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Brand Design
Authors: Henrietta, Nestors & Imran
Year: 2023-2024

Astra Design Bureau — A Sustainable Approach

Creating a unique design bureau brand that focuses on long-term sustainability and strong client partnerships in a market dominated by short-term project thinking.

Brand Identity
Strategic Positioning
SEO Strategy
Astra Design Bureau hero image

Problem Background

In the current market situation, finding a reliable digital design bureau as a long-term sustainable partner is extremely difficult. Design bureaus tend to work project-to-project, focusing on short campaigns and bold statements. This creates an unsustainable environment that often leaves many projects and materials unfinished after the contract period ends. Additionally, businesses don't always understand the benefits of long-term sustainable design and digital practices, despite the potentially high cost of short-term thinking in today's era.

Our Solution

Creating a design bureau brand called Astra that stands out through its commitment to long-term partnerships and sustainable design practices. By focusing on building ongoing relationships with clients rather than one-off projects, Astra aims to deliver more value and consistent results. The brand combines mid-century and modern futuristic design elements inspired by space themes, projecting both ambition and sophistication.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Creative and technological expertise with focus on sustainable approaches
  • Deep understanding of both Danish and international markets

Weaknesses

  • Challenges with market share and brand recognition as a new player
  • Resource limitations that may hinder scalability and growth

Opportunities

  • Growing demand for digitalization and sustainable solutions
  • Potential for international expansion leveraging Denmark's reputation
  • Training staff in brand alignment
  • Subscription model for longer-term collaborations

Threats

  • Strong competition in the design agency market
  • Highly unpredictable effects of constant technological changes

Target Markets

Astra focuses on medium to large businesses and technology-oriented startups, particularly those with a strong commitment to sustainable digital growth. These businesses seek not only to improve their online presence but also to ensure their growth is sustainable and responsible.

Technology Sectors

  • Technology
  • Renewable Energy
  • Clean Transportation

Sustainable Industries

  • Environmental Services
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Eco-friendly Consumer Goods
  • Circular Economy

Other Key Sectors

  • Architecture
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Green Finance
  • Real Estate

Brand Identity

Design Philosophy

The Astra brand embodies a fusion of mid-century and modern futuristic design, drawing inspiration from space themes (specifically the NASA Graphics Standards Manual), early 20th century avant-garde design, and the work of construction bureaus.

This fusion is realized through the adoption of design philosophies and techniques reminiscent of that era, including the choice of iconic grotesque fonts from the 20th century, such as Helvetica and Futura PT.

Brand Elements

Name & Concept

The brand's identity is defined by its nomenclature, where the choice of "bureau" over "studio" evokes a sense of structure, exclusivity, and distinction, underscoring its alignment with the ethos of industrial and engineering design from historical construction bureaus known for their extraordinary products and designs. The cosmic and sophisticated theme continues to be a cornerstone of the brand's identity, encapsulated in its Latin motto and name, which underscore its ambition and sophistication within the cosmic theme.

Brandbook Elements

Logo

Astra logo
Astra logo rules

The Astra logo combines geometric precision with space-inspired elements, creating a mark that's both modern and timeless. It's designed for versatility across digital and print applications while maintaining strong recognition at various sizes.

Typography

Primary Font

Aa Bb Cc
0123456789

Primary sans-serif typeface for headers and UI elements

Secondary Font

Aa Bb Cc
0123456789

Secondary serif typeface for body text and longer passages

Color Palette

#111111 Primary Black
#EEEEEE Off White
#FFFFFF White
#999999 Light Gray
#333333 Dark Gray

Photography Style

Astra photography style example 1

The photography style emphasizes clean lines, geometric compositions, and a carefully controlled color palette that complements the brand's core colors. Images feature a mix of abstract patterns, architectural elements, and minimalist workspaces that reflect the brand's technical yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Brand Vision

"Let us navigate the space of tradition and tomorrow, creating a digital presence that is not only seen but felt and remembered."

At Astra, we stand at the crossroads of time, blending the accuracy of modern design with the boundless possibilities of the future. Our roots are deeply embedded in the historic philosophies of design, while our name, "bureau," reflects our commitment to excellence, structure, and exclusivity. Our agency is propelled by drive for innovation, a commitment to practical solutions, and a respect for time-honored principles. Our differentiation lies in our ability to transform your online presence. Through innovative design, strategic branding, and targeted SEO, we don't just promise visibility; we guarantee meaningful growth.

Value Proposition

Astra is dedicated to transforming your company's online presence through innovative design, strategic branding, and targeted SEO. As your partner in digital transformation, we create solutions that forge strong connections between your business and your audience—solutions that speak directly to the heart of your customers' needs.

Innovative Design

With a team of creative experts, Astra brings your vision to life through design that not only captures and engages but also tells your unique story through visual narratives that resonate with your audience. Our design philosophy centers on functionality in every element, ensuring that from UI/UX to web design and graphic design, we create not just visual masterpieces, but experiences that fascinate and engage.

Strategic Branding

Astra understands the significance of standing out in a crowded digital world. Through in-depth analysis and strategic thinking, we help position your brand so it's not just seen, but remembered and valued. We build brands that feel and are remembered, by sharpening your company's identity and telling your story in a way that resonates with your target audience.

