With millions, if not billions of companies trying to establish their brand, having a solid brand is essential to businesses in order to distinguish themselves from their competition.
If you’re working on developing your first brand identity for a prospective client or your own company, it’s essential to be aware of the concept of a brand and the steps to develop one.
We’ll look at ways to build one for your business according to the branding strategists.
What Does the Word “Brand Identity” Mean?
The term “brand identity” refers to combining the various elements an organization creates to present the best image to the consumer. Brand identity is distinct from “brand image” and “branding,” although these terms are often considered interchangeable.
“Branding” refers to the method that actively creates a distinctive brand. The perception of a brand is how the company’s image perceives it to the public.
Brand Identity is the collection of the tangible elements that make up the brand. The brand’s identity is the thing that makes you instantly identifiable to your clients.
Your customers will associate your brand’s identity with your service or product, and that creates a bond between your business and customers, which builds loyalty and influences how customers will view your brand.
How Do You Create a Powerful Brand Image?
Know Who You Are
Before you decide what tangible elements you’d like to create your brand’s identity, you have to be aware of what you’re about as an individual brand. They are based on a few essential aspects such as:
- Mission and Vision (what’s your “why?”)
- Values/Beliefs (what beliefs guide your business)
- Brand Personality (if your brand were an individual, What kind of persona would they possess?)
- Positioning/Distinctiveness (how do you stand out in the market?)
- Branding Tone (if your brand could speak, how would you communicate?
These aspects are what make up your brand. Therefore, before you begin to build your brand identity, you must know the basics.
Design Is the Core of Your Brand Identity
The brand design envisions how your brand will be perceived. Things such as your logo, packaging, website design, and social media logos. Your business cards as well as the uniforms your employees wear.
That’s how getting your material design right means nailing your brand’s image is the key to creating a company that is an accurate depiction of what you stand for as your brand.
How do you master your style and establish a brand that will propel your business to the next step? The elements you’ll need to establish prior to starting your design assets will include:
Typography
Typography is the name you give to the type of font (or style) you select for your branding materials. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the fonts for your logo and corporate fonts with care.
Fonts with serifs and sans serifs, script typography, and Display fonts.
Color Palette
Potential customers are bound to colors. Therefore, the use of colors for branding as well as color schemes strategically could have a significant influence on how the customers will perceive your company.
These are all the hues and what they mean when you use them for branding.
Red & Orange Palette: The color of excitement, energy, and passion gives the brand a fun, young, thrilling identity. Although red is more common, brands of late are not shying away to try something new and different as long as it works.
Yellow: The color yellow, which is the symbol of sunshine, is all about joy. A cheerful vibe is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy themselves, easy to access, and cost-effective.
Green: A remarkably versatile color, green is an excellent choice in various brands. However, when people look at the green, they usually think of nature or money. If your business is linked to one of these things, green is a beneficial option.
Blue is the most universally appealing color. In addition, blue is a great color to aid in making your brand look more solid and reliable. So if you’re trying for a way to reach out to a broad population–and convince them to believe in your brand, choose blue.
Purple: The color purple is that of royalty, and therefore, if you’re looking to create a luxurious look for your brand, this is an excellent choice.
Pink: Is it right or wrong? Pink is culturally linked to femininity. Therefore, if your business targets women, then pink is an obvious choice for your brand’s color. However, it’s also a fantastic color for brands with luxury or soft appeal.
Brown: Brown is perhaps the least used color for branding in general. However, it could benefit you! When you choose to do something unique, it makes your brand stand out from the crowd. Brown helps customers see your brand as tough or masculine.
Form/Shape
This simple but effective feature can increase the reaction you want from your customers. An example of this is that the all-around logo with soft edges will create a different reaction than a square and sharp logo.
Round shapes, such as ovals, circles, and ellipses, focus on fuzzy and warm feelings. Brands that employ round shapes can inspire unity, community, and love. However, rounded edges can be seen as feminine.
Straight-edged shapes such as rectangles, squares, and triangles–make people think of strength and efficiency. Straight lines give the impression of trust and stability. However, you have to be aware that If the shapes aren’t balanced with something exciting, such as vibrant colors, they could seem unresponsive and not be a good fit with your clients.
Straight lines also have meaning; vertical lines can represent strength and masculinity, whereas horizontal lines convey calm and calm feelings.
After you’ve identified the fundamental elements of your brand’s design, it’s time to collaborate with a designer who can make your brand’s identity come to life and translate your identity as a brand into tangible resources that you can utilize in your marketing.
Elements of Branding Identity
Logo
Your logo is the foundation of your brand’s image. The way you present yourself communicates your identity and what you believe in as a brand;
The simple, neat, and clear logo’s visual appeal can go a long way.
Are you classic and not trendy? The last thing you would like is for your brand to be outdated within six months. Follow the standards of your industry. If you go off-track, take it in a deliberate manner. Always emphasize creating a lasting impression on your viewers.
Also, you should ensure that your designer can provide your logo in various formats (like Black and White versions or different dimensions) to ensure that you always have the right logo that aligns with your brand’s identity.
Website
Your website is among the most recognizable elements of your brand’s identity. Mainly if you’re operating an online business or digital product, customers will undoubtedly check your site out before deciding to conduct business with your company.
Product Packaging
When your item is a physical item, and you want to sell it physically, then packaging is crucial to attracting the right kind of customers.
It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about the packaging of a cold-brew beverage or the letters you’ll mail to customers who bought clothes through your online store.
Don’t overlook the importance of design that enhances the user experience and generates customers to return and build loyalty. Packaging can be a fantastic opportunity to let your design shine.
Business Card
If you’re involved in any kind of business growth (and who isn’t?), it’s essential to get a supply of business cards. A professionally designed business card allows you to build the image of your business before prospective customers or clients.
If it’s about designing your business card, make it as simple as possible. Your company’s logo should be on one side of the card, and your personal information on the reverse is enough.
Email Design
Email is a fantastic method to connect with your customers and increase your business. However, most people are inbox overloaded, so if you are looking to expand your business using email, you must have the best design strategy to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
First, take a look at the reason for the email. Are you looking to establish an acquaintance? Keep your message short, sweet, and easy. Do you want to teach? Are you trying to inform your customers about a brand-new clothing line you have created?
Create some stunning images of the product to be the main focus.
Closing Up
Your brand’s identity distinguishes you from the sea of competitors. It demonstrates to your clients who you are and what you can anticipate from the relationship.
If you wish your business to be seen positively, it’s essential to create a strong brand identity and design designs that accurately represent your clients.
Once you’ve figured out that identity, you’re ready to start making designs.
Consider rebranding your brand even if a company hasn’t gone out of fashion entirely but is getting somewhat tired. Sometimes, rebranding tends to be more about modernizing and making a brand that is appropriate rather than searching either in the direction of forwards or backward to find inspiration.
Furthermore, taking small steps toward a new image or even tweaking it slightly can be very helpful.
Author Bio
Rima Shah is a professional digital marketing expert who specializes in content marketing. At present she is working on QuickScan App promotions and if not working she is found researching and analyzing cool and innovative gadgets, smartphones, etc.
