Our process
About Coralista
Based in Lisbon and collaborating with clients worldwide, we build the visual identitites for high-end spaces. From the core strategy to the detail of premium paper.
The team: A living organism

FAQ
No, we do not create standalone logos. We believe that an isolated mark cannot carry the weight of a high-end brand. To truly justify premium valuations and build a brand with soul, we only design complete, permanent visual systems that serve as a consistent system for your space.
When you hire large agencies, your project is often handed off to a junior intern. At Coralista, that never happens. Our founder, Silvia (a senior brand designer with over 8 years of experience) personally directs and guarantees the quality of every project. To ensure your brand is memorable, we operate as a collaborative system, leveraging our network to build a tailored "dream team" of specialised creative partners specifically for your needs.
Yes. We often bring in talented copywriters, photographers, animators and skilled Webflow or WordPress developers to ensure every touchpoint of your strategic asset is executed flawlessly if your project requires it.
We do not rush the process; dedicating genuine hours on paper takes time. Typically, developing your visual identity takes about 3 to 4 weeks. If we are also building your high-end website, that process takes an additional month.
We partner closely with our clients and take on a limited number of projects to ensure the highest quality. Because of this, we are often booked 1 to 3 months in advance. The sooner you reach out about your development or physical space, the sooner we can secure your place on our calendar.
Because we begin every project with a deep-dive kick-off meeting to define your audience and tone of voice, a total disconnect is very rare. Our concepts are rooted in your project’s specific DNA from day one.
To ensure alignment, we often present you Stylescapes (curated visual landscapes that allow us to test the "look and feel" before we build the final system). This collaborative step acts as a filter, ensuring the creative direction is exactly where it needs to be before we commit to the details.
However, if a concept doesn't hit the mark, we jump on a direct call armed with visual references to pinpoint exactly what is missing. Following this clarity, we develop a revised concept, which includes a further round of revisions to ensure the final result is exactly what you have imagined.
We definitely use AI as a tool in our process, but we also believe that AI will never replace human designers.
Why? Because AI cannot come up with a truly original, creative idea—it can only copy what has already been created.
When we build the brand idea, we rely on our creative mindset. A machine-generated concept simply cannot provide the depth required for a visual identity.
However, we do use AI strategically to fast-forward our workflow. We leverage it to brainstorm early ideas during our strategy phase, speed up website development, and generate or improve specific imagery.
In short: we know exactly how to use the latest technology to work efficiently, but the actual creation of your branding is strictly human. You can count on the fact that your identity is built by a human team as a unique system that cannot be replicated by a machine, ensuring you receive a true strategic asset.
Absolutely, we can. We officially focus on high-end physical spaces simply because it is our founder Silvia’s passion. She enjoys the ability to sit down with an interior designer, envision the full picture, and build a full system that people can actually walk into and experience in the real world.
However, the strategic principles of building a firm foundation remain exactly the same, no matter the industry. Whether you are launching a luxury product, or an exclusive consultancy, we still dedicate the same intense hours to uncover your unique value.
Because we build long-term strategic assets rather than isolated graphics, our investment structure reflects the depth and scope of your project.
Visual identity system
A complete Identity System, including the core strategy, logo, typography, and a bespoke library of brand elements (textures, patterns, or icons) typically begins at €3,200. This also includes your Brand Guideline to ensure consistency across your brand.
Add ons
Beyond the core identity, we design the physical and digital touchpoints that bring your brand to life. This includes high-end pitch decks templates, brochures, and stationery. These assets are tailored to your needs—ranging from €150 for an email signature system to €1,500+ for a comprehensive 20-page property brochure.
High-performance websites
A custom digital home is a separate strategic layer. For a high-performance website, the investment typically ranges from €3,000 to €15,000+, depending on technical complexity and content requirements (such as copywriting and professional photography).
Full brand strategy
For projects requiring an intensive, deep-dive strategic positioning where we analyze the market DNA and audience personas at a granular level, our dedicated strategy phase starts at €2,500.
Project terms
To ensure a dedicated focus on your project, we operate with a structured payment schedule: a 50% deposit secures your place in our studio calendar, with the remaining 50% due upon full completion of the work.
Our approach involves empowering you to be self-sufficient. We prepare Figma or Canva files, allowing you to create posts or presentations easily. If you require more specific assistance beyond that, we can continue working at our hourly rate, which is set at 80 EUR.
Every brand we build is rooted in strategic principles. However, we stay realistic about what you actually need. Not every project requires a fifty-page strategy deck, but every brand needs a soul. In cases where a massive deep-dive isn't necessary, we focus on the essential strategic pillars: defining your audience and your tone of voice. We find that balance together to ensure your brand expresses exactly what you want while giving your audience exactly what they need to see. This is included in the visual identity package.
To keep your project organized and make sure no detail gets lost in the noise, we prefer using Slack, Google Chat, or Email. It’s the best way to keep our strategy, files, and feedback all in one searchable place where nothing accidentally disappears.
That said, if we’re in the middle of a big launch and you need to reach us quickly, we can absolutely jump on WhatsApp. We are happy to be flexible to make sure we stay in sync when it matters most.