When we say data, we don’t just mean website analytics. That’s merely the tip of the iceberg. Operating above the surface just isn’t enough. Not for us, anyway. Our mission is simple: We strive to understand your business so that we can map out the why behind every single step we take together.
S2 runs on an engine of data-driven design. That means market research, competitor analysis, customer surveys, focus groups, ethnography, semiotics, human behavioural psychology … Anything and everything to get the relevant info so we can map out how we’re going to help you to get where you want to be.
No strategy, and no design effort, will work if it isn’t ultimately supported by real, tangible, spread-out-in-front-of-you data. Far too many agencies and professionals rush this essential step of the design process, some pay little more than lip service and some don’t look at data at all.
Don’t get us wrong creativity is still at the heart of what we do, but the marriage of design thinking, data and creativity develops strategy and design that deliver results.
It guides you through the who, why, and how, ensuring that together we can devise the most effective strategy for your goals. When data can do all of that, why wouldn’t you want to get your hands on as much of it as possible?
S2 is the only agency to offer the unique 360° APT brand insight formula – Authentic. Proof &Truth.
We use the formula to take an in-depth, comprehensive, and holistic look at your business, ultimately giving you and your team a complete run-down of your brand, brand placement, communications, and marketing materials.
Once all of that’s in place – the complete big picture – we can begin creating your unique brand positioning strategy. That’s when we can start refining, and allow all that data to feed back into our decision-making process. That’s when we start to map your trajectory – making a real, informed impact on the audiences and customers you want to connect with begins.
Good graphic design is good communication combined with problem-solving. It operates on a far deeper level than trend, looks, and aesthetic. Which are important too, of course. But only when they’re well-informed. The most common misunderstanding amongst businesses looking for new design is the thinking that if it looks good, it will work. The problem with this brand approach? Unfortunately, what looks good won’t work if it doesn’t resonate with your audience.
The tagline sounds cheesy. The colour is misinterpreted. The font becomes misunderstood. The overall look feels unnatural and forced.
Good brand design is a process of bridging the gap between your business and your audience.
We call it ‘getting your ABC’s right’ – Authentic Brand Communications; if you don’t communicate from a place of integrity and honesty, your audience is going to see right through it. Design detached from a brand’s core values is design that won’t work. And your target audience will pick up on it immediately.
This is why research and data are so essential. Once mapped out, we can identify the message that will appeal to the individuals you want to connect with, with precision and purpose. Now, that makes for a very rewarding, and very effective, design process. Not to mention communication design that speaks to your brand internally, and your customers externally.
S2 design creates true connection between your clients and your business.
The kind that cultivates trust, and fuels results.
To us, collaboration means investing in our clients’ success. When we enter into a partnership, it is with a genuine desire to help you achieve your goals. We’re such strong proponents of the comprehensive, foundational design approach, we actually believe it’s the only way of arriving at effective and impactful design solutions.
A partnership of equals; players in a team. Working with us is always about getting to the heart of things, and having a trusted advisor you can be honest with. Expect honesty back, too. If we don’t believe something is right for your business, we’re going to be upfront with you and say it like it is – with kindness and with empathy. We’ve seen it time and time again: This sort of collaborative process is the fastest and most rewarding way of getting you to your desired destination.
Our job is to assist you to feel comfortable with the choices along the way. We may challenge and test your assumptions. But you’ll be confident that the next step is the right one. Think of us as your design cartographers, who know you and your business so well we can give individually tailored advice and guidance that actually helps.
The core component of a constructive partnership is trust. To this end, S2 operates with honesty, integrity, and empathy. And no, those aren’t just fancy words for us. We will always be frank. We will always be selective about who we work with – and we seek out partnerships that are ethos-aligned. We will always strive to put ourselves in your shoes.
Our process is built on collaboration, and we’ve cultivated an extensive network of research and communications specialists over the years. If it’s evident that your needs require additional expert input, we’ll introduce you to our relevant trusted partners.
Together, we are stronger than the sum of our parts. True collaboration means playing to each other’s strengths on the journey towards a shared goal.
We start with data and we end with data. Follow the proof, and you’ll find your results. Coming full circle on our quest to your success, we test our designs against an agreed yardstick, solid data and measured outcomes in this final step of the design process. This minimises subjectivity and provides our clients with confidence that the branding and communications materials we’ve created are actually delivering the results they want.
Doesn’t that sound better than pinning your hopes on another new creative campaign and a new brand identity with no way of knowing if it’s actually working?
Design that drives, cultivates, and strengthens brand loyalty, that’s what you’re after. Achieving this comes from understanding your audience, and creating an honest and emotional connection with them. Design holds the power to facilitate this connection, and nothing speaks louder than the fruits of our work together.
Without measured results, the design process is blind. Just an insecure, frustrating walk over eggshells.
We want you to feel confident about your design. To know that your branding and communications are serving your goals in an effective and tangible way. Results are a whole lot more than just a pretty picture. They are the deep-rooted pieces that create emotional connection with your audience.
B = t + c + e
Brand positioning equals trust, confidence, and emotional connection.
In turn, brand loyalty manifests and that’s good for business. It drives customer retention, revenue generation, and long-term growth. Good design done right harnesses it all, through endless creativity and strategic precision. To S2, there’s nothing better than achieving that.
This website shows a mixture of our work from the 20 year + history of S2 Design. There are a wide variety of commercial projects on display: from international organisations to solopreneurs. Some of the projects shown are from pitches and a small selection represent personal projects. We hope there is something here to suit everyones tastes.
