The one-concept method for logo design works.

Even my clients agreed.

Dear business owners,

If your designer follows the one-concept method for logo design, trust them!

I recently began applying this method with clients of mine, and it’s made a world of difference in the quality of thought and design outcome.

What is a one-concept method in logo design?

A one-concept method in logo design refers to a process where the designer presents a single, carefully crafted logo concept (instead of multiple options) to the client. It’s often seen as a more focused, strategic, and collaborative approach compared to the traditional method of showing several logo options and letting the client pick.

On our onboarding call, when I mention that I follow the one-concept method in my process, sometimes stakeholders are concerned; they are very kind in communicating their doubt, but their eyes speak volumes.

You had better deliver well, Srishti. I can hear my conscience.

(“Nope, that was me. Stakeholder no. 3")

But I set a tight project timeline that honestly, I have no time to doubt myself, especially as I dive into Discovery.

So here are my absolute pre-requisites if you are trusting your graphic designer on a one-concept method for logo design -

Discover together

Make sure you have spoken as much as possible about your brand, the if, when, why, what, how, which, and everything else in between. It will go leaps and bounds in helping your brand designer in understanding your vision, which currently may reside in your head / may look like nothing right now.

The designer is trying to visualise your vision levitating in your mind and transform it into a love at first sight (mind you), beautiful, breathing brand while being unable to actually pry open your mind let alone peek into your left ear and catch a glimpse!

So communicate :-)

My observations after Discovery during the days I worked on the visual identity -

The first couple of days are always a little scribble-y; in my mind and on paper. It only starts coming together on day 3, like a viral fever giving up, but better.

Almost like renewed hope in my choice of profession, every single time we hit day 3 :-) ❤

So while there is a high chance of doubt creeping in and discouraging the hell out of me, I find myself absolutely immersed in my inspirations for this project, leaving no room for it.

As the visual identity appears and develops, I find myself committing more and more to the design that is forming in front of my eyes. The ideas flow, I like what I see, it is clicking obviously.

I am not feeling worried about not having a card up my sleeve.

All of this, because I did not have that nagging feeling of having two design options ready.

It felt lighter, and the right way to work.

You were shopping for a brand designer, maybe.

But you are no longer shopping for a logo by the point your Visual Identity is being designed. You have spent a lot of time and energy into helping your designer understand your faceless vision.

It’s like trying to describe one personality and asking them to draw two (or more) faces for it. It isn’t wrong, but it’s a waste of time if you’re only looking for one and a really good one.

Simple argument of time spent developing one idea really well vs spreading the time between 2/3 ones that would not probably be as rich and honed to what you are looking for.

So, one-concept method. Yay or nay? (I am such a millennial, it’s not even funny)

The answer is almost too easy, I’d say.

My client’s take usually after they see their Visual Identity for the first time -

**It takes a while to sink in, a few minutes for sure* * Very normal. You were just shown a new face and asked if you’re okay mothering and nurturing that baby forever.

After running through the presentation once, we run through it a couple of more times. And if the designer has worked hard, their effort shows. Here is where the design sinks in.

I can almost hear my client breathing out; mostly relieved.

I can almost hear my client breathing out; mostly relieved.

Before leaving that call, confirm with your brand designer whether they have hit or missed the mark. Do you want a complete do-over? Nobody needs to be worried. This is design, after all. It may never be precise.

Take your time- a day or two. Stare at it, enquire with neighbours, ask your mind if you are truly good with this visual representation of your vision.

What can we improve / remove / is missing? Put it into words.

I sincerely hope you work with a genuinely nice designer who has agreed to at least 1 round of do-over if they miss the target entirely.

Collate your feedback and share it once you are ready, with your brand designer.

And take it from there.

This entire process is not entirely on the designer; you both discover the brand together, have your moments of “oh’s” and “ah’s” (this punctuation looks wrong).

So बच्चों, one-concept method for logo design?

Yay 👍🏼

Phew — I wrote after a while. Felt nice.

Class dismissed!

—

Are you shopping around for a new brand designer? Or if you’ve been feeling like your brand is a little stuck, happy to talk. No pressure, no big plans to commit to. Just a quiet, honest conversation about where you are and where you could go.

I’m offering a free 30-minute Google Meet session to help you find a little more clarity.

Let’s chat. First 30 minutes are on me.

Srishti Daiv

Brand clarity served fresh.