Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Belfast Brand Guidelines
Belfast Brand Guidelines
This new Belfast has become a beacon for positive change and is now alive with fresh opportunities for citizens, visitors and investors.
02
Belfast Brand Guidelines
contents
Click individual titles to go direct to the page
The Belfast Brand
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
Brand Elements
12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 31 34
Applications
36
Why create a belfast brand? Objectives for the brand project The making of our brands identity brand benefits belfast brand brand experience brand attributes
The graphic identity The logo logo and tagline Arrangement Exclusion zones and minimum size positioning Taglines Typography colour Using the identity on colour Using the identity on photographs co-branding options Our tone of voice The call to action Our imagery style Use in other media Using the identity in three dimensions
03
Belfast Brand Guidelines
04
Belfast Brand Guidelines
05
Belfast Brand Guidelines
We needed to understand what people from both Belfast and further afield thought of our city.
Understanding We discussed the current perceptions of Belfast in focus groups, workshops and in-depth interviews with people drawn from across all sectors of our city region including the business community, tourism and hospitality, culture and arts and youth groups. We talked to visitors, investors, potential visitors and potential investors from ROI, GB, Europe and USA to understand how Belfast was perceived. This allowed us to understand our strengths, weaknesses, characteristics and attributes.
Refining Following our initial research we developed three core brand proposition themes that were tested in focus groups with key stakeholders from sectors including government, development, education, business, transport, community, tourism, media, arts and culture. An online survey gave further opportunity to our target market of media, visitors and investors to contribute to the process.
Creating The final stage saw the development of the creative options which were in turn presented and tested with a wide audience across all sectors including the business community in London and Dublin. The preferred identity was further refined and officially launched as the Belfast brand in June 2008.
06
Belfast Brand Guidelines
bRAND bENEFITS
Our new brand is distinctive, credible, sustainable and reinforces Belfasts position as:
- a confident and contemporary European city - a quality leisure and business tourism destination - a competitive place for companies to locate and grow their business - a great place to live - a place that attracts and retains talent - a magnet for world-leading research and innovation
The process of introducing and communicating the brand to key stakeholders will:
- ensure the brand identity is highly visible across the city - provide a single and united message for all city marketing - create a greater level of civic pride and encourage wider participation in city activities. - unite the public, private, and voluntary sectors in Belfast, providing new opportunities for co-operation and joint cost effective marketing initiatives. - enhance the status and recognition of organisations based in the city who adopt the new identity and associate with Belfasts unique qualities. - contribute to the long-term brand building exercise, change perceptions and add value.
07
Belfast Brand Guidelines
belfast brand
Brand Essence Brand Proposition
This is Belfasts moment. This reflects Belfasts coming of age, the turning of a new page and the new shared enthusiasm which is palpable to all those who experience the city.
A unique history and a future full of promise have come together to create a city bursting with energy and optimism.
08
Belfast Brand Guidelines
bRAND EXPERIENCE
For Citizens The time is right for us to build a thriving, vibrant city. By bringing together our strong sense of identity, resilience, enterprise, renowned warmth and wit, we are seizing this opportunity with both hands. Proud of our heritage, we embrace the future to build an even better Belfast, providing a warm welcome to visitors, an exciting environment for business and a great place to live. For Visitors Here, in its outstanding natural surroundings, is a dynamic city with a big personality. Proud of its heritage, Belfast is alive with possibilities and open to change - vibrant, energetic and exciting. The people of Belfast provide a welcome which is not just warm, but genuine and generous, inviting anyone and everyone to join in. Belfast provides a vivid and memorable experience with new things to discover every time you visit. For Investors Belfast is a vibrant city full of opportunity. A spirit of optimism and a real sense of purpose fills the air, inspiring enterprise, creativity and change. The people of Belfast - witty, lively, welcoming and determined - are proud of the citys past, positive about its future, and ready and able to seize the opportunities on offer. Now is the time and Belfast is the place where anything is possible.
09
Belfast Brand Guidelines
bRAND attributes
Welcoming, Sociable, Witty, Genuine
These reflect the warmth of the Belfast welcome and the openness of its social fabric, that allows those from the outside to quickly enter into the spirit of things and experience genuine friendship and a little bit of Belfasts unique wit.
