Apple is recognized for its sleek and minimalist aesthetic, Coca-Cola for the iconic red and white logo, and McDonald’s for its golden arches. These brands have nailed their brand identities, and it’s all because they have a strong brand guide.
If you’re also looking to craft a cohesive and unforgettable brand guide, then we’ve got your back. In this article, we’ll showcase 17 brand guide examples that will spark your creative fire and have you sketching ideas in no time.
17 Best Brand Guide Examples
- Spotify
- Discord
- Mailchimp
- Starbucks
- Duolingo
- Square
- Dribbble
- Monday
- Slack
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
- Coursera
- Skype
- YouTube
- Buffer
- Dropbox
- Freepik
Let’s explore the brand guides of these companies in more detail.
1. Spotify
Spotify offers in-depth design guidelines that cover everything from the intricacies of their iconic logo usage and color palette to their typography and attribution requirements. It’s a big document that offers user-friendly navigation via a convenient sidebar.
2. Discord
In contrast to Spotify’s extensive design guidelines, Discord opts for a concise and straightforward brand guide. It only includes information about using the brand’s logo and color palette.
3. Mailchimp
Mailchimp has a brand guide that takes you on a journey! You’ll explore how the brand started, who started it, what’s the goal of its brand identity, and what are the intricate details behind Mailchimp’s visual elements.
4. Starbucks
In their own words, the Starbucks brand guide is a “high-level overview of how the brand comes to life.” It features everything from the core brand elements like logos, color, typography, and illustrations to case studies and theory.
5. Duolingo
Another detailed and thorough brand guide example comes from a language-learning app, Duolingo. It unifies all of Duolingo’s communications, and it includes everything from brand voice to illustrations and even a list of emojis that are relevant to Duolingo notifications.
6. Square
Square offers a perfect brand guide example for those who prefer a more straightforward and effortless approach. It simply includes small text-based sections that highlight the various details one needs to know about the brand.
7. Dribbble
If you loved the brand guide example of Square, you’ll find an even greater appreciation for the one from Dribbble. It just includes a section about using the brand logo, and some do’s and don’ts about using graphics from their site.
8. Monday
Coming back to larger-than-life brand guide examples, we have one from Monday. It includes detailed information about all the elements of the brand’s identity with some examples, use cases, and do’s and don’ts.
9. Slack
Slack gives us a 50-page PDF of the brand guidelines. It’s a well-structured document that helps ensure a consistent and polished representation of the brand across various platforms and applications.
10. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
If a 50-page brand guide was not enough, we have a comprehensive 145-page brand guide by a real-estate firm. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has correctly pointed out that this is their branding bible. It has a ton of information you need to know about the brand’s identity, from logo usage details to stationery guidelines and everything in between.
11. Coursera
Coursera’s brand guide is a perfect roadmap for maintaining a cohesive and impactful brand identity. It includes information about their logo usage, brand colors, typography, co-branding details, and ethical usage guidelines.
12. Skype
Skype has the most creative and engaging brand guide. It includes speech bubbles and human illustrations to convey the essence of communication and connection. Apart from the visually compelling imagery, the guide includes thorough information about logo usage, color schemes, messaging guidelines, etc.
13. YouTube
YouTube’s brand guide is a perfect combination of simplicity and functionality. It meticulously outlines the correct use of the brand logo, color schemes, and typography. It also features information for partners & advertisers, podcast badging, etc.
14. Buffer
Buffer’s brand guide examples show how you can create something that’s transparent and inclusive. It’s a guide that goes beyond the conventional guidelines and provides more details about the company’s core values by highlighting client testimonials and company metrics.
15. Dropbox
Dropbox brand guide features many unique aspects. For example, it includes a customer journey framework, design strategy, UX copy guides, and much more. All in all, it’s a comprehensive toolkit that features everything you need to know about the brand.
16. Instagram
How can we forget the OG when talking about the best brand guide examples? Instagram has a brand guide that serves as a visual feast. It appropriately reflects the platform’s emphasis on creativity and visual storytelling. Plus, it includes every intricate detail regarding the brand and its content.
17. Freepik
Last on our list of brand guide examples, we have one from Freepik. It’s another in-depth guide that outlines all the principles that bring the brand to life. It includes why the brand exists and also various design assets that ensure whenever someone tells the company’s story, it stays consistent.
Summing Up
Brand guides aren’t just about logos and colors; it’s a document that encapsulates a brand’s personality and values. It provides a roadmap for consistency and authenticity in every interaction.
Now, are you ready to create your brand guide? We can help! Just sign up for our unlimited graphic design services, and we’ll help you craft a stunning brand guide that’ll elevate your brand identity.
