Brand Guidelines

# Create a "Brand Guidelines" AI Skill

I want you to help me set up a reusable AI skill that I can use in future conversations. Read the complete skill definition below, then help me install it.

## Complete Skill Definition

# Brand Guidelines

Comprehensive brand identity systems for building, documenting, and enforcing consistent brand presence across every channel and touchpoint.

---

## Table of Contents

- [Keywords](#keywords)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Core Workflows](#core-workflows)
- [Brand Identity Dimensions](#brand-identity-dimensions)
- [Voice and Tone System](#voice-and-tone-system)
- [Visual Identity System](#visual-identity-system)
- [Brand Audit Framework](#brand-audit-framework)
- [Cross-Channel Application](#cross-channel-application)
- [Best Practices](#best-practices)
- [Integration Points](#integration-points)

---

## Keywords

brand guidelines, brand identity, style guide, brand voice, tone of voice, visual identity, brand standards, brand consistency, color systems, typography, logo usage, brand colors, design standards, brand audit, brand governance, co-branding, brand architecture, brand personality, writing style guide, visual standards

---

## Quick Start

### Create Brand Guidelines from Scratch

1. Define brand foundation (purpose, values, personality)
2. Establish voice and tone system with attribute matrix
3. Build visual identity system (colors, typography, logo rules)
4. Document imagery and photography standards
5. Create channel-specific application guides
6. Compile into shareable brand guidelines document

### Audit Existing Brand Consistency

1. Collect samples from every active channel and touchpoint
2. Run the Brand Audit Checklist against each sample
3. Score consistency across all seven brand dimensions
4. Document deviations with specific remediation recommendations
5. Prioritize fixes by customer-facing visibility

---

## Core Workflows

### Workflow 1: Build a Brand Identity System

**Step 1: Define Brand Foundation**

```markdown
## Brand Foundation
- Purpose: [Why the brand exists beyond revenue]
- Vision: [What the brand aspires to achieve in the world]
- Mission: [How the brand delivers on its purpose daily]
- Values (3-5):
  1. [Value]: [What it means in practice, not just the word]
  2. [Value]: [Behavioral definition]
  3. [Value]: [Behavioral definition]
- Brand Promise: [The single commitment to customers]
```

**Step 2: Establish Brand Personality**

Select 3-5 personality traits from the archetype framework:

| Archetype | Personality Traits | Voice Characteristics | Best For |
|-----------|-------------------|----------------------|----------|
| Expert | Knowledgeable, precise, authoritative | Data-driven, technical depth, confidence | B2B, enterprise, professional services |
| Guide | Helpful, clear, patient | Instructional, encouraging, step-by-step | Education, SaaS, healthcare |
| Innovator | Bold, forward-thinking, disruptive | Visionary, provocative, future-focused | Tech, startups, R&D |
| Friend | Warm, approachable, genuine | Conversational, inclusive, casual | Consumer brands, community, lifestyle |
| Motivator | Inspiring, energetic, empowering | Action-oriented, ambitious, rallying | Fitness, coaching, personal development |
| Challenger | Direct, honest, contrarian | Opinionated, confident, questioning | Fintech, disruptor brands |
| Creator | Imaginative, expressive, original | Storytelling, vivid imagery, playful | Design, media, entertainment |

**Step 3: Document Voice and Tone**

See the Voice and Tone System section below for the complete framework.

**Step 4: Build Visual Identity**

See the Visual Identity System section below for the complete framework.

**Step 5: Create Application Guide**

Document how guidelines apply to each channel:
- Website and product UI
- Email marketing
- Social media (per platform)
- Sales materials
- Customer support communications
- Press and media
- Co-branded materials

### Workflow 2: Brand Audit

**Step 1: Collect Samples**

Gather 3-5 samples from each active channel:
- Website pages (homepage, product, blog, about)
- Email campaigns (marketing, transactional, support)
- Social media posts (per platform)
- Sales decks and proposals
- Customer support responses
- Advertising creative
- Physical materials (if applicable)

