Our Methods

The Maison Pence way of building brands — with foundation, framework, and foresight.

At Maison Pence, we don't design by instinct. We design by architecture — a deliberate, strategic method that turns ideas into enduring systems.

Our proprietary framework, Structural Brand Architecture™, builds brands the same way architects build homes: from foundation to façade, with every line drawn from purpose.

Each step is sequential, interconnected, and rooted in strategy — ensuring that what we create doesn't just look beautiful, but functions beautifully.

Built by an Educator, Designed for Independence

With 35 years in education, information architecture and entrepreneurship, Maison Pence approaches brand building differently. We don't create dependency—we create capability. Every framework is designed to be teachable. Every system is built for your team to use independently. The goal isn't a beautiful deliverable you admire. It's a strategic architecture you inhabit and evolve.

THE STRUCTURAL BRAND ARCHITECTURE™ METHOD

STRATEGY + IMPLEMENTATION

Most brand strategists deliver a document. Maison Pence delivers a system you can actually use. Every Commission includes not just the strategic foundation, but comprehensive implementation guidance: practical applications, decision-making frameworks, templates, and examples that show you exactly how to use your brand architecture. Because strategy only matters if you can implement it.

Our systematic approach to building brand foundations—transparent, teachable, replicable.

1. Site Assessment

Understand your market landscape, competitive environment, and strategic opportunities

Every enduring structure begins with an honest evaluation of its site. Before an architect designs, they assess terrain, context, constraints, and possibilities.

We examine your brand's current foundation: market position, competitive landscape, audience alignment, and internal clarity. This phase reveals the unseen structure of your business and identifies what must shift for growth.

Delivered through: The Appraisal — 30-35 page diagnostic assessment

3. Framework

Build your messaging architecture and verbal identity systems

With the foundation set, we build the framework—the structure that supports everything visible. This is where strategy becomes language.

We architect your messaging systems: audience personas, brand voice, tone guidelines, key messages, and narrative structure.

These frameworks ensure everyone on your team tells the same story with the same clarity.

Delivered through: The Blueprint (Phase 2) — 90-page brand foundation with implementation playbooks

2. Foundation

Architect your mission, vision, values, and positioning clarity

With the landscape understood, we lay the strategic foundation. This isn't visible work—it's structural work. But it determines everything that follows.

We define the meaning beneath your brand: why you exist, what you stand for, where you're positioned, and how you're differentiated. These aren't abstract statements—they're load-bearing elements that support every decision your brand will make.

Delivered through: The Blueprint (Phase 1) — Strategic foundations and positioning architecture

4. Construction

Design your visual identity with strategic intent

Only now—with strategy and messaging complete—do we design what people see. Every visual choice traces directly back to strategic foundations.

We translate architecture into expression: logo systems, color palettes, typography, photography direction, and comprehensive brand guidelines. This isn't decoration. It's strategic truth made visible.

Delivered through: The Signature — 60-80 page visual identity presentation + branded collateral suite

4. Stewardship

Empower your team to use and teach the brand internally

The architecture is complete—but a structure only endures when its inhabitants know how to live in it.

Stewardship ensures your team doesn't just receive a brand—they learn to wield it with confidence. This is where Maison Pence's educator roots become your advantage.

This phase includes:

Team training on brand architecture and implementation
Decision frameworks for brand-aligned choices as you scale
Guidelines for teaching the brand to new team members
Internal presentation of strategic foundations
Optional ongoing strategic counsel and evolution guidance

Your brand becomes an internal capability—not external dependency. Your team doesn't call us for every decision. They know how to decide for themselves.

This is what 90% of strategists don't provide. This is the Maison Pence difference.

THE COMPLETE ARCHITECTURE

The full Maison Pence experience in one comprehensive engagement.

Some brands are ready for complete transformation. The Complete Architecture combines all three Commissions—The Appraisal, The Blueprint, and The Legacy House— into one sequential 5-6 month engagement.

You move deliberately from diagnostic clarity through strategic foundation to visual expression, with each phase building architecturally on the last.

What's Included:

Complete diagnostic assessment (The Appraisal)
Comprehensive brand foundation (The Blueprint)
Full visual identity system (The Legacy House)
Three luxury printed books
Complete launch collateral
Priority calendar access throughout

Investment: $40,000-45,000

Begin with Structure

Every timeless brand begins with a blueprint.
If you’re ready to transform your business from a collection of visuals into a cohesive, strategic system — Maison Pence is where it begins.

Let’s build your foundation, define your framework, and design a brand that will stand for years to come.

Explore Our Commissions