Tag: Logo Design

  • BriefWrite: Designing clarity before the brief

    Most design projects don’t fail because of bad ideas.
    They struggle because the brief or the question was never properly clear in the first place.

    It’s something I’ve seen repeatedly over the years.
    The work starts too quickly. Assumptions fill the gaps.
    And what should be a strong, focused project ends up drifting.

    That’s the problem behind BriefWrite.

    A better way to start

    BriefWrite is an AI-powered pre-brief app, designed to bring clarity before we begin.

    It doesn’t replace the brief.
    It helps you arrive at one properly.

    By asking a small number of structured questions, it turns early thinking into a clearer, more useful starting point. Something you can actually build from.

    Designing the logo

    When I came to design the logo, the thinking was straightforward.
    If the tool is about clarity and considered thinking, the identity should reflect that.

    So I designed a wordmark that slows things down.
    The letterforms are linked. Slightly traditional. Drawn to feel connected rather than assembled.

    Each character supports the next.
    It’s a quiet detail, but an intentional one.

    Because good projects don’t start with speed.
    They start with clarity.

    Why this matters

    A clear starting point changes everything.

    It leads to better conversations.
    Better decisions.
    Better outcomes.

    And just as importantly, it saves time. For everyone involved.

    BriefWrite is a small tool, but it’s built around a very real problem.

    BriefWrite will be launching soon.

    If you’d like an early look, feel free to get in touch and I’ll share access.

  • Designing Two Brands That Share the Same DNA

    Bridging the gap between Industry & Education.

    That’s not marketing speak. Specifically, it’s the actual problem I was asked to solve when designing the brand for Industry Ready, a new podcast that’s genuinely excellent (and I don’t say that lightly).

    Hosted by Sonya D’Arcy-Kilroy with guests like Geoffrey Fowler, CEO of London Design & Engineering UTC, each episode goes behind the scenes of “Exceptional” (Ofsted-rated) education. You’ll hear from learners achieving remarkable outcomes, educators creating inclusive cultures, and industry partners who are actively solving the skills gap – not just talking about it at conferences.

    The Challenge I See Every Day

    As a brand designer working in the education space, I see both sides of this challenge playing out constantly. Too many learners enter the workforce unprepared. Too many employers struggle to find industry-ready talent.

    It’s a real problem. And it needs real solutions, not just more noise.

    The Design Connection

    Here’s where it gets interesting for me as a designer.

    Industry Ready isn’t a standalone project. It’s the natural evolution of my work on The Industry & Educators Exchange (IndEX) at the-index.uk. Essentially, both brands share the same DNA because they’re solving the same problem from different angles.

    Specifically, I devised the name ‘IndEX’ and its typographic use with the capital EX, designed both brands, both websites, and the supporting books (Introduction & Compendium) that bring these ecosystems to life.

    IndEX connects educators and industry partners through employer-led learning, shared resources, books, and frameworks.

    Industry Ready amplifies those connections through authentic conversations and real stories.

    Designing a Brand Family

    The visual challenge was clear: create two distinct brands that feel like family.

    Visually, both identities colour palette, typeface, and use directional arrow forms that represent clear pathways, progress, and connection – not barriers. They’re designed as a family, working together to solve the same problem from different angles.

    The brief to myself? Professional but not corporate, similarly educational but not academic. Authentic and conversation-led. A direction and clear route, not a barrier.

    Why This Matters

    Importantly, Episode 1 launched today and it’s a brilliant introduction to what makes London Design & Engineering UTC (LDE UTC) and the Technical Education Skills Trust (TEST) so successful.

    So, If you’re in L&D, hiring, education, or workforce development, give it a listen. It’s worth your time.

    Listen and see the design work: www.industryready.co.uk

    Need help with your brand or website? Get in touch.