Applied vs. Identified Branding
Are You Wearing a Mask or Owning Your Identity?
A little History…
I’ve mastered the ins and outs of the branding process, finding the method in the madness. From launching to rebranding to expanding, I’ve done and designed it all.
I’m becoming more and more known for my Personified Branding and unique approach. It’s highly customized, outside-the-box, identity-focused, and inspired by you—the client—as our muse.
My Approach:
Disrupting + Humanizing + Symbolic
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DISRUPTING THE INDUSTRY
I find there are two approaches to branding…
Applied Branding: This is where professionals work with templates, archetypes, and generic personality tests to “apply” a brand to an individual or company. The limitation to this approach? Like a wet face mask, it eventually slides off, leaving nothing behind.
With applied branding, the expectation is fast turnarounds and cheap deliverables. It’s designed for instant gratification—not longevity.
Identified Branding: This is a highly customized approach that identifies the iconic essence of an individual or company and infuses it into every detail of their life and work.
It’s client-defined, personified, and strategically designed. The understanding behind this approach is that it takes time, it’s an investment, and it results in intoxicating clarity and iconic authority.
While I coined these terms, I take immense pride in applying the identified approach. I design brands that evolve and grow rather than restrict and require constant rebranding.
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HUMANIZING BRANDS
Like as I said, while others use personality tests, templates, and archetypes… We witness and listen!
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SYMBOLIC AND EXPERIENTIAL
It’s painful how many brands lack depth, symbolism, and meaning.
When we ask “tell me about your logo” and the response is “There’s no story, it just looks cool.” or “I don’t know its just what we have.” We die a slow death.
A brand should tell a story. It should mean something to the person running the business and to the audience experiencing it.
That’s why we don’t settle for ‘good.’ We work until it’s great.
We curate experiences that are conscious and intentionally memorable—integrating wow-factors that elevate leadership, strengthen company culture, and transform clients into raving fans.
In Conclusion:
Branding isn’t just something to ‘do.’ It’s the foundation of how you present yourself and your business to the world.
If your brand feels like a straightjacket, constantly limiting and constricting you, it may fall under the applied approach rather than the identified approach.
A truly iconic brand is an expression of the iconic essence at hand—not a sticker to be placed like a badge of honor.
Would you say your branding is applied or identified?
Does it feel limiting or expressive?
Let’s Talk!
💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below and tell me—what resonated most with you?
📩 Ready to refine your brand and craft an identity that speaks louder than words? Let’s talk. [Book a Call Here.]
