A Brand That
Means Something
Before Anyone Reads a Word.
Brand strategy and identity design that gives your business a voice, a look, and a reason to be remembered. Based in Missoula, Montana. Working with clients across the country.
People decide whether they trust your business in about three seconds. Malcolm Gladwell calls this the "Blink." Before they read your copy. Before they click your menu. Before they scroll. They feel it. And what they're feeling is your brand.
Brand identity isn't just a logo. It's the whole system — the colors, the type, the voice, the way everything holds together. When it's done right, your business looks like it knows exactly what it is. When it's not, people can tell. They just can't always explain why.
I build brands that feel right on instinct and hold up under scrutiny.
What a Brand Identity Project Includes
Brand Discovery
We start with the story. Who you are, who you're trying to reach, what makes you different. I ask the questions that get past surface-level answers. This is the foundation everything else is built on.
Visual Direction
I develop color palettes, typography pairings, and mood boards that translate your story into something you can see. You'll get options with rationale behind each one — not just what looks good, but why it works for your business.
Logo & Mark
The centerpiece. I design a primary logo, secondary variations, and a brand mark that works at every size — from a billboard to a favicon. Multiple rounds of refinement until it's right.
Brand Guidelines
A complete guide your team can follow. Logo usage rules, color codes, type specs, voice and tone direction. Everything documented so your brand stays consistent whether I'm involved or not.
How It Works
Conversation
We talk. I want to know what your business actually is, not what you think a designer wants to hear. The best brands start with honesty about what you're building and who it's for.
Research & Direction
I look at your market, your competitors, and the visual language your audience already responds to. Then I develop two or three directions with mood boards, palettes, and type so you can see where we're heading before I design anything final.
Design & Refine
Once we pick a direction, I build it out. Logo, color system, typography, brand mark. You get revision rounds to dial it in. This is collaborative — I don't disappear into a cave and come back with something you didn't ask for.
Deliver & Document
You get all final files in every format you'll need — print, web, social, merch. Plus a brand guidelines document so anyone working with your brand knows how to use it correctly.
What You Walk Away With
Every project is scoped to what you actually need. Here's what a full brand identity package typically includes.
My experience with John was fantastic. I worked with him to create a logo and brand identity. He was great at listening and picking out the important pieces along with offering ideas relevant to the project at hand. He was also available to offer support above and beyond just putting my brand package together. I have and will highly recommend John. And I'm looking forward to working with him on future projects.
Misty Ann Loots
Questions About Branding
What's the difference between a logo and a brand identity?
How long does a brand identity project take?
Do I need a brand identity if I already have a logo?
What if I'm just starting out?
Will I own everything you create?
Ready to Build a Brand That Lasts?
Let's start with a conversation about what you're building and what you want it to feel like. No pitch. Just an honest look at where your brand is and where it could go.
406-381-8981