Branding
Sustainable branding for ethical brands
Discover sustainable branding that raises the profile of your ethical brand and gives it a clear identity. We develop strategic brand identities that clearly convey your values and strengthen your position in the market. Together, we’ll create a brand identity that builds trust and stands the test of time.
Efficient implementation
Structured onboarding and offboarding for every project
Clear processes
Three established processes guide you safely through your project
Sustainable success
A weekly 60-minute group call following the end of the project
Our promise
Eight reasons to choose us for sustainable branding
Brands with attitude instead of empty promises
We develop brand strategies that clearly highlight values rather than letting them get lost in generic marketing clichés.
Strategy that really understands sustainability
Our strategies are based on genuine ethical principles rather than greenwashing and short-term trends.
Branding from a specialised network of experts
2bu design is an ethically motivated network of strategy, design and communication experts who work together in a targeted manner.
Experience from major brands meets a sense of purpose
We have already worked for major brands such as Henkel and are now consciously focussing on meaningful projects.
Design with recognition value and character
We develop visual identities that are clear, consistent and unmistakable instead of interchangeable standard solutions.
We think like your target group
Sustainable, vegan and ethical perspectives are part of everyday life for us – this creates communication without detours.
Long-term brands instead of short-term campaigns
We build brands that grow steadily and do not have to be reinvented every season.
Clarity in communication and language
We translate complex values into clear, understandable messages without unnecessary marketing blah-blah.
Our understanding
Branding for vegan businesses, sustainable brands and coaches
A nice logo on its own is not enough to inspire trust. Sustainable branding highlights values and takes responsibility seriously. Whether Vegan brands with character, Producers with forward-looking ideas, Coaches with a strong sense of ethics or NGOs with a clear mission: Your brand needs more than design – it needs a Clear identity that creates trust and provides orientation.
Through holistic, sustainable branding, we combine strategy, design and communication into a coherent system. The result is a brand that not only looks good, but comes across as authentic, operates consistently and attracts precisely those people who share your values.
Customer feedback
First-hand: what customers experience
„Sustainable branding isn’t just a green veneer, but a clear stance. This is where brands are created that not only make a visual impact, but also take on genuine responsibility and demonstrate a measurable impact.“
Anke Kühne
Managing Director | Estaverde
„Ethical brands don’t need flashy marketing; they need clear, honest language. When strategy, design and values align, genuine trust is built – and that’s exactly what lasts.“
Hannah Seward-Thompson
Sole trader | Mint Hedgehog
„Impact is created where branding does not merely sell, but brings about change. Sustainable brands in the property sector demonstrate that business and social responsibility are not a contradiction, but the very future.“
Ludwig Frede
Managing Director | BonnVisio
Weaknesses & Opportunities
Branding turns good values into a strong brand
Unfortunately, this happens quite often
There is no common thread linking the touchpoints. The website, social media and print materials give the impression that they come from three different companies – with each platform offering its own interpretation of the brand.
Every application is being reinvented. Without a clear system, every new touchpoint creates extra work. According to Forrester, around one in three team members has to repeat work because they lack the appropriate brand templates.
Too vague when people talk about it – too quiet when they don’t. Sustainability remains either a claim without substance or an attitude that nobody ever gets to see. Both erode trust that should, in fact, have been earned long ago.
The redesign will come later – and will be more expensive. Anything overlooked in the initial strategy will come back to haunt you by the time of the first rebranding at the latest: in terms of budget, time and lost brand recognition.
Here’s how we’ll sort it out
A consistent system creates brand recognition. According to a widely cited study by Lucidpress, brands with a consistent image across all channels see their turnover grow by an average of around 23 per cent.
Flexible in its structure, unambiguous in its impact. We are building a brand system with clear rules and enough scope for every channel – recognisable without being rigid.
A genuine commitment to sustainability delivers measurable results. According to an analysis by McKinsey and NielsenIQ, products with clearly communicated sustainability credentials grew by an average of 28 per cent over five years, compared with 20 per cent – so clarity pays off financially too.
Doing it right the first time is cheaper than doing it well twice. A solid foundation right from the start saves you from having to make costly adjustments once the brand outgrows its initial identity.
Branding process
From Purpose to Presence in four phases
Our process takes your brand from purpose to presence in six weeks. Over four phases, we build, step by step, a clear, actionable outcome. The first and final phases each last one week, whilst the two middle phases each last two weeks. Each phase builds on the previous one and delivers a concrete outcome. At the end, you won’t be left with just ideas, but with a finished, consistent brand foundation – ready for use. You’ll go through all four phases in every package – only the scope grows with your project.
Strategy: Discover & Define
Once we have gathered all the relevant information, we carry out a thorough analysis. The aim is to truly understand the market and target audience before we develop the brand core, positioning and persona. We consolidate the results into a presentation, agree on them collectively and then translate them into a clear Strategy Guideline – as a robust foundation before the creative work begins.
Rough concept: Design
Now thinking becomes visible. Based on the archetypes from persona development, we use mood boards to discuss the atmosphere and style of the future brand identity. We then develop design routes as concrete creative directions. This phase is about establishing a clear direction and making selections – not yet about fine-tuning.
Detailed design: Develop
The chosen direction is worked out in detail here, and the system is made consistent. Components, variants, applications and details are refined and professionally prepared. This takes place internally, with a round of revisions. An idea is transformed into a robust, functioning system that can be implemented.
Implementation: Deliver & Document
This is where the branding is launched to the world: All assets are carefully developed and handed over; once approved, the brand is ready with logo, typefaces, colours, pictograms and illustrations are immediately ready for use. In the Design Guidelines , we establish clear rules for the system, explain how the building blocks interact and provide examples of their use – ensuring that the brand remains consistent, scalable and comprehensible in the long term.
