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Type-Driven Brand

Create a full brand + layout design using only typography.

(no illustration skills required!)

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01
Course

Create your own Type-Driven Brands using only typography. Customize logos, submarks and layouts using our unique type-driven approach.

02
Catalog

Get instant access to our entire Type Swipes catalog to save time on your next type-driven project. Each Type Swipe includes a logo + coordinating typefaces.

03
Community

Join an exclusive community of like-minded type-driven designers. Get feedback on your work, sharpen your skills and make designer friends.

Have you ever wondered what consistently makes certain designs stand out?

  • Creative color palettes?
  • Illustrations?
  • The latest software or tools (Procreate, Showit, iPad)?

While each of these features enhances designs, I believe there’s one skill that’s the backbone of every stand-out design.

Typography.

… but the way most of us designers have been taught to design brands and layouts likely doesn’t emphasize typography enough.

At least not in a way that:
  • Creates compelling layouts that don’t blend in
  • Avoids “playing it safe” when selecting type (“when in doubt: Proxima Nova!”)
  • Doesn’t depend on color, imagery or illustrations

The common brand identity design process leans heavily on sketching logo marks, illustrated brand elements and submarks. I know this, because for years it’s what I thought was the proper (and only) method to creating custom brands… especially for clients.

But what do we, ahem: I, do when illustrating isn’t my strong suit? Or a brand doesn’t lend itself to an illustrated concept (a coaching client, lifestyle brand, etc.)?

Type-Driven Brand helps you

  • Design uniquely custom logotypes and submarks
  • Uncover tried and true methods for pairing type
  • Layout compelling grid and type-based PDF layouts
  • Save hours of font research with our Type Swipes
  • Enhance your project through individual feedback sessions
Introduction

Your Type-Driven Brand Project

  • Select from one of our copywriter-provided creative briefs to design a concept brand + PDF layout
  • We’ll design a logotype, submarks, brand cards, and a 3-page PDF with content provided
  • Stretch your creativity by designing a full typography-centric portfolio piece
  • Beef up your portfolio with the design work you ultimately want to attract through our Type-Driven Brand project
Module 1

Type-Driven Brand Process

  • How to structure your creativity: Reduce overwhelm through our systemized design process
  • The filtering process: How to select type amongst infinite font options
  • The 5 layers of design, and exactly how to implement them into your process layer-by-layer (most of us skip to layer 5, without hitting the foundations!)
  • Type Dissected: Watch as I dissect various brands, reveal fonts used, and why they work
Module 2

Style Tiles

  • The “secret sauce” to our design process that helps you see the type in application
  • A powerful tool to visually see the brand together, without creating a formal presentation or finished collateral design
  • Trial-run your brand typography, before finalizing the design or collateral
  • Our exact style tile template you can simply plug and play for your brand
Module 3

Logotypes

  • Mastering manipulating letterforms: Easily create custom logotypes with our simple Illustrator tips
  • The 5 pillars of a successful logotype
  • The 10-step logotype process: Avoid the overwhelm, and follow our simple process to master logotypes
  • Over the shoulder tutorial: Watch as I walk through customizing a logotype for our case study Type-Driven Brand project
  • *New in 2023!* 7 tutorials showing different ways to manipulate type in Adobe Illustrator
Module 4

Submarks

  • The 5 categories to create compelling submarks: Going beyond repeating the brand name, and into unique content ideas for submarks (so handy when you’re stumped on a client submark project!)
  • 4 typographic methods to create compelling submarks (beyond text-wrapped in a circle!) The ideal number of submarks to deliver to clients
  • Tutorial: How submarks relate to logotypes for our Spruce Rd. branding clients
  • Over the shoulder tutorial: Watch as I design submarks for our case study Type-Driven Brand project
Module 5

Type-setting

  • How to showcase your finished logotype + submarks alongside typography application in our unique “brand card” method
  • Demystifying the technical “rules”: An application-based take on the essential rules of typography
  • Our simplified 2 methods to creating swoon-worthy type pairings
  • How to break free of “playing it safe” when typesetting
  • Working with a grid: Our recommended grid for layout design, and how to create a versatile layout through a structured grid
  • Spruce Rd. Clients: Revealing our type-setting methods (and fonts!) for actual branding clients
  • Over the shoulder tutorial: Revealing my process to designing a 3-page PDF for our case study project
Get instant access

Type Swipes Catalog

 

  • Designer-approved typography recipes including logo & coordinating font pairings
  • Expertly curated by a seasoned type-driven designer
  • Diverse styles, with more added monthly.
  • Streamline your creative process without sacrificing originality or quality.
  • Say goodbye to your overused fonts, and hello to breaking free from your type comfort zone.
  • No more spending hours sifting through font sites for the *perfect* font… we’ve done the font research for you.

