Publications, Websites and Written Communications

Any discussion of branding and identity often leads to a fresh look at publications. One of the simplest ways of achieving a stronger brand image is to ensure that all publications sit together as a 'suite'. This can be achieved through good corporate style guidelines and applying the results of a brand audit to new requests or opportunities to produce publications. Publications should look as though they belong to the same 'family', but each family member can have its own 'personality' within this. Basic rules about written communications and design and visual imagery apply to the production of all publications.

In addition, all publications and branding should be subjected to an objective external analysis to determine whether communications are comprehensible and are using appropriate or best techniques.

• NOTE: Design shop skills should be considered as a marketing service offered to other stakeholders, generating self-sustaining income and providing quality services to sister/brother organisations

Websites are one of the most influential aspects of an organisation’s identity - our 'window on the world' - but often slip through the net where corporate identity standards are concerned. It is vital that standards of design on websites are included in the branding guidelines.