Brand identity system development
Posted
Image 1 - brand introduction document, back and front covers. © Ran Ren, The Ohio State University, Visual Communication Design major program student.
Image 2 - brand introduction document, basic brand standards. © Ran Ren, The Ohio State University, Visual Communication Design major program student.
Image 3 - brand introduction document, three-dimensional applications. © Ran Ren, The Ohio State University, Visual Communication Design major program student.
Image 4 - brand introduction document, digital and print applications. © Ran Ren, The Ohio State University, Visual Communication Design major program student.
Image 5 - brand introduction document, signage and display applications. © Ran Ren, The Ohio State University, Visual Communication Design major program student.
| Educator/s: | Paul Nini |
|---|---|
| Institution: | Ohio State University |
| Level: | Junior, Undergraduate |
| Duration: | 15 weeks |
| Category: | Branding, Graphic Design, Print, Symbols, Systems, Typography, Visual Communication |
| Filed Under: | Brainstorming, Color Theory, Composition, Design History, Form-making, Four-year Program, Grids, Iconography, Integrative, Iteration, Non-profit, Printed Matter, Process, Production, Publication, Semiotics, Storytelling, Usability |
| Bookmark Project | |
Project Brief
Students created three projects, each over a period of five weeks.
Project 1 - a brand-mark for an organization of their choice.
Project 2 – basic brand standards and several required and optional brand applications.
Project 3 – a brand introduction document of 24 to 32 pages. Example page spreads are shown here.
From a third-year level course, Autumn 2021. The student graduated in Spring 2023.
Learning Objectives
Students achieve a working understanding of:
1) Basic communications theory and the pragmatic use of visual signifiers in the context of brand identity programs and systems.
2) Measuring audience perceptions through the use of survey research techniques.
3) The proper creation of visual identifiers and their application in brand identity programs and systems.
4) The history of significant brand identity programs and systems, and current, significant practitioners and their design processes.
5) Proper use of typographic grid systems in publication design.
Deliverables
Project 1 – a series of prints documenting the brand-mark development process, audience-testing, and color variations.
Project 2 – a series of prints documenting basic brand standards and all brand applications.
Project 3 – a brand introduction document of 24 to 32 pages.
Readings/Resources
1) Tom Geismar, "Identify: Basic Principles of Identity Design in the Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar," 2011, HOW Books.
2) Meggs & Purvis, "Meggs' History of Graphic Design," 5th edition, 2011, Wiley.
3) Alina Wheeler, "Designing Brand Identity," 4th edition, 2013, Wiley.
4) https://standards.site/
5) https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-graphic-design-history
Reflections
I have taught this course many times over the last several years and have refined it quite a bit, so that it works well in our program sequence. I am happy to share the full syllabus upon request.
