Please review this video on creating a brand guide with vector-based design software (Illustrator). The series covers core basics as well as step-by-step guides for creating business cards, logos, rack cards, and brand guides.
Transcribed Notes:
Brand Guide
- Starting with a Template: It is often easier to begin with an existing template when creating a brand sheet.
- File Organization: While agencies (such as Dot Academy, Dot Marketing, and Dot Receptionist) may manage multiple brands in a single file, typically each distinct business should have its own dedicated brand sheet file.
- Dimensions & Layout: Create a new file sized for a standard letter sheet (8.5 x 11 inches) using Document Setup and Edit Artboards so clients can easily print out a PDF copy.
- Top Bar Design: The top bar can be styled in black; using 100% K (pure black) in Adobe Illustrator prevents color stacking issues when printing.
- Cleaning the Logo: Open the created logo file (e.g., the wildflower logo) and use the white arrow tool to remove any stray points for a clean look. Copy and paste the clean logo into the brand sheet file.
- Grouping Assets: Group all components of the logo together so it can be easily moved around the brand sheet as a single connected element.
- Icons and Additional Graphics: Bring in individual graphic elements (such as flower graphics or banners) into an image section, ungroup them to remove unwanted text or artifacts using outline mode (View > Outline), and regroup them for safe handling.
- Extracting Colors: Use the eyedropper tool to sample all primary colors directly from the logo artwork (e.g., orange, green, yellow, brown).
- Color Formats:
- Use Hex codes when building digital assets like websites.
- Include CMYK values for print files (e.g., Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black breakdowns).
- Typography & Text Color Preference: Update text styling to reflect brand preferences (such as using a signature dark brown instead of standard black for text elements) to guide future graphic designers working on the brand.
- Taglines and Call to Actions (CTAs): Document specific slogans, taglines, or website CTAs (e.g., "Order soup now") to assist graphic designers when they build collateral like rack cards.
- Contact Information: Include key business details at the bottom of the brand sheet for quick reference during design projects, including:
- Official Name: Wildflower Soup Shack
- Address: 1234 Main Street, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Phone Number: (605) 555-5936
- Website: WildflowerSoupShack.com
- Exporting: Save the final brand sheet as a PDF (e.g., Wild Flower brand sheet.pdf) so that clients who do not have Adobe Illustrator can easily open and view it.
- Final Cleanup: Ensure all placeholder or incorrect CMYK values are removed or corrected so that designers can easily identify accurate color specifications upon reopening the file.