Minimalist Design: How to Create a Minimal Brand Identity

If you have only recently learned about minimalism, you probably associate the term with an intentional way of living with less. However, minimalist design has been around for a long time. As an art movement, minimalism emerged in the U.S. during the 1960’s, characterized by stripping the art piece to its essentials. Minimalism can be found in paintings, sculpture, architecture, graphic design, and any sort of artistic expression. Nowadays, given the rapid growth of minimalism as a lifestyle choice, minimalist design has also become more popular. In this blog post, we want to focus on how to design a minimal brand image and identity that will catch everyone’s attention.

Less is More

As we mentioned above, the minimalist movement is about keeping things simple. You must identify what your core values are and how you want to be perceived by your audience. Anything that’s not necessary should be removed. Keep this rule in mind when creating your branding strategy. That being said, don’t make the mistake of thinking minimalism is the lack of design or marketing strategies. On the contrary, it’s about designing with intention. Every element included has a reason for being there and there’s an undeniable beauty to that simplicity. Unnecessary embellishments, colors, information, or designs do not make an appearance. The ultimate goal is to convey your message in the most minimal way possible. #1 Blank space is your friend. Most of us are conditioned to maximize the use of space in marketing materials. In the case of minimalism, leaving white, empty space is part of the message. White space does not break up the design, but rather highlights the important parts of the message and design. You can manipulate the views which people see with the white space to redirect their attention. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9118,9117"] #2 Choose your primary contact method. There’s no need to include every existing contact method in your branding materials. Less is more when you want to build your brand but maintain an elegant look. Choose only one or two of the necessary contact methods including email address, phone number, social media, address, website, etc. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9108,9107"] #3 Be clever. Minimalism can be fun. Use words wisely and get people’s attention. Being a professional brand does not mean you can't be witty and integrate trendy information. Using quotes or funny sayings draw people's attention as they continue to read. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9114,9113"] #4 White is a good base, but it doesn’t mean you can’t play with color. White space can be useful to break up a page but you can also integrate your brand colors for an added pop. Colors can allow you to highlight areas of importance or even create something especially unique. Using colors does not necessarily take away from the overall minimalist effect if it is used correctly. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9120,9119"] #5 Materials also speak volumes. Choose a paper or print finish that goes with your brand values. For example, kraft paper for an eco-friendly brand or raised foil for a subtle touch of luxury. Finding the paper type and texture that is most closely aligned with your vision can help your printed pieces pop even without cluttering with a lot of information. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9110,9109"] #6 Be consistent. Every print format is different, and you should play around with each to see what works best. Find a common element to help people identify part of your brand across materials. A consistent layout or display of your logo can help things become uniformed even across multiple different printing products. Consistency is key to balancing minimalism and making your brand messaging is recognizable. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="9112,9111"]

Is Minimalist Design the Right Choice for Your Brand?

Designing your brand identity is a thoughtful process that goes beyond the latest design trend. Minimalism has proven to be more than a fad, and it is an excellent option if your brand values coincide with it. Minimalist design has recently increased in popularity and is valued as a form of expression. If sticking to the bare essentials and avoiding unnecessary embellishments sound like your brand, go for it! Dare to go minimal and design a memorable brand identity. It can offer you some great opportunities including developing a brand, showing off your products and services, and even highlighting your logo design. Did you like our minimalist design samples? Get inspired to create your own and start growing your brand awareness. Sign up to get 30% OFF your first order! 4OVER4 can bring your minimalist designs to life using superior printing processes and materials. Take a look at our extensive product lineup or request a free sample pack to feel our paper types and finishes in real time!