What is Brand Identity? Logo vs Branding & Design Guide

In today’s visually driven and highly cheap market, it’s time to keep your business ahead with the help of the terms logo, branding and brand identity. While they are closely related they are not the same. To build a successful and ever memorable brand it’s important to understand the constant differences between them.

In today’s blog we will learn what brand identity is and explore how a concise brand identity design guide will help businesses looking to stand out by having a clear understanding of logo vs branding.

  • How do you understand Logo?

    A logo is a graphic symbol that represents what your business is all about. It is a combination of the words mark, symbol and logo. The simpler and simpler it is, the more impact it will have on people. It appears on everything from your website and business cards to advertising and packaging.

But while the logo is an important part, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s an integral part of your overall branding, not the entirety of it.

  • How do you understand Branding?

    Branding is the process of how your business appears to others. It includes not just your people, but also your message, voice, tone, prices, customer service, product quality, and emotional connection. Branding is about creating a consistent experience for your customers across all touch points. Below is how branding works in real life:

  • The packaging of your products.
  • The tone you use on social media.
  • The language used on your website.
  • How the customer service people speak.

  • How do you understand Brand Identity?

    Now that we have discussed logo and branding, let's find out what is brand identity? Brand identity refers to the collection of visual and design elements that help create your brand's external presence. Essentially, the ways in which you want your brand to be visually visible and create a strong identity will keep your business recognizable and consistent across all marketing and communication channels.

  • Your logo
  • Brand colors
  • Typography
  • Imagery style
  • Graphic elements
  • Layout styles
  • Packaging design

Logo is basically a circular symbol, icon or stylized text that represents your company. It is the face of your brand. The logo is often the first thing people see, so you can think of it as your signature.

Branding, on the other hand, goes far beyond the people or the entire experience your audience has with your business. Branding includes your mission, message, tone of voice, service offered to the customer, visual elements, and the emotional connection or how your company makes people feel and what they remember about your company.

  • A well-defined and regular brand identity is vital to creating a professional presence. Here’s why it’s important:
  • When your visual identity is strong, customers remember your brand. The more they recognize you, the more likely they are to build trust in you.
  • Audiences trust a friend who looks polished and constant. A clear brand identity means your business is expert and reliable.
  • When customers have a positive feeling about your brand, they tend to come back again and again. Brand identity is important to keep this regularity.
  • Begin with Brand Plan:- Your mission, vision, values and audience are defined. First, understand what message you want to convey through your brand and who you are targeting.
  • Unique Design Your Logo:- Create a logo that reflects the whole essence of your brand. Make sure it’s scalable, versatile, colorful and works well in both black and white.
  • Select a Shades Palette:- Choose two to four essential colors that represent your brand. Use these colors consistently on your website packaging and social media.
  • Choose Fonts:- Choose one or two primary fonts that reflect your brand’s personality and use them across all visual communications.
  • Make a Style Support:- Documenting all visual rules ensures that everyone on your team is using the same branding.
  • Use regularly over Channels:- Keeping your branding stable wherever your business appears, from email signatures to brochures and digital ads, is important as it helps people trust you.

It’s important to understand the difference between logo, branding and branding identity, and a deep knowledge of all three is major to building a respected business. Logo is your visual identity. Branding tells your emotional and strategic story. Brand identity is the way that story is told visually to the world.

At ARCCS Digitals, we help businesses create powerful and professional brand identities through expert branding services and design solutions. Whether you need a new logo, a complete rebrand or a brand identity design guide, we’re here to help bring your vision to life.

Let’s build a brand together that will make an impression. Visit ARCCS Digital and start building your identity today and stand out.