Final Branding Style Guide (Final B1)

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Project Introduction

Here you are, at the end of your Project Design Brief work. You will now submit to the client your final Branding Guide with the collection of all the work we have done so far including colors, typography, imagery, logos, stationery and other branding aspects. We want our client to choose us for their design needs, so we want to be sure to present everything we have done for them in not only the BEST way possible, but also the most versatile. For now, we will focus on just one design aspect, and add others later. We will start by making a PDF booklet for both Print & Web viewing (web viewing being the more important version for us at this point).

Up until now, you have been working on different aspects of the brand, and now it is time to put it all together in one cohesive idea, which can be it’s own challenge. You will make a PDF document that explains how the company will present itself to the world with your design direction. Basically, it’s a reference guide that will keep the consistency between different design projects for the company under one umbrella. It will demonstrate what your brand idea will look and feel like.

You will be responsible for adding the Brand Story, Logos, Color Palette, Typography, Imagery and Voice for the Brand Guide, and also add your Stationery work to the final submission.

Also, you will be updating and modernizing this InDesign Document MANY TIMES in the future, so be sure you keep it in a nice cozy safe place! Later, we will add more brand elements to it for WEB, VIDEO and AUDIO!

Project Requirements & Helpful Links

  • Submit your PDF Branding Guide in two ways:
    • Exported as Spreads for Print, downloadable from your Portfolio. We will not actually be printing it, but it should be made and exported correctly, in case someone does want to print the guide later as a proper book. Make sure that you are exporting your PDF correctly, depending on if it is the WEB or PRINT version.
    • Components:  Your Branding Guide must cover at least …
      • The Brand Story & Voice: If you are unsure how to approach this, 99designs.com has a great explanation to help you get started making your Brand Story.
      • Logo Designs: This needs to be detailed, and explain HOW your logo, icon and wordmark designs are built, and explain out things like clearspace, and do’s-and-dont’s.
      • Color System: Not only should you be listing the color codes for use, but also make sure to explain HOW and WHY the colors should be used!
      • Typography: Again, EXPLAIN the use of typography in your Branding Guide.
      • Imagery: This should include how-to’s for other designers to use things like the colors, blend modes or other rules to follow!
      • Stationery Designs: Include your Stationery Designs in the Branding Guide, as well as other mockups you have made.
    • Helpful Links:
      • Standard US Sizes, CMYK Color Mode (for print) or RGB (for web), 300dpi, PDF, in a ZIP file that is neatly organized with good clean folders for all elements.
      • The ZIP file should contain any custom fonts used in your design, and a folder for each design variation with the front and back files easy to locate.
  • Your finalized mockups should be posted to your online portfolio, and a link sent to Google+ as well as directly to the Instructor.

Final Project Grading Rubric

The grade you receive for this project is based on overall creativity, technical perfection, file management, and of course seamless branding for your Branding Guide. Be sure to follow the directions very carefully to make sure that you have created a professional guide, following industry rules and procedures to present a well designed, easily organized and beautiful Branding Guide to your client. A huge portion of the grade is weighted on making sure that the CLIENT got what they wanted out of the Guide.

AMAZING
900-1000		 GREAT
800-890		 GOOD
700-790		 SUB PAR
600-690		 POOR
<600
Student showcased absolute mastery over the project, and excelled both technically and creatively. Student provided above average Branding Guide, missed a few requirements either technically or creatively. Student demonstrated an acceptable amount of skill, but could have done better either technically or creatively, or didn’t quite turn the files in correctly. Student followed directions, but provided a poor example of a professional Branding Guide or did a sub-par job of completing the assignment. Student did not follow directions, did not demonstrate proper use of the tools, or did not complete assignment completely.