LO2: Formulate a concept that establishes creative thought, innovation and practical ability, within the industrial scenario

LO3: Articulate ideas cogently, recognising opportunities and limitations within the context of a creative or industrial scenario

LO4: Manage own learning process by diagnosing and resolving issues, demonstrating independence, time management and personal initiative within the production of professional outcomes

In essence, with aldstudiosuk, I've been offering branding and logo creation, content shoots (with both photography and videography) and social media management services for clients across the UK, and more recently broke into the American and Canadian markets with two clients in the USA, and one in Canada.

My mission is a little unclear, as I've never really thought of it, but I knew at the start I wanted to work with small up-and-coming businesses to help them get their brands off the ground with the power of social media and branding instead of seeing more and more people use Canva logo templates that look the same as everyone else.

The objective of the rebrand is to target a new audience, mainly to cater to more of a national audience across the United Kingdom, but also to prepare the business to work with more clients overseas. Additionally, in order to do this,
we need to expand global reach, target specific areas, and bring the brand into the future to be more cohesive and future-proof.

_________________________-

Mission statement (draft)

ALD Studios UK provides modern branding solutions designed to empower the next generation of small businesses and entrepreneurs to stand out against a sea of competitors with the same design templates, through tailored and sustainable design

in the rebrand i want to really push on the idea that my services will help businesses to stand on their own two feet and stand out in their industry without blending in with everyone else using the same limited logo templates on generic design tools and software like canva that do absolutely nothing to help them build credibility as a business.

At the moment, Instagram is my preferred platform to use, but this is mostly to engage with other creators and post my work.

Current follower count: 174 followers

Facebook is my least used platform in terms of posting on my actual page, but I use this to find client projects and attract leads via direct messages on Facebook Messenger, and post to organically advertise my work on Groups - which is how I have found the majority of my client work to date - a combination of this and from word of mouth from client's I've worked with before.

• Aestheticians and beauty practitioners

• Real estate agent / interior designer/home renovator

• dog dentist/dog groomer/ pet nutritionist

• therapists and counsellors, pregnancy therapist

• restaurants and food wagons

• jewellery shops and boutiques

WHAT AESTHETIC OR BRANDING VALUES REASONATE MOST WITH THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

• modern, elegant, clean

• sophisticated, minimalist, high-end

• playful, bright, polished, affectionate

• calm, soothing and approachable

• vibrant, creative, capture flavours cultures and uniqueness of food

• luxurious, intricate, visually striking branding

VALUES

• simplicity and elegance

• authenticity and trust

• playful and approachable

• sustainable and eco conscious

• personalisation

• cultural connection

• bold and distinctive

summarise results in graphs or infographics to show data driven insights from primary research

• Age: 25-40 age group (millennials and younger Generation X individuals)

• Profession: creative entrepreneurs, small business owners in trade, pet care, health and wellbeing industries

• Income: Mid to upper middle income, likely to invest in premium services

• Location: urban, UK majority (London and South-East, and a few in Scotland within range to Edinburgh and Glasgow)

• Education level: Degree-educated and/or professional experience in creative fields

Psychographics:

• Values: self-expression, aesthetic and innovation

• Lifestyle: digitally engaged, socially active and working on building personal or business brands

• Motivations: unique branding to stand out in saturated markets

• Pain Points: frustrated with generic or bland design solutions available for free/cheap, wants tailored and memorable bespoke branding

Cultural trends:

• diversity and inclusivity in branding

• eco-friendly and sustainable practice

• strong, authentic story and mission

• minimalist, modern and dynamic design aesthetics

• personalised and tailored design solutions

• digital-first strategies, interactive through AR, VR, etc...

• Clean and simple minimalist identity with impact

• emotional storytelling to convey the brand's purpose, values and emotion

• community-powered messaging that makes consumers feel a sense of belonging/shared values and interests

Motivations:

• unique branding that aligns with modern consumer trends

• build credibility and professionalism for their business with high-quality branding

• emotional connection with customers with meaningful and intentional design

• stay ahead in their respective industry by adopting innovative branding techniques and practices.

• micro-influencers and smaller content creators - Gen Z values authenticity, so showing creators with smaller audiences that are highly engaged would mesh well.

