Design Archives

18th August 2023

Differentiation and Distinctiveness – Part Two

To be unique or to just look unique? That is the question. Our Creative Director, John, turns his attention to the more recent theories behind brand success.

25th July 2023

Differentiation and Distinctiveness – Part One

Should brands be unique or just look unique? Our Creative Director, John, explores the theories behind brand success.

30th June 2023

Navigating maritime: Bridge Issue 02

We’ve once again teamed up with PD Ports for the latest issue of Bridge – their prestigious quarterly publication discussing global maritime issues through the lens of the Tees Valley.

28th June 2023

Unwrapping summer with Remeo Sorbetto

Winter is done, spring has sprung. It’s time to say goodbye to gloomy skies and April showers. Reach for the blue and white pack. Unwrap summer with sorbetto.

30th May 2023

No pAIn, no gAIn

Disruption, discomfort and discovery – our Creative Director, John Taylor, examines the industry's latest tool: AI.

5th May 2023

A guiding light on a life-saving journey

Mark catches up with Catherine Devereux, founder and trustee of Headlight Project, about the charity’s evolution, her story and what’s in store for the future.

11th April 2023

Anything is possible

We’ve recently brought clarity and consistency to Tees Valley Combined Authority’s brand, creating a unifying system that builds recognition across the place we call home.

6th April 2023

Going to Additional Lengths to be a global leader

Mark catches up with Victoria Lynch, award-winning entrepreneur and MD at Additional Lengths, to talk about levelling-up their brand, plans for the future and more.

5th April 2023

Flowers that leave a lasting impression

Freddie’s Flowers has grown from surprising a few neighbours to delighting over 130,000 customers every week; our strategic and visual overhaul prepared them for their next stage of growth.

31st March 2023

Join the team as our next design intern

Are you a fresh, exciting and enthusiastic designer looking for the chance to start your career at a global brand agency?

28th March 2023

Changing perceptions with a life-changing charity

We’re proud to have reframed and refreshed the Daisy Chain brand, as the charity celebrates its 20th anniversary and nationwide impact.

15th March 2023

Opening minds and freeing taste buds

HIPPEAS are all about peas, love and understanding. We helped reset their strategic approach to attack the category establishment while planting the seed for product expansion and growth.

7th March 2023

Choose your words wisely

A verbal identity can inspire and empower. Big ideas and powerful brands need them just as much as a highly crafted logo, colour palette or type choice.

2nd February 2023

Evolving a regional specialist into an international family

Mark sits down with Casper Group's MD, Michael Shakesheff, to discuss 150 years in business, the importance of brand and recent growth.

1st December 2022

Serving the services that matter most

We’re continuing to support the causes that are closest to our hearts, by offering a helping hand during times of need.

17th November 2022

Finding the nucleus for the UK’s innovation mega-cluster

As a once in a generation opportunity, Atom Valley needed a unifying concept – a golden thread that would resonate locally but also translate globally.

8th November 2022

The rise of the challengers

Purpose-driven brands are proving that businesses can be a force for good, while changing consumer behaviour and unsettling the incumbents.

15th October 2022

Branding the brave

The past 12 months have seen us partner with some of the world’s leading challenger brands who are disrupting categories while contributing to a better planet.

13th October 2022

Maritime matters: Bridge Issue 01

Alongside our most long-term brand partner, PD Ports, we’re proud to launch a new publication celebrating the River Tees and our wider region.

18th May 2022

Helping Teesside take off

As it continues its rebirth and transformation, we’re proud to launch the new website for Teesside International Airport.

13th April 2022

The things that money can’t buy, but brand can

The power of brand can spark immeasurable internal and cultural benefits, often stretching far beyond the cosmetics or spreadsheets of your business.

4th March 2022

The long and the short of it – well, mainly the long of it

The answer to an efficient and effective brand lies in both long AND short-term marketing. But for some, the long-term has been neglected.

10th January 2022

Keep up with the upkeep: give your brand a health check

As the New Year gets under way, there’s no better time to evaluate your business by taking a brand health check. Here’s four steps to keep your brand on track.

3rd January 2022

We Built the World; our creativity changed it

We’re proud to launch our very first art project, celebrating Teesside’s unique character, creativity and spirit of innovation.

19th December 2021

It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it

Archetypes and personality are behind every well-built brand. And those that are bold, brave and even rebellious, own a formidable position.

29th November 2021

Bringing accessibility and inclusivity to business education

Roadmap MBA was at a crossroads on its own journey. It needed a brand built around a powerful purpose that could scale and set the foundations for future growth.

28th October 2021

Branding Britain’s best-connected trade region

After working on the UK’s largest industrial zone, Teesworks, and the future-facing place strategy for Middlesbrough Council, we’re proud to complete a significant regional hat-trick by launching the Teesside Freeport brand.

14th October 2021

Helping those that help make Teesside a better place

Powering up our own philanthropy as we create the new brand for Teesside’s leading philanthropists, helping celebrate ten years of supporting communities across our region.

6th October 2021

International client wins, our record year and reinforcing our purpose

In a difficult 18 months, we're proud to have come through the other side stronger, more agile and more resilient than ever before.

29th September 2021

Takeouts from the takeover

We recently took part in the Entrepreneurs' Forum's social takeover. Here's everything you need to catch up on the day's posts, links and further reading.

24th September 2021

Helping a brand think bigger

Mark sits down with Visualsoft CEO, Dean Benson, to talk all things brand, eCommerce and shaping the future.