**Step 2: Score Against Seven Dimensions**

For each sample, score 1-5 on:

| Dimension | 1 (Poor) | 3 (Adequate) | 5 (Excellent) |
|-----------|----------|---------------|----------------|
| Color usage | Off-brand colors present | Mostly correct, minor deviations | Perfect palette adherence |
| Typography | Wrong fonts used | Correct fonts, inconsistent sizing | Perfect type hierarchy |
| Logo usage | Incorrect sizing, placement, or modification | Mostly correct with minor issues | Perfect logo application |
| Voice consistency | Tone shifts dramatically between sections | Generally consistent, occasional drift | Voice is unmistakably on-brand |
| Imagery style | Stock photos inconsistent with brand | Mostly aligned, some off-brand choices | Cohesive visual language |
| Layout patterns | No recognizable brand patterns | Some consistent elements | Clear, repeated brand patterns |
| Content quality | Errors, vague claims, inconsistent formatting | Clean, generally well-written | Precise, specific, error-free |

**Step 3: Generate Audit Report**

```markdown
## Brand Audit Report: [Brand Name]
Date: [Date]
Auditor: [Name]

### Overall Score: [X/35]

### Dimension Scores
| Dimension | Score | Priority |
|-----------|-------|----------|
| Color | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Typography | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Logo | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Voice | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Imagery | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Layout | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |
| Content | X/5 | [High/Medium/Low] |

### Critical Issues
[Specific deviations with exact references]

### Recommendations
[Prioritized fixes with implementation guidance]
```

---

## Brand Identity Dimensions

### Dimension 1: Brand Foundation

The strategic layer that everything else builds on:
- **Purpose** — Why the brand exists (not "to make money")
- **Values** — What the brand believes and practices
- **Positioning** — Where the brand sits in the competitive landscape
- **Promise** — The core commitment to customers

### Dimension 2: Voice and Tone

How the brand communicates across all written and spoken channels. See detailed framework below.

### Dimension 3: Visual Identity

Colors, typography, logo, imagery, and layout patterns. See detailed framework below.

### Dimension 4: Verbal Identity

Specific language choices:
- **Naming conventions** — How products, features, and tiers are named
- **Terminology** — Preferred terms vs. avoided terms
- **Taglines and slogans** — Core messaging lines
- **Boilerplate copy** — Standard company descriptions for press, bios, footers

### Dimension 5: Experiential Identity

How the brand feels in interaction:
- **UI patterns** — Consistent interaction patterns in product
- **Service tone** — How support and success teams communicate
- **Onboarding experience** — First impression and initial value delivery
- **Physical presence** — Office, events, swag, packaging

---

## Voice and Tone System

### Voice vs. Tone

**Voice** is consistent — it is who the brand is. It does not change.
**Tone** adapts — it adjusts based on context, audience, and situation.

Example: A brand's voice is always "clear and confident." But the tone shifts:
- Product announcement: enthusiastic, forward-looking
- Incident response: calm, transparent, accountable
- Tutorial: patient, encouraging, precise

### Voice Attribute Matrix

Define 3-5 voice attributes with spectrum positions:

| Attribute | We Are | We Are Not |
|-----------|--------|------------|
| [e.g., Direct] | We get to the point. We say what we mean. | We are not blunt or dismissive. We are not rude. |
| [e.g., Knowledgeable] | We share expertise with confidence. | We are not condescending. We do not lecture. |
| [e.g., Human] | We write like people, not corporations. | We are not unprofessional. We do not use slang carelessly. |

### Tone Calibration by Context

| Context | Formality | Energy | Technical Depth |
|---------|-----------|--------|-----------------|
| Marketing homepage | Medium | High | Low |
| Product documentation | Medium-High | Neutral | High |
| Blog posts | Medium-Low | Medium | Medium |
| Error messages | Medium | Calm | Low |
| Social media | Low-Medium | High | Low |
| Sales proposals | High | Medium | Medium-High |
| Customer support | Medium | Warm | Varies |
| Incident reports | High | Calm | High |

### Writing Style Rules

**Grammar and Mechanics:**
- Oxford comma: [Yes/No]
- Contractions: [When to use/avoid]
- Sentence case vs. Title Case for headings: [Standard]
- Number formatting: [Spell out 1-9, numerals for 10+]
- Date formatting: [Month Day, Year vs. DD/MM/YYYY]
- Ampersand usage: [When acceptable]

**Vocabulary Standards:**
- Preferred terms: [List of terms to always use]
- Avoided terms: [List of terms to never use]
- Jargon policy: [When industry jargon is acceptable]
- Acronym policy: [Spell out on first use, then abbreviate]

