Every consumer has seen and experienced branding, from UPS Shield to Nike Swoosh. The question arises of what it takes to develop a well-known brand. Usually, there is more effort and groundwork in branding than what appears.
We will discuss the meaning, importance, creation, and critical components to empower your logo brand book. Creating a brand book, also known as brand guidelines, can assist in defining a brand’s identity and growing its business.
What is a Brand Book?
A brand book is a set of rules that establishes and governs a brand’s identity. A style guide is another name for a brand book, as it provides details on everything about the brand. It highlights the visual identity, logo design, mission statement, fundamental values, and the tone of the message that governs all official communications and collateral.
A brand book makes it easier for workers and customers to grasp what you want to communicate to your target market. Depending on how your brand develops after the initial edition is created, you can examine and modify it every 5-7 years. In short, a brand book is a complete guideline on branding that brands must have. Why? Let’s review.
Why Do You Need a Brand Book?
A brand book often starts with the company’s history and rivals. It lays the foundation for readers to understand the brand. Later, it entails the brand’s communication means like voice, values, and pictures. The content varies but typically includes a purpose, values statement, and guidelines for logo use, images, typefaces, and copywriting.
It might include a report on the industry, advice on page layouts, the company’s tone of voice, web design wireframes, and other topics. Essentially, the content is specific to each organization and is determined by brand objectives. It helps you achieve the following goals that help in uplifting your brand.
Ø Consistency
A brand book ensures that the branding remains consistent across mediums. It answers queries from other departments, like which logo to put on a light or dark background. Setting rules allows for consistency across the organization and offers non-creative people something to refer to.
Ø Credibility
Building credibility with your clients or users is easier if a brand book exists, promoting loyalty. Customers looking for direction can consult a brand book for clarity. Consumers’ confusion or anxiety about a brand’s quality causes it to lose credibility, which hurts the branding.
Ø Efficiency
The primary purpose of a brand book is to serve as a resource for individuals in the creative departments. Creating or updating A brand book requires effort, time, and research into internal and external audiences. It enhances work efficiency and boosts the productivity of a brand.
Ø Profitability
A brand’s personality reflects and connects better with its customers due to a brand book. It produces a positive impact when the creation aligns with the best practices, gaining more engagement, interaction, and conversion. As a result, the profitability of a brand improves.
How to Create a Brand Book?
Brand books are a crucial asset for any business that wants to remain competitive in an industry. Making a brand book is a must, not a choice. The creation process can vary depending on the requirements, but the following phases are involved in establishing a brand book.
1. Define Your Target Market
Begin with answering questions that define your audience. Who are they? What interests them? What compels them to spend? How can your business present itself to them?
2. Identify Your Essential Values
Put forth your mission and fundamental principles by asking questions. What does your company do? Why do you do it? What do you stand for? How it improves a situation?
3. Develop a Brand Identity
Answer questions to implement branding. What is the design of your logo? How can you best convey your main message? Which colors, typefaces, and design elements suit your message?
4. Write your narrative
Support your narrative by addressing the concerns. What principles will steer your brand? Are you a soft firm or a serious enterprise? What brand values do you hold and implement?
Best Practices for Designing Brand Books
A brand book aims to establish a distinctive identity for your business. Building uniqueness and distinctiveness ensures the brand stands out among its competitors and other brands. However, companies must adopt the best practices to create brand books or style guides.
Ø Be clear and concise.
Ø Leave enough space between paragraphs and visuals.
Ø Offer drawings, examples, and product mockups.
Ø Use the same fonts and color schemes throughout the manual.
Ø Explain the visual components for readers.
Ø Leave room for growth as the business evolves.
Components of a Brand Book
Let us review the key components to include in a logo brand book. Everything must be broken down into explanatory parts to provide detailed information. Of course, a brand book contains crucial, brand-specific details, but a few core elements are necessary. The vital components are:
1. Cover
The cover page of a brand book displays the company name, brand name, slogan, and logo. You may or may not add an address or contact info.
2. Content Guide
People want to read what they are looking for. Provide a proper guide or indexing of your brand book to lead them. It will save time and pass necessary information effectively.
3. Brand’s History
Give a brief about the history of your organization and a brand story. It helps develop a positive feel and gains the audience’s interest.
4. Logo Design
Provide a complete picture of your logo design and explain every element with a precise ratio, geometry, and measurements.
5. Brand Colors
Highlight the brand colors, shades, and transparency by providing exact number references.
6. Typography
Explain the font type, styling, hue, and texture of the words in the logo design. Also, explain the ratio and alignment of letters with exact measurements and case format.
7. Icons and Tone
Explain the icons the brand uses over different media and mention the tone of voice used in communications. Common tones are friendly, authoritative, professional, fun, and assistive.
8. Branding Guide
Provide a complete guide on where to use the logo, company name, tagline, and other branding icons. Also, highlight the logo variant for dull, sharp, or colorful backgrounds.
Conclusion
A brand book is an essential branding tool that helps companies communicate and provide crucial brand details. This blog explains a logo brand book’s meaning, importance, and creation. It also provides valuable insights into the best practices and key components. The information will help you create your brand book and enhance your branding, resulting in higher revenues and growth.
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