15th September 2021

Taking connections further

We’re proud to launch a comprehensive new brand and website for one of Europe’s fastest growing IT specialists, Communicate.

12th August 2021

Forging a future-facing brand Boro can be proud of

When the brief landed on our desks for the development of Middlesbrough's new place brand strategy, we knew this was not just another job.

23rd June 2021

Purpose is power; causes change the world

Brands that do good as well as look good are those best positioned for growth, no matter the external factors or changing world.

14th June 2021

Showcasing Teesport as the northern gateway for trade

We’ve continued our long-term brand partnership with PD Ports, to boost Teesport’s international competitiveness and credentials.

2nd June 2021

The name says it all — or does it?

First impressions are key; often, the first thing we see from a brand is its name.

24th May 2021

A rebrand that supports our NHS heroes

Our NHS is always there for us; so when they needed our help, we were there for them.

16th May 2021

Shaping the future of packaging with PIDA 2021

Our Creative Director, John, joined the USA & UK judging panel, ran by world-leading sustainable packaging provider, BillerudKorsnäs.

11th May 2021

Creative Internship programme open for applications

We’re launching our search for an exciting, upcoming and fresh creative mind to join our studio to help support our growing portfolio of local, national and international brands.

19th April 2021

Supporting communities beyond the pandemic

We love building brands, and those that make a difference can often mean even more.

8th March 2021

Just my type

Wordmarks and typography can signal your brand character before you’ve even said a word.

21st January 2021

Look after your brand, and the pounds will look after themselves

Brand isn’t just about the cosmetics of your business. It’s about growth, client retention, strategic positioning and so much more.

5th January 2021

Our survey says

Consumer testing is a super powerful tool that we're using alongside BetterBrandBuilder to offer more insight and inform more decisions than ever before.

10th December 2020

What 2020 taught us about brand

Unprecedented challenges will have a long-lasting impact on all aspects of our lives; none more so than in the world of brand.

8th December 2020

A fluid brand for a fluid platform

Creating an exciting, intriguing and innovative brand for the insurtech sector.

30th November 2020

Turning the tide

An eco-conscious refresh for the leading US household cleaning and care challenger.

9th November 2020

Necessity is the mother of invention

Despite the challenges, the past few months have given us the opportunity to continue digitising and strengthening BetterBrandBuilder.

30th October 2020

Elevating home mobility

Continuing our partnership with Access to launch the all new Flow X stairlift.

15th October 2020

Committed to the community cause

We’re committed to supporting organisations and partners in our community, and given circumstances over recent months that’s more important than ever.

21st September 2020

Effective brands are built on insight

Behind any great brand is a wealth of research, strategic insight and strong conceptual foundations.

25th August 2020

Building heritage brands

Whether a brand has been around for 15, 50 or 500 years, they'll inevitably come a time for change. But how do you best move identities forward while respecting the past?

28th July 2020

A new chapter for the works that built the world

After the big reveal by Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, we can finally shout about a really special project that's close to our hearts; the launch of Teesworks, the UK’s largest industrial zone.

16th July 2020

Reshaping the everyday

Things have been a bit different recently. But it's provided us all with the chance to reset, rethink and reshape the way we work.

8th July 2020

Brand poetry in motion

Although they appear to be deceptively simple, straplines are neither random nor superfluous.

2nd April 2020

How defining your archetype unlocks your brand

They're in your favourite films and the latest binge-worthy Netflix series. And they're also behind the world’s best brands.

27th March 2020

Finding balance with Equinox Kombucha – Part Two

Welcome back to our deep dive into the Equinox brand refresh.

18th March 2020

A message from our team

As the current global situation with COVID-19 continues to affect our world, we wanted to reach out and update you on how we’re supporting our employees and our community of clients, partners and suppliers.

12th March 2020

Getting to Know… Web Developer, Nathan

Our Getting to Know... series is back, with Nathan the latest member of the team to be put under the spotlight.

26th February 2020

Leading the leaders

Mark sits down with Ian Kinnery to discuss aligning their brand with their high quality business coaching and the importance of an intuitive and personal name.

21st October 2019

Better joins Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme

We’re delighted to join the Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme after being confirmed by Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry.

17th October 2019

Now even Better

Behind the scenes of the Better brand refresh. For over ten years we’ve been building remarkable brands rooted in relevant strategic thinking, but a lot has changed since 2009.

23rd September 2019

Finding balance with Equinox Kombucha – Part One

Part one of a behind the scenes look into the journey and work in creating a new brand for Europe's best selling Kombucha.

6th September 2019

New website launches for best-selling author, Philippa Gregory

We’re proud to launch the new website for historical novelist and author, Philippa Gregory.

7th July 2019

Get your story straight

A couple of weeks ago, our Creative Director John Taylor, spoke at Teesside University's first ever Digital Marketing Futures conference.

17th June 2019

Part of the team

We love building brands and those that deliver real life impact can often mean even more.

25th March 2019

The business of brand strategy

Mark catches up with SPURR’s Jonathan Lamb at the beautifully restored Zetland Hotel to discuss the importance of aligning brand with business strategy.

15th March 2019

Brand of brothers

We discuss the complexities of acquisitions and the effect such mergers can have on brand and identity, particularly within the communications landscape.

7th March 2019

Investing in the future

As creative and digital businesses such as ourselves continue to expand, we believe it’s one of our major responsibilities to raise awareness of the opportunities available in our region.

26th February 2019