BTS: Designing a Complete Brand in One Week (ft. Mamas Who Lead)

Let’s Talk One-Week Brand Intensives ✨

Okay, real talk: I used to think a brand couldn’t possibly be created in just one week.

My usual brand design process spans a full month. So when I first heard about the concept of a one-week brand intensive, I was skeptical. But I was also curious. Because not every client can afford a $5,000+ package, and not every business needs a months-long process. So I took the course from White & Salt (they’re known for this model), learned their system, and adapted it into something that works beautifully for my own creative workflow and client needs.

And now? I’ve run multiple one-week brand intensives that I’m super proud of.

Here’s how it works.

Why I Offer a One-Week Intensive

Not every business is ready for a big brand overhaul. Some clients:

• Are early-stage and just need something to pitch to investors

• Don’t have the budget for a $5K+ package

• Need something quick to get their business off the ground

• Are a small Etsy seller or boutique startup who doesn’t need an entire deep-dive brand strategy

For these clients, the one-week brand intensive is the perfect launchpad. It gives them something beautiful, strategic, and usable—without the hefty investment or long timeline.

Of course, I always recommend my full Essentials package when it makes sense. But my job is to guide, not pressure. And sometimes, the one-week intensive is the best fit.

What’s Actually Included?

Let’s break it down.

Day 1: Booking + Onboarding
Once a client signs the contract and pays the deposit, I onboard them with a detailed Asana timeline, private Slack channel, and a brand questionnaire.

Day 2: Strategy & Discovery
They fill out their questionnaire, then we hop on a discovery call. This helps me get clear on their goals, target audience, and design style.

Day 3: Creative Direction
Based on that call, I create 2–3 moodboard directions and present them. They choose one, give feedback, and confirm the final direction.

Day 4: Design Day
This is where the magic happens. I block out the entire day and design the full brand: logo system, colors, typography, patterns, and mockups.

Day 5: Delivery + Offboarding
Once the final payment is made, I send over the brand guide, final files, and offboarding instructions. Done and dusted.

Real Client Example: Mamas Who Lead

This was such a fun one. Mamas Who Lead wanted a brand that felt fresh, empowering, and a little funky. After the creative direction was approved, I spent the design day creating a logo suite, fun icons, patterns, and brand assets that felt cohesive and bold.

Their final brand included:

• Wordmark, stacked logo, and monogram

• Custom icons (boss mama energy!)

• Brand color palette and typography pairings

• Social media mockups

• Fun abstract patterns

And all of it delivered in one week.

One Week vs. Essentials Package

So what’s the difference between the one-week intensive and my full brand package?

One Week Intensive:

• Light strategy (questionnaire only)

• One creative direction

• One design day

• One logo concept

• Tight scope, limited revisions

Essentials Package:

• Full brand strategy deck (target audience, competitors, goals, etc.)

• Multiple creative directions

• Up to 3 logo concepts

• More collateral and mockups

• Two rounds of revisions

• More time for thoughtful design + collaboration

The Essentials package is ideal for businesses that want depth and longevity. The one-week is perfect for fast, functional, and budget-friendly branding.

Lessons I’ve Learned

Running these intensives has taught me a few things:

1. Clear expectations = smooth process. I over-communicate every step so there are no surprises.

2. Fast doesn’t mean sloppy. When the direction is aligned, execution can be lightning-fast and still high quality.

3. Not all clients need "everything." Sometimes a tight, focused brand is exactly what they need.

4. Templates help! I use pre-built systems and folder setups to make offboarding a breeze.

Is This Right for You (or Your Clients)?

If you’re a designer thinking about offering a one-week intensive, I’d say go for it. Just be clear about what’s included and who it’s for.

If you’re a business owner considering this route, know that you can always upgrade later. A one-week brand can be your launchpad—and when you're ready for more, I'm here.

Want a copy of my project schedule or my exact proposal template? You can grab it inside my Patreon shop at a discounted rate.

Let’s Chat!

Do you offer fast-paced packages like this? Have you tried building a brand in a week?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below or come say hi in the Patreon community.