Sign Me Up!

Join the Type-Driven Designer

Community

 

  • A small like-minded designer community
  • Specific to type-driven brands (not a vague graphic/web design community)
  • Get feedback on your designs (from Jamie & peers)
  • 24/7 private online community (not on Facebook)

Sign Me Up!

SARA GISABELLA

“I actually already felt confident in my typography work before, but nonetheless I felt like there was room for improvement. I was right about that because I learned so much from Type-driven Brand and improved my type design process.

I use the guides to give me ideas and inspiration during every project now and it’s diversified my typographic choices. I wasn’t aware how much I gravitated towards certain staple fonts instead of exploring more intentionally!”

TESSA DE JONG

“Through TDB, I’ve gained confidence in my own ability to choose fonts and step outside the box with typography for a project—without looking at Pinterest first. When pairing typography, I appreciate having inspirational resources to look back on like the bonus Type Collections.

Since enrolling in TDB, I’ve created two brands where my focus was building a strong typographic foundation first. I love how the personality of both brands can be seen within the typography alone. Both were approved on the first draft :).”

MORGAN, THURO DESIGN

“Before Type-Driven Brand, I didn’t think strongly about my secondary logos, and instead spent most of my time focused on the primary logo. I come back to this specific part of the course time and time again to really elevate my entire logo design family.

Rather than searching the bottomless pit of Pinterest for inspiration, I have a more honed in idea of where to start my projects and a better understanding of how I can make type the driving element of a timeless brand. Highly recommend TDB!”

Select which option is right for you!
Course
Type-Driven Brand Course

$39/mo

  • Type-Driven Brand course ($350 value)
  • Instant access to 65+ Type Swipes (+new added monthly)
  • Exclusive, like-minded designer community
  • Get feedback on your designs (from Jamie & peers)
  • 24/7 private online community (not on Facebook)
  • Design review sessions with Jamie
  • Join Now
Catalog
Course + Type Swipes Catalog

$49/mo

  • Type-Driven Brand course ($350 value)
  • Instant access to 65+ Type Swipes (+new added monthly)
  • Exclusive, like-minded designer community
  • Get feedback on your designs (from Jamie & peers)
  • 24/7 private online community (not on Facebook)
  • Design review sessions with Jamie
  • Join Now
Community
Course + Type Swipes + Community

$99/mo

  • Type-Driven Brand course ($350 value)
  • Instant access to 65+ Type Swipes (+new added monthly)
  • Exclusive, like-minded designer community
  • Get feedback on your designs (from Jamie & peers)
  • 24/7 private online community (not on Facebook)
  • Design review sessions with Jamie
  • Join Now
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes Type-Driven Brand different from other design courses?

I’ve designed Type-Driven Brand to help you create a full typography-based brand identity design and 3-page PDF layout. You’ll not only learn all about typography and the methods we implement with our Spruce Rd. clients in our signature Type-Driven Brand package, you’ll walk away with a portfolio project in the process. We share generously through lessons, behind the scenes and over-the-shoulder tutorials.

What makes TDB unique is the specific focus on typography, rather than broad brand identity design.

What makes Type Swipes different from other font pairing resources?

Most font pairing resources share how two fonts work together independently of the logo. Type Swipes examines a brand’s entire typography suite and includes a recommended logo font and coordinating fonts with the logo. I haven’t seen any other font pairing resource this comprehensive.

You can also easily search for fonts and sort by style. Each Type Swipe is created by me, so while there are various styles, you won’t find anything Spruce Rd. wouldn’t send one of our clients.

The descriptions included in each Type Swipe are also a great tool to educate yourself on type, as well as a shortcut to customize within your client presentations.

What platform is the Type-Driven Brand community built on?

The community, course, and Type Swipes are all hosted on Circle. Circle is a professional platform that exclusively hosts our community. There are no ads or distractions, just the type resources and community to support your studio.

What is included in the community?

When you join the community, you’ll be a part of a small but mighty group of Type-Driven Designers. It’s a great space to connect with like-minded designers, post your work for feedback, brainstorm together, and grow your craft. There will also be feedback sessions with Jamie to get my eyes on your work! We’ll help you narrow down design options, recommend fonts, tweak your logos, layouts, and more.

What is your refund/cancellation policy?

Due to the digital nature of Type-Driven Brand and Type Swipes, we do not offer refunds, however you can cancel anytime. You can manage your account on your own (ie: you don’t have to even tell me) if you choose to cancel. You’ll continue to have access until your billing cycle ends, and then you will lose access.

Feel free to ask any questions before you join! hello@sprucerd.com

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