Brand Strategy & Positioning
Before we design anything, we figure out what your brand is actually about. Audience, market position, voice, the difference between what you say and what you mean. The strategy work is what makes the design work.
A NYC branding agency for brands ready to be taken seriously
We build brand identities, naming, and visual systems for consumer, lifestyle, and DTC companies. Strategy first, then design that actually means something.
(What We're Thinking About)
Most branding work today is logo design with a moodboard taped to it. A few colors, a typeface, a one-page guideline doc, and you're sent on your way. That's not branding, that's decoration.
What We Do Instead
We treat branding as a strategic decision before it's a visual one. We figure out who you are, who you're for, and what you actually stand against, and then we design an identity system that holds up across every place your brand shows up, from a product page to a piece of packaging to a pitch deck.
Experience
We've built brands from scratch and rebranded established companies. Consumer goods, lifestyle, financial services, fashion, beauty. We know how to make a brand that's distinctive without being gimmicky, and confident without trying too hard.
(What We Do)
Everything a real brand identity needs
Logo & Identity Design
Primary marks, secondary marks, monograms, wordmarks. We design logos that work at every size and in every context, not just the one slide they look good on.
Visual Identity Systems
Color, typography, photography direction, illustration style, layout principles. A full system you can actually use, not three swatches and a hope.
Naming & Verbal Identity
Company names, product names, taglines, voice and tone guidelines. The words your brand uses are as much a part of the identity as the logo.
Brand Guidelines
Documentation that your team and your future agencies can actually use. Clear rules, real examples, edge cases handled, no fluff.
Brand Application & Rollout
Website, packaging, social, email, pitch decks, business cards, signage. We help apply the identity across every touchpoint so the brand actually feels consistent in the wild.
(Who We Work With)
We're a good fit if...
You're launching a new company and want to get the brand right from day one.
You've outgrown the brand you started with and need a real identity system.
You're rebranding after a pivot, an acquisition, or a leadership change.
Your current brand looks fine but doesn't actually mean anything.
You're in consumer goods, lifestyle, beauty, fashion, finance, or B2B services.
You want a partner who pushes back, not an agency that just executes your Pinterest board.
(Not a fit)
We're probably not the right fit if you want a logo for $500, or if you've already finalized the brand and just need someone to clean it up. We do our best work when we're brought in to think, not just to draw.
(Our Process)
How a branding project with us works
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01
Discovery
We start with deep conversations, with you, your team, sometimes your customers. We want to understand the business, the audience, the competitive set, and the gap your brand is trying to fill.
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02
Strategy
We define positioning, audience, voice, and the strategic foundation the identity will sit on. You sign off on the thinking before we touch the visuals.
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03
Identity Design
Logo, color, typography, and the core visual system. Multiple directions, real conversations, and a final identity that's been pressure-tested, not just polished.
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04
Guidelines & System
We document the brand so your team and any future partners can use it without breaking it. Clear, practical, and built for real use.
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05
Rollout & Application
We help apply the new brand across web, packaging, social, decks, and anywhere else it needs to live. Brands die when they're not rolled out properly, we make sure yours doesn't.
(By The Numbers)
What great branding actually does
increase in brand recognition with consistent color usage
average revenue increase from consistent brand presentation
faster trust-building for brands with clear visual identity
Everything you want to know about working with us on branding.
Branding FAQs
How long does a branding project take?
A focused brand identity project — strategy, logo, and guidelines — typically takes 6 to 10 weeks. If we're also building your website, expect 12 to 16 weeks total. We don't rush the strategy phase. That's where the real work happens.
How much does branding cost?
Most brand identity engagements with Splash run between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on scope. That includes brand strategy, positioning, logo and identity design, color and typography systems, and a brand guidelines document your team can actually use.
Do you work with early-stage startups?
Yes — some of our best work has been with Seed and Series A companies building their brand for the first time. We know how to move fast and make strategic decisions without a six-month process.
What if we already have a brand but need a refresh?
We do brand refreshes and full rebrands. We start with an audit of what you have, figure out what's worth keeping, and build from there. Not everything needs to change — but we'll tell you honestly what does.
Do you offer ongoing support after the brand is delivered?
Yes. Many of our clients move to a monthly retainer after the initial brand project so we can apply the identity across new touchpoints, campaigns, and materials as the business grows.
Ready to build a brand worth noticing?
Tell us about your project. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.