Ironbird

Strategic Marketing + Design System
5-Week timeline
CD + D. Love

Problem

Lack of Brand
Elevation
Unclear Value
Proposition
Absence of a
Cohesive Concept

Ironbird Studios, a cutting-edge innovation hub focused on space travel, advanced vehicles, and modern manufacturing, struggled to convey its pioneering vision effectively to investors and clients.

Key Challenges Included:
  • Visual Identity Gaps: A lack of sophistication in branding undermined the studio's market perception.
  • Ineffective Pitch Deck: Their materials failed to clearly articulate services, team expertise, and the value of their innovation.
  • Cohesion Issues: The absence of a unified brand concept limited engagement with stakeholders.
Main Pain Point

Branding Challenges Stalling Growth

Ironbird Studios’ potential was undeniable, but the lack of a cohesive brand identity and clear messaging created a barrier to investor and client engagement.

As a participant in the Tulsa Innovation Lab’s incubator program, Ironbird needed a professional, scalable branding solution that would elevate its presence while setting a replicable model for other startups in the program.

Solution

Unified Brand
Concept
Refined Visual
Identity
Refined Visual
Identity
Reusable Design
System

To address these challenges, D. developed a comprehensive branding framework for Ironbird Studios, providing them with a professional identity and tools for sustained growth. Key initiatives included:

Unified Brand Concept:

  • Created a cohesive storyline reflecting Ironbird’s pioneering vision, supported by a modern logo, distinctive color palette, and sophisticated typography.

User-Friendly Website:

  • Developed a visually engaging, intuitive web presence to showcase the studio’s capabilities.

Revamped Pitch Deck:

  • Redesigned materials to clearly articulate Ironbird’s services, expertise, and mission, making them investor-ready.

Scalable Design System:

  • Built a Figma-based reusable framework for creating and maintaining brand assets, enabling other incubator startups to adapt the model.

This solution not only established Ironbird as a credible leader in its field but also created scalable tools that enhanced the efficiency of the Tulsa Innovation Lab’s program.

REsults

Enhanced Market Presence:

Ironbird’s new visual identity and refined materials significantly elevated its engagement with investors and clients.

Increased Efficiency:

By standardizing processes, the Tulsa Innovation Lab now provides consistent and professional branding support for its participants.

Scalability Achieved:

The reusable Figma framework streamlined branding efforts for Ironbird and set a scalable precedent for future startups in the incubator program.

This partnership not only positioned Ironbird Studios for growth but also empowered the Tulsa Innovation Lab to drive scalable success for its broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, solidifying Tulsa’s leadership in technology and innovation.

Assigned Tasks

Design system strategy

Library Development

Universal Component System

design system Build

Social Media Template

Brand Guidelines Template

Pitch Deck Template

Master Library Template

design system Manager

Maintenance

Brand Integrity

Additional Assets as Requested

concept Development

Storytelling

Ideation & Brainstorm

Identity & Branding

Logo Design

Color Palettes

Fonts

Custom Iconography

Brand Guidelines

Figma Master Library

Marketing Materials

Pitch Deck

Social Media Assets

Website Design

Advanced Prompt Engineering

Prompt Generation


Asset Generation

Design system strategy

x

Library Development

Universal Component System

design system Build

x

Social Media Template

Brand Guidelines Template

Pitch Deck Template

Master Library Template

design system Manager

x

Maintenance

Brand Integrity

Additional Assets as Requested

concept Development

Storytelling

Ideation & Brainstorm

Identity & Branding

Logo Design

Color Palettes

Fonts

Custom Iconography

Brand Guidelines

Figma Master Library

Marketing Materials

Pitch Deck

Social Media Assets

Website Design

Advanced Prompt Engineering

Prompt Generation


Asset Generation

Design system strategy

x

Library Development

Universal Component System

design system Build

x

Social Media Template

Brand Guidelines Template

Pitch Deck Template

Master Library Template

design system Manager

x

Maintenance

Brand Integrity

Additional Assets as Requested

concept Development

Storytelling

Ideation & Brainstorm

Identity & Branding

Logo Design

Color Palettes

Fonts

Custom Iconography

Brand Guidelines

Figma Master Library

Marketing Materials

Pitch Deck

Social Media Assets

Website Design

Design system strategy

Overall Approach

D. approaches every project with a "putting ducks in a row" mindset—carefully analyzing each individual piece or task, aligning them for cohesion, and prioritizing based on strategic importance. His process ensures that timelines, dependencies, and overlapping tasks are seamlessly managed, enabling different sections of a project to run in tandem while empowering teams to meet their objectives. This dynamic approach combines high-level oversight with granular precision, ensuring every element is perfectly ordered for seamless and successful execution.

