• 020 3846 1910
    info@barefacedstudios.com

    Carnegie Financial

    Carnegie Financial are a start-up mortgage and insurance brokers based in the North East of England that value longevity and personalised customer care.

    Services

    Brand Strategy, Brand Positioning + Planning, Visual + Verbal Identity Design, Web Design + Development, UX + UI Design, Copywriting + Messaging, Print + Digital Design, Illustration.

    The Challenge

    1. New company in need of a brand identity, strategy and digital presence.
    2. Desire to appeal to their regional audience without alienating the wider UK market.
    3. Considerable competition from corporate firms and trendy online brokers.
    4. Flexibility across assets essential to accommodate swift future growth.

    Barefaced Solution

    1. Our strategy was built directly from the founder’s core values, creating a brand that embodies an authentic, no-fuss approach to mortgages while providing solid support.
    2. We designed an identity inspired by Carnegie’s roots in the North East of England, whilst avoiding clichéd regional markers for broader appeal and versatility.
    3. The brand strikes a balance between personal and professional, using unexpected chalky colours, clean vector illustrations, and a warm, approachable tone to stand out from corporate and tech-heavy competitors.
    4. We created a flexible design system created for growth, including a modular website and a versatile set of logo versions to evolve with the business.

    “Since working with Barefaced Studios, we have been nothing but delighted with the service offered. The research and planning processes are second to none in that they have always listened very closely to our needs, background and future plans for the business, resulting in a tailored and unique end result. All branding, marketing material and our website have always been perfect and well beyond what we could have imagined (far exceeding anything we could think of!). All of this coupled with their ongoing support make them an integral partner for our business!”

    – Adrian Sutcliffe, Director 

    CARNEGIE HAVE YOUR BACK

    We built a brand that feels as at home in Carnegie’s local community as it does across the broader UK market – personal, professional, and deeply rooted in regional identity. It’s a refreshing antidote to the sea of corporate, tech-heavy mortgage brokers that dominate the space today.

    For the logo, we drew inspiration from the ghost signs that grace buildings across Tyneside, Leeds, and York – tributes to the region’s industrial past. The name “Carnegie” was chosen by the founder, a nod to his student days at Leeds Beckett University and his connection to the Yorkshire Carnegie rugby club. We adapted the Yorkshire Rose into a modern, geometric symbol, merging heritage with a forward-thinking visual. The typography and symbolism together create a brand that’s fresh, yet deeply connected to its roots. To break from the usual finance colours, we opted for an unconventional chalky palette, softening the look and giving the brand a more approachable feel.

    “Get peace of mind with Carnegie” became the tagline, speaking directly to a no-nonsense audience seeking simplicity and reassurance. The tone of voice and copy carried that same welcoming vibe, making customers feel right at home (while they buy one, of course). Our work helped define Carnegie Financial as both a local hero and a nationwide contender – approachable, familiar, and still elegant enough to appeal across the UK.

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    Let’s build something great together:

    020 3846 1910

    info@barefacedstudios.com