- Define the color
Just as we must define typography, we must also make clear what the corporate colors are. As we know, the colors have a code that makes them unique and these are the codes that we have to give, so that regardless of the support we use, let’s face the color we have designed.
These colors we are going to extract them from the main logo and also from the different options of the same one, although it is well, to take other secondary colors that combine with these, mainly neutral tones that allow to extend the range of options.
The more options of combinations we offer the more versatile will be our guide and for more elements can serve.
- Definition of the general elements
It is very difficult to be able to define the general elements that may be needed for the development of the brand, unless we a priori had an idea of them. What we can define in the guide are recommendations for use, so that they can serve as a starting point for the design of the same.
This is complicated I know, but there are some factors that can be determined, such as size of images, hue of the same, color of the icons … General specifications but that can serve us starting for the design of these elements.
- Define spacing
This is a point that usually goes unnoticed but that is very important. Sometimes it is responsible for a poor readability of the text or that when appearing this with other elements, is intermingled and does not understand the meaning of the design.
In this way, the decision of spacing, whether the logo with its borders, the hierarchy of the text or the general elements will help us to know how we want the global design. In addition a spacing that is repeated in all the elements gives a more serious and professional aspect.
- What to do / not to do
Clearly this is not a mandatory element but it can be of great help in any style guide. This point consists in giving some slight guidelines of what we can or can not do with each of the elements, such as logos, icons, images …
That is to say, although we have defined in the 6 previous points each of the elements, we can find ourselves in doubt as to whether or not we can change them. Well, at this point we would talk about those actions that we best ignore and do not repeat under any concept.
For example, we have defined all the colors that should be used in the icons, but when we talk about social icons one of the options that are shuffled is that they appear with their characteristic color, well, if we are clear that that can not happen, This is the point at which we must include it.
