If you don't follow me on Threads, Reader then you missed what I posted earlier this week that got people talking a bit.
I was hesitant to share a logo and some other pieces I designed without showing the full branding suite that went with it. And people had... opinions.
Some thought I was being insecure about my work. Others thought I was overthinking it. A few LOVED the logo and icons I designed with it.
But here's the thing: my hesitancy had nothing to do with the quality of the design.
The blessing [and subsequent curse] of being a brand and experiential designer is that I have GREAT ideas, but it takes me longer to move on them because I like to plan and then execute. In my opinion, it's always:
I wanted the idea to immediately translate to the viewer the way it did in my mind. Sure, it may miss some people, but for the intended audience, I know if I design it right, the message will be clear.
That's the importance of branding.
A logo by itself is cool, but it's just a symbol. A visual "handshake", of sorts. It can't communicate or carry yours or your business' entire vibe, voice, mission, or personality on its own.
But brand identity is a universe and visual language that builds trust, recognition, and consistency across every single touchpoint.
And that's what I prefer to post whenever I show my work.
The Big Misconception About Branding
Businesses at every level have more choices than ever when it comes to branding. But most don't know the difference between:
Logo – A single mark or symbol for recognition
Brand Identity Suite – The complete visual system (logos, colors, typography, patterns, imagery)
Brand Consistency – Uniform experience on your website, social, packaging, ads, customer service
A Brand Audit – A strategic health check to see what's working, what's not, and where the gaps are
Understanding the difference and figuring out what you really need is key to building a recognized business.
Here's What I Want You to Do
If you're sitting here realizing you don't actually know what stage your business is at in terms of creative, or you aren't really sure about what you need, or you've been spinning your wheels because your branding feels "off" but you can't pinpoint why, then ask yourself these questions:
- Where is your brand right now? (Not where you want it to be—where it actually is.)
- What's working and what's not? (Be honest. What's getting engagement? What's being ignored?)
- Are your visuals consistent across all touch points? (Website, social, packaging, emails and does it all feel cohesive?)
- How do your customers actually perceive your brand? (Not what you think they see, but what they're actually experiencing.)
- What do you actually need to move forward? (Spoiler: it might not be what you think.)
If you can answer all of those clearly and confidently, you're ahead of most businesses. Good for you!
If you can't? That's okay too but that means you've got some work to do.
I'm sure it's been awhile, but here's some real homework:
Download The 90-Day Reset Workbook. It's free, so no excuses! Get clear on your direction, your goals, and where your business is actually headed.
You can't invest in creative at any level or build with intention if you don't know where you're going. And once you're clear on that? We can talk about how design can support it.
The 90-Day Reset Workbook
Use code: KIT91 to download it FREE!
|
TaRon 'Ronnie' Joyner
Founder, 1991 Design
