Visual
identity
Logo, colors, fonts, motifs, layouts – or how to bring a brand to life through graphic elements
Logo, colors, fonts, motifs, layouts – or how to bring a brand to life through graphic elements
Toud – we help you tell your story
The process of creating a visual identity can only begin after the brand strategy process has been completed or, in the case of older brands, after a brand audit has been carried out. Toud does not undertake this stage without first going through the steps mentioned above.
Moreover, Toud believes that any attempt to create a visual identity without having a brand strategy or a brand audit is pointless.
We say this because it’s not enough for a brand to be visually “beautiful”; it must also be relevant. Relevance comes from aligning with all the elements defined in the brand strategy.
The visual identity is the translation of the brand strategy into visual elements. A set of motifs, symbols, colors, and typographic elements — in other words, visual components — illustrate what the brand is and what its strategy represents.
A visual identity should not only be beautiful, balanced, simple, and easy to understand, but also relevant to its audience, meaning fully aligned with the strategy.
The visual identity is the first element the public interacts with. The simpler, clearer, and stronger it is, the easier it becomes for people to understand the brand and grow fond of it.
The logo, fonts, and colors are the elements people remember about a brand, alongside its name. It’s important that they are relevant and actively contribute to achieving the organization’s objectives.
Logo – this is the symbol meant to help the public identify the brand. It can take the form of a motif (a graphic element), a sequence of letters representing the brand name, or a combination of both. A logo may use multiple colors or be monochrome. More about logos can be found on the dedicated page.
Fonts (typeface) – a suite of fonts that will be used across all materials and communication channels (website, printed materials, social media), designed to illustrate the brand story. They play a major role, helping differentiate the brand and facilitate communication.
Graphic motifs – in addition to the logo, a system of graphic motifs can be created to help differentiate the brand. These will be used across all communication materials.
Colors – the brand must have a set of colors that build its personality, ensure differentiation, and contribute to shaping the brand’s overall image.
Layouts – in this process, a series of layouts must be developed to illustrate a unified visual image: layouts for business cards, Word documents, Excel documents, PowerPoint presentations, email signatures, etc. All communication must be consistent in order to strengthen the brand.
Photography – defining a graphic system for the use of photography (layouts designed to differentiate and highlight the messages communicated through images). Additionally, a set of rules must be established for how photographs should be taken or how stock photos should be selected (colors, atmosphere, included elements, etc.).
Style guide – a document that clarifies all of the elements above. It explains how each one should be used and even how it should notbe used. This document will serve as an internal guide, as well as for future suppliers, whether in design or print production.
Toud – we help you tell your story
Today, visual identity plays an important role in the life of any organization. First and foremost, through the logo, it helps the organization, or its products and services, to be recognized. Secondly, it communicates some of the brand elements, thereby strengthening the brand. These are the reasons why organizations must allocate resources and time to properly build, implement, and maintain a brand’s visual identity. Without consistency in this area, the brand image will suffer.
The visual identity must be built in alignment with the brand elements and for the audience the organization serves. The logo, an important part of the visual identity, will be created following the same process. Fonts, colors, and geometric shapes should be chosen to reflect the character of the brand. Among all these elements of strategy and visual representation, there must be harmony and a natural connection.
The process becomes even more complex in the case of rebranding. This is because the logo and the entire suite behind it no longer represent “an empty vessel” into which the full meaning of the brand can be poured. Instead, it is a filled vessel that must be transformed to make room for new meanings as well.
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