Creating and Using Brandboards

Brand Identity
Popular

January 22, 2024

Creating and Using Brandboards

Brand Identity
Popular
When a client approaches us, they typically have in mind something they want – a website, a logo or insight on how to position themselves in the market.

Before we can hand them one of these things, we must first understand who they are and why they do what they do. From strategy to execution, we use a variety of tools to help steer creative direction for a project. A stylescape is one of those tools. Here we will explain what a stylescape is and how it works. We will also showcase a few examples that we have created for our clients.

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Creating and Using Brandboards

Brand Identity
Popular
When a client approaches us, they typically have in mind something they want – a website, a logo or insight on how to position themselves in the market.

Before we can hand them one of these things, we must first understand who they are and why they do what they do. From strategy to execution, we use a variety of tools to help steer creative direction for a project. A stylescape is one of those tools. Here we will explain what a stylescape is and how it works. We will also showcase a few examples that we have created for our clients.

What is a Brandboard?

A brandboard is a design tool that expresses and steers the visual language for a project. Brandboards include fonts, colors and images that are artfully and intentionally arranged.

Direction for a brandboard comes from our initial meetings with clients. During those meetings, we learn about our clients. We learn who they are, what they do, why they do it and who their ideal clients. By gaining a real understanding of a client, we can select colors, fonts and imagery that communicate their top attributes.

Once we believe we have a clear understanding of a client, a brandboard is created by gathering ingredients that speak to that client and where they want to take their business. This is an opportunity for us to experiment with colors, fonts and images to better clarify a client’s visual identity. We assemble those pieces to tell a complete design story. Pieces for the brandboard are carefully selected based on the work we do in our brand exploration process. They are assembled in an artful way that tells a complete story.

Once a brandboard is complete, it becomes a useful tool for us as we create deliverables and guide marketing efforts. It is also a helpful tool for the client. It acts as a compass against which they can check their visual identity as they move forward.

Here are some examples of brandboards we created for clients:

Nordic Brew Works

Nordic Stylescape

A balance of warmth and coolness guided the direction for the Nordic Brew Works brand. To communicate this in their brandboard, we included warm imagery like the of the wood-fired oven and interior lighting. We mixed those with cool imagery like the clean lines of the tables and chairs and the cold beers.

High Beam

High Beam Stylescape

High Beam is a property inspection company. We sought to capture its old-fashioned knowledge, customer service, quality of care and attention to detail. We wanted it to feel casual but professional and evoke a sense of old-school craftsmanship.

Charlotte & Co. Real Estate

Charlotte and Co. Stylescape

For Charlotte and Co. Real Estate, we wanted the focus to be on professionalism, hard work and knowledge, mixed with luxury to set it apart in the busy Bozeman/Big Sky real estate market.

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About Us

Like our work, the Hardy Brands team is an embodiment of the perfect balance of strategy and creative. We’ve cultivated a team of certified brand specialists and strategists, designers, copywriters and marketing professionals who are ferocious about helping you succeed. We’re a Montana marketing agency that will constantly strive to improve your business.

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Our Work

As a branding, marketing and design agency, we partner with all types of businesses, from restaurants and breweries to building and real estate professionals, nonprofits to accountants and many others. Get a better idea of who we are and what we do by visiting our Work page.

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