Are you a business owner who wears multiple hats? One of your roles may be in marketing. If you are also having a tough time maintaining a consistent brand image of your business, you’re not alone. In today’s attention economy, ensuring brand recall and building trust requires a clear and consistent brand voice. This is why having a document called a brand board is important. It is one of the marketing tools you need to stay aligned with your brand’s identity.
A brand board (also known as a design vision board, inspiration board, or sometimes Pinterest mood board) is a visual guide, meticulously crafted by your logo and brand designer, that captures the essence of who you are, what you offer, and who needs your products and services. This static document is meant to be utilized effectively to help you propel your brand forward.
Here’s what you’ll typically find inside a brand board:
- Logo. This is a visual representation of your company’s core values. Most of the time, there are different variations of your logo for different applications.
- Typography. Typically, there will be 2-3 fonts that you can use to represent your brand voice through headings, body text, and other applications.
- Colour Palette. Your brand personality is also represented by a curated selection of colours that revolves around your brand design. Hex codes are often provided for perfect digital implementation.
- Mood Board. This section features visuals and textures that reflect the desired brand vibes and emotions.
- Brand Voice. Words, phrases, or taglines that communicate your brand’s value proposition to leave a lasting impression.
- Brand Elements. There are visuals, photos, illustrations, or elements that capture the overall brand aesthetic.
Understanding the purpose of each section is crucial to making the most of your brand board. Your brand board is more than just a decorative element but a practical go-to toolbox that equips you to consistently showcase your branding identity. Its main goal is to maintain a unified image and messaging from website content and social media posts to packaging and printable marketing materials.
The brand board also acts as your bible, which is used to make sure everyone you are collaborating with, such as internal teams, external partners, or freelancers, stays on the same page when it comes to following your brand identity or visual branding. It provides a clear framework for colour choices, fonts, and imagery, which you can go back to whenever you need to make design decisions, especially when developing a new website or designing a product brochure.
To make the most of it, set aside time to explain the brand board to your team about the purpose of each element and how it contributes to the overall brand identity. Share it electronically and keep a physical copy readily available for easy reference. Schedule periodic reviews of the brand board to assess its effectiveness and ensure it still reflects your evolving brand identity.
Your brand grows alongside your business. Don’t be afraid to adapt your brand board with some adjustments over time, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful. Your brand board is a strategic tool for you to ensure consistent brand communication that resonates with your audience. Use this valuable asset wisely to unlock the full potential of your brand identity.
You may also like: Colour Psychology: How Colour Impacts Your Brand
Image source: Depositphotos.com