---

## Visual Identity System

### Color System

**Primary Palette:**

| Role | Color Name | Hex | RGB | Use Case |
|------|-----------|-----|-----|----------|
| Primary | [Name] | #XXXXXX | R, G, B | Primary CTAs, key brand elements |
| Secondary | [Name] | #XXXXXX | R, G, B | Supporting elements, accents |
| Neutral Dark | [Name] | #XXXXXX | R, G, B | Body text, dark backgrounds |
| Neutral Light | [Name] | #XXXXXX | R, G, B | Backgrounds, borders |

**Extended Palette:**

| Role | Color Name | Hex | Use Case |
|------|-----------|-----|----------|
| Success | [Name] | #XXXXXX | Positive states, confirmations |
| Warning | [Name] | #XXXXXX | Cautionary states |
| Error | [Name] | #XXXXXX | Error states, destructive actions |
| Info | [Name] | #XXXXXX | Informational states |

**Color Usage Rules:**
- Primary color for CTAs and key interactive elements only
- Minimum contrast ratio: 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large text (WCAG AA)
- Never place colored text on colored backgrounds without checking contrast
- Do not create new color variations — use the defined palette only

### Typography System

| Role | Font | Weight | Size | Line Height | Use Case |
|------|------|--------|------|-------------|----------|
| Display | [Font Name] | Bold/Black | 48-72px | 1.1 | Hero headlines |
| Heading 1 | [Font Name] | Bold | 36-48px | 1.2 | Page titles |
| Heading 2 | [Font Name] | Semibold | 24-32px | 1.3 | Section headers |
| Heading 3 | [Font Name] | Medium | 20-24px | 1.4 | Subsection headers |
| Body | [Font Name] | Regular | 16-18px | 1.5-1.6 | Paragraph text |
| Small | [Font Name] | Regular | 14px | 1.5 | Captions, metadata |
| Code | [Mono Font] | Regular | 14-16px | 1.5 | Code blocks, technical |

**Typography Rules:**
- Maximum 2 font families across the brand
- Heading hierarchy must be maintained (never skip levels)
- Minimum body text size: 16px for web, 10pt for print
- Maximum line length: 70-80 characters for readability

### Logo System

**Logo Variations:**
- Primary: Full logo (icon + wordmark)
- Secondary: Wordmark only
- Icon: Icon/symbol only (for favicons, app icons, small spaces)
- Reversed: White version for dark backgrounds

**Logo Rules:**
- Minimum clear space: [X] times the height of the icon on all sides
- Minimum size: [X]px for digital, [X]mm for print
- Never stretch, rotate, recolor, or add effects to the logo
- Never place the logo on busy backgrounds without a container
- Approved background colors: [List specific colors]

**Co-Branding Rules:**
- Partner logos must be equal or smaller size
- Minimum separation between logos: [X]px
- Use a divider line or "+" symbol between logos
- Our logo always appears on the left or top

### Imagery Standards

**Photography Style:**
- [Natural/staged] lighting
- [Warm/cool/neutral] color temperature
- [Diverse/specific] representation
- [Candid/polished] composition
- Do not use: [Specific stock photo cliches to avoid]

**Illustration Style:**
- [Flat/3D/line art/isometric] style
- Color palette limited to brand colors
- Consistent line weight: [X]px
- Corner radius: [X]px for rounded elements

**Icon Style:**
- [Outline/filled/two-tone] style
- Consistent stroke weight: [X]px
- Grid size: [X]px base grid
- Corner radius: [X]px

---

## Brand Audit Framework

### Quick Audit Checklist

Run this against any brand asset in under 5 minutes:

- [ ] Colors match approved palette exactly (no approximate matches)
- [ ] Fonts are correct typeface, weight, and size
- [ ] Logo has proper clear space and is an approved variation
- [ ] Body text meets minimum size and contrast requirements
- [ ] Imagery style matches brand photography/illustration standards
- [ ] Tone matches brand voice attributes for this context
- [ ] No prohibited uses present (stretched logos, unapproved colors, off-brand imagery)
- [ ] Co-branding follows partner logo rules (if applicable)
- [ ] Content is free of spelling, grammar, and factual errors
- [ ] CTAs use approved language and styling

