BrainstormAfrica
Brainstorm Africa Brand studio, Accra and Toronto00 / Cover

We ask. You answer. We build it together.

A workshop wall covered in sticky notes
Plate 0.1Where every project starts: the questions.

A brand studio in Accra and Toronto. We find what makes you worth choosing, then design around it.

Trusted since 2018 by MTN GH, GT Bank, Stanbic Bank and 40+ more

Selected work Four projects01 / Work

Plate 1.1Koffee LoungeRestaurant, Accra, Ghana

The question we askedWhat do people already love about you?

Koffee Lounge food photography for marketing
Plate 1.1aFood photography for the relaunch
The new Koffee Lounge website
Plate 1.1bWebsite
Two real posts about Koffee Lounge on X
Plate 1.1cPosts on X
A quiet Accra restaurant, talked about again

A well-known Accra restaurant had gone quiet. We rebuilt the brand around what customers already loved, then ran its social media for two years.

What we did
Rebrand, packaging, website, social media
Team
Mike Lawson, Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Kelvin Akakpo
Result
20M+ views on X every 3 months

Read the full case study

Plate 1.2Codetrain AfricaCoding school, Accra and Kumasi

The question we askedWhat actually makes you different?

Planning session with the Codetrain team in Accra
Plate 1.2aThe Codetrain team in Accra
Codetrain Africa billboard: Start your career in software
Plate 1.2bBillboard campaign
Codetrain stationery and brand items
Plate 1.2cStationery
A coding school whose brand finally matched its results

90% of graduates got jobs, but the courses weren't selling. We built the brand on that truth, and the next class filled up.

What we did
Brand, messages, campaigns
Team
Mike Lawson, Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta
Result
90% of graduates get jobs. The next class filled up.

Read the full case study

Plate 1.3Blue CheeseGhanaian fusion dining

The question we askedWhat does a logo that stands out look like?

Blue Cheese burger product photography
Plate 1.3aProduct photography
The Blue Cheese logo
Plate 1.3bThe mark
Blue Cheese posters
Plate 1.3cPosters
A logo that stands out, and a brand built around it

Chef Kiko asked for a logo that stands out. We made it, then carried it onto signs, packaging, menus and pop-up dinners.

What we did
Identity, packaging, print, social media
Team
Mike Lawson, Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta
Result
"I can't stop smiling." Chef Kiko

Read the full case study

Plate 1.4Zurii EyewearEyewear, Accra, Ghana

The question we askedWhy should anyone trust a cheaper pair of glasses?

Glasses with the Zurii pouch
Plate 1.4aPouch
Zurii billboard with a scan-to-shop code
Plate 1.4bBillboard with a scan-to-shop code
Zurii stationery in navy and light blue
Plate 1.4cStationery
Affordable glasses, and a brand people trust

Affordable glasses, designed by the founder. We built a brand people would trust in four weeks, then ran the online shop for six months.

What we did
Identity, website, online shop
Team
Mike Lawson, Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Kelvin Akakpo
Result
Full brand in 4 weeks

Read the full case study

From the archive

Plates 1.5 to 1.11
Contents What we do02 / Services

Building brands for restaurants, schools, banks and first-time founders. Let's build yours.

  1. Plate 2.1

    Brand strategy

    Before anything is designed, we work out who you're for, what to say and how to sound.Positioning, audience, key messages, tone of voice, written summary

    Seen in Koffee Lounge, Codetrain, Blue Cheese

  2. Plate 2.2

    Visual identity

    The look of your brand, built as a system your whole team can use every day.Logo set, colours, fonts, brand guide, art direction

    Seen in Codetrain, Blue Cheese, Zurii

  3. Plate 2.3

    Packaging and print

    Your brand on the things people hold: packs, menus, posters and stationery.Packaging, menus, posters, stationery, billboards

    Seen in Koffee Lounge, Blue Cheese, Zurii

  4. Plate 2.4

    Web and social

    Your brand online, from a website or shop to posts, photos and video.Website design, online shop, social media, photography, video

    Seen in Koffee Lounge, Zurii, Codetrain

Method How a project runs03 / Method

Three steps, every time. No surprises.

