What is a brandbook aka basic brand book?
Have you heard about brand books but still don't know where to start creating your own? Or maybe you are wondering whether it is worth having it at all and whether it can really bring value to your company? In this article, we'll cover all the essential elements of a successful brand handbook and discuss how to create and design the book… Show article
Have you heard about brand books but still don’t know where to start creating your own? Or maybe you are wondering whether it is worth having it at all and whether it can really bring value to your company?
In this article, we’ll cover all the essential elements of a successful brand manual and how to create and design itbrand book, including features such as color palette and logo, as well as communication and information elements that center around brand identity and voice. To give you the best illustration of how it should be done, we’ve included the most notable examples from giant global companies, as well as smaller brands that did it best.
What is the Book of Signs?
In short, the book of signs (brand book) is an outline of the brand’s mission, image and core values. First and foremost, it is the brand identity itself, a DNA blueprint with layers upon layers of details, from the more general – such as the brand’s purpose – to the more complex nuances such as details aboutcolorsand typefaces.
When all these elements are combined, a comprehensive brand manual is created that provides employees and customers with a clear vision of the company and its product. Every well-known brand has a brand book, from Apple to Google to Coca-Cola, but even smaller brands benefit from it.Examples of areas covered by the brand book
- Trade name
- Typography (typefaces)
- Brand logo, its varieties
- Icons
- Color
- Stationery, i.e. business cards, company folders, leaflets, inscriptions, flags, envelopes, e-mail footers and others,
- Images that reflect the brand and provide examples of what images can be used in a brand’s marketing strategy
- Brand language and communication style (for example, formal or informal, appealing to the audience’s emotions or cold and withdrawn).
For whom?
Most branding guidelines are developed for employees, company representatives and contractors who use branding materials to ensure a consistent presentation of the company.
Does your brand need a brand book?
It depends. It is, of course, a recommended good practice to start with a brand book when creating a new brand. This then guarantees consistency in the use of typefaces, colors and logos. Imagine a situation in which each subcontractor uses different colors, distorts the logo, etc.
Moreover, the problem begins when such situations occur on durable media, e.g. an inscription on a company building.
The sign book will help maintain order and consistency.
Sample brandbooks/character books: