Branding is really important in the online world. There are so many businesses competing for the attention of customers that, without a strong brand, you have very little chance of making a splash in a competitive marketplace. However, building a strong brand is not as easy as creating a social media page and posting blogs. There’s a lot more to it than that.
Design is a key aspect of building a brand. Design helps to convey your brand across different media and platforms. Once people learn to recognize your brand, they will spot you anywhere. Think how iconic some brand designs are, like the yellow arches of a famous fast-food chain, or the Nike Swoosh logo.
The right design doesn’t just attract attention; it also helps customers see a glimpse of your values and personality. In this article, we have some tips for making your brand design stand out.
What’s Your Brand Identity?
It’s pointless planning a design project if you have no clue what you’re trying to say about your brand. Imagine an ER clinic dealing with trauma cases, that has a hot pink logo featuring cute bunnies. Would you make an appointment there? Probably not.
Think about your target market, what kind of message you want to get across, and what sets you apart from the other businesses in your niche. Branding is where you convey things like trust, values, quirkiness, and similar.
A funky fashion label might go with an edgy design that appeals to its teen target customers, whereas a high-end luxury jewelry brand will want a more sophisticated brand design.
Typography
The fonts you use will greatly impact the brand message you send. Some fonts are simple whereas others, like serif fonts, are more elegant.
The font you choose is important, but always bear in mind that text must be easily legible, especially on things like newsletters and signs. There are lots of companies that make it easy to print signs online, but if you select a difficult-to-read font, people will have problems deciphering your brand message.
Play around to find fonts that are the right mix of aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.
Brand Color
As we have already touched upon, color is rather important. Colors must fit the brand message, which is why green is often associated with medical brands and red and yellow with fast food brands.
Color theory is complex and it would take way too much time to cover it all in this article, but generally speaking, blues and greens are seen as trustworthy and reliable colors, whereas bright colors like red are vibrant and energetic, and white is fresh and pure.
Do some research and look at the colors that businesses in your niche use. Experiment with different color designs and do some A/B testing to see which color combinations best resonate with your audience.
Use Different Visual Elements
The use of different visual elements will help communicate your brand’s ideas across multiple platforms. Use photos, illustrations, and graphics to tell a story. This helps your audience build a strong connection with your brand and it also makes your brand message more memorable.
Pick images and graphics that suit your target market. Again, this is where A/B testing pays dividends.
Optimize Branding for Digital Platforms
Branding design must be optimized for digital platforms, such as social media and your company website. If a design is not responsive or takes forever to load on a mobile device, it will negatively impact the message you are trying to send. Finally, don’t be afraid to work with a designer if you don’t have the expertise to create a strong brand design. A professional could save you time and money while producing something high-quality.