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Branding / Canva

What to include inside your brandboard document

If you’ve been struggling with design tasks in your business, specifically when it comes to customizing Canva templates, then this post is for you!

When it comes to any design task, it is important to get back to the basics of your business brand.

Pulling everything that makes up your brand into a brandboard is a simple yet highly effective way to ensure that you implement your brand correctly so you create visuals that are aligned with your vision and mission.

Even though it’s a one page document, don’t underestimate the amount of time and hassle a brandboard can save you from when logging into Canva!

For this reason, I wanted to break down the different sections to include in your brandboard and how to easily gather your assets so you never end up with off-brand graphics again. 

5 things to include in your brandboard document

1. Main Logo

There are 2 reasons I like to add a logo to the very top of a brandboard document. The first reason is to serve as a heading for the document so that anyone who uses the brandboard will know exactly who the owner of it is. This is especially important if you are outsourcing tasks to a designer, VA, or any other professional who needs access to this document.

The second reason for adding the main logo to the top of the document is to have easy access to your logo in situations where you would need your logo file and don’t have the time to go look for it. Usually, your logo files are kept with the rest of your brand assets in an easy to find location. But, there are times when even a few clicks feels like too many steps, and having your logo in your brandboard will be that quick fix you need to get your hands on your logo, fast.

2. Brand Words

I always recommend adding your brand words near the top of your brandboard because it helps you stay within the boundaries of your aesthetics so you can pull yourself back to your core values. This is especially helpful if you struggle with sticking to a consistent brand and want to create a more memorable brand for your audience. 

Seeing your brand words allows you to make good choices when it comes to things like stock photos, headlines, or even the way you apply your color palette and fonts. Whenever you’re unsure about a design decision, you can go back to your brand words and ask “Is this look aligned with my brand words?” If the answer is no, you can then make changes better suited to that description.

3. Inspiration Stock Photos (or your own brand photos)

Much like your brand words, a few inspirational stock photos serves as a guide for you to follow when choosing images to add to your graphics or when applying your brand to templates. 

By adding stock photos that are on-brand for your business you are giving a visual of the vibe you want to go for with your graphics. This is very helpful because it eliminates anything that does not fit in with that very specific look, keeping you from making choices that will feel inconsistent and end up confusing your audience. 

It is therefore of utmost importance that you choose the correct photos for your brandboard, images that perfectly illustrate the vibe of your brand. The images should be on-brand (i.e. fit with your brand style and colour palette) and complement your brand words so everything works together harmoniously.

4. Colour Palette

A big part that makes up your brand is the colour palette, and more importantly, the application of the chosen colours. 

Adding your colour palette to your brandboard not only helps you to have your hex codes on hand which is super helpful in Canva, but when using it with your brand words and inspirational photos, it serves as a manual on how to maintain the integrity of your brand when making design customizations.

The way this works is that your brand word will dictate the way you apply your brand colours. And your inspirational photos will be the visual representation of what your visuals would end up looking like. Application of your brand colours is one of the tools that will help you achieve the final look.

5. Application of Brand Fonts

The way you apply your fonts can either make or break the look of your brand. This is why adding your font hierarchy or “application of brand fonts” to your brandboard is so important.

This section will help you (or the person using your brandboard) make good design choices when applying your brand so that the final graphics are consistent with the rest of your visuals.

Usually between 2 or 3 (3 for the most) fonts are chosen for a brand. The brandboard will state exactly when and how each font should be used. 

  • ‘When’ being the different sections of a design the font will be used. I.e. Headings, subheadings, links, body, call-to-action, etc
  • ‘How’ being the exact format the font will need to be applied in. I.e. Bold, Italic, Underline, Capitalization, size, colour 

For example: Bold, Uppercase Proxima Nova font will be used for subheadings in cherry red.

When your brandboard is completed successfully, you will find your business looking (and feeling) more aligned and authentic, allowing you to show up fully embodying your vision, values and mission. This is how you’ll build a memorable business, and establish a connection with your audience so you can continue nurturing their trust in you.

Need help putting your brandboard together? I’ve got you!

Simply hit the button below to take the 2 minute Dreamy Biz Brand Quiz and get a fully populated brandboard template which you can customize for your business right in Canva! The results will also give you a detailed report to help you understand the chosen assets so you make good design choices for your brand.

TAGS:businessbusiness brandingcanva templatescontent creationcontent planninggraphic design tips
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Hi, I’m Nihaad!

Hi, I’m Nihaad!

I help lady bosses attract their very own tribe online with polished, on-brand graphics that truly sets them apart from the rest – giving them the confidence to stand in front of their dream clients.

Categories

  • Branding
  • Canva
  • Dream Clients
  • Graphic Design

Recent Posts

  • The types of Pinterest graphics you need to promote your biz and boost brand awareness
  • How to transform any Canva templates into unique graphics for a consistent brand look
  • How to keep the integrity of your brand when using Canva templates

It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s something else entirely to actually implement it so you can reap the benefits of a recognizable brand.

I’ve seen so many online business owners launch a stunning business brand, only to have them completely lose track of it because they’re disorganized or simply have no idea how to apply the brand to their visuals.

If you want to build a business that’s memorable so you can capture the eyes (and hearts) of your audience for a sold out launch, then you need to be consistent in the way you use your brand.

That being said, here are 5 small ways to intentionally implement your brand this week:

1️⃣Replace your old email newsletter header
2️⃣Update your Instagram Highlight covers
3️⃣Publish an Instagram post using a Canva template customized with your branding
4️⃣Create updated promo graphics for your core offer
5️⃣Update your Pinterest Profile cover

Need help to do this quick, quick? 