Targeted SEO

SEO at Astra transcends the traditional goal of merely being found. We employ advanced SEO strategies to ensure that your business not only achieves top rankings but also attracts the right traffic that converts visitors into loyal customers. Through a data-driven approach, we ensure that your brand optimizes user experience for maximum conversion.

Business Growth & Partnership

Our ultimate goal at Astra is your success. By combining thoughtful design with data-driven SEO, we ensure that every investment in your online presence contributes directly to measurable business growth and strengthened brand value. As your partner, we go beyond the traditional customer relationship; we engage deeply with your company's goals and work closely with you for a sustainable approach to organic growth.

Brand Position & Personality

The brand's personality is both ambitious and refined, aiming to distinguish itself through a blend of tradition and futuristic appearance.

As a bureau driven by innovative techniques, determination, and a get-things-done approach, its personality reflects this ethos: ambitious and thoughtful, yet pragmatic and grounded in tradition. This balance ensures communication that is both meaningful and structured, capturing innovation while being anchored in the timeless principles that have long guided excellence.

Our bureau is driven by a pursuit of innovation, a commitment to practical solutions, and a respect for venerable principles. What distinguishes us is our ability to transform your online presence. Through innovative design, strategic branding, and targeted SEO, we promise not just visibility; we guarantee meaningful growth.

Poster Designs

Astra black poster design

Black Version

Astra white poster design

White Version

Astra wrinkled poster mockup

Wrinkled Poster Application

Design Approach

Our poster designs embrace minimalism reminiscent of graph paper, reflecting our brand's technical and structured aesthetic. These posters were specifically created for display at industry conferences and networking events, where they serve to capture attention while communicating our core brand values of precision, expertise, and sophistication. The design language deliberately echoes mid-century technical documentation while incorporating modern elements to reflect our forward-thinking approach.

Video Storyboard

Storyboard frame 1

Scene 1

Opening hook

Storyboard frame 2

Scene 2

Brand introduction

Storyboard frame 3

Scene 3

Service highlight: SEO

Storyboard frame 4

Scene 4

Service highlight: Branding

Storyboard frame 5

Scene 5

Service highlight: UX

Storyboard frame 6

Scene 6

Call to action

Video Strategy

Our promotional video begins with an attention-grabbing hook—"we'll be quick – quicker than your deadline"—maintaining a relaxed tone to resonate with our target persona. We strategically reveal our logo early to establish brand recognition and highlight our core services: SEO, branding, and user experience design. The storyboard illustrates our approach to combining technical expertise with clear, accessible communication to demonstrate how we deliver sustainable design solutions for our clients.

SEO Strategy

For SEO optimization, we followed an STP model strategy (segmentation, targeting, and positioning), where we developed segmentation, from which we targeted specific needs and created a decision-making persona to target. We used brand positioning to create a concept description that appeals to industry representatives.

With these in place, our SEO analysis showed a clear audience and thus the media through which we can deliver the messages.

Communication Channels

To reach our audience effectively, we identified the following key channels:

  • LinkedIn for professional networking and B2B communication
  • Live conferences and networking events for direct industry engagement
  • Other social media platforms popular among the target demographic

Marketing Materials

For live conferences and networking events, we created minimalist posters reminiscent of graph paper to align with our brand's technical, structured aesthetic. These were designed for display in conference centers where industry events would take place.

Digital Advertising

To target our audience on social media, LinkedIn, and web forums, we created engaging advertisement banners with clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and stylish animations. This approach was designed to capture the attention of industry representatives and inspire interaction with our brand.

Video Marketing

As a design bureau, creating an engaging promotional video was crucial. Our video begins with an attention-grabbing hook—"we'll be quick – quicker than your deadline"—maintaining a relaxed tone to resonate with our target persona. We strategically reveal our logo early to establish brand recognition, and highlight our core services: SEO, branding, and user experience.

Technical SEO Implementation

We conducted a comprehensive technical review of the website to ensure it loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, secure, and free of crawl errors—all factors that can impact search engine rankings. Additionally, we performed a thorough examination of on-page elements such as keyword optimization, content quality, and internal link structure to ensure that both users and search engines can navigate and understand the website's content effectively.

Using ScreamingFrog, we analyzed the website and addressed the majority of significant issues it identified. Upon critical review, some issues flagged by the tool were determined to be irrelevant to the website's particular situation and were therefore appropriately disregarded.

Outcomes

Information architecture diagram
Portal wireframe
Final portal design
Final portal design

Distinctive Positioning

Strong brand identity that stands out in the market

Strategic Framework

Clear roadmap for growth and market penetration

SEO-Optimized Presence

Technical foundation for strong search visibility

Astra stands at an exciting crossroads, with endless possibilities for shaping the future of digital branding and marketing. With a strong strategic plan encompassing a clear value proposition, targeted brand positioning, and a focused approach to SEO, Astra is poised to revolutionize how businesses engage with their digital audience.

Ready for a sustainable design partner?

Let's discuss how Astra can help transform your digital presence with our long-term, sustainable approach to design and branding.

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