Starting a new venture—whether it’s a startup, a nonprofit, or a bold new brand—is exhilarating. You’ve picked the perfect name, designed a killer logo, and can’t wait to dive into the action. But before you get too far ahead, there’s one step that many new entrepreneurs overlook: creating a mission statement. Or, as we like […] The post Why Your Startup Needs A Meaningful Mission Statement appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

Your brand identity is more than just a slick logo or catchy tagline. It’s the personality of your business, the special sauce that sets you apart from competitors. As Seth Godin, marketing master, famously says, “A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories, and relationships that account for a consumer’s decision to choose one […] The post Why Your Brand Identity Is Your Business’s Best Friend appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

In the creative industry, ideas are currency. But there’s a difference between running on instinct and backing up those instincts with solid, objective research. It’s the difference between thinking you’re right and knowing you’re right. And that difference can make or break a brand. At Proof, we believe in moving past the “I think” mentality […] The post Embracing Innovation: Moving from “I Think” to “I Know” appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

At Proof, we don’t just design brands—we build relationships. Bold, creative work doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s all about partnership. Our approach? We’re transparent, we’re specific, and, yes, we like to have a little fun along the way. Here’s how we make those partnerships thrive: Keep It Real: Be Transparent Transparency isn’t just a buzzword […] The post Building Killer Client Relationships: The Proof Way appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

Naming something—a company, a product, or even your pet hamster—isn’t exactly a scientific equation. It’s more like creative alchemy: tossing around wild ideas, fusing random words together, stripping out vowels, and repeating them out loud until something clicks. You might even crowdsource ideas from your mom or that friend who insists he’s “great at naming […] The post The Art of Naming: From Whiskey to “Aha” Moments appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

Whether you’re launching a new company, lobbying for “casual Fridays,” starting a book club, or finding love on Hinge, there’s one golden rule: know your audience. At Proof, our mission is to bring people together. Whether we’re uniting aspiring bartenders over beautiful glassware, inspiring parents to enroll their child in a school, or promoting a […] The post Know Your Audience: The Secret Sauce to Success appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

Can something be too beautiful? It’s a question we often ponder at Proof. While we’re naturally drawn to aesthetically pleasing designs, there’s a delicate balance between style and substance that we strive to maintain. Recently, a new client cited Apple as their gold standard for good design. It’s no surprise—Apple is renowned for its clean, […] The post The Balance of Style and Substance in Design appeared first on Proof Branding ..read more

At the start of every client project, we sit down for an initial Understand Your Brand Workshop. This time together is important in unpacking the past and present, but most importantly, looking ahead to the aspirational future, and how the brand development work we do will help support being where you are, to where you want to be. The real value is looking ahead, and figuring out – together – how to get there. I’ve always loved this quote from Seth Godin: “The thing is, like it or not, the future happens. Sure, tomorrow is risky, frightening, and in some way represents one step closer to the ..read more

2022 – you came and went in the blink of an eye. As we all continue our proverbial ‘comback tour’ from the low point that was 2020, our team has had the pleasure of working with so many outstanding clients this year, and we’re thrilled with the momentum we’re carrying into 2023. These last couple years have been….trying, to say the least, for all of us. But I personally feel more motivated than ever to push through and forward and continue building, learning, and growing as we enter into our fourteenth year as a company. Nick, Paul, Bryson, and Madelene are rocking things on the design side, a ..read more

Creatives and designers like me can be pretty particular about their workspace and environment. We need to keep things fresh and looks for inspiration all around us, and while I don’t need the fanciest, most over-the-top office space to get work done and be creative, there are a few things I must have to enjoy a smooth and productive work day. A Clean Desk I never like to start the day off unorganized. I try to keep the items on my desk in their place and out of the way to avoid the hassle of finding room for my iPad, sketchbook, or laptop. Less time to clean up means more time to be creative ..read more