Exploring the Power of Branding With the Designer Collective
Design is about more than just creating beautiful spaces—it's about establishing a brand that resonates with the right clients. This was the core focus of our recent Designer Collective event, where we focused on all things branding. Mollie Windmiller from LAB MPLS brought her expertise, while designers from across the Minneapolis area came together to work on refining their branding pillars, diving deep into what makes their businesses stand out in a competitive market.
Branding Pillars for Success
At the heart of the event was the opportunity for each designer to analyze and refine their brand. Mollie Windmiller facilitated discussions that helped each attendee dissect their business through a branding lens. For designers, branding is not just about logos or color schemes—it's about defining the essence of their services and aligning that with the right clientele. The atmosphere in the room was electric as designers worked through these concepts, gaining clarity on their unique brand identities.
Collaboration Over Competition
The spirit of collaboration was more than evident. The room was buzzing with designers eager to learn from one another, not just from Mollie. Designers openly discussed their business strategies, branding challenges, and successes. Mollie’s leadership encouraged organic discussions, allowing designers to help each other in ways that were as beneficial as the structured parts of the event. It was a success all around!
Designer Event vs. Builder Event: Key Differences
After hosting a similar branding event for the Curious Builder Collective, we knew doing it for the Designer Collective was a must. Within the design industry, understanding and defining their brand is more than just an important addition, it’s fundamental. While all businesses can (and do) benefit from clear brand intentions, the topic was more than right for the Designer Collective!
Compared to our builder branding event, the Designer Collective brought a greater influx of energy. Whether that speaks to the difference between builders and designers or simply men and women, I couldn't tell you! The designers were more talkative, and the discussions were lively and dynamic—an aspect that Mollie embraced by allowing for more organic conversations between questions and activities.
Branding Takeaways
By the end of the event, our community of design professionals left with a clearer understanding of their branding pillars and how to articulate their brand. These insights are invaluable as they work to attract the right clients and grow their businesses. The focus on branding wasn’t just theoretical; each designer walked away with actionable steps they could implement immediately.
A special thank you goes to our generous sponsors: Emser, HB Fuller, and All, Inc for bringing this event to life.
What’s Next for the Designer Collective?
If you missed this event, don’t worry! Our next Designer Collective event will be just as impactful. Steve Yoch, a two-time podcast guest and renowned local attorney, will be joining us to discuss contracts. Designers will learn how to update and refine their contracts to ensure they’re protecting their businesses and setting clear expectations with clients. This session will be essential for anyone looking to safeguard their business legally and ensure their contracts are doing the heavy lifting they should.
Stay tuned for more updates on future events and how we plan to continue supporting the growth and success of the Minneapolis interior design community!
