While a logo alone may be enough for smaller companies, a successful brand design will create a cohesive look throughout your business while representing your brand values. In addition to a logo, branding design can include marketing collateral, websites, menus, uniforms and even the physical business space. For inspiration on brand design, we’ve collected some excellent examples that will not only show you a variety of applications, but will also outline different branding approaches commonly used today.
Brand design is all about creating a brand identity that perfectly reflects your brand. A brand designer can create elements that shape your company’s branding design and represent your brand’s personality. Branding is a complex process with a lot of elements that need to be considered when creating the perfect brand design. But it doesn’t have to be daunting. Use the branding inspiration below to help navigate the creative process of designing your brand.
Jump to
Shape branding
Soleluna Films brand design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista.
The Golden House Of Gaea brand design by Yokaona via 99designs by Vista.
Brighton & Brighton Beach ELC brand design by Studio Brave
One common approach to brand design is using characteristic shapes from your logo as a motif throughout the brand. For example, the Kreate brand design takes a circle and arc shape from the Kreate logotype and applies it rhythmically on business cards, posters, a Facebook cover and even a car wrap. This repetition of shapes strengthens brand recognition. Every time you see those shapes you will think Kreate!
The shapes used can be simple, as with the Midori Lab brand design, or even complex, as with the Gaea brand design. Do you have or want a logo that uses shapes as a characteristic element? If so use these examples for inspiration on branding design!
Typographic branding
Uncle Bud’s brand design by green in blue via 99designs by Vista.
Dutchland brand design by zotov.Agency™ via 99designs by Vista.
The Curious Kitchen brand design by Project 4 via 99designs by Vista.
Danish Design Award brand design by Kontrapunkt
Another approach to brand design is expanding a logotype’s characters into other brand elements. For example, the brand design for Architects In Rabat creates the acronym AIR, which is spaced out on business cards and posters to allow other text to flow through. This technique helps connect text to the name and logo of the business. Alternatively, the brand design for Matrix Capital uses repetition of the logo’s typographic characters to decorate business cards and letters. This creates a conceptual “trail” which leads viewers back to the company name. Typographic branding can also be as simple as using the same font from the logo for any brand text, as seen in the brand design for Dutchland.
Does your business use or want a logotype? If so, use the examples above for inspiration in brand design!
Color branding
Mini Alien brand design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista.
Well Crafted Beer Company brand design by SpoonLancer via 99designs by Vista.
Mos Eisley Brewing brand design by SpoonLancer via 99designs by Vista.
Project 41 brand design by green in blue via 99designs by Vista.
Branding design can also be approached by taking color(s) from the logo and applying it to other brand elements. For example, the Project 41 menu headings all use the same color blue as the logo. This technique ties the layout of the menu to the logo which reinforces brand recognition. Similarly, the brand design of For Kids By Kids takes the rainbow color pallette from the color version of the logo and creates a colored geometric pattern that decorates envelopes, letters and cards.
Does your business seek to represent itself with the use of color? If so use these examples when seeking brand design inspiration! Learn more about branding colors here.
Illustration branding
Zen Zero Artisan Gelato brand design by SpoonLancer via 99designs by Vista.
Pontoon Brewing brand design by allthestarsunder via 99designs by Vista.
Disk Archive Corporation brand design by Ian Douglas via 99designs by Vista.
Last but not least, illustration is a valuable tool for brand design. Many companies, like Zen Zero, have their logo designed around an illustration that can stand alone on brand materials. When people see the illustration, they connect that image with the company name. This technique can be especially effective on stamps, pins and business card backs. Meanwhile, companies like Pontoon Brewing choose to have their logo incorporated into an illustrated language, which can then be “wrapped” onto anything imaginable (or just on a good old-fashioned beer can).
Your perfect brand design awaits
Once you have figured out what type of branding design is right for you, a designer can create exactly what you need based on the branding inspiration and brand personality details you provide. And when your brand design is complete, remember to solidify all your design choices in a brand style guide to ensure your brand remains consistent across all platforms and channels.
Want more branding tips? Here’s how to create a great brand identity for your business.
Author: workerbee
