One of the documents that any company must have in its possession, it is a style guide that defines the rules of design and brand communication. However, there are very few that they realize the importance of this manual to transmitting an image consistent brand. Style guides or brand bibles contain all information necessary to create all the graphic design materials and written texts, which requires your company. Whether a website, an advertisement, a press release, etc. This small document will make your life much easier.
If these guidelines are so important, why has not everyone?
The most important reason is time. Style guides do not appear magically, take time and effort to create them. But what happens if you hire a new designer? How long will it take you to explain what your corporate colors and fonts? Where and how your logo should appear? What language should be used in press releases?
By creating a style guide for your brand you save all these problems. Here we have the basics you should have this document.
1. The logo
The logo is a very important part of your company. It is the element around which will create the entire brand image. In the style guide can dictate exactly how you want your logo is used, its size and its place in the space. In this example, it defines how Temple will have to use their logo and color variations that could have.
Temply Logo Design
Equally important it is to define how you want to display your logo, which define what you do not want. The designers are creative by nature and can make new proposals, but if you have any problems with the design, you can always refer to the style guide and clearly show what you want and what not.
Oxford Logo Design
If your company uses different variations of the logo to identify each of the services you offer, you also have to define the style guide for knowing when to use each.
FedEx Logo Design
2. Colors
It is important to give the exact hexadecimal code to your designers to use color on the web, as well as CMYK and Pantone color values for items to be printed. Changes between RGB and CMYK can be serious, so be sure to manually check conversions to be accurate, as you will save time and money on printing. Here you can see how Fedex dictates the appropriate color codes to ensure consistency in all areas.
Colors in Logo Designing
3. Typography
The choice of typeface suitable is a great way to provide consistency and professionalism to your brand. Choose one or more sources that reflect your brand identity, but determines when and how to use each of them. In this example you can see how the size, font and kerning that should have every source, and its different uses shown.
Working for Tipografia
4. Iconography
The iconography is a good way to differentiate your brand. Include it in your guide to make sure it is being properly used. You can define different uses, colors and sizes. This is an example of how design can be applied to different documents with minor variations:
Iconography in Designing and Branding
5. Photography
Photography can also be a reflection of your brand. The styles specific photograph can make your customers recognize your brand even if the picture does not take your name. If your brand sells clothing, furniture, jewelry etc, you need to define the style each catalog must have for photographers with whom you work may have a reference.
Photography Examples
6. Web
Today is a must have Internet presence. Your website should reflect your brand image as much as any other application or document. Many of the materials you used for printed documents will be translated well to the web, but there are some things that are only going to be strictly online, such as buttons, a 404 page or the menu bar. A 404 page can make more enjoyable fun an uncomfortable situation.
7. Determines the voice of your brand
You must find a way to communicate with your customers to define the style of your company: a voice brand. In an ideal world, you would have a single person constantly writing about everything your company needs, but most times it will not be possible. you must give the editor guidelines, words and phrases that should always appear in all your texts, as well as a list of words to avoid. Be clear with the kind of language you use and how it should sound. Now that you know the basics, ask yourself what you really need, because each brand will have some documents, images and different applications. There are some style guides that have more than 100 pages and others only have one.
It is also important to realize that brands change. The style guide you’re using right now might not be the same as within a year. Allows flexibility, but always be sure to keep old versions in which to ask questions. Logo Designz Pros offers branding services.
Logo Designz Pros 