How do you keep your brand identity consistent across platforms?

Absolutely. I also include what NOT to do with the typography and layout formatting for additional clarity. This will clear up any possible assumption errors.

This is a great exercise for any organisation no matter the size. It forces you to think more deeply about your business and highlights potential strengths and weaknesses in your brand. But remember too, your brand guidelines are just that, guidelines. Unless you’re really trying to lock down your creative team try not to produce a straight-jacket which stifles their talent and prevents your brand from evolving.

The challenge is how to get non-design staff on the business side up to speed and equipped to produce on-brand material. Having a great-looking, on-brand ESG report or Annual Report is all well and good, but the bulk of the branded material any company is sending to its clients and prospects will have been put together in Microsoft by non-designers.

To maintain brand identity consistency across platforms: - Develop clear brand guidelines. - Use a design system for consistent visual elements. - Train and educate stakeholders on brand guidelines. - Centralize brand assets for easy access. - Regularly review and update brand guidelines. - Foster collaboration between designers and marketers. - Monitor and enforce brand compliance. - Conduct periodic brand audits.

Before building the brand, look at all of the touchpoints a customer might interact with. We always facilitate a Brand Discovery Workshop for branding projects, and this module is contained as part of the overall process. When crafting the brand, create digital mockups of the touchpoints you have uncovered, see what works and what doesn't and once you've nailed it (and the customer is happy), make sure these visuals are contained in the style guide. Make the guide easy to navigate, but always have visual representations of 'real things' that the customer will see and feel, as it's easier to create something when you have a clear understanding of how to apply it in the real world. Explanation alone isn't enough in my experience.

I find that verbal branding is something that’s often overlooked by clients. Sure everyone knows we need the logo, the typeface, the Pantone colours and where it sits on a page. But you’re missing a trick if you don’t at least consider tone of voice. It’s like watching a movie with the sound turned down, what would Blade Runner be without Vangelis' iconic score? Defining your brand tone is not just for an external audience either. It will also help everyone in your organisation to collaborate more effectively if they're speaking with one clearly defined voice.

Doing the initial research and strategizing to develop your authentic Brand voice is crucial to identifying the solid threads that run through not only different platform content but also any shifts and pivots the company or Brand need to adapt to. Things change, people grow but your voice contains the golden nuggets that define the Brand.

If you build a brand that starts a movement, the movement it starts, will help build your brand. Some of the most successful brands embrace community and a shared sense of ownership with their customers and fans.

Conduct periodic brand audits: Regularly review your brand's presence across platforms to identify any inconsistencies or deviations from the established guidelines. This allows you to make necessary adjustments and maintain a cohesive brand identity.