The outputs you need – from strategic branding to targeted communications, web design to social media management.
To stand out from your competitors, speak clearly and be heard by your desired audience.
With people who have the right expertise, who continue to learn, and who always care.
No more, no less – just what you need.
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Music: @fredtwice
Projects featured: Akin, Cooperative LA, BLOCS, WHY, Paper Igloo, and Print for Purpose
Photography by: Charlotte Kinsella and us
Hello!
We’re Laura and Ed, the people who run Need.
This year, Need will turn seven. Which means we won’t have any of the same skin cells we started with (or something like that).
We’ve changed a lot since starting the business in 2019, and so has the world around us. But one thing has stayed the same: our values.
We set out to do good work, with good people, doing good things in the world. We recognise how lucky we are to still be doing that.
These are unsettling and challenging times – for many reasons. And by no means are we going to solve all the world’s problems through design.
But there are many compassionate people in the world. People who’ve made it their purpose to seek social justice, make the planet a safer and healthier place to live, and care for the wellbeing of communities. It’s our mission to work with these people, and these people alone. We feel privileged to have created brands for some of them already.
So we’re not fully shedding the past seven years. We’re proud of them.
Over 2026, we’ll be sharing more about who we are, what we stand for, and the work we do across the globe from right here in the Scottish countryside. For now, remember that mony a mickle maks a muckle. Or, as one might put it on LinkedIn: lots of small, consistent acts will lead to something bigger.
Pics by the exceptional @charlotte_kinsella
(Need's previous portrait photographer – our 10 year old – was busy pursuing an education and making poop jokes.)
Massive thanks to all the humans (and dog) who came along to Jot last week!
It was an exceptionally sunny evening – the first in Glasgow in over 14 years – and we're honoured you spent it indoors with us.
And it's a good job you did, because if you learned as much as we did from the spectacular Lola of @goodcallstudio , your brains are now too advanced to even need sunshine to enjoy life.
Lola, you are a master of your craft – we appreciate you sharing your wisdom. We know who the fuck Lola from Good Call is.
Big up @forummevents for being so supportive.
See you all next time! 👋
Rebranding might not be your top priority. It might not even be on your list of top 10 priorities. Maybe yours is holding up just fine. But is ‘just fine’ good enough?
Here are five signs you need to overhaul your brand to build trust and recognition, inspire your team, and ultimately drive success.
1. You don't use the current brand.
Do all of your internal documents look wildly different? Are your external communications lacking consistency? Whether you don’t like the branding or you don’t know how to use it, you – and your team – might be making up your own rules.
Brand consistency isn’t just important to build trust, it’s proven to boost revenue.
2. Your website's a patch job.
It’s difficult to use, and you’re not sure how to improve it. You know it’s bloated with content, but you just keep adding to it. Suddenly, it feels like Frankenstein’s monster and you’re sleeping with one eye open expecting the website to come alive and attack you in the night.
Sleep easy, it won’t. But it’s certainly scaring away your audience.
3. You last rebranded in the 1990s.
Time isn’t always a killer. Some brands last for years with just minimal tweaks, others need updates within the space of 12 months.
But if you last rebranded in the 1900s, it’s likely you’ll need a refresh – and your website definitely will.
4. Yes, you're changing.
Whether your business has gradually evolved or you’ve deliberately shifted, it might be that your current brand feels like it’s wearing the wrong clothes.
Your brand should feel both authentic to who you are right now, and remain relevant in line with your vision – helping you to attract the right audience.
5. You're not standing out.
Everything written about your organisation sounds like it could be about any one of your competitors. It says nothing specific, it’s bland, and your audience isn’t engaged.
To lead the way – and not just try to keep up – you need to revisit what makes you different, overhaul your tone of voice, and get that messaging spot on.
Want to know what a rebrand can do for your organisation? We'll tell you, just get in touch.
Last week, we were invited to a reception at the Scottish Parliament.
With discussions led by @bcorpuk and @thesocialhub , as well as @kate_forbes_msp and Michelle Thomson, conversation points included collaboration between policy and purpose + the ways businesses can and should show up positively in our communities and societies.
It was a super interesting evening, and we're excited to be one of Scotland's values-led businesses focused on social and environmental performance. Lots to come!
Thanks for the invite, @mehalahbeckett 🤝
Harun branding roundup ✨
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An old institution in LA’s buzzing Leimert Park, coffee and culture make the perfect blend in the recently reopened Harun.
As branding experts, we were asked to play a small role in its return – adding flavour to the visual identity, tweaking the logo, designing wayfinding, creating comms, and more.
So much brilliance attached to this project:
- Founder and music industry titan @chace_infinite
- Place makers @buildakin
- Original logo @jacob_rochester
- Opening night music @terracemartin
- Custom lights @cedricmitchelldesign
- Custom interiors @wakawakainc
- Community creators @communitylabs.co
- Bathroom install @dk1994
An old institution in LA’s buzzing Leimert Park, coffee and culture make the perfect blend in the recently reopened Harun.
As branding experts, we were asked to play a small role in its return – adding flavour to the visual identity, tweaking the logo, designing wayfinding, creating comms, and more. Full case study coming soon!
So much brilliance attached to this project:
- Founder and music industry titan @chace_infinite
- Place makers @buildakin
- Original logo @jacob_rochester
- Custom lights @cedricmitchelldesign
- Custom interiors @wakawakainc
- Community creators @communitylabs.co
- Bathroom installation by @dk1994
Check out @harun.coffee for more 🌞