  • ALD Studios UK typically works with smaller businesses and creators. This would be beneficial to position me as a business that understands and amplifies the voice of niche businesses/creators

  • I can do this by showing more testimonials and social mentions from clients I've worked with

  • I could also collaborate with micro-influencers for brand storytelling. Though I am not quite sure if this is relevant to marketing services, it is something that could be considered from a promotion standpoint. Perhaps even team up with a content creator for a passion project / one-off project for content purposes and do it that way, maybe? I don't think using influencers as such would work as my business doesn't offer a shop of products; it's more business-to-business services.

  • I want to take inspiration from some of my favourite creators in my rebrand, in what their tone is across their content, and how they show up on camera to promote their brands.

• Use/be present on design platforms like Behance to inspire marketing strategies.

  • show that my work is inspired by top-tier creatives, showing my credibility and creativity rather than just taking a picture off of Pinterest and making direct copy

  • specific platforms that are useful for entrepreneurs to find clients on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Linkedin. But for each business, the specific platforms you join or should build a presence on would change depending on things like your target audience, what you offer and how you find your clients.

  • Behance would be a beneficial platform for me post-rebrand and should be one that I'm already on because it allows me to show off my portfolio on a reputable site that is used by other professionals, and elevates my work versus posting it on a Facebook page which looks a bit tacky. Sharing work on Behance is important as it helps to get your work and yourself as a professional out there more. This can also be added to LinkedIn to help with professional networking.

• TikTok and Instagram hashtags like Romanticiseyourlife and Hopecore show a growing trend in positive affirmation-focused lifestyles.

  • incorporate aspirational storylines into my brand strategy to celebrate achievements and what makes clients/businesses unique

  • i can do this by using uplifting taglines and imagery inspired by these trends when making mockups for clients or passion projects

RELEVANT BRANDING TRENDS IN 2024

• metamodernism - combines modern optimism with postmodern irony - honest emotional connections that use playful humour

  • I want my rebrand to be more playful in design but sincere in copy and tone

• campaigns that focus on small joys or position their products and services as an escape from daily life

  • position ALD as a brand that brings joy to the clients I work with, taking the stress out of the branding and design process to empower creators.

• pastel hues and bold colours for tranquil and creative vibes (Adobo)

  • pastel = approachable, bold = impact, balance creative energy whilst still being approachable and serene

• Tinted darks for autumn and winter emphasise sustainability and stability and evoke curiosity, which is important for eco-conscious branding

  • muted dark tones to spotlight stability in the design process

• minimal waste and carbon-neutral production/operations

  • sustainability in physical branding items, and emphasise this in messaging - things like recyclable business cards etc...

• multisensory design - touch, sound, and scent to boost user engagement

  • sensory elements to make it a multidimensional experience to strengthen my impact on clients and show what I'm capable of - digital / AR business cards with motion design and music that matches the tone and feel of my new rebrand

IMPROVEMENTS / ADJUSTMENTS

• I could leverage the industries of clients I work with to position myself as the go-to specialist

• consistent posting schedule, 3 to 5 posts per week to engage audience

• use formats for reels and stories to show my skills and behind the scenes of processes

• collaborate with brands or influencers aligned with my audience to expand reach, and potentially start monetising

NOTES FROM THE PREVIOUS ACCOUNTS

• take inspiration from funkyenoughh for bold creative storytelling and unique visuals to stand out

• learn from pretty little marketers to push educational posts and offer quick tips or resources for successful branding

• mollymanski approach to emphasise clean and minimal design to show my expertise

• katiesteckly shows behind-the-scenes content of the design/editing process, this will add a deeper side to my brand's story

• focus is on collaborations with clients

• targets larger businesses and established brands like Reddit and Channel 4 that need help with their branding in order to scale

• services - branding, identity, motion and animation, and multi platform

STRENGTHS: Innovative, systems are adapted to each client and tells a story with each project, which is consistent in all content. high end branding that is streategically designed

WEAKNESSES: Premium prices limit accessibility for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs and the projects they show risk being too broad and universal for multiple industries, no set niche to narrow down service even more. high price and packages

STRENGTHS: Affordable, quick turnaround, more accessible for smaller businesses and startups

WEAKNESSES: Lack of tailored design, quality is not consistent which doesn't create the best impression if its not as consistent, as this wont create trust it looks unreliable

Nonetheless, my services are personalised for each client in terms of recommendations and pricing. My projects are largely flexible to client budget, making it more tailored and accessible to all kinds of clients.

In the chart attached to this post I ranked the instagram pages, and two industry players among myself in terms of price and customisation.

In my current business I combine the affordable service with a highly customisable design experience, this also brings more opportunity to push the custom side of my services and promote sustainability as my USP.

