What is a brand book?
Brandbook design (Brand Book or Brand Guidelines) means compiling a comprehensive document that specifies all the rules for using the brand identity; From how and where the logo is used to the colors, fonts, image style and even the tone of the brand. Brandbook is actually the constitution of your brand.
Without a brandbook, every designer, advertising agency or new employee is implementing their own personal take on the brand. The result is a brand that has a different shape in each medium and gradually loses its identity. Brandbook stops this fragmentation.
Who uses Brandbook?
Marketing and content team: To design posts, campaigns and advertisements.
External agencies and designers: To execute orders without the need for repeated explanations.
Web and application developers: For accurate implementation of colors, fonts and spacing.
Branches and agencies: To have the same tableau, decoration and accessories everywhere.
Printing houses and packaging manufacturers: To comply with exact color codes and printing specifications.
What parts does Netanik's brand book include?
Brand introduction and strategy
The brand's mission, vision, values, personality and target audience are at the beginning of the booklet so that anyone who works with the brand understands its spirit; Not just his appearance.
Logo usage guide
Different versions of the logo, privacy around the logo (Clear Space), minimum usable size, allowed positions and a list of misuses such as stretching, changing color or placing on busy backgrounds.
Color and typography rules
Exact color codes for print and digital, the ratio of using each color, permitted color combinations, official Farsi and English fonts and hierarchy of sizes for headlines and text.
Brand application rules
How to use graphic elements and patterns, photography and illustration style, icons and examples of implementation on common applications such as office sets, social networks and boards.
Tone of Voice
How does your brand speak? Formal or intimate? Technical or simple? With practical examples, this section defines the brand's writing tone for content creation, captioning, and customer response.
Correct and incorrect examples
The "correct" and "incorrect" visual examples are the most useful part of the brandbook; Because it makes the rules understandable without the need for a long explanation.
Brandbook design steps
1. Collection and audit of brand assets
Current logos, colors and designs are reviewed. If the visual identity is not yet complete, first Visual identity design is done
2. Definition of rules
Rules are developed based on the real needs of your business; The brand book of an industrial company has different uses than the brand book of a cafe.
3. Booklet design and layout
The brand book itself should be an example of the brand; For this reason, it is designed with the same visual language and carefully.
4. Delivery of printed and digital copies
Brandbook is delivered as an interactive PDF and, if needed, a hard copy, along with source files.
Brandbook and business growth
As the business grows, the number of people working with the brand increases and the importance of the brand book increases. Companies that intend to grant representation, launch new branches or enter new markets, cannot control the quality of the brand without a brand book. Brandbook is also the main basis of design Printing materials, packaging and website is
Digital Brandbook; A booklet that is always up to date
Traditional brandbooks were PDF files that were forgotten after a while. Today many brands Brandbook design as an internal web page or online document that is always available and can be updated and contains downloadable files such as logos, fonts and templates. Each team member or external collaborator has access to the latest version of the rules and brand assets with a link.
Depending on the size of the organization, the brandbook comes as an interactive PDF, an online document, or a dedicated web page.
Brandbook and Design System
For companies with a digital product, Brandbook connects to the design system; A set of user interface components such as buttons, forms, colors, and spacing that both designers and programmers use. This connection ensures that your website, app, and admin panels follow your brand identity as closely as your print essentials. Netanik team because both in brand design and in Web development Active, it perfectly builds the bridge between the brandbook and the digital product.
Signs that you need a brand book
Your brand designs look different in each medium.
Every time you order a design, you have to explain the colors and fonts anew.
Your logo is stretched, discolored, or used on inappropriate backgrounds.
You intend to grant representation, open a branch or cooperate with different agencies.
Your marketing team has grown and new people are not familiar with the brand.
If even two of the items on this list apply to you, designing a brand book is one of the least expensive and most effective investments to maintain your brand value.
Brandbook; A management tool, not just a design document
Brandbook is not just for designers. Managers use it to evaluate the quality of work of agencies and designers, HR to familiarize new employees with the brand's culture and tone, and sales to prepare integrated presentations and offers. For this reason, in the design of Netanik's brand book, the language of the booklet is simple and practical so that it can be used by all these audiences. Our experience in Branding projects It shows that a brand book that is really used is a brand book that is simple.
Frequently asked questions about brand book design
What is the difference between brand book and visual identity?
The visual identity is the set of visual elements of the brand; Brandbook is a document that explains the rules of using these elements. Visual identity is "what" and branding is "how".
Is Brandbook necessary for small businesses?
Yes, but on a smaller scale. Even a multi-page brand book with the basic rules of logo, color and font avoids many inconsistencies.
How often should the brand book be updated?
Brandbook is a living document. As new applications are added, such as a new social network or a new product line, relevant sections are added to it.
Are you designing a brand book for an already established brand?
yes Current brand assets are audited, inconsistencies are corrected, and then the rules are documented in a brandbook format.
How long does it take to design a brand book?
If the visual identity is ready, designing the brand book usually takes a few weeks. If the visual identity must also be designed, both are done in an integrated project.
How many pages is the brand book?
The number of pages depends on the needs of the brand. The goal is to be complete while being simple; A brand book that no one reads has no value.