How to Create and Design Your Branding

If you own a business then you know just how much hard work it takes. The last thing you probably want is someone adding one more thing to your to-do-list. But can I convince you to set aside a moment to think about how to create great branding for your business? You ought to prioritise that brand at the very top of your to-do-list.

Why, you ask?

Good design is really all about good communication. It is about different elements working in harmony to tell a story. This is as true in business as it is in life.

Humans are visual beings, and we are drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing. If you look back through the history and development of art you see that this has always been the case. What we find appealing may change, or may vary from culture to culture, but the fundamental fact remains that we are, and always have been, drawn to things we deem beautiful.

There is even a whole branch of philosophy devoted to aesthetics. The very word derives from the Greek “aisthetikos”, meaning “of sense perception”. Along with ethics, aesthetics is part of axiology (the study of values and value judgements).

“Humans are visual beings, and we are drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing.”

Sadly, even with all these centuries of study behind us, we are still slow to apply the principles of aesthetics to our daily lives. We decorate our homes, but developers care far more for profit than aesthetics when they design those homes.

Research shows that inviting, beautiful spaces create happiness and help communities to thrive. However, public spaces are often an afterthought rather than the vital and refreshing centres of community that they should be.

What this means for your business brand

Everything you present to the world communicates. The way you dress sends a message. The space around you sends a message. All of your branding sends a message. Your online presence should communicate that same message.

The visual aspect of your business brand should be strong and recognisable. It should also look good, because you want it to be welcoming.

“Everything you present to the world communicates.”

Have you ever walked into an Apple store? With Apple, everything is about aesthetics. Everything! It’s all geared towards design tied to user experience. Their products, their online presence, their advertising, and their physical stores, all sell the same message. Their business brand is strong.

Through impeccable presentation, Apple very clearly communicates who they are, and who you can be, if you become one of their devoted followers. Or, maybe it would be better to say that they sell the message that Apple knows who you already are – cool, savvy, design-conscious – and because Apple is all of these things too, then naturally their products should be a part of your life.

Putting design first

Designers, visual merchandisers, and image consultants don’t just exist to “pretty things up”. The visual presentation of a product or business should always be a reflection of what that product or business stands for, of its core and key messages. Otherwise, that visual presentation is meaningless. The mission must always be to create an outer image that is a true and congruent reflection of the inner image of a brand – be that a business, product, or person.

You may not think this applies to you if your business is mainly centred around a warehouse or factory. Such places are hardly warm and cosy, inviting spaces. But it is important that wherever you interact with your clients should still be an inviting space. This applies whether you are in a physical space like an office, online, or even in the café down the road).  It should be a space with careful presentation that looks and feels good.

“The mission must always be to create an outer image that is a true and congruent reflection of the inner image of a brand.”

Taking time and care with the spaces where you interact with your customers should reflect how you handle your business as a whole. It should be a reminder that you care about your customers and the experience they have with your business brand.

 

Your personal brand is key to your business brand

 

Although the way we engage today is unfortunately almost entirely through computers and technology, we still crave people behind the screens. It is possibly even more important than ever. When potential customers search for you online they still need to connect with the person behind the business. And because they aren’t meeting you personally, your image is one of the best things you have.

It may seem superficial, however, the external image that you project to the world is the first thing that anybody sees. It is the basis for their first impressions of you. Have you ever heard that it only takes five seconds to make a first impression? When someone first meets you – in a job interview, business pitch or networking event – they will make their decision about you in the first five seconds.

And once these decisions are made, it can be an uphill battle to change them.

In a digital world, you don’t even get the chance to meet people to make that first impression yourself. It still happens in approximately five seconds (or less if your site is too slow). When someone first sees your website or Facebook page, your professional photo on your LinkedIn profile or your latest content release on Instagram, it must be congruent with your professional image. Image matters, whether we like it or not. And when your entire personal brand, business and possibly your livelihood, is based on your image, this first impression is vital.

Remember, you are no longer competing against similar businesses in your local area – your competition spans the whole web.

So when you think about the functionality of your workspace, your online presence, or your marketing, consider aesthetics as a key part of that functionality. I’m sure you’ll be glad that you did.

What are your thoughts? How have aesthetic elements impacted on your business – positively or negatively?

 

This article was originally published as “Creating a good-looking business brand” on the Image Maker blog. 

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