Founders

Oftentimes, I see founders caught in the trap of looking at a competitor or company that they think has terrific visual design, and they say, “I need that.” So they go and try to find the best design agency out there, or the one the flashy company that just raised $100m used and get on a waiting list and pay $80k-$100k for a full 3 months long brand design work endeavor. Then they relaunch their brand and expect the world to shake and literally nothing happens. Time and money down the drain. But most importantly time and energy.

Oftentimes, I see founders caught in the trap of looking at a competitor or company that they think has terrific visual design, and they say, “I need that.” So they go and try to find the best design agency out there, or the one the flashy company that just raised $100m used and get on a waiting list and pay $80k-$100k for a full 3 months long brand design work endeavor. Then they relaunch their brand and expect the world to shake and literally nothing happens. Time and money down the drain. But most importantly time and energy.

https://jared.xyz/early-stage-brand-design

@usv | jared.xyz | formerly founder of groupme and fundera 

Agree with this take except for the $0 part.

I don’t think founders need to prioritise brand design but they should probably understand it and value it. 

Refusing to value brand identity as a strategic tool at any stage doesn’t really make sense if you’re building a good product that people love.