How to design a brand guide lines

Branding Insights

How to Design Brand Guidelines as a Beginner

Introduction

Brand guidelines, also known as brand style guides, are essential for maintaining consistency across all your brand’s communications. They ensure that everyone involved in creating content for your brand understands and adheres to the same standards. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create your own brand guidelines.

Step 1: Define Your Brand Identity

Before you start creating your guidelines, you need to have a clear understanding of your brand identity. This includes:

  • Mission Statement: What is the purpose of your brand?
  • Vision Statement: Where do you see your brand in the future?
  • Core Values: What principles guide your brand’s actions and decisions?
  • Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach?

Step 2: Logo Usage

Your logo is the face of your brand. Include guidelines on:

  • Logo Variations: Different versions of your logo (e.g., color, black and white, horizontal, vertical).
  • Clear Space: The minimum amount of space that should surround your logo to ensure it’s not crowded.
  • Incorrect Usage: Examples of how not to use your logo (e.g., stretching, changing colors).

Step 3: Color Palette

Define the colors that represent your brand. Include:

  • Primary Colors: The main colors used in your branding.
  • Secondary Colors: Additional colors that complement your primary palette.
  • Color Codes: HEX, RGB, and CMYK codes for accurate color reproduction.

Step 4: Typography

Specify the fonts used in your brand materials. Include:

  • Primary Typeface: The main font used for headings and titles.
  • Secondary Typeface: The font used for body text and other content.
  • Font Sizes and Styles: Guidelines on font sizes, weights, and styles for different types of content.

Step 5: Imagery and Graphics

Outline the style of images and graphics that should be used. Include:

  • Photography Style: The type of photos that align with your brand (e.g., candid, professional, colorful).
  • Illustrations and Icons: Guidelines on using illustrations and icons, including style and color.

Step 6: Voice and Tone

Your brand’s voice and tone should be consistent across all communications. Include:

  • Voice: The overall personality of your brand (e.g., friendly, professional, authoritative).
  • Tone: How the voice is applied in different contexts (e.g., more formal in press releases, casual on social media).

Step 7: Additional Elements

Depending on your brand, you might need to include additional guidelines, such as:

  • Business Cards: Design and layout guidelines.
  • Email Signatures: Standardized email signature format.
  • Social Media: Guidelines for social media posts and profiles.

Conclusion

Creating comprehensive brand guidelines ensures that your brand is presented consistently and professionally across all platforms. As your brand evolves, make sure to update your guidelines to reflect any changes