Mandatum and BrandShoes collaborated to design branded shoes as a Christmas gift for personnel

Mandatum, a financial services expert group, wanted to give its personnel a Christmas gift that combined practicality, quality, and the company’s own brand identity. The collaboration with BrandShoes resulted in unique footwear that prominently showcased Mandatum’s recognizable brand. Seamless cooperation and an enthusiastic reception from the personnel made the project success.

Bringing the corporate brand to life through details

The partnership between Mandatum and BrandShoes began when Mandatum expressed interest in creating shoes that incorporated the company’s own brand elements. The goal was to provide a Christmas gift that was stylish, high-quality, and truly reflective of the Mandatum brand.

In the early stages of the design process, BrandShoes Creative Director Teemu Tuominen was given free rein to develop the design based on the client’s wishes. The starting point was a shoe with a white sole, which would then be customized to feature Mandatum’s unique visual identity.

During the initial design phase, Tuominen created approximately four different shoe models. One of these was selected for further development, and the design was refined based on feedback and suggestions from the Mandatum team. In the final design, a crisp white base was combined with a striking detail: the Mandatum monogram was placed on the side of the shoe, making the design instantly recognizable. A more understated text logo was used on the heel counter, providing an elegant finishing touch.

– In my opinion, this shoe perfectly reflects who they are and aligns with their brand. They were absolutely thrilled with the final result, says Teemu Tuominen.

Seamless collaboration from design to delivery

Designing a bespoke product requires understanding the client’s wishes and the ability to translate them into a cohesive, functional design. Throughout the project between Mandatum and BrandShoes, communication remained active, with the client’s team providing prompt feedback as the design took shape.

For BrandShoes, a successful collaboration means listening to the client, getting to know the company’s brand and values, and presenting realistic options.

– A productive collaboration requires listening to the client and gaining a deep understanding of their brand, company, and values. You also have to be realistic about the shoe itself—what works and what doesn’t. It is good to address these matters honestly and provide justifications, as well as to bring alternative solutions to the drawing board, Tuominen explains.

According to him, having a clear channel for communication and presenting alternatives visually helps to steer the design process efficiently toward the desired outcome.

Mandatum was also pleased with how the project progressed. The design process was flexible, schedules were well-maintained, and the finished shoes were delivered as agreed.

– We were extremely satisfied with our collaboration with BrandShoes throughout the entire project. The shoe design process proceeded smoothly and flexibly. The schedules were also well-maintained, and the finished shoes were delivered as agreed. The final result exceeded our expectations—the shoes looked exactly as we had envisioned, the team at Mandatum notes with satisfaction.

A Christmas gift that got the personnel excited

Mandatum ordered the shoes as a Christmas gift for its personnel. This personalized product proved to be a successful choice, as the reception was very positive. Feedback from the users highlighted, in particular, the comfort, quality, and stylish appearance of the shoes. The gift was more than just a product showcasing the company brand; it became a practical item that the staff truly valued.

– Overall, we would describe our collaboration with BrandShoes as highly successful, Mandatum summarizes.

The collaboration demonstrated how a product designed around a company’s own brand can combine a visually recognizable look with practicality, while serving as a gift that is both meaningful and welcome to the personnel. When the client’s input is taken into account during the design process and the project is carried out through open collaboration, the result is a product that aligns with both the company’s brand and the users’ expectations.