1. Build the Foundation

D. began by creating a master library in Figma, including brand colors, typography rules, and unit increments. These primitives formed the foundation for key templates:

  • Social media assets

  • Brand guideline decks

  • Website mockups

3. Duplicate, Plug, Play

Approved designs were seamlessly integrated into Figma’s design system, ensuring scalability and consistency across all branding and marketing materials. Components and variations were clearly labeled for future adaptability.

2. Concept the Brand

D. thoroughly analyzed Ironbird’s mission and assets to craft a brand narrative aligned with their goals. Multiple design concepts were iterated and refined to ensure complete alignment with the brand’s vision.

4. Export & Handoff

All assets were packaged and transferred to the Ironbird team and their creative director, ensuring they had the tools and permissions needed for long-term implementation.

Generic Master Library Template

Variables & Styles
A screen with a color palette and a button to create a variable.A list of numbers with the number 45 at the bottom.
A black screen with a list of fonts.A screen with a black background and a white box that says create variable.A list of color styles including black, white, and blue.

Generic Social Media Template

ATOMS
A black and white image of a circle with a square in the middle.A white ball with a purple background.
Templates
A red and white sign that says "loren dor".A logo for the Apple company.A pink and white box with a white box inside.

Step 1:

Step 2:

X =
Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 4:

AI Photo Library

Adobe Firefly
A collage of men in various poses and outfits.

AI Prompt:

HYPER-REALISTIC SIDE VIEW OF A RELAXED 50 YEARS OLD SMILING MAN WITH STUBBLE, WALKING HOLDING A LAPTOP, FIST UP IN AIR

AI Prompt:

HYPER-REALISTIC QUARTER VIEW OF 30 YEARS OLD MAN IN A T-SHIRT AND BASEBALL CAP, WITH ONE HAND UP, LOOKING AT PHONE, SMILING, HAPPY

A man holding a laptop and talking on the phone.

AI Prompt:

HYPER-REALISTIC QUARTER VIEW OF A 50 YEARS OLD HAPPY MAN, FLANNEL SHIRT, BASEBALL CAP, HOLDING A LAPTOP, TALKING ON A CELL PHONE

A woman in a grey jacket is holding a clipboard.

AI Prompt:

QUARTER VIEW OF HYPER-REALISTIC 50 YEARS OLD WOMAN IN LONG SLEEVE SHIRT AND PUFFER JACKET, HOLDING A CLIPBOARD

AI Prompt:

40 year old, arms crossed, smiling, overweight man, blue work jacket, studio lighting, hyper-realistic

AI Prompt:

40 year old, arms crossed, smiling, overweight man, trucker, studio lighting, hyper-realistic

AI Prompt:

Quarter view, smiling, overweight hispanic man with a beard, baseball cap, hoodie, and vest

AI Prompt:

Quarter view, smiling, overweight hispanic man with a beard, baseball cap, hoodie, and vest

AI Prompt:

Quarter view, 40 year old, looking away, smiling, overweight tan man with a beard, baseball Hat, punching fist out front

A man wearing a blue jacket and a black shirt is making a fist.

AI Prompt:

side view, eyes closed, 40 year old, one fist up, smiling, overweight man, blue work jacket

A man wearing a blue jacket and a grey shirt.

AI Prompt:

side view, eyes closed, 40 year old, one fist up, smiling, overweight man, blue work jacket

A woman wearing a blue shirt and smiling.

AI Prompt:

side view, eyes closed, 40 year old, one fist up, smiling, overweight man, blue work jacket

Social Carousel

Email Heroes

Figma Brand Guidelines

Scroll to view
A green and white cat with glasses is the mascot for the Mint Mobile brand book 2023.A list of different colors and their uses.A website page with a green and blue gradient.A list of rules and instructions for a mobile device.A white and green logo for Mint Mobile.A website page with a logo for Campus.A collection of different colored backgrounds for a website.

Universal Component Snapshot

Proposed fox library

A green and white cartoon character with a sword.

Proposed fox library

A 5G card with 50% off.
A collection of cards with prices and features.

Monthly DAta Usage Component

A chart shows the monthly data usage for a user.

Premium Wireless Campaign Lockups

A green and white sign that says Premium Wireless.

Universal Component Snapshot

Proposed fox library

A green and white cartoon character with a sword.

Proposed fox library

A 5G card with 50% off.
A collection of cards with prices and features.

