The corporate identity of a company is method to reach out to the world, an opportunity to differentiate yourself from crowd and to make your business more attractive to customers. The more distinct, clear and memorable the corporate identity that a business has, the greater chance that it will be successful. Through this post, you’ll find out what corporate identity means and how to develop it.
What is the corporate identity?
Corporate Identity is the unification of fashion elements that define the identity of all items that these elements are put (goods communications tools, goods and messages for communication) to a specific company and differentiate it from its competitors.
Corporate identity is the foundation of the company’s communication strategy because it offers visual and semantic unification of services and goods as well as all information that is provided by the company. On the other the other hand, corporate identities ensure the consistency of all the products offered by the company while on the other side corporate identity is a way to differentiate the brand and its products against competitors and their products.
Corporate identity is among the instruments used for forming brands and it is, in turn an aspect of branding. Corporate identity concepts are associated with the notion of image. Corporate identity is a method of creating the image of the company and identifying the company as well as proving the legitimacy of the business.
This corporate-style system comprises the following components:
- Trademark;
- Logo;
- Corporate block is a common and frequently-used mix of a variety of components of corporate image.
- The corporate slogan (slogan) The slogan is used continuously as the corporate motto
- Corporate colors;
- Corporate fonts set,
- Permanent communication device (face image of the business).
Tools for corporate communication that use corporate identity elements are employed to streamline the internal flow of documents of the company as well as in the communications of the company to the external world. Tools for image communication include:
- Letterhead;
- Corporate seal;
- Cards for business and personal contact information;
- Different types of envelopes;
- Corporate folder for papers;
- Promotional Products
- Souvenir products.
Every aspect of corporate identity as well as examples of tools for image communication are described inside an identification guide. Identity guide (a booklet detailing the various elements of corporate identity as well as the rules of using the logo and corporate image in different circumstances).
How do you create an identity for your company?
The five steps we have described are the major steps.
Define your company’s strategy
Before you start, think about what and who you are creating and the goals you want to achieve.
Goals
Consider where your business is today and what plans you’d like to achieve in the near future. Maybe you’d like to be an international company instead of an individual business, so pick a particular niche or, in the opposite direction, increase production. Be aware of these aspects when designing an identity for your company. If you make a decision on the long-term plan right away it will be much easier to plan for future changes.
Audience
To know what corporate identity fits your needs best, it’s crucial to know the target audience. You have to establish the rules so that you can be recognized to potential customers, and not to please your boss.
Who are your ideal and current customers? What is their gender is, what age is their location and what kind of lifestyle is it, with whom are they working for and how do they spend their spare time? A complete picture of the client can assist you in determining the essential elements of the corporate identity. The young mothers of today are one thing. while students are another.
Each group of people requires their individual approach, and each with its own style abilities and preferences and, to identify them it is essential to define clearly the group of people. If you have to work with different groups of people, you can create various portraits of clients and pick the style of communication that is suitable for all of them.
Strategy
The strategy of a business is the plan to reach its objectives. Determine it before you begin developing a brand identity. Then , he can help you reach your goals and accurately convey your message to your target audience.
Strategy – Doesn’t need to be a meticulous 10-page plan. It is possible to identify the key aspects and then include them in your presentation.
Find out information about the company.
Corporate identity can be developed entirely from the ground up. It will come out to be more natural by using as the basis of our identity the elements that the business has been successful in using and then enhance the design, add more elements and modify. It will be more individual and soulful because you can build an image that is based on your personal preferences and traits.
To create a new corporate identity, you must first consider these points.
Story
The story of the company is the base of corporate identity. The style of the brand is also influenced by the direction, age and features that the company’s brand. If the business is young and has no past it is likely that you have already created a stunning legend. We are aware that nobody buys goods and services. They buy services or history, and they also buy the atmosphere.
At this point, take note of adjectives that describe your company, like trustworthy, stable, experienced or friendly, casual. They can be helpful to you in the process of creating corporate identity components regardless of whether you make it yourself or entrust it to experts.
Values and mission
A clear vision and values can also help you create the ideal image, or assess whether your current image is consistent with the vision of your business. For instance, in order to present a an image that is sustainable and new to clients, McDonald’s changed the main color of their logo by switching it to green from red. It doesn’t mean everyone instantly saw McDonald’s as eco sustainable. However, due to the change in its corporate identity the company was able to draw the attention of its brand new goal.
Survey of customers and employees
In order to ensure that all elements of the corporate identity of the business are not just physically, but in the real world You must conduct surveys of your employees and customers. This will help you understand what they think of the corporate image you have created. Do they know what the brand has incorporated into it.
Simple surveys are ideal for this. For instance making an online questionnaire using Google and also an Instagram survey. The other option is more straightforward which means you’ll likely receive more responses from customers using this method. Don’t overlook the chance to fill out the questionnaires. You can give a discount or reward to anyone who fills the form. If a letter that contains an online URL to the questionnaire could be completed more frequently and the request to complete an application in the salon or in a store and then wait for a good bonus could be a winning possibility.
The consideration of the opinions of your customers is not giving them the right to decide their own color that your brand’s logo is, even though this is possible. In the beginning, it is crucial to be aware of how people perceive the brand and if they comprehend exactly what you intend to communicate to them, and what you intend to convey through your corporate image.
Examine Your Competitors
You must stand out from the crowd! Try not to allow stamps to be used as a substitute. If you’re designing the corporate identity of an educational institution, you’ve likely thought that blue would be the ideal color to create business because it symbolizes security, trust, loyalty and more. Think about how many schools, universities and even courses have already adopted different shades of blue to create their official color. However, this isn’t the only option! Perhaps you could think up a new idea something that stands out?
For additional opinions, think about brainstorming. Make sure you invite colleagues from all departments, not just the management.
Take all branding components
The primary document that defines the image of the business is the brand book which is the set of guidelines that define the visual language used by the business. It outlines the design elements and how to employ. It typically consists of sections that cover the logo and the typography of colors as well as editorial policies as well as communication style and other distinct elements.
This document is essential to ensure that your corporate design is accurately translated by all involved in communication and design, from partners to employees and bloggers with whom you organize collaborations. You can rest assured the layouts, text and handouts will be created in accordance with your guidelines and you don’t need to answer any questions from your new employees or assign designers each time and make lots of revisions.
Check and update the corporate identity
Corporate identity is a part of your business It is a living entity which changes with time. This doesn’t mean you are free to forget about the rules you’ve set out, but it’s okay to enhance and modify the rules. For instance for instance, the Instagram feed that is also a part of the corporate identity is not required to remain the same for years. However for it to be modern and keep current with trends it is important to keep it updated, maybe even seasonal.
Perhaps you’ll discover that certain rules you’ve made up won’t work. For instance the font you choose to design your logo is totally incompatible with text headings. This is not unusual. Pick a solution that works!
We also discussed what corporate identity means and the best way to develop it. We hope our tips help you. Have fun!