How to Develop an Unforgettable Brand Style Guide
Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web developers, community managers, and even product packaging departments present a unified vision of the brand to the public.
The best brands stick in our brains because their presence is defined by the repetition of the same logo, fonts, colors, and images. Once we see them enough, they become instantly recognizable. All of this is possible when each member of your team adheres to a cohesive brand style guide.
So, what exactly is a brand style guide? In this article, we’ll delve into the elements of a style guide and discover some amazing examples of them in action. Whether you’re starting a new brand or refreshing an existing one, a brand style guide is essential to create a lasting impression.
Brand Guidelines: A Deeper Dive
Brand guidelines, also known as a brand style guide, govern the composition, design, and general look-and-feel of a company’s branding. From the logo to the website design, advertising, and marketing collateral, brand guidelines dictate how a brand presents itself to the world.
Picture the most recognizable brands you know. Chances are, you can identify them easily because of their consistent branding elements such as logo, colors, typography, and language. These key components form the building blocks of a brand style guide and contribute to its overall recognition.
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of creating a brand style guide, it’s essential to establish your brand’s mission statement and understand your target audience. Your mission statement acts as the compass of your branding efforts, guiding all content and messaging towards a common goal. Similarly, creating detailed buyer personas helps tailor your brand communication to resonate with your ideal customers.
The Elements of a Brand Style Guide
A brand style guide encapsulates much more than just a logo. It visually embodies everything your brand stands for, from its purpose to its personality. Let’s take a closer look at the key elements that make up a compelling brand style guide:
1. Logo: The cornerstone of your brand identity, the logo is a crucial aspect of your brand style guide. Specify how the logo should be used, its design details, and proper usage guidelines to ensure consistency across all platforms.
2. Color Palette: Color plays a vital role in brand recognition. Define a primary color as well as secondary, tertiary, and neutral colors to create a cohesive visual identity.
3. Typography: From header fonts to body text, typography influences the overall look and feel of your brand. Specify primary and secondary fonts, along with font weights and styles, to maintain consistency in your communications.
4. Imagery and Iconography: Approved imagery, icons, and symbols add depth to your brand style guide. Including guidelines for photography style, icon usage, and custom symbols can strengthen your brand aesthetic.
5. Brand Voice: Your brand’s tone of voice is as essential as its visual elements. Define how your brand communicates, whether it’s friendly and casual or formal and authoritative, to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.
Brand Style Guide Examples
To provide inspiration for your own brand style guide, here are some outstanding examples of brand guidelines in action:
1. Medium
2. Walmart
3. Asana
4. Skype
5. Barre & Soul
6. Spotify
7. Starbucks
8. Paris 2024
9. Urban Outfitters
10. Love to Ride
11. Barbican
12. I Love New York
13. TikTok
14. University of the Arts Helsinki
15. Ivy Lane Events
16. Western Athletic Conference
17. Discord
18. Netflix
19. Scrimshaw Coffee
20. NASA
21. New York City Transit Authority
Branding Guidelines Tips
To elevate your brand style guide, consider these tips for a cohesive and impactful branding strategy:
1. Create a branded document for your guidelines to reflect your brand’s voice and visual identity.
2. Name your brand’s colors to add personality and meaning to your color palette.
3. Provide easy-to-use branded templates for non-designers to create professional assets.
4. Optimize your branding for different channels to maintain consistency across all platforms.
Developing an unforgettable brand style guide takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. By creating a cohesive visual identity and consistent brand messaging, you can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Use the examples and tips in this article to build a memorable style guide for your own brand and watch your brand recognition soar.