Last time, we talked a bit about what it takes to build a luxury brand. Today we dive into the visual aspects of luxury branding and what it takes to achieve a lavish look.
Minimalism: “Good design is as little design as possible.” You may have come across this quotation from German industrial designer Dieter Rams before, and, not surprisingly, it’s great advice to follow if you’re going for a luxury look. Minimalist design is characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with color used as a highlight or accent. As the name implies, minimalist design also makes good use of negative space.
Classic Typography: In terms of type, you will want to keep things simple and elegant. Minimalist fonts tend to have reduced curves and serifs that create a modern, spacious, and highly legible look. If you’re unsure about which fonts to use, stick to using just one serif and one sans-serif font and you’ll have little room for error.
Limited Color Palette: Luxury design usually uses simple black-and-white or another type of neutral color palette. While color isn’t shunned completely, it’s smart to keep only one brighter color in play and use it sparingly.
Simple Logos: Typically, luxury brands like to have their names do the talking. While it may seem counterintuitive, a simple, no-frills logo can go a long way to having a significant and lasting impact. A typography-based logo (called a wordmark) is the most common form of logotype used by luxury brands (think Vogue or Prada). Another popular logo choice is a monogram of the brand’s initials (think of Chanel’s interlocking C’s). Choose which one feels right for you or go with a combination of both.
Premium Photography: Fortunately, you don’t have to go very far or pay much money to find great brand photos. With the rise of stock photography sites like Unsplash and Kaboompics, it’s easier than ever to access beautiful, high-end photos for little to no cost.
Ready to level up your branding? Take a look at these tips!