The way that pastel tones have been used creates a really calm and refreshing feel, which sets the tone for this company's products of flavoured soft drinks. this works well for creating a modern and approachable feel for Olipop. This creates a retro vibe of the brand that is comforting and appeals to health-conscious and nostalgia-seeking consumers.

In my rebrand, I want to follow a similar approach to balance playfulness and sophistication by using clean and simple aesthetics in my design. Using pastel tones can help build trust with clients and create the feel of warmth that I liked with the aesthetics example, but I didn't want to use the same approach. Pastel tones can be inviting for small businesses and encourage trust, which is important when investing in the design and branding of a business of any size.

I can also continue this approach when using palettes for design elements like my logo, business cards and website to create a relaxed and approachable vibe.

this relates to my rebrand as the pastel tones create an emotional connection which id need to do for any clients, but more specifically with small businesses in my target audience - being mostly aestheticians and beauticians at the moment in the health and wellness industries.

in my rebrand i want to show that ALD Studios can use sustainable practices to offer carbon-neutral packaging designs using eco-friendly printing suppliers that value sustainability. This can attract more modern consumers that value sustainable businesses

when i do rebrand, I can create this through packaging design mockups that show minimal sustainable materials like kraft paper business cards and flyers, recycled plastics and biodegradable material options.

i could do this by creating a responsive portfolio website using motion design and AR

I use Illustrator already to create logos and designs for myself and for client rebrands and social content to improve the quality of brand elements that I either design for myself or clients that can be used on different websites and platforms and file formats.

using blender in my rebrand can help me to create 3d branding like product prototypes and animated logos for higher tier premium clients that want more innovative design solutions

i can do this by making 3d mockups of product designs or brand animations to show potential for future projects using the latest cutting edge design in their branding - positioning me as a key player in the industry to elevate their business and take it into 2025 and beyond.

whilst ALD promotes custom designs that are done with Adobe software that is much more high-end, Canva provides a free and lower-tier alternative that can be good for businesses that are just starting out and perhaps don't have a budget or the knowledge to create their branding.

• SOLUTIONS

  • to balance trends like pastel colours with my work, I need to make sure I am considering the future industry trends when designing for clients to promote this knowledge and emanate it into their businesses to ensure they are being positioned appropriately, and the designs are aligned with their values.

  • tailoring my service offers to meet the personalisation aspect of trend forecasts in the industry - I do this already but I need to ensure it is done to a higher level to future-proof my business

  • by looking at the most occurring demographics of my target audience, it seems to be more 25-44 aged individuals that are creating businesses towards the end of their typical 9-5 careers and are seeking to make this their full-time endeavour.

  • in terms of design, my research has given me lots to consider and will inform the next stage of my project where I start to envision and manifest the branding assets to start the design process of my rebrand.

  • make eco-friendly designs stylish and trendy with considered, thoughtful design and print sourcing with sustainable suppliers and printing companies.

  • consider involving promotions with content creators and micro-influencers to partner with on a video ad/marketing promotions for the rebrand - though it is not the core focus of the project, it would be a way to promote that is more outside of the box, and more impactful.

• LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • through my research so far I have started to identify some gaps in competitor businesses/offers that I can leverage in my rebrand

this links in with minimalist and sustainable branding trends as the simple designs are often the most impactful, and the warm feel appeals to clients seeking beauty treatments as they seem to shop for relaxation and self care purposes

in my own rebrand i want to communicate the similar concept but by using colour grading to show my personality as a creative professional, less to communicate relaxation as i am not creating a physical store experience

in my rebrand i want to draw from the same approach to create an escape experience, but im not sure how this would come to light with a design experience - perhaps this would be cool to use for content on social media in a less direct involvement to my services?

I know for sure that I want to create a calming customer experience that makes my clients feel good about the design elements in my rebrand, and can interact with it and have fun with it

I like the style of using bold and ironic visual styles through typography, and interactive design through animation that will increase the eye-catching element

in my rebrand, I want to use humour and more dynamic styles to show that I'm not just like your typical designer with no personality other than working behind a screen. i want to show the same energy I do with my designs, but show more of myself and my life. This will make me appear more relatable and innovative

I do not want my entire branding identity to be dark, but I do like the idea of using a few darker tones with my typography that isn't as stark as a plain black, which will look a lot better and mature - creating a more high-end experience

my rebrand can use multisensory design into my own branding by using interactive elements like touchable textures in print design, or motion experiences to make my branding experiences more engaging

i could also take this into client work by including motion design into client project delivery showing shop signs, logo animations etc...