10
Belfast Brand Guidelines
bRAND ELEMENTS
11
Belfast Brand Guidelines
12
Belfast Brand Guidelines
The logo
Our identity comprises the B logo and a tagline. When using the B without a tagline there is only one format in which it should be used: The logo is available for download at: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/brand/logos.asp
13
Belfast Brand Guidelines
14
Belfast Brand Guidelines
exclusion zones
An exclusion zone is in place to make sure that other graphic material or type does not interfere or detract from the identity. This exclusion zone should also be the minimum when positioning the identity close to the edge of a page or trim area. The zone equates to a space that uses the width or height of B as shown below. This is the recommended minimum area, wherever possible allow more space.
minimum size
The minimum size for identity usage is based on the B measuring no less than 15mm wide. This then governs the minimum type size to use as the tagline size is stipulated by the size of the word Belfast. Please seek permission to use the logo below the minimum size in exceptional circumstances. Below is a table of minimum logo sizes in relation to the image area.
15mm
15mm
Image Area A4
(210 x 297mm)
A3
(297 x 420mm)
A2
(420 x 594mm)
A1
(594 x 840mm)
A0
(840 x 1188mm)
6 Sheet
(1180 x 1730mm)
48 Sheet
(6096 x 3048mm)
15
Belfast Brand Guidelines
positioning
Below are some standard formats displaying the minimum size when the brand is being treated as the lead message. The Belfast B should be scaled to the various column widths and can move up or down within those column guides (paying attention to the exclusion zones.) However preference is that the B should always appear on the left of any communication when it is being used as the lead message, ensuring the viewer reads the Belfast B first.
DL leaet
A5 brochure
6 Sheet
A4 poster
48 Sheet
16
Belfast Brand Guidelines
taglines
Adding a strong positive statement to the Belfast B (Be) call to action transforms the logo into an invitation, which can be adapted to suit particular campaign applications. Please note: our brand identity and taglines will always appear in English. Care should be taken when deciding on the statement to ensure that the message couldnt be interpreted as a negative one. The tagline should be no longer than three words and always follows the Belfast B. No words should ever precede the B. The Belfast B should never be used as the first letter of a word.
Incorrect Formats
Negative Message
17
Belfast Brand Guidelines
taglines
Below is a selection of suggested taglines, these are not exhaustive but offer a good indication as to the tone they should take. B part of it is our default tagline.
18
Belfast Brand Guidelines
Typography
A bespoke typeface Moment has been created to accompany the new identity. Moment must only be used for taglines and short headings, not for setting text. When using Moment please pay particular attention to the kerning ensuring spacing is consistent. For setting text, use the primary typeface Helvetica Neue. There are three weights available to give flexibility and impact. For setting text online please use Arial. Primary Typeface
Helvetica Neue bold ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890 Helvetica Neue regular ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890 Helvetica Neue light ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890
Online Typeface
Moment Typeface
abcdefghijklm nopqrstuvwxyz
The Moment typeface is available for download at: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/brand/guidelines.asp
19
Belfast Brand Guidelines
colour
A palette of 16 colours exists for the identity. The logo can be reproduced in any of these colours. The logo may also be reproduced in gold (Pantone 871) or silver (Pantone 877) for special items. When a tagline appears with the logo both should remain the same colour.
Bright Red Pantone 186 C2 M100 Y82 K6 R198 G12 B48 #FF0000
Grey Pantone 5425 C45 M16 Y9 K26 R125 G154 B170 #999999
Maroon Pantone 222 C20 M100 Y20 K63 R106 G26 B65 #660033
Racing Green Pantone 329 C100 M0 Y46 K46 R0 G108 B103 #006666
Tree Green Pantone 7496 C50 M6 Y99 K16 R106 G127 B141 #669900
Slate Pantone 444 C45 M14 Y25 K48 R116 G127 B129 #666666
Sand Pantone 451 C23 M15 Y51 K33 R154 G153 B110 #999966
20
Belfast Brand Guidelines
21
Belfast Brand Guidelines
Bad Example
89
from
The euros stronger than ever, so go ontreat yourself Belfasts all about having a great time, all the time! We have some of the worlds favourite shops and Irelands best hotels, with short breaks starting from an amazing 89 - come on up and see how far your euro can go!
