Create A Brand Identity

By HP

 

Quick, take a look around you and see how many brands you can spot. Chances are good that you're surrounded by them. On your computer, on your shoes; even your coffee cup isn't safe! When you see a logo design for Microsoft, Nike or Starbucks, you're not just looking at a cool logo design, you're looking at a brand. 

A strong brand not only identifies a company in the mind of the consumer, but it creates a memorable link between what it is and what it does. It's true whether your business is a large corporation or a small, one-person show -- you need a good brand identity. 

Consumers have a staggering number of choices today. When presented with so many options, people gravitate toward the familiar. Trusted names can boost sales, and their value is immense. That's why it's important to create a strong brand identity for your business. It builds credibility and loyalty, and differentiates your business from the competition. 

What is brand identity?

A brand identity is a trademark or distinctive name that identifies your business in the mind of the consumer. This can include (but is not limited to) a name, a logo design, corporate colors, a style, a typeface, a tagline, or a slogan.

A brand should evoke some emotional response in the consumer. Think of Prudential Insurance. This brand not only calls up the idea of wisdom and careful thought (or "prudence"), but also evokes stability with the image of the Rock of Gibraltar in the logo design. A good brand should have this kind of subtext.

How do you create a brand identity?

The first step in creating your business identity is to answer the following questions:

·      What is your mission?                                   

·      What do you want to communicate?                                   

·      What image do you want to convey?                                   

·      Which words best describe your business?

Keep the answers in mind as you begin creating your brand.

Developing your logo design and brand identity

There are several ways to get started. First, consider the following points:

·      Who is your target audience?                                                

·      Who are your main competitors?                                                

·      What kinds of logo designs and brand identities do your competitors have?                                                

·      Which of their brands appeal to you? Why?

Once you've determined the answers to these questions, take some time to look at the memorable identities and logo designs all around you. Look at Nike. The name is short and catchy, and was inspired by Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The swoosh logo design is simple, recognizable, and implies speed and forward motion. This is a good name, a nice logo design, and a great brand ID.

Thinking ahead

You should also make sure your logo design can survive in any medium: in print, on the Web, in full color, in grayscale, in black and white, in a large format, or in a tiny ad. Think ahead. You may not need your logo design embroidered on a cap today, but what about ten years from now? Make sure the design is simple and clear enough to survive any kind of treatment.

The best way to get a logo design is to have it designed by a graphic artist or design firm with experience in creating logo designs and brand identities.  If you decide to create your logo design yourself, you might be able to find a stock illustration or image that fits your needs. But this low-budget approach usually leaves a low-budget impression, and that's not what you want to communicate to your customers.

Make your brand identity consistent throughout

Once you've established the name and logo design of your business, consider the rest of your brand identity strategy. This includes corporate colors, typefaces, taglines, slogans and all the other ways your brand i.d. is implemented. It's important that your web site matches your signs, and that your business cards, letterhead, labels and forms are all consistent with each other.

You may also want to develop a style guide for the use of your brand. A guide will make sure that other people who handle your brand use it consistently. It should include the exact colors, typefaces, and design specifications for your logo design and the way it should be presented in both marketing and internal documents.

Think about how your brand identity will be disseminated -- in direct mail pieces, ads, brochures, business cards, press releases, and so on. With proper forethought and the help of the tools below, your brand identity can help your business thrive.

 

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