The rebrand can position ALD as a design studio that incorporates sustainable design into every project, such as using recycled materials for client printed materials and packaging options

to promote this more, I can show recycled materials in my design mockups for client projects and portfolio briefs linking high quality branding to sustainability

The refined logo shows a sleeker design with a minimalist approach and pastel and bold shades of pink to appeal to a broader audience whilst promoting brand recognition.

The updated logo from the rebrand would be used across design assets, packaging and social media to make a more cohesive and streamlined personal brand / online presence that positions me as a modern business.

I want to follow the same approach with my rebrand in that it will have a full logo with a symbol or icon, and then that can be broken down into different sub brand logos from the same design.

i didn't use any templates for this but i did use the brand kit feature to craft their brand identity for social media content.

Askly is a professional but still corporate and professional identity. The colour used in the logo is a dark tone and stands out well when against a neutral cream/ivory background like this. the animated logo brings a fun and friendly feel to the brand which gives even more personality to the design vs being a static wordmark on the page.

this project shows eco-friendly design with a maximalist spin that is done in a way that isn't overly chaotic and crowded but still communicates the same buzz energy that you'd get from a food restaurant.

There are more pastel shades in the brand guide as it builds trust and connection rather than being bold as this is used to guide the brand's design for all social platforms and marketing tools.

this will show more of a commitment to sustainable design and make aldstudiosuk more relevant to modern consumers that are eco-conscious

bold / pastel colours evoke calmness and trust which is vital for beauty services and pet care industries

tinted darks like the green, especially with the leafy imagery in this design, add to the strong sustainability element of the design trend

this is critical to consider for my rebrand as this is something that is becoming highly prioritised in modern consumers going forward, so i need to make sure i work this into all of my strategies and campaigns from here on out to maintain relevance and future proof my business.

This is something I don't quite know how to do but I would love to be able to try it out, even if it doesn't make the outcomes.

Additionally, a more simplified approach is a way for clients to scan project previews that I'd send them via email and be able to see them in motion through their phone screens. Again, I don't quite know how to do this but that would be really cool to try out!

In my rebrand, I could use muted colours for an eco-conscious touch, especially on recycled materials for things like stickers, business cards, flyers, etc...

To work this approach into my rebrand, I could design some packaging using minimal waste and considerate materials

I quite like the holographic 3d drippy text here and i could take some elements of that into my rebrand, possibly? Or even as a design style for my passion projects and client work if i dont use it as my main branding style for my own business.

the styles and aesthetics of the metamodernism style are quite playful, and this can build relatability with clients and other businesses. This appeals to my target audience as an impactful design like the example above would be a great talking point with clients whether ive worked with them before or not. this appeals to my target audience as it starts the conversation and sparks client to designer relationships from the get go.

This will highlight how I can create influencer-ready branding assets that can cross over into a new market segment of content creators that don't sell products or services, they post content on their own social media of their everyday lives and the people/products they love etc...

PENTAGRAM

• very high price

• highly bespoke and custom design, premium

• targets large international brands

• Cutting-edge design for high-end projects

• too expensive for smaller businesses making it inaccessible

99 designs

• affordable, different priced options

• moderate customisation, flexible to some extent

• startups and small businesses

• low cost with a range of designers (freelance approach)

• quality control, not completely personalised

Instagram creators (funkyenoughh, prettylittlemarketers etc)

• mid range to affordable

• high customisation for smaller projects like social media content

• small business owners, gen z entrepreneurs

• relatable, approachable and targeted niche communities

• focuses more on content creation and strategy not full brand design

ALDSTUDIOSUK

• mid range pricing which is accessible for small businesses

• high focus on bespoke tailored design with sustainability

• small business and startups in creative sectors

• high quality design tailored to sustainability

• still working on brand recognition in a saturated creative marketplace

• what branding and design choices matter to them?

• Which platforms do they engage with? Instagram, tiktok, bechance

I will aim to have the survey ready to send out on the 25th of February 2025 and will open it until it has hit 100 responses or 10 days have passed - whichever is first.

The graphic attached illustrates some hypothetical results from the survey I intend to carry out.

I do not currently use motion design in my branding, I do not offer custom packaging (though this has been requested before by clients), and in terms of logo usage my logo has mainly been used for my social media pages, my website, and for invoices and client documents.