And just like that, my new branding and website by Ravyn of Three Fifteen Design is DONE!!! I’m so excited to finally share this labor of love that started back when I first spoke to Ravyn last November. When we finally started work in February, I was bursting at the seams with ideas. It’s unreal to put my new business baby out into the world. While the process took almost six months, every moment was worth it to get things RIGHT.

Why I rebranded

More than anything I wanted the new brand to reflect how my business has evolved since my last rebrand and how our client experience has changed (for the better). Not only has my business changed, but I have changed too. I’m older, wiser, and have gone through life experiences that have altered my approach to business. Since I launched my last website, I met the love of my life, quit my day job, got engaged, added San Francisco as a new market, grew my team — you name it. LIFE IS SO DIFFERENT. I wanted my brand to feel different, too.

How I picked my designer + what I was looking for

I wanted to clearly communicate visually what it’s like working with me and how deeply I care about my couples AND how much fun we have together. I wanted to achieve a brand that was luxurious and refined, while also young and celebratory – nothing too serious (after all weddings are FUN) and nothing too childish (which is easily to accidentally do when trying to do something lighthearted).

I spent days and days searching for a ShowIt website designer who didn’t recreate the same brand in the same three logo variations over and over again. I wanted someone who knew how to balance minimalism with personality, someone who was truly going to create something reflective of who I am and who I serve. On the veryyyy last page on a designer directory, I found Three Fifteen Design. I knew it was kismet when we first emailed.

I can’t say this enough! Ravyn did the most incredible job. She allowed my vision to be heard, while constantly providing smart, strategic suggestions that guided me to create an impactful brand and a high-converting website. She knows that I know my clients best, so her thoughtful approach allowed us to collaborate every step of the way. She is also highly communicative, sets expectations, is patient, and she has incredible high standards for herself, too.

My favorite part of the new brand

It’s a tough call to pick my favorite part of the process, so I’ll give you my top two! 1) I am crazy obsessed with how cohesive the logos, submarks, patterns, website, and supplementary materials Ravyn provided to me. This was the biggest thing on my wish list: to have lots of ways to unify the many parts of my branding (on and offline) and SHE DID IT SO WELL. 2) I’m head-over-heels in love with all the fun interactive elements on the website, too!! Especially home page, the about page and the experience page. I love the idea of engaging visitors and making the whole process of working with me fun — and that all begins with their website experience!!

Collaborating with my graphic designer

I will also say I’m incredibly sad this process is over!!! Working with Three Fifteen Design has been one of the best experiences of my professional life. So much so, that I wanted YOU to enjoy getting more insight into the true genius behind all of this beauty: Ravyn herself. I interviewed her to give a more in-depth perspective on this process since my head is filled with confetti and heart-eye-emojis – THAT is how in love with my new brand identity.

PV: You have truly been a part of the strategy and design process from the very beginning. How have you seen my brand evolve?
TFD: My favorite part of your previous brand was the voice I could hear radiating from your site content and the heart that I could feel behind the images. My favorite part of the brand’s evolution is how those pieces (heart and unique voice) shine through the logo suite now as well. While the new suite feels really fun and joyful, it also feels mature and professional – I love how the new brand has found balance.

PV: How would you describe the brand now? How do you think it improves upon serving current and future PVP couples?
TFD: The new brand identity suite feels really unique and fun … obviously, your brand experience was already in this place, so it’s been fun to see cohesiveness develop between the graphics and you/your images. As soon as a potential client lands on your new site, they are met with a visual experience that isn’t in-line with the “norm” in the wedding industry. I think every aspect of your brand experience feels this way, which serves to empower and excite your clients. Additionally, when you feel confident in the visual identity of your overall experience, it adds enthusiasm your clients will feel.

PV: In your opinion, how is the PVP brand different from other photographers you’ve worked with? 
TFD: It’s BRIGHT!! While dark and moody brands have a place (I love me some shadows), there is a lot to say about a photographer who highlights love and joy with an absolute sense of place, like you do. Your suite feels, to me, like such a representation of you … and while I hope to nail that with every project, I can say with certainty that it’s a bit more dialed-in due to your collaboration and commitment to your brand/project.

PV: What are you most excited about in terms of the website and/or the brand suite design?
TFD: Three things stand out as my “OMFG, I cannot wait to share these on my IG!”. I love the hero area of the homepage on the site. The round photo + custom elements just feels so unique and inviting. The “Let’s Have Fun” arch graphic is beyonddddd, and I just love it so much. Lastly, on the site, I really love the little custom touches (like the quizzes and timeline). I think the suite strikes a balance between being comprehensive and engaging, but not being overwhelming.

PV: What do you think is the most important element of a company’s visual brand?
TFD: Cohesiveness!!! Literally … give me a sans serif logo + a little graphic element (two things, total), and a business can include that in an amazing brand experience. As long as you have a font hierarchy, a plan, and consistency, your visual brand doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective.

PV: Can you tell us a little bit about your “one concept design process”? How have you seen that be effective?
TFD: This was a game-changer for my business! It came from a need to simplify my own workflow/process. I was originally presenting clients with several logo options, several site options, etc., and asking them to pick a favorite. I realized this was doing a disservice to the people who were hiring me as a “branding expert”. The truth was: I am really good at what I do (design and strategy), but I was asking my clients to do some of this work for me. I was muddying the water. Now, we start from the ground up. I work through my process to get to know as much as I can about my clients’ preferences, brand, personality, vision, etc., and I go through several steps to ensure the ONE logo concept I present is the right one for them. Of course, I don’t always nail it 100% on the first go, but it’s usually in the “I love this, we’re SO CLOSE!” range of things; usually a small change or two gets us 100% there. Since starting my One Concept Approach a few years ago, it’s been incredibly effective. My projects run smoother, my clients are happier, and I’m not wasting time designing additional logo options that I know my clients aren’t going to connect with. I have a blog post about this for anyone who would like to read more.

PV: What are a few indicators that it’s time for a business to refresh their brand?
TFD: This is such a personal decision for each business owner to make, but overall, my biggest question would be: are you proud of your logo suite & visual brand? Are you excited for people to visit your site? Are you happy with your paper goods (note cards, etc.)? So many business owners start off with a homemade logo. But businesses grow, the good stuff grows too: the brand’s personality, client reviews, workflows, etc., and as this growth happens, it’s usually a good time to check-in to be certain the visual suite is still serving you. I’m a huge proponent for “branding is so much more than a logo”, and my process gets to the foundation of the brand (strategy) while also ensuring it looks good (design).

PV: How can Three Fifteen Design help small business owners?
TFD: My biggest goal is helping my clients find clarity!! On both the business side and the visual side of things, having direction and cohesiveness always makes a business more legit. I truly, truly care about my clients … I love the relationships we form throughout our time working together, so my objective is that our project helps every facet of their brand experience. I’m all about identifying/understanding any problems my clients have, then working with them to create solutions; real changes in their brand experience that result in them having a better connection with their ideal clients. I’m the biggest cheerleader for my clients – when it’s time to launch, one of my favorite parts of the project is posting about my clients on Instagram. It’s a love letter to the people who trust me with their biggest dreams/goals!!!

If you LOVE the work of Three Fifteen Design, be sure to follow Ravyn on Instagram, too!