only one concept?
Why One Concept works
Key Takeaways
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Years of experience and a strong process bring solutions
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Strategy is priority and all design flows through this
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Time better spent on quality rather than quantity
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Order-takers provide options while professionals provide solutions
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Final results are not geared to the client but to the target audience
EVERY LINE, STROKE, ANGLE, COLOR AND DESIGN ELEMENT WILL HAVE A CALCULATED PURPOSE, ALWAYS ALIGNED TO THE STRATEGY, ELIMINATING GUESSWORK. PROVIDING OPTIONS CREATES GUESSWORK.
The bottom line? I have accrued and fine-tuned years of design experience into the art of graphic persuasion.
So why would you hire me to give you options? You come to me to solve a problem. Do we take our car to a mechanic and tell them how to diagnose the strange noise we hear? Do we question what tools they use and how much torque to apply? Of course not. They are the experts in their field, and we don't have the competence or judgement they have. We trust their knowledge and experience.
Unfortunately, the design community has taught clients to expect multiple concepts. During the presentation, they hear rationale for why each design is great on its own merit (really, how is that even possible?) And invariably, the client gets the opportunity to make a subjective choice, based on the implied indecision presented to them by the designer. In this way, options prove to be a detriment and open the door to even more concepts and often resulting in a "buffet" logo of some of this, and some of that.
Avoid indecision with a strong strategy in place
Before I begin any design, roles are defined and a very thorough Strategic Brand Survey (SBS) must be completed. It is a thorough assessment of the client's goals, values, demographics (design and customer) and target audience.
Every step of my process will follow, and be backed up by, the strategy created in collaboration with the client. The more comprehensive the SBS, the more I will have to work with to create a bullet-proof solution. Along the way, I will be documenting and explaining every design decision. Nothing will be arbitrary. Everything will have a strategic purpose consistent with the strategy. All of this will bring forth a focused concept.
One concept is so much more than one logo
Just to be clear, when presenting the one concept, this is not to say it will be the be-all, end-all part of the process, nor is it just the logo. The one concept can include (depending on the package): primary logo, secondary logo, submarks (variable brand voice), color palette, typographic hierarchy, relevant real-world mockups, iconography, patterns and select collateral examples.
It's all about collaboration. The client knows so much more when it comes to their business and target market, while I have the design expertise, so 1-3 rounds of refinement are available if necessary to achieve the perfect goal. With so much discovery and research provided in the Strategic Brand Survey, this efficient process typically results with an approval in the first round.
Inspiration: Sean McCabe and Melissa Yeager
Factus Creative's elements for an effective strategy
These are the ingredients that will help define your brand.
Reputation
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Perception
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Reliability
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Ethical/Moral
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Expertise
Attraction
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Price
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Features
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Innovation
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Convenience
Relationship
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Customer Service
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Responsiveness
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Transparency
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Communication
Distinction
Does your brand visually stand out in the sea of social media and hold up to the demands of scalability on different platforms and is easily recognizable?
Competition
How does your brand stack up to your competitor’s presence in your shared marketplace and does your brand tell a more compelling story?
Audience
Do your customers associate your logo and business with trust, credibility and competence because your brand doesn’t need to change every few years?