How to Start Your Brand Identity Design Process

Let’s talk about what you’re wearing. As a social entrepreneur who understands the value of being authentic, you dress yourself in a way that reflects your character and personality. You craft an outward appearance to shape how people perceive you. And while your wardrobe can’t tell your whole story, people sense a consistency between who you are and how you appear when they get to know you.

You can authentically present yourself with ease because you’ve already done the hard work of introspection. Over time, you’ve figured out who you are, what you believe about yourself, how you want others to see you. Choosing outfits that align with these personal precepts now comes naturally. Well, on most days.

Partnering with an impact brand designer, you should start your brand identity design process in the same way—with a period of introspection. Foundational ideals and precepts should make clear what your social good company is, what it believes and how it wants to be seen in the world.

It is on top of this solid foundation that you can then build a brand identity that feels as though it stands for something. An identity that customers believe is consistent with the carefully defined purpose, mission, vision, goals and values of your social enterprise.

Be careful not to miss the benefits of this crucial first phase of designing your brand identity. Rushing through an appropriate time of introspective discovery with your designer can produce a logo and identity system incapable of remaining relevant as your company evolves.

Work together with an impact brand designer to define that for which your brand identity must stand. Agree on how your logo should shape customers’ perception of your social enterprise. With these ideals and precepts clearly understood, you and your designer will find the creative process of visually outfitting your business a task accomplished more naturally and with great ease.

Well, on most days.