Ask HN: Branding Companies for Web Apps
We are developing a Web App and we are in need of a company which can help to develop our brand. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
By branding do you mean for your parent company or for the specific app? For example the branding for Microsoft is a different type of project than say branding Office. And by branding are you thinking on a big scale (everything from coming up with the name to the marketing) or on a small scale (i.e. an icon for an app)?
My advice to you as a designer is that you should start small, take baby steps and keep your budget low. I'd also advise you to work with a local designer (if you can find a good one) who can meet with you face to face.
By the way I did a quick google search and found this studio after some hunting: http://www.holbeinruiz.com
I'm talking about something like Twitter, in which the product and the company share the same brand.
That's a really good question, I think I'm talking about the whole brand, including the name and marketing.
Thanks for the link :)
Something you should think about: Twitter wasn't called Twitter when it started.
And if you want to see a super ugly logo look at the very first Apple logo -- it' s a second rate hippy doodle of the worst kind: http://www.edibleapple.com/2009/04/20/the-evolution-and-hist...
I'm a branding guy, but my advice is to to put every penny into building a great product!
Once you understand what that product does (and that takes time) then focus on branding.
Too many times I see folks come up with a name, or they buy a domain and then try to think what they should do with it.
That's really good advice Michael, thanks a lot :) We actually have a prototype, but maybe we should focus a little bit more on that and start with branding later on the process.
Do you, being involved in branding, have any advise (book recommendations, blogs, etc).
Thanks a lot for your input!
I've got two words for you my friend: Paul Rand
That would be a good place to start...
CopyHackers by fellow HNer bloggergirl is a good resource. I haven't tried it out myself but based on what I've seen, it's worth the money. You can apply HACKERNEWS coupon code when checking out.
Her post: http://www.copyhackers.com/2011/10/18/how-1-hn-post-compelle...
CopyHackers: http://www.copyhackers.com
Be more specific. "help to develop our brand" could mean advertising, PR, online marketing etc.
I think a good way to communicate this would be to say what you are trying to get out of this service.
You are right, we are staring a new webapp and we need a name, logo, maybe a little brand manual, and some makering insights.
I think you're definitely getting ahead of yourself. Once the product is built, you will find a lot if these answers coming from within you. If you don't even have a prototype, then I'd say don't worry about all that. Just build it and see how it goes. I bet you're a better marketer than you think, but your problem is you tried to think of marketing something that doesnt even exist yet, and gave up. Am I right?
We do have a prototype, not the final product but it may be a good think to start thinking about the brand.
Also, it would help if you could give us a ballpark idea of what's the average cost of this kind of service :)
Thousands to many millions. Your problem definition as it stands is overly broad. What are your goals for the project?
Maybe I can help. Sent you an email.