How can you create a visual style guide that ensures consistency across different media?

If we design some print media of black yellow color combination for a band then we must remember one thing. That is, when black is printed on a yellow background, the black color spreads a little. For that reason, when we use black graphic elements, text, or logos in a yellow color, we will give a light white border on it (about 0.5). Then you will see that the black color is not spreading on the yellow background. Moreover, you will see that the white color border that you took has turned black. Next time you design something for print media with a yellow and black color combination, definitely give it a try...

In my experience, building a color palette involves experimentation. If you use digital tools as specified above, test them on multiple screens to see if they look the way you intend. Color shifts depending on the medium you are designing for. If you are designing for print or production, buy a Pantone Matching System (PMS) book that fits your use. There are coated and uncoated papers, there are different brightnesses in paper. Are you printing on bright white or craft paper? Run a test with your printer (offset) to see hope the color shifts. Are you designing for plastic or textiles? Buy a color book and run a test. This requires knowledge of what you are doing and experience to get it as dialed in as possible. Be a color expert.

Seleccionar una gama cromática es siempre una tarea titánica. El mercado, las costumbres, la cultura, condiciona sobremanera. Ajustarse a lo esperado es siempre una apuesta segura, pero siempre con el peligro de confundirte con otros competidores. A veces, hay que olvidar las reglas e ir por lo diferente, por ser trasgresor. En este mundo contemporáneo todo se puede.

The first step in creating a visual style guide is to choose your colors. Colors have a powerful impact on how your audience perceives your message, so you need to select them carefully. You should have a primary color palette that reflects your brand personality, values, and goals. You should also have a secondary color palette that complements your primary colors and adds variety and contrast to your graphics. You can use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to generate and save your color schemes. Make sure to include the color codes (hex, RGB, CMYK) and names in your style guide.

Choosing the right color in graphic design is crucial for conveying emotions, establishing brand identity, and enhancing visual appeal. Consider the psychological impact of colors on your audience, ensuring they align with the intended message. Maintain a harmonious color palette to create a cohesive and visually pleasing design that captures attention and communicates effectively. 2 / 2

Google Fonts is a great place to start when choosing typography. And I usually recommend choosing a typeface that has a number of different styles (sans, serif, slab, script, etc). Then if you need to adapt or expand the style later, your typeface is not likely to create limitations for you.

Im dynamischen Bereich der Social Media ist es spannend, dass wir nicht immer auf unsere standardisierten Unternehmensschriften zurückgreifen k?nnen. Stellen wir uns vor, ein kreativer Social Media Manager gestaltet seine Beitr?ge direkt auf Instagram. Dabei nutzt er die Schriften, die die Plattform bietet. Unsere Aufgabe ist es also, im Vorfeld auszuw?hlen, welche dieser Schriften unseren Markencharakter am besten widerspiegeln und welche wir lieber vermeiden sollten. (Das gilt übrigens auch für Filter und andere Gestaltungselemente.) So bleiben wir immer am Puls der Zeit und halten unser Design Manual flexibel und lebendig.

Seleccionar la tipografía es primordial, así como escoger el peso, la caja o los puntajes. A veces no es necesario escoger una tipografía ¨no convencional¨. En muchas ocasiones usar una fuente recurrente, pero con variables inexploradas, es de las mejores soluciones. Por eso Helvetica, Gotham, Times se siguen empleando a mares...

The next step in creating a visual style guide is to define your typography. Typography is the art and technique of arranging text in your graphics. It affects the readability, clarity, and mood of your message. You should choose fonts that match your brand voice, tone, and style. You should also specify the font sizes, weights, and styles for different types of text, such as headings, subheadings, body, captions, and quotes. You can use tools like Google Fonts or Font Squirrel to find and download free fonts. Make sure to include the font names, files, and examples in your style guide.

In graphic design, selecting the right fonts is akin to choosing the right voice for your message. Each font carries its own personality and conveys a distinct tone.

La retícula es estratégica. Define el camino, la pauta y la jerarquía de los elementos visuales. En muchas ocasiones los infrasignos son excelentes y su composición pésima, lo cual degrada el trabajo ostensiblemente. Usa la retícula, en todos los soportes. No tiene que ser aburrida, no tiene que ser recta, no tiene que ser equidistante. Pero tiene que ser una grilla que aporte jerarquía a todo la obra.

Incorporate a full analysis of image rights to ensure that all visual assets align with legal standards. Verify the commercial rights and limitations of each image, acknowledging and respecting the rights of photographers and the individuals featured. Clearly outline any restrictions or permissions associated with each image, fostering a responsible and compliant approach to the use of visuals in various contexts. This includes assessing both the licensing terms and potential model release requirements, providing a comprehensive overview within the style guide.

I strongly recommend brand training sessions for all team members involved in creating or adapting assets. Additionally, implementing a checklist with key points for review during the asset development processes very helpful. In the initial stages, consistency checks play a crucial role in brand integrity. Remember to foster consistent brand presence across all communication channels.

Switching from traditional static styleguides (PDF, print) to dynamic, web-based styleguides has made a tremendous impact for us. That way we are able to update guides anytime, add motion guidelines, which are becoming more and more relevant and make it easer for our clients to pull assets. There are countless options out there—creating a bespoke brand-website, using a brand-management tool or simply sharing a figma-file or uploading assets to a Canva or Adobe Express brand.

It's important to define what your style is and it's also important to define what it isn't. Hopefully, you've already researched other brands in the same space and you should have considered what makes your brand unique in that space. This helps keep your brand focused and consistent over time.

Add in accessibility! Considerations include color contrast, correct color palette combinations, alt text, reading order, and logo placement. This should not be in a separate guide. The information does not need to get lost. It is part of the design process!

Begin by outlining key aspects of the brand as mentioned above in the steps on this article, including tone of voice, brand elements, color palette, typography, and layouts. These foundational elements form the basis for a comprehensive style guide. Use clear 'do's and don'ts' to illustrate guidelines and provide examples for practical understanding. Consistency checks are vital, and a checklist proves effective in ensuring proper use of the brand. Incorporate training sessions to provide teams with the knowledge to apply the style guide accurately,

One tip: Make it snazzy but not too flashy. You want your brand to stand out, not blind people. Now, to keep consistency, agree on a color palette. It's not a rainbow buffet; stick to a few colors. My motto: "Palette restraint, visual gain!" Disagreement? Well, that's like arguing over pineapple on pizza everyone has an opinion, but let's not ruin the party. Keep it civil, folks! Example: Once had a brand use Comic Sans for seriousness. Result? A font intervention and a switch to something classy. Lesson: Fonts matter; choose wisely. And remember, consistency is not the time to be a rebel. If your logo wears a top hat, it doesn't suddenly switch to a baseball cap on Fridays. No logo wardrobe changes!