One of your first steps as a new nonprofit or business is to build brand awareness, which may or may not include a logo. You might ask why a brand designer would tell you this—but I strongly believe you need to get to know your target audience and organization for the branding process to be effective. In fact, I started my own business without a “logo” and did not rebrand till several years down the road. A logo is the pinnacle of your branding, the shining star at the top of a pyramid that represents, at a glance, all that your brand stands for. In this step-by-step tutorial, I will cover nine ways you can build a strong foundation—the bottom of your pyramid—by using consistency to establish brand recognition.

Great brands have solid foundations made of consistent client experiences, clear communication, and striking visuals. Your brand is how you are perceived by your audience. Your branding communicates your brand values. Your identity visually connects your brand values to the emotions you want to project to your ideal audience. Your brand, your branding, and your identity work together to form an experience that your client can feel, hear, and see.