A Friendly, Fearless Contractor Brand Identity That Cuts Through the Damp
There’s a quiet power in a brand that feels both unexpected and completely right. That’s exactly what I discovered while working on the branding for Ninja Damp Proofing, a Glasgow-based contractor helping people protect their homes and businesses from damp, rot, and hidden water damage.
A project that shows what’s possible when Glasgow-based contractors invest in a brand identity that’s both strategic and standout — something clean, credible, and far more memorable than a stock image and some builder-blue. This business protects homes and properties. They’re experts at what they do, but knew their visual identity didn’t yet match their level of professionalism. That’s where this full-scope brand project came in: we built a smart, memorable visual system from the ground up — including logo design, colour palette, typography, brand patterns, and photography styling.
And yes — it also includes a water droplet ninja.
The Brief
Ninja Damp Proofing specialises in protecting homes and commercial properties across Glasgow from damp, rot, and other issues that quietly compromise structural health. They came to me wanting branding that felt friendly, professional, and precise — visuals that would help build trust at first glance.
Their only creative steer? A subtle nod to ninjas… and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Yes, you read that right.
A curveball? Maybe. But one that sparked a truly original concept. And somehow? It came together to feel both precise and playful, trusted and unexpectedly sharp.
Balancing Character With Clarity
The challenge? How to bring playfulness into a sector that’s often seen as purely practical — without losing the sense of professionalism or authority.
I started with competitor research across the construction and home repair industries, paying close attention to tone, typography, and iconography. Many of them leaned heavily on basic builder blues and stock imagery — solid, but forgettable. I wanted Ninja Damp Proofing to stand out without sacrificing professionalism. I created a full moodboard and strategic direction presentation to make sure we were aligned — especially given how niche and character-led the idea was.
From there, I began sketching logo concepts. The final logo mark is simple but layered: a ninja face set inside a water droplet, using negative space to also hint at a location pin — a nod to their precision work and local roots. The face itself is softly widened to bring in the requested turtle reference without going cartoonish. Minimal, clever, and memorable.
Brand Design That Works Hard for a Glasgow Contractor
For the wordmark, I chose a clean, heavy sans-serif with softened corners — professional and strong, but still approachable. It looks especially impactful in the web-orange on black treatment, giving it real standout for digital use and signage.
The full suite included:
- Custom logo mark (ninja face in a droplet)
- Wordmark and logo variations (stacked, longline)
- Submark featuring a custom “N” monogram
- Two bespoke brand patterns in multiple colourways
- Colour palette and typography pairing
- Digital and print-ready assets
- Brand-aligned AI imagery used for creative inspiration
- Favicon suite for web presence
From Logo to Leaflets (and Beyond)
This project didn’t stop at the visual identity. The client was thrilled with the final branding — so much so that I was later asked to create:
- A custom intro video for their website (I also copy-edited their script to connect better with their ideal customer)
- A full leaflet design, printed via my trusted print partner
- A business card design, printed via my trusted print partner
In a space where branding often gets overlooked, this project showed just how powerful it can be when tradespeople invest in clarity, consistency, and creativity.
Why Contractor Branding Matters in Glasgow
If you’re a small business owner in the trades — whether you specialise in roofing, plastering, plumbing, or repairs — your work already speaks for itself. But your brand? That’s what speaks before the work even begins.
Ninja Damp Proofing now has a visual identity that’s:
- Memorable without being gimmicky
- Friendly without losing credibility
- Distinct in a sea of same-same logos and blue builder websites
This is what intentional contractor branding in Glasgow can do: build trust at a glance, attract the right clients, and reflect the pride you take in your work.
Thinking About Your Own Contractor Branding?
If you’re a contractor in Glasgow (or beyond) who wants to bring more clarity, consistency, and character to your brand — I’d love to chat.
Your work deserves visuals that feel as skilled and dependable as the services you provide.
Thanks for reading
To find out more about graphic design services for small business or bloggers, check out my services page.