Packages & services
The right service model for every project
With Guided Start (S), you’ll work through all four phases using a mood board and a design route – in a compact and focused way. Trusted Lead (M) offers you a choice of two mood boards and two design routes, plus an extended guideline. Bespoke Project (L) goes the furthest: three mood boards, plus two design routes, along with the most comprehensive set of guidelines and the greatest number of pictograms, illustrations and visualisations for a complete brand system.
Included in all packages:
1 online meeting and 1 round of corrections per project phase
Unless otherwise agreed, no open working files will be provided. 2bu design is entitled to use the project for reference purposes.
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
Add-ons
Additional building blocks for your project
These modules turn your package into a bespoke solution. Each module has a transparent price, so you know exactly what to expect right from the start. Some add-ons, such as illustrations and templates, require existing branding. Final artwork and print support can be booked separately. We’d be happy to discuss with you which modules will really make a difference to your project.
Set of pictograms
Whether for ingredients, wayfinding or infographics, at – we design bespoke pictograms that blend seamlessly into your brand identity. You’ll receive professionally prepared files in the standard formats (EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG and JPG).
600 €/10, 900 €/20, 1200 €/40 items plus VAT.
Illustrations charged at cost
Illustrations give your brand personality. Based on the defined design direction, we develop bespoke illustrations that bring your story to life and make your brand truly distinctive. You’ll receive professionally prepared files (EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG and JPG).
€60/simple, €120/medium, €240/complex plus VAT
Stylish additions made from reclaimed timber
Stock images that don’t look like stock images – it’s all down to the choice. Drawing on our professional brand expertise, we source and licence images that suit your brand, ensuring it remains authentic. Illustrations and pictograms are also an option. The package prices include the licence.
600 €/10, 900 €/20, 1200 €/40 items plus VAT.
Photography services from the network
Some projects require their own images. Working alongside experienced photographers from our sustainable network, we create authentic – images of everything from products and staff to corporate environments.
Copywriters with expertise in sustainability
Our copywriters specialise in sustainable brands. They develop new copy or optimise existing content, using AI where requested. A clearly defined tone of voice is essential for achieving compelling results.
80 €/Standard page plus VAT.
Thorough proofreading for EN/DE
If you want to be sure, put your trust in our professional proofreading service, which is billed in accordance with industry standards based on standard pages (approx. 250 words or 1,500 characters, including spaces). That way, no one will stumble across any typos.
10 €/Standard page plus VAT.
Print support, including coordination
From choosing the paper to approving the print, we oversee the entire printing process. Working alongside your print supplier or a partner from our sustainable network, we ensure a high-quality result – which can also be vegan and resource-efficient if required.
15 % Commission plus VAT.
FAQ
Answers to the most important questions
The most frequently asked questions are rarely the least important ones. That’s why we answer them here openly and straight away. This way, you’ll get a clear picture, understand our processes and know what to expect next. If anything’s still unclear, simply book a coffee date with us: transparent, structured and on equal terms.
Who is this project suitable for?
This service is aimed at sustainable, ethical and values-driven companies that wish to strategically develop and clearly position their brand. These include start-ups, NGOs, small businesses and medium-sized enterprises that not only want to be visible, but also convey a clear stance and make an impact on the outside world.
It is particularly well suited to brands that operate conscientiously, take responsibility and wish to reach their target audience not through volume, but through clarity, authenticity and trust.
What will be used to carry out the project?
Branding is based on a structured process comprising strategy, design, implementation and guidelines. Based on a detailed questionnaire and a market analysis, a well-founded Brand Strategy is developed.
Building on this, we create 2–3 mood boards, 1–2 design routes, as well as a set of logos for specific applications and initial design assets such as pictograms and illustrations, which visually convey the brand identity. All results are integrated into a consistent brand system and documented in a brand guideline.
All assets are professionally created in Illustrator. The presentations and guidelines are created in InDesign.
Who can edit the content later?
The brand assets developed are structured in such a way that they can be used by both non-specialists and professional design and marketing teams. All files are clearly named, logically organised into folders andprovided in all standard formats.
This ensures consistent application of the brand across all channels – from social media and the website to print and presentations, regardless of who ends up working with it.
What additional costs are incurred?
Additional costs may apply if special requirements are requested, such as CMYK or Pantone colour variants for printing or extended file formats for specific production processes.
The implementation of the Brand Guidelines in digital form (e.g. WordPress or an existing CMS) can also be booked as an optional extra. This creates a flexible brand foundation that can be adapted to different corporate structures.
What do I need before the project starts?
Before starting the project, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of your own brand, particularly some initial thoughts on vision, target audience and values. An initial inspiration board (e.g. Pinterest) or a collection of example brands can also help to better define the visual direction.
In addition, a detailed questionnaire is completed, which serves as the strategic basis for brand development. It ensures that the design and strategy are developed on a clear, shared basis right from the start.
Initial consultation
It’s time for branding that reflects your values
Sustainable branding for ethical brands ensures that your values are not merely claimed, but made visible. It combines strategy, design and communication to create a clear overall picture – and makes the difference between a brand that is sustainable and one that merely aims to appear sustainable .
In a no-obligation, free initial consultation, we’ll explore together whether we share this vision. You grab a coffee; we’ll make sure to set aside plenty of time. The call is there to help us organise our thoughts, share ideas openly and identify what really matters for your project. Relaxed. Honest. With no pressure to decide.
It quickly becomes clear whether it’s a good fit – strategically, creatively and on a personal level.
If so: brilliant. If not: that’s fine too. Clarity is always a bonus.
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