Brand Guidelines

Brand guidelines are a set of documented rules that explain how a brand should look, sound, and be represented. They provide clear direction so the brand stays consistent across people, platforms, and materials.

Why it matters
Brand guidelines remove guesswork. They make it easier to create, collaborate, and scale without diluting the brand. When decisions are documented, consistency doesn’t rely on memory or taste, it becomes repeatable.

What brand guidelines are not
Brand guidelines are not meant to restrict creativity or freeze a brand in time. They’re a reference, not a rulebook, and should evolve as the brand grows.

Where this shows up

• Design and marketing work
• Content creation and copywriting
• Onboarding collaborators or partners
• Maintaining consistency over time

Related terms

• Visual Identity (what the guidelines protect and explain)
• Brand Voice (how language is documented and applied)
• Logo (often governed by usage rules in guidelines)