United by Design Moves Up the Property Ladder

York-based design agency United by Design has added a new client to its property portfolio, having recently played a key role in the launch of independent estate agency Preston Baker.

United By Design was chosen to create a brand with impact for Preston Baker, which has four offices in York, Selby and Leeds. The new identity appears on the company’s ‘For Sale’ and ‘To Let’ boards, website, car livery, office signage, advertising, promotional literature and mobile phone apps for iphone and Android.

Preston Baker is headed up by former Bairstow Eves franchisees Ian Preston and James Baker, who took the decision to go independent following Countrywide’s sale of its Bairstow Eve franchises to the Yorkshire firm Hunters in September last year. Preston Baker is harnessing the sales power of new technology and social media as well as more traditional routes to market.

The rollout of the new brand has created much potential customer interest for Preston Baker, with its striking property boards already helping to drive over 300,000 page impressions on the company’s website during the first month alone.

Ian Preston, Managing Director of Preston Baker, says “We engaged United by Design after discussing our requirements for a rebrand with a number of agencies. They shared our passion and vision for our business in a way that set them apart from other designers. Their team guided us through the whole creative process – a new experience for us – ensuring that all our objectives and concerns were fully considered. Our own assumptions were sometimes challenged to ensure that the new branding was as effective as it could be, whilst still offering a consistent message to our clients. We will definitely continue to use United By Design and hope to develop a long and successful partnership.”

United By Design’s owner and creative director, Owen Turner, says “We were keen to create a distinct look for Preston Baker that would set them apart from their competitors and give them a brand that will stand the test of time. Visual impact was created by using a strong colour scheme and introducing an iconic mark. By harnessing our research and understanding of Preston Baker's team and their company we’ve developed a very fresh and modern-looking brand to accompany the distinct personality and aspirations of a progressive and pro-active estate agent in a very competitive sector!”

Owen and his team have also advised Preston Baker on legal protection for their new identity; ensuring that the name and brand are registered trademarks will both enhance their effectiveness and add to the company’s equity.

United By Design has previously worked with other property and construction businesses including various architects, planners, developers, estate agencies and property investors. The company has won new clients in other fields too, carrying out photography, art direction and design for Norton College’s new prospectus, packaging redesign for Country Cordials and rebranding for Pureflax flaxseed oil producers.

Having a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, United By Design has also recently joined the global initiative 1% for the Planet, through which businesses donate 1% of their sales to environmental organisations all over the world. Owen Turner says “I really believe that the sustainability of the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of business, and signing up to 1% for the Planet seemed like an obvious and simple way to enable United By Design to play its part in this. We’re really proud to be part of an alliance of businesses that have made a financial commitment to creating a healthy planet”.