Designing for the Future: A reflection on Creating a Simple, Powerful Brand Identity for Your Business

A Grey White Paper on small business Jan 18, 2025

Branding is for more than the big ones, and it’s so much more than just a logo. Yet a great logo is a good start. It's also about how your business shows up in the world and connects with the people you want to serve. At TBD, we believe that having a clear and simple graphic profile can make your business stand out, even if you’re just starting out.

Instead of focusing on complicated plans, we focus on creating simple and clear designs that speak directly to your customers. Your graphic profile includes things like your logo, colors, and fonts—these are the visual elements that give your business a professional and consistent look. It’s important that your branding is simple and clear so that it’s easy for people to understand and remember you, whether it's on your website, social media, or products.

Starting a small business comes with a lot of challenges, especially when it comes to how you present yourself to the world. One of the first things you might think about is branding: a logo, colors, and maybe a business card. But beyond these basic elements, you might wonder if it’s worth investing time, effort, and resources into something as abstract as branding. You might also wonder: is branding even affordable for a small business? The short answer is: yes. And it can be the key to making your business stand out, grow, and build stronger connections with your customers.

At To Be Designed, we believe that branding doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive task. We understand that as a small business owner, your budget and time are precious, but we also know that a well-thought-out graphic profile can set you up for long-term success. The truth is, effective branding doesn't just help you look good; it helps you communicate your values, connect with your audience, and show that you are serious about what you do.

Start Small, Grow Big: Flexible Branding That Evolves

One of the core principles that guide our design approach is flexibility. Your graphic profile shouldn’t be static or restrictive—it should grow and evolve along with your business. What works today might not be as effective tomorrow, and that’s okay. The world changes fast, and so do the needs of your customers. What sets us apart is that we design with this constant change in mind.

Starting with a small project, like a simple logo or a basic graphic profile, is a great first step. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away. The key is to create something that reflects who you are now while also leaving room for future growth. A simple, clear design is not only more affordable but also more adaptable. It’s easier to tweak and build on over time as your business expands and your brand becomes more defined.

The Design Process: Simple, Clear, and Collaborative

When you partner with us, we take the time to understand your vision, goals, and challenges. We know that as a small business, you need a design that is not just attractive but functional and aligned with your business strategy. That’s why our approach is collaborative and focused on getting you to the right place, no matter where you’re starting from.

Our design process is grounded in testing and feedback, ensuring that we create a visual identity that truly speaks to your audience. You’ll be involved at every step, giving you a sense of ownership over your brand. But most importantly, we’ll work together to ensure that the design is flexible and scalable. So, whether you're creating your first website, setting up your social media presence, or printing your first batch of marketing materials, you’ll have a graphic profile that adapts to every stage of your business.

Branding Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

We understand that as a small business, every penny counts. That’s why we offer flexible options for businesses that want to start small but don’t want to sacrifice quality. We can begin with something simple—like a logo and a color palette—and then build from there as your business grows. You don't need to launch with a fully fleshed-out branding system right away. Instead, we’ll help you create a strong foundation that you can expand on over time.

This “start small, grow big” approach ensures that you're not investing heavily in something you’re not sure about. You don’t need to make huge commitments upfront. We believe in providing you with a practical, scalable design that delivers value from day one. And as your business evolves, your brand will evolve with it, allowing you to make adjustments without losing coherence.

Designing a Future-Proof Brand

The best part about building your brand with To Be Designed is that we’re not just giving you a logo and sending you on your way. We’re helping you design a system—a living, breathing identity that grows and adapts with your business. Whether it’s refining your business’s online presence, creating new materials, or expanding into new markets, your brand will be ready to evolve.

When we create a graphic profile, it’s more than just a set of guidelines—it’s a blueprint for your future growth. We don’t just think about today; we think about how your design can help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the future. With our flexible, prototype-driven approach, we can quickly test new ideas and refine your design as your business needs change.

Why Choose To Be Designed?

We believe in making design accessible to small businesses. Our approach is tailored to ensure that every small step counts and provides lasting impact. By collaborating with us, you’re getting a design that’s simple, effective, and able to evolve as your business grows. We don’t just offer services; we offer partnership. Our goal is to help you create something lasting that will keep you ahead of the competition—no matter how big or small your business is.

If you're a small business owner looking to experiment with design, we’re here to show you that branding can be easy, affordable, and—most importantly—powerful. Let's work together to create a graphic profile that speaks to who you are today and sets you up for the future.

At To Be Designed, we believe that every business, no matter how small, deserves a brand that’s not just seen but remembered. Let’s get started.

Here’s how we’ll help you:

  1. Simple, Effective Branding – We’ll create a clear and memorable graphic profile, including a logo and design elements that reflect your values and mission. This will help you present your business professionally, even if you're just starting out.

  2. Prototype & Iterate – We believe in testing and improving. We’ll work with you to try out different design ideas, making sure they feel right for your business and resonate with your customers.

  3. Strategic Support – Beyond just a logo, we’ll help you develop a design strategy that aligns with your business goals, whether you’re attracting new customers or building loyalty.

  4. Collaboration & Flexibility – You won’t be on your own. We’ll work closely with you, making sure you’re part of the process. You’ll have a brand identity that grows with your business and adapts as your needs change.

Working with us isn’t just about getting a design—it’s about making sure your business has a strong, adaptable foundation for the future. Let’s get started, and we’ll guide you step by step, bringing your vision to life. Ready to get started? Let’s create something simple and powerful that helps your business grow.

TBD - A strategic design and innovation studio based in Stockholm. Trusted partner to ambitious brands. We set the world off in the right direction with our holistic design approach, mixing behavioural science and industrial design principles to imagine better futures and to shape all the smart things yet To Be Designed.

Get in touch
thoseguys@tobedesigned.io