  1. 3.1

    Discover and plan

    We learn about your business, your customers and the real problem. Then we agree on what a good result looks like, in writing.

  2. 3.2

    Design and build

    We design the brand in short rounds and check each one with you before moving on.

  3. 3.3

    Test and launch

    We test the direction with your real customers, fix what needs fixing, and hand over every file.

Plate 3.4

What you get with us

  1. 01Questions first

    A clear goal, agreed in writing, before any design.

  2. 02Price ranges up front

    Our price ranges are public, so you know roughly what it costs before you write to us.

  3. 03Tested with real customers

    We test the direction with your real customers before anything is final.

  4. 04One main contact

    One main contact from start to finish, with calls at times that suit you.

  5. 05Plain English

    No jargon in meetings. Every decision written down.

  6. 06You own every file

    You own every file when we're done. Nothing held back.

In their words Clients and students04 / Voices

What clients say

"I was admittedly skeptical when starting the project with this team. I wasn't sure my idea for the brand's experience would be captured effectively in this brand mark. I am thrilled by the process and the result. I can't stop smiling! Everyone loves it!"
Chef KikoFounder and CEO, Blue Cheese
"You have a gift. Everyone can talk, but not everyone can teach."
Nigel ChikukwaSkills for Change
"I've gained a lot of knowledge and confidence through the lessons Mike has shared. My confidence has gained me new clients and social media traction."
Chris MuiWorkshop attendee
The studio Accra and Toronto05 / Studio

About us

Our name is how we work. Every project starts with an open mind, a lot of questions, and no fixed ideas. We used to do a bit of everything. Now we do one thing properly: brand identity. Originally from Ghana, working from Accra and Toronto since 2018.

  • Mike Lawson

    Mike Lawson

    Co-founder

  • Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta

    Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta

    Project Manager, Co-founder

  • Kelvin Akakpo

    Kelvin Akakpo

    Lead Product Designer

Questions Before you start06 / FAQ

Questions we get asked a lot.

Can't find yours? Ask us directly.

6.1What does a project cost?

Identity projects run $6,500 to $22,000. Most land around $12,000.

Not ready? A half-day Brand Clarity Session is $2,500, credited to any project booked within 30 days.

Developing country rates are available. Email mike@brainstormafrica.com.

Rush rates for speed, hush rates to keep the work off our channels.

6.2How long does it take?

Identity Foundation takes 4 weeks. Identity System takes 6 weeks. Brand Build takes 8 to 10 weeks. You get a schedule before we start.

6.3We're a small business. Is that okay?

Yes. We've worked with MTN GH and GT Bank, and with restaurants and first-time founders. The process is the same. Only the size changes.

6.4Can you work with us remotely?

Yes. We've worked this way since 2018. One contact, calls at times that suit you, every decision written down.

6.5Who owns the work?

You do. We hand over every file. We may show the work in our portfolio, unless you ask us not to.

6.6How many changes can we ask for?

Your proposal lists how many rounds of changes are included. No surprises.

6.7How do we know it worked?

Before we design, we agree on a goal, like more sales or more sign-ups. Then we check the results together.

Start a project We reply within 48 hours07 / Contact

Have a brand to build?

Tell us what you're working on. We reply within 48 hours with a price.

mike@brainstormafrica.com

Mike Lawson handles pricing and new work.

What happens after you write to us

  1. 01You send your noteA few lines about your business is enough.
  2. 02We reply within 48 hoursMike writes back himself, with a price range.
  3. 03We talk it throughA call with your main contact to ask the first questions.
  4. 04You get a written proposalScope, price, rounds of changes and a dated timeline before anything starts.

Not ready for a full project? Start with a half-day Brand Clarity Session. The fee comes off any project you book within 30 days.

Opens your email app with your answers filled in.