08 Aug Using A Style Guide
A style guide is essential in website branding and website design. It makes sure that your branding will stay consistent all over the different collateral that you created. It is also referred to as brand bible which is comprised of all the crucial data and information that you require to address the need of the company. From the internal memo, marketing to website development, this simple document can make your life so much easier.
The Process of Creating a Style Guide
1. Placement and Size of the Logo – remember that your logo is an essential part of your website branding. You will need to ensure that it is consistently reflected on your site. When creating your style guide, point out a certain instruction that dictates the web developer on how they can utilize your company logo. You should also educate them about how they should not use your logo. Remember that some designers are pretty artistic and adventurous, and you need to remind them the things that you don’t want to see.
2. Choosing your Preferred Color Palette – It is very crucial to provide the hex code for your desired color for your logo since it is just too easy for a designer to change the color. Pantone colors and the CMYK value should also be provided in case there are things that need to be printed.
3. Choosing the Font Style – The font that you will use in website branding should reflect the identity of your site. This is very important to be consistent and give you that professional appeal. The Font Style that you will state in your style guide should not be restricted in the logo alone. See to it that you will also provide the font style for the other text on your webpage.
4. The Icon – One thing that can set your company apart from the competition and give you that unique identity would be the icon. Include it in your style guide in order to make sure that the web developer will be utilizing it appropriately.
5. Photography Style – Even photography can be used for your website branding. Setting a specific style on your photography can allow people to recognize your brand. Make sure that you will include the style of photography instruction on your style guide. When providing an instruction to the photographer, make sure you will include a sample photo since photographers can better understand the instruction visually.
These are the basics of creating a style guide for your website branding and web design. Remember that the guide that you are creating is continuously evolving. The thing that you use to create your website last week may be different from the guide that you will use two years from now. It will help you to be precise, clear and consistent in your branding.