Studio Savage brand positioning framework

Studio Savage

Strategic positioning and service architecture for a creative studio entering product design

Role

Strategic Design Lead

Client

Studio Savage (via Toptal)

Deliverables

Market positioning, service architecture, brand strategy

Timeline

2017

The Challenge

Studio Savage, a well-established creative agency with roots in branding and content, wanted to expand into product design services. They needed to articulate their positioning, define their service offering, and build internal alignment around what product design would mean for the studio.

The challenge was not just about adding a new service line, but about defining how the studio would compete in a crowded market, what clients they would serve, and how their existing creative strengths would translate into product work.

Studio Savage service architecture and positioning framework
Hero section

Strategic Approach

I started with stakeholder interviews and competitive analysis to understand the studio's strengths, market gaps, and internal capabilities. From there, I developed a positioning framework that clarified their unique value: bringing creative storytelling and brand thinking into product design, not just interface execution.

I then defined a service architecture that outlined specific offerings, client types, engagement models, and the internal workflows needed to deliver product design at scale. This included mapping the client journey from discovery to delivery, identifying decision points, and structuring the team's new capabilities.

Studio Savage wireframes and journey mapping
Client journey and touchpoint mapping
Studio Savage service blueprint wireframes
Internal workflows

Impact

The positioning framework gave Studio Savage a clear narrative to take to market, differentiating them from typical product agencies. The service architecture provided internal clarity on what they would offer, how engagements would be structured, and what resources they needed to build.

This strategic foundation enabled the studio to confidently pitch product design work, align their team around a shared vision, and make informed decisions about hiring, partnerships, and client targeting. The work focused on strategy and alignment rather than execution, ensuring the studio could scale their offering sustainably.