Monthly DAta Usage Component

A chart shows the monthly data usage for a user.

Premium Wireless Campaign Lockups

A green and white sign that says Premium Wireless.

Braze EmailS (Designs + Guidelines)

Scroll to view
A website with a green background and a man on the screen.A white screen with a green box that says "This is a test".

Product Gallery Library

1 icon Producer
+
1 Design Grunt
+
1 D. Love
A flow chart of a healthy lifestyle.
A white square with the words product gallery library written on it.
266+
Exports
A flow chart of chemicals and their properties.A book titled Doctor's Guide to Diabetic Diet.A purple box with a man and woman on it that says From Lab Tested for Purity.

Identity & Branding

Initial Concepts
A collection of icons and images for a website.
Origami Exploration & Refinement
A man holding a yellow bird paper crane.A green paper kite with a long tail.A hand holding a green paper butterfly.A yellow paper bird is held in a hand.A yellow paper bird is held by a hand.A yellow paper crane is held in a hand.A black and white photo of a paper owl.A white paper bird with a black background.A 3D model of a bird's head made from paper.
Origami Exploration & Refinement
A green and pink paper bird.A blue and white kite with a black wing.

Ironbird Master Library

Variables & Styles
A list of colors including black, blue, gray, and purple.A black screen with a numbered list of values.
A black screen with the word Space Mono on it.A black screen with a button that says create variable.A color palette with various shades of color.
Atoms
A collection of black and white geometric shapes.
A purple and white drawing of a bird.A black and white image of a geometric pattern.A head with a brain and a robot head.

Website Design

A website that is purple and white with a kite on it.

Presentation Design (Figma)

A poster for Ironbird Studios with a bird on it.A blue and purple advertisement for a company called Why Ironbird.A white paper with a title of "Heavy Asset Industries" and "Traditional Industries" on the top.A blue background with white text that says "About Us".

Social Media Template Library

Variables & Styles
A purple background with a white kite on it.
A purple and white sign that says "Lowen Shulam".
A white and purple sign that says London.
A Playboy store with a variety of products.A row of white boxes with different words on them.A poster advertising a phone and internet service.A blue tent with a sign that says "Caleb's".A Shellback bar with a man and woman sitting in a booth.A collection of images of a UAG display.A Google logo is displayed on a blue background.A collection of images and text about Old Navy.A man wearing a white shirt with a picture of a box of fruit on it.A white and black advertisement for a coconut drink.A bottle of Pilar liquor is displayed on a magazine advertisement.A collection of advertisements for Vinoq.A purple and white advertisement for Spark Conversations.A white and blue poster advertising a product.A green and white advertisement for Dirty Jobs.A woman holding a box of Brawny paper towels.A collection of logos and images, including a deer head and a hat.A box of Nurure diapers with a picture of a baby on the front.A collection of images of women in lingerie.A white and black ad for Prim.A collection of logos for products like Nu-mask and Toad & Co.A collection of logos for various companies.A white drawing of a tree with a person sitting under it.A poster advertising a project called "Aurora".

Testimonials

“From pitch to delivery, the level of detail involved in anything that D puts into the world is something to aspire to. But D's creativity may only be outshined by his leadership and communication skills. Being able to tactfully challenge people while gently guiding them towards an alternative that better aligns with their goals is a skill he's mastered 10x over. A lost art these days. Working with D is like getting the best parts of the veteran creative who has all the answers because they've *seen some shit* and the bright-eyed intern you turn to when you need to believe optimism and integrity still exist. ”

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Katherine Johnston
Copywriter

"D. is the kind of teammate who makes everything click. His creativity brings fresh, standout ideas to the table every time, while his organization keeps projects moving seamlessly—even when things get chaotic. What really sets him apart, though, are his management skills. He leads with clarity, ensures the team stays on track, and somehow makes it all look easy. You always know he has your back, and his ability to balance vision with execution is next level. Working with him is not only productive—it’s genuinely inspiring."

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Kensie England
Creative Director

"Collaborating with D. Love on the SugarMD rebrand was an incredible experience. As the creative director, D. developed a comprehensive overarching strategy that tackled the brand’s unique challenges, including navigating their FDA warning. Serving as the primary point of contact between the client and the creative team, D. ensured seamless communication and collaboration, resulting in a streamlined process with minimal revisions. Thanks to his leadership and vision, the client was thrilled with the outcome and has entrusted us with their next brand. Working with D. was an absolute pleasure—his strategic insight and ability to unite a team are truly inspiring."

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Sam Seaman
Copywriter