What is Brand Strategy Template?
This is a template to create an original brand that knows itself and knows what it wants.
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There are 3 main parts and 1 bonus part in this template. Each part has its titles and concepts. You can start your journey by following the steps from the structure on the side. The examples at the end of the episode can help you on your journey. And this is not a linear structure to do every stage back-to-back. You can go back and forth between steps. This is the more correct way to journey.
The GENESIS
A Curious Discussion
One day, my teammate Mona and I found ourselves deep in a discussion about the relationship between branding and UX. Intrigued by the potential synergy between these two fields, we decided to embark on a project to explore this connection. Our goal was to create a template that would seamlessly integrate branding and UX, enhancing the overall effectiveness of UX work by grounding it in a strong brand identity.
We started our research with several questions in mind:
What is a brand?
How does branding impact UX?
How do we evaluate a brand?
Are the criteria for brand evaluation similar to those for UX evaluation?
How can branding inform UX design?
How does the output of brand evaluation influence UX design?
To gain a deeper understanding of this topic, we conducted extensive research and analyzed various studies. As we analyzed our findings, we grouped and ranked the information to form a comprehensive template that made sense to us. This template was designed to help create an original brand that knows itself and its goals, with a flexible, non-linear structure that allows users to move back and forth between steps.
Workshop Validation
We knew that our template needed validation, so we organized a workshop with friends who were considering starting a brand. This initial test helped us refine our structure. One of our biggest workshops was held in collaboration with Userspots, where we worked with 8 different startups. The positive feedback we received was invaluable, highlighting the importance of user testing and feedback in refining our approach.
Iterative Improvement
Refining the Template
Our template structure consists of four main sections:
Benchmarks and Target Audience: Users begin by observing their environment and defining their target audience. Benchmark studies often help analyze the target audience, making this step more effective.
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Brand Personality: Exercises to analyze the brand's personality help users define the essence of their brand.
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Brand Heart: This section is crucial to discover the essence of the brand's most vital point.
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Visual Elements: In the "Bonus" section, users define the brand's visual elements, ensuring consistency in brand presentation.
A Usable Template
The Final Product
We considered this study as a product in itself. Going through various stages of product development, we tested and refined our ideas, ultimately shaping a template that was both effective and meaningful. Publishing the final template structure on Miroverse was a significant achievement, expanding our reach and impact.
Conclusion
A Collaborative Success
Creating the Brand Strategy Template was a unique and rewarding experience. It showcased the importance of integrating branding and UX, validated through workshops and user feedback. The journey emphasised the need for a user-centric approach in all stages of product development, from initial concept to final implementation. Cheers to my teammate Gürkan Özkan for his collaboration and dedication.
