It's a question every brand has to ask itself. Because far beyond a simple aesthetic choice, graphic style is what shapes first impressions. It reflects your values, attracts your target audience and reinforces your credibility.
But how can you be sure you're making the right choices? What colors, what typefaces, what universe should you adopt to make a lasting impression?
In this article, we take you step by step through the process of defining a graphic style that suits you and, above all, works.
Graphic style is the foundation of your brand image.
It's not just an aesthetic choice. It's a strategic tool.
Your visual identity visually translates your values, your tone and your positioning. It's what gives your prospects their first impression, even before they read a word.
Good design branding is:
- clear, coherent visual communication
- visual consistency across all your media (site, networks, imppresion...)
- a style that's recognizable at first glance
It's what inspires confidence, gives an impression of seriousness, and sets you apart from your competitors.
Defining your graphic style also helps to:
- reinforce your company's credibility
- make your brand memorable
- embody your visual positioning in the marketplace
A company without a clear graphic style seems blurred, impersonal, sometimes even amateurish. That's why graphic style isn't an option. It's a foundation.
A graphic style is based on a set of visual elements that define your brand's graphic universe. These elements must be designed to be coherent, memorable and impactful. The basis is the graphic charter. It brings together all the visual codes to be respected.
It includes:
- the logo, the main symbol of your brand
- the color palette, which conveys emotions and values
- the typography, which reflects your company's personality
- graphic elements such as pictograms, icons and illustrations
- the layout, which structures information with clarity and balance
Before that, there's an essential step: the moodboard.
It's a visual inspiration board that guides the artistic direction.
It brings together images, colors, textures or stylistic references that convey the mood to be conveyed.
Choosing a graphic style doesn't happen by chance. It must reflect your brand's personality, your values and appeal to your audience.
It all starts with introspection:
- Who are you?
- What does your company stand for?
- What are your brand values?
- Who are you targeting?
Defining your visual target is essential. The style will be different if you're targeting young urban workers or rural retirees. For example, a tech start-up will adopt a clean, modern, digital design. An artisanal brand will favor a warm, authentic, more textured ambience.
Your art direction must therefore be aligned with:
- your communication tone
- your storytelling
- your distribution channels (web, print, social networks, etc.)
Also take the time to analyze what's being done around you. This is what we call visual benchmarking. Observe your competitors, spot trends, identify dominant styles and opportunities for differentiation.
Finally, bring all this together to build your graphic DNA. A common thread that will guide all your aesthetic choices. A well-chosen style is one that speaks to your audience, embodies your values... and remains recognizable.
When you call on a design agency or freelancer, you benefit from:
- an objective outside view
- tailor-made support
- a more professional, powerful result
You save time, avoid mistakes, and above all: you get straight to the point. Entrusting the creation of your visual identity to an expert means laying a solid foundation for all your communications. At SUPRIA, we don't impose a style on you. We build it together, in line with your values, your market and your ambitions.
Each project is tailor-made, with a clear and assertive artistic direction. So, yes, you can do it all yourself. But if you want your image to reflect who you are... and speak to your customers, it's best to have the right support.
In conclusion, choosing the graphic style for your company is much more than finding "what looks good". It's about translating an identity, telling a story, creating coherence between who you are... and what you show.
A good graphic universe attracts, reassures and converts. It sets you apart in a saturated market, while speaking directly to your ideal customers.
Take the time to define your values, your tone, your target. If necessary, enlist the help of design and branding professionals. And remember one thing: the right graphic style is the one that looks like you, and strikes a chord at first glance.
Needa helping hand to build an image that really sets you apart?
At SUPRIA, we create tailor-made websites and strategic, memorable visual identities.
An online presence that grows with you
A strategic tool for attracting customers
A strong, memorable identity
