So you have an idea for a new business, you have worked through all of the kinks, sourced out all of the capital and are ready to hit the ground running. In short, you are ready to create your brand. The time has come to delve into the world of grapihc design. It’s time to design your logo, craft cards, and most importantly, build your brand guidelines. Your brand guidelines are the overall embodiment of every aspect of your company, so needless to say they are super important.
Sounds Easy Right?
One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is racing through their branding process. There is a lot more that goes into developing a recognizable brand than slopping together a logo. There are several steps in brand development that many entrepreneurs gloss over which can end up sinking their success before they have even had a chance to thrive.
Who Are You Really?
The first step is to define the core values of your new venture; from there it is key to establish a visual brand identity. Colours, fonts, and specific graphics are all part of building your unique brand story. However, prior to running through your options, there are some important questions to ask.
Who Is Your Ideal Client?
Before you confirm your colour palette or rule out Helvetica as your logo font, take a minute to visualize your future customers. Ask yourself where these prospective clients spend their time, and where you will be best able to reach them. Think about how your product will positively impact their lives because at the end of the day your business should be filling a void or soothing a need.
It Is Not Just Your Logo
Your company’s style guidelines represent your brand as a whole. Before you jump into designing, be sure you have covered all of your bases. Know your mission statement and be clear about your vision. Be specific about who your target audience is and what your core values are. Once you have zeroed in on all of those aspects it is time to begin the brand designing and developing process.
It Is About The Blend
Your brand should be as much a representation of who you are as a business as it is a reflection of your customers. Who you are as a brand should have seeds of the people it intends to serve embedded within it. Once you have done your brainstorming and answered all of the important pre-design questions it is time to team up with a Calgary graphic designer and begin to piece together your brand guidelines.
Ready, Set, Go!
You have answered all of the big questions and you are ready to rock and roll. The next step is to work with a creative graphic designer to build a mood board. Source images, tones and patterns that speak to the vision you crafted for your new business. Once you have pieced this together you are ready to finalize your official brand guidelines and launch your perfectly primed company.
How Do You Take It To The Next Level?
Ready to connect with a graphic designer and watch your new business soar but not sure where to find one? Drop us a line or shoot us an email, we may be able to help!