specifications and the person responsible for approving the final proof.
Ask what the proposed fee covers: concept work, formats, review stages, exports, editable files and handover guidance. Copywriting, web development, media buying, specialist photography and manufacturing should not be assumed from a design-service description. Where another supplier is involved, agree who briefs them and how their work fits the schedule.
Choose a focused next step
Bring one clear priority into the first conversation. Explain what must be ready, why it matters and which constraints are fixed. If there are competing needs, rank them rather than treating every item as equally urgent. This makes it easier to discuss a manageable starting scope and the information needed before confirming it.
Review the individual service pages for the questions relevant to your project, then use the brief planner to gather your choices. You can select more than one service, but those selections are a discussion aid rather than a package or quotation. Costs, timing, responsibilities and usage arrangements are confirmed in a separate project agreement.
Your working checklist
- Write down your primary project goal and where content will be used
- Gather existing brand assets, logos, and reference material
- Decide which platforms and formats you need
- Appoint a single decision-maker for feedback and sign-off
- List any third-party licensing or legal clearances you must arrange
- Prepare questions about scope, revisions, timeline, and file formats
- Describe your situation to us and ask for a recommended starting point
Questions worth asking
Can I combine services for one project?
Yes. Many projects benefit from combining services, such as brand development plus social templates. We will recommend a starting point and discuss whether a combination fits your needs.
What happens if my project needs copywriting or web development?
Name those requirements in the brief and identify who will be responsible for them. Design and implementation are distinct parts of the project. The proposal should confirm what Layer supplies and what must be arranged separately before production begins.
How do I know if I need a recurring service or a one-off?
A defined launch or one-off document may suit a project scope. Repeated adaptations or a continuing backlog may suit a creative-support discussion. Bring examples of the frequency and volume so availability, review arrangements and commercial terms can be considered.
Make the next conversation concrete.
Bring the questions this page raises, the materials you already have and the decisions you need help making. The brief planner turns those starting points into a document you can review and share.
Build your brief ↗