A Centric brand style guide proposal is a scoped document that defines the work, the deliverables, the timeline, and the investment for your specific engagement. It is produced after a short scoping conversation usually a consultation and is the document that turns "we should do this" into a commitment both sides can agree to. This page explains what to share, what the proposal includes, and how it gets built.
What the Proposal Includes?
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Section |
What it covers |
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Scope of work |
Phases, deliverables, exclusions |
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Timeline |
Phase ranges, dependencies, milestones |
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Team |
Roles and seniority on the engagement |
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Deliverables |
Specific outputs (guide, templates, assets) |
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Investment |
Fee structure, terms, optional add-ons |
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Assumptions |
Inputs needed; risk factors |
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Next steps |
Decision deadline and onboarding |
What to Share to Scope It Right?
Current state (existing guidelines if any, recent work, team size); desired outcome (V1 / V2 / V3 scope); timeline expectations; budget range (even approximate); internal team capacity; any constraints (legal close, planned announcements, M&A). The richer the brief, the tighter the proposal.
How Centric Builds the Proposal?
Discovery from the consultation; internal sizing using Centric's engagement patterns; tailoring to your scope and timeline; review with senior creative and strategy leads; delivery typically within 1-2 weeks of the scoping call. The proposal is built to be specific to your engagement not a templated document.
What Happens Next?
You review the proposal; iterate any scope or timeline questions; sign or decline. If you sign, onboarding kicks off (kickoff scheduling, access setup, stakeholder map). If you decline, Centric is direct about that being a fine outcome the proposal that turns into bad fit hurts both sides. Centric produces proposals through its branding guidelines service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a brand style guide proposal?
Start with a consultation; the proposal follows. Skipping the consultation usually produces a vague proposal because the scope is not yet clear.
How long does the proposal take to receive?
Typically 1-2 weeks after the consultation, depending on engagement complexity and any required internal review.
Is the proposal binding?
It is a scope and pricing commitment from Centric; signing is the binding step.
Can we negotiate the proposal?
Yes scope, timeline, and investment are negotiable within the realities of the work. Centric prefers honest negotiation to mismatched expectations.
Conclusion
The proposal is where intention becomes plan. Centric's goal is a document specific enough that both sides know exactly what is being committed and honest enough that a decline at the proposal stage is a healthy outcome, not a failure. The first step is a consultation.
Centric has built brand style guide proposals for marketing and brand leaders at US companies, ranging from teams with no guidelines at all to organisations rebuilding after an acquisition or rebrand. Each proposal is scoped to the actual engagement not a templated price list. If you're ready to move from "we should fix this" to a clear plan, Centric is the right place to start.
