How to Build a Brand Board

Jun 8, 2023

Building a visually consistent, engaging, and memorable brand is no easy task, especially in today's saturated market. But it doesn't have to be a daunting endeavor. Understanding how to make a brand board can streamline the process, providing a clear visual roadmap for your brand's aesthetic, tone, and overall identity. A brand board serves as a vital tool in communicating your brand's core values, setting you apart from the competition.

In this step-by-step guide, we'll delve into why brand boards are pivotal for crafting an effective brand image. We'll show you exactly how to build a brand board that truly encapsulates your brand's unique vibe, guaranteeing consistency across all your marketing platforms. This guide is packed with insider tips and practical advice to help you create a compelling brand board, even if you're just starting out in the branding world. So, let's get started and master the art of making a brand board, shall we?

The Importance of a Brand Board

Understanding the importance of a brand board is the first crucial step before learning how to make a brand board. A brand board serves as a visual summary of your brand's identity. It encapsulates the essence of your brand, including logos, color schemes, typography, imagery, and even the tone of voice. These elements come together to create a coherent and consistent image that communicates your brand's personality and values to the world.

So, why do you need a brand board? The answer is consistency. In today's competitive market, a strong, consistent brand is more vital than ever. Your brand board acts as your branding blueprint, guiding all visual and messaging aspects of your business. Whether you're creating a new social media post, designing a product packaging, or drafting a press release, your brand board ensures you stay true to your brand's identity. As you learn how to make a brand board, you'll discover it's not just about picking pretty colors or trendy fonts; it's about encapsulating your brand's soul into a comprehensive, visually appealing format.

How to build a brand board step-by-step

Brand boards can be built using a variety of tools including Adobe Photohsop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Figma, Adobe XD, and more! Now let’s walk through each of the steps to building a brand board.

1. Define your brand's core elements: This step involves identifying your brand's mission, vision, and values. These form the backbone of your brand and should be reflected in all your visual elements.
2. Identify your brand's personality: What characteristics define your brand? Is it professional, friendly, luxurious, or playful? Defining your brand personality helps set the tone for your visuals.
3. Choose your brand's color palette: Colors greatly influence how your brand is perceived. Choose a color palette that resonates with your brand personality and appeals to your target audience.
4. Select your brand's typography: Choose fonts that complement your brand's personality. You'll typically need to select fonts for headlines, subheadings, and body text.
5. Design your logo and variations: Your logo is the visual representation of your brand. Make sure it aligns with your brand's personality and other elements. Also, include variations for different use cases.
6. Select your brand's imagery: Choose images, graphics, or icons that resonate with your brand. This could include product images, lifestyle photos, or abstract graphics.
7. Assemble all elements into one cohesive brand board: Finally, compile all these elements into a single brand board. The board should feel cohesive and give a clear sense of your brand at a glance.

Tips for an effective brand board

Crafting an effective brand board involves more than just putting together visually pleasing elements. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Adaptability: Ensure your brand board is adaptable to different mediums. Your logo, fonts, and colors should be recognizable and retain their impact whether on a website, social media, or printed materials.
2. Consistency: Maintain consistency in your brand elements across all platforms. This not only strengthens brand recognition but also builds trust with your audience.
3. Versatility: Your logo should have a few variations for different applications while still maintaining its identity. For instance, having a simplified version of your logo can be beneficial for smaller applications.
4. Future-proof: Trends change, so opt for timeless over trendy elements. Also, consider how your brand might evolve and make sure your brand board can accommodate potential future changes.

Once your brand board is complete, use it as a guide for all your brand-related designs and communications. Whether it's a social media post, your website design, product packaging, or marketing materials, everything should align with the elements on your brand board. This consistency strengthens your brand image, making it more recognizable and memorable to your audience.

Creating a brand board is an exciting journey towards honing a brand’s identity. It not only unifies your brand visually, but also serves as a guidepost for your team’s creative endeavors. With the steps outlined in this blog post, you’re now equipped to create a brand board that’s not only aesthetically pleasing but also a true representation of your brand’s essence.

Begin your journey in brand board creation today and let me know how it goes! You can share your brand board with me on social media using my handle @AestheticAlch. I’m eager to see the fantastic designs you come up with!