Click your way over to the link in my bio for Canva templates to create a consistent brand for your biz!
At the end of last year I received a message via m At the end of last year I received a message via my Etsy shop from someone who found my Canva templates on Pinterest.

The interesting bit? The screenshot she sent was of a template set that I updated more than 2 years ago!

What does that tell you?

Pinterest will bring traffic to your stuff, YEARS down the road!

It’s a great way to send people to your website so they can learn more about your business and all the incredible ways you can help them.

Pinterest is also a fantastic way to build awareness around your brand so that your audience becomes more familiar with your business.

And, what better way to do this than to establish a consistent brand with stunning visuals?

As it is with content sharing platforms, there are two ways to build brand awareness with your visuals:

1️⃣ THROUGH YOUR PROFILE

When someone lands on your profile, you want your brand visuals to draw their attention so they instantly become familiar with your business. This way, each time they see your content, they’ll immediately identify it as yours; which will make you top of mind.

2️⃣ THROUGH THE CONTENT BEING SHARED FROM YOUR PROFILE

Using a consistent aesthetic for your visuals when sharing content will allow for your audience to recognize your work while scrolling. This is a powerful way to build familiarity and connection, while also standing out from every other business they come in contact with online.

Wanna know which Pinterest graphics you should use for each of these so that you can build brand awareness with your visuals? 👆Swipe for the breakdown!
I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups (in a non-stalker-like manner, please don’t be concerned 😅) trying to find reasons holding people back from making use of Canva templates in their businesses.
 
Want to know what popped up the most?
 
👉👉👉The fear that their graphics will end up looking like everyone else’s.
 
Of course, that’s a valid concern to have. None of us want our businesses to get lost on the internet!

So how exactly can you get the most out of using Canva templates while still making sure that your visuals stand out from the next business out there?

1️⃣ Write your copy beforehand
2️⃣ Customize text with your brand font
3️⃣ Change all design elements with your colour palette
4️⃣ Add your own on-brand photos in the image placeholders
5️⃣ Make use of on-brand stickers, animations, patterns or textures

Tap the link in my bio for the full blog post where I dive into each of these tips a bit more, or swipe for a quick breakdown.

Seriously, if you want your audience to stop feeling bored out of their minds… give them reason to go ‘what’s going on over here 👀’ by keeping these 5 simple customization tips in mind the next time you use Canva templates!
 
Thank me later, friend!

Speaking of Canva templates, remember I launched a brand new set of Pinterest templates in the shop designed to make your audience take a closer look at your sh*t!

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom o Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom of 7 where she gave her best piece of advice on how she gets it all done: “If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now”
 
I’ve been trying to implement this in my day to day and it’s a freaking game changer!
 
😮‍💨 The dishes are not piling up in the kitchen sink…
 
😮‍💨 The kids' toys are not taking over the entire house…
 
😮‍💨 The laundry gets packed away instead of standing around until the next time we do the washing 😅😅😅
 
This got me thinking about our businesses...
 
What is a small task you can do right now, that your future self will thank you for?
 
👉👉👉 Here’s one: Take one piece of content, create 3 different Pinterest graphics for it and pin it to at least 2 relative boards in your profile.
 
Now I know what you’re thinking - “Designing Pinterest graphics will take longer than 5 minutes, Nihaad!”
 
Uhm… yeah it will! If you're not using Canva templates!!!
 
And, thankfully, I just dropped a new set of Pinterest templates in my shop for you to complete this 5 minute task yourself.

🎁🎁🎁 Don’t wanna buy templates right now? No prob, friend! You can totally grab some Pinterest templates from my free Canva library! 🎁🎁🎁

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is kinda my JAM 😇

Staying true to a brand identity while creating stunning visuals to attract dream clients and customers is how I create MAGIC for your business 🧙

This is exactly why I felt so drawn to the email I received with the subject line “Can you help my business?”

Avery Smith is a Licensed Realtor who extends her services to corporate estate agencies looking to provide their clients with a premium level of client care. 

After going through my Dreamy Biz Brand Quiz, Avery realized she needed to uplevel the look and feel of her business to match the high level of service she provides. And, since her work tends to be more serious, she wanted to add a fun, personal touch to her visuals to intrigue her clients. Her overall aim was for her new brand and visuals to hold the attention of her clients with beautiful designs while maintaining the professionalism her field requires.

Communicating with Avery, I immediately related to her dedication to providing her clients with excellent results. Yet, through our email exchanges I got the sense that she’d lost a bit of the excitement she once had for her business while she was growing her client’s reputations. 

Understanding Avery’s desire to continue wowing her clients with outstanding service while simultaneously nurturing her own business, we created something that reignited her spark… I’m thrilled to share this stunning brand design project with you today!

Can you relate to Avery? Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

I want to help you find your spark again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly what you need to put your business back on the map - hit the link in my bio for the details

**Names and info of project changed per client’s request**
I know this will be a tough one to hear but there I know this will be a tough one to hear but there are areas in your business that you’re just not good at 😯

It’s ok though!

Honouring your life’s calling by doing the work that actually helps the people you want to serve with your offers? THAT should be your primary focus! Because THAT’S what will ensure that you grow your business while making an impact out there.

However, neglecting the areas of your business that you’re not the best at can be the reason you're stagnant.

Isn’t that ironic? Focusing your energy on your brilliance, the area that will actually allow your biz to thrive, could very well be the cause of your business not growing at all?

Does this sound like it might be happening to you: 

Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

🔥I want to help you find your fire again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly how we can make this happen for you!

Hit the link in my bio to tell me all about your biz baby ❤️

Bookings now open for 2023 🎉

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