Superfried is a design agency in Manchester specialising in brand solutions as an integral part of your business strategy. Whether you are big, small, old, new, local, or global I have the experience and network to develop a brand strategy to fit. I do not provide a one-size-fits-all package since every project is unique. Consequently, they vary considerably in complexity, considerations, deliverables, time, and budget.
A brand identity is not just a logo. It is a combination of your purpose, beliefs, and every communication that represents you or your organisation. Therefore, a successful brand solution requires time, consideration, research, strategy, and a wide range of disciplines. I will never pretend to cover every possible service you seek, I would be surprised if any creative agency can. So when required, I collaborate with proven, specialists within my creative network to build a bespoke team to fulfill your requirements.
Below is an overview of the design services and creative solutions I can offer in-house and via my creative network. Followed by a summary of my simple design process and approach. So whether you are intrigued or confused, feel free to drop me a mail or book a call to discuss further.
Services
A brand identity is not just a logo. It is a combination of your purpose, beliefs and every medium that represents you or your organisation. Branding is about people – your team – and the people you are trying to communicate with – your potential audience.
For branding solutions to be effective the soft skills are just as essential as the technical. The ability to listen and empathise with people. Understanding how to set the correct visual and aural tone of voice to obtain your desired brand perception and resonate with your target audience. To achieve this requires good attention to detail. We must collaborate and be open-minded.
Creativity is a given, but a brand identity system should also be a tool that is practical and easy to use. The soft skills ensure we listen to understand what you require, to ascertain which technical skills we should provide. For example, Superfried conducts a simple software audit – What do you need to create and what tools or skills do you have to create them?
With this knowledge, we can look at alternative, practical solutions to omit the expense of new software or freelance support to ensure you are self-sufficient upon completion.
Branding
- Branding workshops
- Research – Getting to know you
- Research – Getting to know them
- Naming, positioning, and tone of voice
- Brand strategy
- Brand design
- Brand guidelines
Typography
- Bespoke wordmarks
- Bespoke typography
- Bespoke numerals
- Lettering design
- Typeface design
Graphic design and production
- Graphic design and art direction
- Marketing literature – screen and print
- Design – social media and advertising
- Illustration . iconography
- Stationery . signage
- Animated idents
- Packaging design
- Editorial . Book cover design
- M365 – Template designs
Web and digital design
- Web development services
- Web architecture
- Webpage designs
- Webpage layouts
- Domain research
- Digital advertising screens
- Digital screens
- Digital posters
Process
I strive for simplicity in everything I do. With brand strategy and graphic design, it is the simplest creative solution that is usually the most effective. Consequently, Superfried’s 4D approach to the design process follows suit with just four key stages – Discovery | Direction | Design | Delivery.
I believe that for graphic design and web development services to be effective, client collaboration throughout the design process is essential. My team and I understand how to use communication effectively and can provide an essential, external viewpoint of your organisation. But, your sector and market knowledge far exceeds ours. Therefore, to be effective and time efficient the right questions, careful listening, and straight-talking are required.
Please don’t edit your comments for fear of hurting my feelings – if it’s not working – I want to know. Only then can I re-think the approach to develop more appropriate design solutions. Ultimately, the final execution will represent you, the client, it is therefore essential that you feel comfortable with it.
Discovery
Unearthing the essence of your brand
Discovery and research phase where we will ask a lot of questions, challenge the design brief, and listen. This will enable us to define your purpose and goals, your target audience, and the barriers that are preventing you from reaching them. It is here that we will also look at your sector and competitors. What are they doing that you are not? How can we outperform or standout?
Direction
Establishing a clear route for your brand
Strategy established – what does it look like? We now begin to flesh it out into some visual, design directions. Start to see the brand personality emerge and evolve into 1 or even 2 different personas. But which creative direction will be effective? Which is versatile, has longevity, and the potential to evolve? It’s not about picking the pretty route. So we seek feedback, research, and test again to ensure the selected route is solid.
Design
Bringing your brand to life
Brand strategy established – what does it look like? We now begin to flesh it out into some visual design directions. Start to see the brand personality emerge and evolve into 1 or even 2 different personas. But which direction will be effective? Which is versatile, has longevity, and potential to evolve? It’s not about picking the pretty route. So we seek feedback, research, and test again to ensure the selected route is solid.
Delivery
Making your brand work for you
Design direction nailed, time to develop the tools and design assets you will require for self-sufficiency to launch your new brand identity into the wild. Logos, logotypes, logo lock-ups, graphic devices, typefaces, brand colour, webpage designs, animated idents, template designs, print material, signage, branded merchandise etc, and a set of brand guidelines to make sure you stick to the rules! They may be annoying, but for branding, consistency is king.