At OAT Studio, we understand that every brand is as unique as the people behind it, which is why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we embark on a collaborative journey, tailoring each brand identity to resonate deeply with its audience. With over 20 years of experience in design and branding, our process goes beyond rigid formulas — it's about crafting a thoughtful, flexible framework for creative exploration that perfectly aligns with your mission. Here’s how we bring your brand to life.
Step 1. Getting to Know You
Our process begins with genuine conversations. At OAT Studio, collaboration is key. We start with a relaxed chat to understand who you are, what drives your business, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This is where we listen more than we talk, asking questions that get to the heart of your vision. We’re not just partners — we’re allies, invested in your success. Our goal is to build a foundation of trust, where you feel confident that we’ll treat your brand with the same care as our own.
Step 2. Crafting the Proposal
Once we’ve got a clear sense of your needs, we put together a detailed proposal. This includes a project scope, timeline, and estimated costs, giving you a transparent view of the road ahead. We’re flexible — whether you need to tweak the scope or adjust the timeline, we’re here to make sure the project fits your goals and budget.
Our proposal typically includes:
An outlined project scope
A projected timeline
Estimated costs
This stage often involves a bit of back and forth, allowing you to add or remove items as needed to align with your vision and budget.
Step 3. Aligning on Commitment
With your approval, we move forward by finalising the contract and collecting a deposit. This step ensures that we’re equally invested in bringing your brand to life. We then handle the paperwork, so you can relax knowing everything is in place for a smooth journey ahead.
Before work begins, we’ll finalise:
A contract for digital signature
A detailed scope of work
An initial invoice (typically 50% of the project fee upfront)
Step 4. Discovery: Deep Dive Into Your World
Discovery is where the magic begins. We dive deep into understanding your brand, your audience, and your aspirations. We don’t rely on gimmicks — we focus on real conversations to uncover what makes your brand unique. We ask meaningful questions to ensure we capture your essence, understand your market, and align on the goals we’re working toward together.
In our discovery conversation, we’ll ask questions like:
Who are your main competitors?
Who is your target audience?
What feelings do you want your brand to convey?
What are your goals for this branding effort?
What other brands or companies do you admire?
Why is now the right time for this work?
Step 5. Visual Alignment: Moodboards
Branding at OAT is a collaborative effort. Before diving into design, we create moodboards to ensure we’re on the same page visually. This step is all about exploring possibilities and aligning our creative vision with yours. We use these moodboards as a reference point throughout the design process, ensuring that what we create truly reflects your brand’s personality.
Step 6. Identity Design: Crafting Your Brand
With moodboards approved, we dive into the design phase. This is where our creativity and craftsmanship come together to create a brand identity that’s authentic, innovative, and built to inspire. It’s a focused, intense period of work where we transform ideas into tangible designs that resonate with your audience.
Step 7. Brand in Action: Putting Your Identity to the Test
We believe in designing identities that are both strong and flexible. Before presenting anything to you, we test your brand in various contexts — whether it’s print, digital, or physical applications. This phase, which we call ‘brand in action’ or brand application, allows us to show you how your brand elements work together in the real world, ensuring they not only look great but function effectively across different platforms.
Examples of Brand in Action may include:
Print collateral — stationery, brochures, mailers, etc.
Digital collateral — avatars, social media ads, emails, presentation decks, etc.
Packaging
Signage — wheatpastes, wayfinding, neon, etc.
Merch — tees, totes, hats, cups, keychains, etc.
A website landing page
Step 8. Presentation: Your Brand Unveiled
We present 2-3 identity directions, each thoughtfully developed to meet your brand’s unique needs. We bring together logos, brand elements, and brandwork in a comprehensive presentation. This is where you and your stakeholders get to see your brand come to life and provide initial feedback.
Step 9. Feedback & Revisions: Refining the Vision
Your feedback is crucial in this process. We include two rounds of revisions in our standard scope, ensuring that your brand identity is refined to perfection. We encourage you to live with the designs, gather input from key stakeholders, and consider your audience as we finalise your brand.
As you review the designs, we recommend:
Setting your logo as your lock screen to see how it feels each time you use your phone
Considering what works best for your audience, not just what you like best
Gathering input from all key decision-makers before any revisions begin
Step 10. Brand Rollout: Sharing Your Story with the World
Once your brand is approved, we prepare everything you need for a successful launch. This includes delivering logo files, design assets, and a comprehensive style guide. Whether you need additional design projects like a website or branded merchandise, we tailor our rollout process to meet your needs. We’re here to support you, not just at launch, but as an ongoing partner in your brand’s journey.
A typical brand rollout package includes:
Logo files in all necessary formats — AI, PNG, SVG, JPG, etc.
Any design assets we’ve created — patterns, icons, etc.
A brand style guide — available as a PDF, a working Figma file, or an online guide
Social media avatars
Links to purchase fonts
Often, a brand rollout will also include:
Brand stationery
Social media templates
A website
Ongoing design support
Conclusion: Partners in Creativity
At OAT Studio, we’re not just about the end result — we’re about the journey. Our process is designed to be collaborative, empowering, and, yes, even fun. We believe that the best brands are built on trust, creativity, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Along the way, we often find that our clients become more than just clients — they become friends.
Ready to trust the process? Let’s create something extraordinary together.
Talk to us → hello@we-are-oat.com
by
Tori Phillips-Walmsley
/
Read more
