We help brands tell their stories with depth and authenticity.

What’s your story? That’s the question at the heart of great branding. What is it about you that is uniquely yours and sets you apart from everyone else?

Answering these questions through words and images is what we do. And the answer is always built around one big idea, your central brand concept. A brand is what people think about your company. We help uncover what your unique voice is and how to best communicate that.

There’s an old saying “style is an accessory to substance”. That means you should focus on the content and the idea and let the images and style flow from there. That’s central to our design philosophy and the basis of our name.

We’ve done work with nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, startups, grade schools, breweries and most everything in between. The only quality our clients share is their desire to stand out from the status quo. We push ourselves to explore thoughtful solutions that move beyond the obvious and inspire. We also try to have a bit of fun along the way.

Dive below the surface of your brand.

Much of what is considered design these days is little more than decoration. Shiny objects with surface appeal and very little enduring meaning.

Clients deserve more than that.

We wanted to move beyond the surface, which is why we are called Substance. Since 2005, Substance has built brands that resonate at a deeper level. That’s why we don’t have a signature style or a ready-made solution. Like a custom tailored suit (remember those?) your brand should be yours and yours alone.

What We Do

The brand systems we create convey a strategic vision, thorough research, and an informed approach to color, typography, and symbology across a range of media applications. Our goal is to illuminate and impact, capturing the many impressions and experiences that surround your brand.

  • BRAND RESEARCH
  • BRAND STRATEGY
  • POSITIONING
  • BRAND & PRODUCT NAMING
  • VISUAL IDENTITY
  • WEB & DIGITAL DESIGN
  • BRAND GUIDELINES
  • VOICE & MESSAGING
  • TAGLINES & COPYWRITING
  • PRINT COLLATERAL
  • PRINT & WEB CAMPAIGNS
  • SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

Our Process

While every client is unique, we use a process that is consistent to ensure the best results for every engagement. This ensures we are on track at every phase of the project, and communicating to the client accordingly.

Research

Using qualitative and quantitative research, we ask the right questions about the foundational elements that inform your brand.

Brand Design

The building blocks for your brand. Your logo, colors, typography and photography styles that make you uniquely you.

Strategy

How do customers see you? What is unique and ownable to you? These all ladder up to the one big idea, your central brand concept.

Brand Expression

Once the brand architecture has been established we will make it come to life; website, signage, print collateral, and so much more.

Messaging

Positioning. Messaging. Naming. This is how we tell your story and the verbal is as important as the visual.

Implementation

We will work with you to manage the rollout of your new brand, including announcements, outreach, and metrics for success.