Visual Identity and Style Guides

April 22, 2015 Visual Identity and Style Guides

Best practices for creating a visual identity and style guide at your church.

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Recently at The Table we discussed the best practices for creating a visual identity and style guide at your church. We had a great conversation about where to start and how to get your staff involved and excited!

Here are 10 key things to remember:

An editorial style guide identifies consistent language for your organization to use; this can help you present a unified vision and communicate clearly with all your audiences.
Though different, church brands can still have the same type of impact as corporate brands. They communicate the character or vibe of your church and give guests an idea of what to expect when they visit.
Your visual identity and aesthetic style play a huge role in shaping first impressions. It is often the first "door" a visitor walks through.
It is important to respect your logo. Treat it as "complete artwork" and fight the urge to change or add to your logo based on holidays, seasons or special events.
Don't be afraid to be thorough and specific! It is better to give too much direction than not enough.
Always make sure to explain the "why" of your brand guide to your staff. Provide them the opportunity to get on board with the mission behind having a consistent, unified identity.
Remember that brand identity applies to every age group! Children can often recognize a corporate brand before they can even read. Therefore, students’ and children’s ministries also benefit from having strong, consistent visual identities which connect to the church’s brand.
Having a visual identity and style guide can help you create a great amount of trust in your church and local community. Your brand can becomes a symbol of your hospitality.
Boundaries and consistency are a good thing not a bad thing! They provide a concrete launching point for every ministry and event.
If you are just starting to create a visual identity and style guide, our advice to you is this: don't try to simply mimic other churches you admire. Every church has its own unique story. Lean into that story with a clear, authentic voice..