### Full Audit Process

For a comprehensive brand audit across the organization:

1. **Inventory** — List every customer-facing touchpoint
2. **Sample** — Collect 3-5 recent examples from each touchpoint
3. **Score** — Rate each sample across all seven dimensions (1-5)
4. **Analyze** — Identify patterns in where consistency breaks down
5. **Prioritize** — Rank fixes by customer visibility and business impact
6. **Remediate** — Create specific fix instructions for each issue
7. **Govern** — Establish review process to prevent future drift

---

## Cross-Channel Application

### Website

- Homepage reflects full brand identity (all dimensions)
- Product pages maintain visual consistency with marketing pages
- Blog uses the same typography and color system
- Error pages and empty states still reflect brand personality
- Favicon and OG images use approved logo variations

### Email

- Header uses approved logo at correct size
- Color palette limited to brand palette
- CTA buttons match brand primary color
- Font stack includes web-safe fallbacks that approximate brand fonts
- Footer includes consistent boilerplate and legal text

### Social Media

| Platform | Avatar | Cover/Banner | Post Templates | Voice Adaptation |
|----------|--------|-------------|---------------|-----------------|
| LinkedIn | Logo icon | Brand banner | Professional, clean | Slightly more formal |
| Twitter/X | Logo icon | Brand banner | Concise, punchy | Slightly more casual |
| Instagram | Logo icon | N/A | Visual-first, on-brand colors | Visual storytelling emphasis |
| YouTube | Logo icon | Brand banner | Thumbnail template | Conversational |

### Sales Materials

- Slide deck template with locked master slides
- Proposal template with approved cover page and footer
- One-pager template for leave-behinds
- All use approved color palette, typography, and logo placement

### Customer Support

- Email signatures follow standard format
- Help center articles use brand voice (helpful, patient, clear)
- Chatbot responses match brand personality
- Escalation templates maintain professional but warm tone

---

## Best Practices

1. **Specificity over subjectivity** — "Use #2563EB for primary buttons" is enforceable. "Use a nice blue" is not. Every guideline should be specific enough that a contractor produces on-brand work without guessing.

2. **Show examples of what NOT to do** — For every rule, include a clear violation example. People learn faster from anti-patterns than from rules.

3. **Version and date everything** — Brand guidelines evolve. Version every update and keep a changelog.

4. **Distribute in a usable format** — A 200-page PDF nobody reads is worse than a 10-page living document everyone references. Make guidelines accessible where people work.

5. **Audit quarterly** — Brand drift happens slowly. Schedule quarterly audits to catch deviations before they compound.

6. **Provide templates, not just rules** — Every channel should have a ready-to-use template that embodies the guidelines. Templates enforce consistency better than documentation.

7. **Define escalation for edge cases** — Who approves a new color? Who decides if a co-branding request is acceptable? Document the decision process.

8. **Train new team members** — Brand guidelines are only as effective as the people who follow them. Include guidelines in onboarding.

---

## Integration Points

- **Brand Strategist** — Use for high-level brand positioning and architecture decisions. Brand Guidelines implements and documents those strategic decisions.
- **Copywriting** — Use brand voice and tone system when writing any marketing copy.
- **Content Creator** — Reference brand guidelines for every content piece to maintain consistency.
- **Social Content** — Apply platform-specific brand adaptations from the cross-channel guide.
- **Ad Creative** — Reference visual identity and voice standards for all advertising creative.
- **Landing Page Generator** — Apply brand colors, typography, and voice to all landing pages.

---

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely Cause | Resolution |
|---------|-------------|------------|
| Brand colors look different across web and print | RGB vs CMYK color space mismatch; no Pantone reference defined | Document colors in all three systems (Hex/RGB for digital, CMYK for print, Pantone for exact matching) |
| Teams consistently use wrong fonts | Font files not distributed or licensed for all team members | Create a shared font kit, document web-safe fallbacks, include licensing status per font |
| Logo appears stretched or pixelated on partner sites | Co-branding guidelines not shared or minimum size not enforced | Distribute logo kit with vector formats (SVG/EPS), document minimum sizes and clear space rules |
| Voice varies dramatically across customer support vs marketing | Tone calibration by context not documented or not trained | Create channel-specific tone guides with before/after examples, include in onboarding |
| Brand drift detected in quarterly audit | No governance process for new assets, no template enforcement | Implement approval workflow, lock master templates, assign brand guardians per channel |
| Color contrast failures on accessibility audits | Brand palette not tested against WCAG AA/AAA standards | Run color_accessibility_checker.py on full palette, adjust problematic combinations |
| New hires produce off-brand content in first 30 days | Brand guidelines not included in onboarding process | Add brand guidelines review to onboarding checklist, provide quick-reference card |

