A New Era of Value-Driven Design
In the saturated world of creative services, businesses often found themselves choosing between two extremes: high-end, agency-driven branding with steep costs or low-budget, crowdsourced solutions lacking strategic depth.
Recognizing this gap in the market, Marawan El-Asfahani spearheaded the relaunch of the existing design company called, Cinderbloc, which was an agency offering value-driven design solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) eager to establish and elevate their brands without excessive costs or complexity.
The Vision
We set out to redefine branding for emerging businesses—providing a clear, straightforward alternative to traditional agencies by offering structured, affordable brand packages. Cinderbloc's new core offer was designed to be approachable, efficient, and results-oriented, stripping away unnecessary jargon and focusing on what truly mattered: creating a professional, effective brand identity that helped small businesses stand out.
Positioning & Differentiation
Positioned Cinderbloc as a mid-tier branding solution, filling the gap between expensive boutique agencies and unreliable low-cost design services. Crafted a brand persona that was entrepreneurial, adaptable, and direct—reflecting the values of its core audience. Messaging was conversational, transparent, and value-driven, resonating with business owners seeking clarity and confidence in their branding investments.
Defining Offerings & Pricing Structure
- Developed five signature brand packages, ranging from essential branding services (logos, business cards, social media assets) to full-scale identity solutions including web presence, content management, and marketing integration.
- Introduced clear, transparent pricing, eliminating common frustrations associated with hidden fees or ambiguous project scopes.
- Designed a scalable model that allowed for custom enhancements, such as e-commerce functionality, video content, and print collateral.
Market Research & Ideal Client Profiling
- We conducted an in-depth analysis of SMB challenges, identifying key pain points such as lack of branding expertise, limited budgets, and hesitation to engage with traditional agencies.
Identified three key client personas:
- Startups needing a foundational brand presence.
- Small businesses requiring a refreshed identity and digital integration.
- Established SMBs looking for a growth-oriented rebrand.
Brand Messaging & Communication Strategy
- Ensured Cinderbloc’s messaging reflected the realities of entrepreneurship—practical, no-nonsense, and empowering.
- A narrative that positioned Cinderbloc as a business partner, not just a design service, instilling trust and reliability.
- Reinforced the value and ROI of branding at every touchpoint to educate potential clients on the tangible benefits of a strong brand identity.
Implementation & Market Rollout
With a clear strategy in place we led the successful launch of Cinderbloc, executing a multi-channel rollout that included:
- A strong brand identity & digital presence – Developed a visually compelling and strategically crafted brand that embodied Cinderbloc’s core values.
- Direct outreach to business networks – Engaged with SMB owners, startup incubators, and entrepreneurial communities to introduce Cinderbloc’s offerings.
- Content-driven marketing – Created insightful content (blog posts, case studies, and guides) that educated potential clients on branding essentials.
- Referral & partnership strategy – Leveraged Oxygen Design Agency’s existing relationships to build credibility and drive initial traction.
Results & Impact
Market Response – Cinderbloc quickly gained recognition as a refreshing alternative to traditional agencies, with businesses appreciating its transparent pricing and practical, results-oriented approach.
Client Acquisition – Successfully onboarded multiple SMBs in the first phase, demonstrating the demand for accessible, high-quality branding services.
Business Sustainability – By ensuring consistent billing and structured pricing, Cinderbloc operated with financial stability, avoiding the pitfalls of undermining business operations and hindering success.