Strong brands always have a clear and relevant core idea and purpose. Sometimes existing brands become out of date or dulled from a changing commercial landscape and need refreshing. Usually there’s a visual manifestation of this change underpinned by a strategic refocussing.
Brands are sometimes created from scratch which offers huge potential and is exciting but, by definition, start at the very beginning.
As a strategic brand design agency, we do both, brand origination and brand refreshes. We help with strategy, brand identity and creation of the visual language; the visual manifestation of a brand from the logo marque and colours, to layout and typography. It should convey the ethos, values and aspiration of an organisation and is the personality of a product, service, place or individual. It communicates its relationship with the world around it. A coherent visual identity underpinned by a considered brand strategy reaps real and tangible rewards.
Good brands begin with clear thinking. A strong brand is more than a distinctive identity. It is an expression of what an organisation stands for, what makes it different and why people should choose it.
At Ice House Design, we bring strategic thinking and creative expertise together to build brands with clarity, character and purpose. From defining a brand’s positioning to creating its visual identity and applying it across every touchpoint, we ensure that everything works together.
Based in Bath, we work with organisations across Bristol, the South West, nationally and internationally. Helping established businesses evolve and new ventures establish themselves with confidence.
Brand strategy. The thinking behind the identity. Before we design, we ask questions. What makes your organisation distinctive? Who are you trying to reach? What do you want to be known for? And how should your brand be perceived?
Our discovery phase involves research, consultation and creative exploration, we help establish a clear brand proposition, positioning, personality and visual direction. The result is a strategic foundation that informs not only how a brand looks, but how it communicates, behaves and develops.
Brand identity. Making the strategy visible. A successful brand identity translates strategic thinking into something recognisable, distinctive and memorable. We develop the visual language that expresses an organisation’s character, from its logo and typography to colour, imagery, graphic elements and tone of voice.
Every decision has a purpose. Together, these elements create a coherent identity that reflects the organisation’s values, connects with its audience and gives it the confidence to communicate consistently. Whether creating a new brand or refreshing an established one, our approach balances creative ambition with commercial understanding.
Brand application and making it work everywhere. A brand only becomes meaningful when people experience it. We apply the identities we create across websites, printed communications, advertising, packaging, signage and physical environments. Each application is considered individually, but always as part of a coherent whole. This continuity builds recognition, strengthens trust and ensures the brand remains distinctive wherever it appears.
Digital
From website strategy and design to digital communications, we create online experiences that reflect the character of a brand while making information clear, accessible and engaging.
Print and publications
Brochures, prospectuses, reports and printed communications offer valuable opportunities to express a brand’s personality. We combine thoughtful graphic design, typography, imagery, copywriting and production expertise to make every piece work harder.
Advertising and campaigns
We develop compelling creative ideas that communicate with the right audience. From a single advertisement to an integrated campaign, the objective is to make the brand relevant, distinctive and memorable.
Signage and environments
Brands exist in physical spaces as well as on screens. We create signage, environmental graphics and interpretation that respond to their surroundings while communicating a consistent identity.
Packaging
Packaging is both a practical necessity and a powerful expression of brand. We combine strategic thinking with creative design to communicate character, differentiate products and create a compelling presence.
New brands. Established brands. Changing brands. Some organisations need to establish an identity from the beginning. Others have evolved beyond the brand they started with. Sometimes the business has changed, the audience has moved on or the existing identity simply no longer reflects the organisation’s ambitions.
We work with businesses at each of these stages, providing the strategic and creative expertise to develop a brand that is relevant today and equipped for tomorrow.
Thoughtful strategy. Distinctive design. Consistent application. The strongest brands are built on a clear idea and expressed with consistency. We believe in design that does more than look good. It should communicate with purpose, distinguish an organisation from its competitors and contribute to its long-term success.
Now, let’s talk about your brand.