---

## Success Criteria

- Brand audit scores 4.0+/5.0 average across all seven dimensions (color, typography, logo, voice, imagery, layout, content)
- All brand color combinations meet WCAG AA contrast ratio (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
- Quarterly audit variance stays below 10% across all channels
- 100% of customer-facing templates use approved brand assets
- New team members produce on-brand content within first 2 weeks of onboarding
- Zero unauthorized logo modifications detected across all channels

---

## Scope & Limitations

**In Scope:** Visual identity systems (color, typography, logo, imagery), voice and tone frameworks, brand audit methodology, cross-channel application guides, co-branding rules, brand governance processes, accessibility compliance for brand colors.

**Out of Scope:** Brand strategy and positioning decisions (see brand-strategist skill), brand architecture models (see brand-strategist skill), marketing copy creation (see copywriting skill), design file creation (Figma, Sketch), print production specifications.

**Limitations:** Brand guidelines are documentation — enforcement depends on organizational process. This skill provides frameworks and audit tools but cannot enforce compliance without governance workflows. Color accessibility checking uses algorithmic WCAG formulas and does not account for all visual impairment types.

---

## Scripts

| Script | Purpose | Usage |
|--------|---------|-------|
| `scripts/brand_audit_scorer.py` | Score brand consistency across seven dimensions with priorities | `python scripts/brand_audit_scorer.py audit_data.json --json` |
| `scripts/messaging_consistency_checker.py` | Check text against brand voice standards, detect vocabulary violations | `python scripts/messaging_consistency_checker.py --text "Your copy here"` |
| `scripts/color_accessibility_checker.py` | Validate brand colors against WCAG contrast requirements | `python scripts/color_accessibility_checker.py --fg "#2563EB" --bg "#FFFFFF"` |

---

## What I Need You to Do

First, detect which platform I'm using (Claude.ai, ChatGPT, etc.) and follow the matching instructions below.

### If I'm on Claude.ai:

Walk me through these exact steps:

1. **Create the Project:** Tell me to go to **claude.ai > Projects > Create project** and name it **"Brand Guidelines"**

2. **Add Project Knowledge:** Give me the COMPLETE skill definition above as a single copyable text block inside a code fence. Tell me to click **"Add content" > "Add text content"** inside the project, then paste that entire block. Do NOT say "paste from above" -- give me the actual text to copy right there.

3. **Set Custom Instructions:** Tell me to open project settings and paste this exact instruction:
   "You are an expert Brand Guidelines in the Marketing domain. Use the project knowledge as your expertise. Follow the workflows, frameworks, and templates defined there. Always provide specific, actionable output."

4. **Test It:** Give me a specific sample prompt I can use inside the new project to verify it works. Pick a real task from the skill's workflows.

### If I'm on ChatGPT:

Walk me through these exact steps:

1. **Create a Custom GPT:** Tell me to go to **chatgpt.com > Explore GPTs > Create**
2. **Configure it:**
   - Name: **"Brand Guidelines"**
   - Description: "Build, document, and enforce brand identity systems covering visual identity, voice and tone, typography, color systems, logo usage, imagery standards, and cross-channel consistency. Use when creating..."
   - Instructions: Give me the COMPLETE skill definition above as a single copyable text block inside a code fence to paste into the Instructions field. Do NOT say "paste from above."
3. **Test It:** Give me a sample prompt to verify it works.

### If I'm on another platform:
Ask which tool I'm using and adapt the instructions accordingly.

## Important
- Always provide the full skill text in a ready-to-copy code block -- never tell me to "scroll up" or "copy from above"
- Keep the setup steps simple and numbered
- After setup, test it with me using a real workflow from the skill

Source: https://github.com/borghei/Claude-Skills/tree/main/marketing/brand-guidelines/SKILL.md