visit gotobelfast.com
89
from
The euros stronger than ever, so go ontreat yourselfBelfasts all about having a great time, all the time! We have some of the worlds favourite shops and Irelands best hotels, with short breaks starting from an amazing 89 - come on up and see how far your euro can go!
visit gotobelfast.com
22
Belfast Brand Guidelines
CO-bRANDING options
Events and publications may be sponsored by a wide range of bodies, each of which will require its brand identity to appear on all types of marketing collateral. To deal with this issue an area should be allocated for cobranding and divided into a grid of equal areas according to the number of brands that need to appear. This should comply with all minimum size and exclusion zone requirements. The Belfast identity should always appear in the top left area of the grid. If this position is taken by a lead sponsor then the Belfast identity should take the outside right position.
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
Preferred Solution
Alternative Solution
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
PARTNER LOGO
23
Belfast Brand Guidelines
24
Belfast Brand Guidelines
25
Belfast Brand Guidelines
26
Belfast Brand Guidelines
27
Belfast Brand Guidelines
place
Built Environment Belfasts rich heritage can be captured in the colour, texture and elaborate details of our Victorian architecture. Use detailed images to convey our inventive past and provide contrasts with modern structures in glass and steel, so ensuring a visual link to the city moving forward in all aspects of life with new found energy. Photograph buildings from low or unusual angles forming a link with the skyline creating a sense of openness and free space. Natural Environment Use images which reflect the wide and changing palette of colour in the surrounding hills and water. Use photography to portray Belfasts open spaces and its location within a natural environment.
28
Belfast Brand Guidelines
people
People and their values are a key part of our identity. Photography must capture not just the scene but also the warmth of the Belfast welcome, wit and ease to enter the social fabric. Create a sense of movement in images to show people at work, energetic, determined and enterprising. Choose imaginative settings and lighting to portray a fully modern workforce optimistic, inspiring and determined.
29
Belfast Brand Guidelines
events
Colourful, exciting, inclusive and new all sentiments which photography of Belfasts many and varied events can portray. This presents the opportunity to use a single image to visually spell out the essence of the position -
30
Belfast Brand Guidelines
31
Belfast Brand Guidelines
You can download examples of radio recordings illustrating correct usage of the Belfast brand at: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/brand/ audio/XmasRetailRadioAd.wav
Radio
When employed in radio advertising as the lead creative the identity must always be used as the sign-off device at the end of any script. It is vital that the brands tone of voice is reflected through any radio advertising drawing on the warmth, wit and vibrancy of the city. Please avoid the use of local terms and slang words which in general have tested negatively in our brand research. The identity should be pronounced: Belfast Be (insert tagline). The tagline will change to reflect the subject matter as a positive and invitational statement.
32
Belfast Brand Guidelines
digital media
The only difference from the rest of these guidelines with regards to use online is the minimum size; which in this instance the Belfast B should be no smaller than 50 pixels in height. This in turn dictate the tagline size. If you want to animate the identity in any way please ensure that you adhere to this web safe colour palette, the minimum size restrictions and never rotate the logo in any way other than the specified options displayed.
Aqua #009999
Blue #003366
Lime #CCCC00
Fuchsia #9933CC
Grey #999999
Maroon #660033
Purple #663399
Terracotta #CC6600
Pink #FF66CC
Azure #3399FF
Spearmint #66CCCC
Slate #666666
Sand #999966
33
Belfast Brand Guidelines
3D
The identity is extremely tactile when used in 3 dimensions. However like all other representations these must also comply with strict dimensional guidelines. The identity must only appear in 3 dimensions with flat planes and not free curved forms. The materials used must be capable of producing shapes that are dimensionally stable enough for the identity to retain its exact form. The lettering must be correct in every way. The side with the lettering should be faced outwards in every case, although the shape can be considered to be two sided. The minimum size at which a 3d logo should be manufactured is 20mm high.
34
Belfast Brand Guidelines
applications
35
Belfast Brand Guidelines
example applications
Here are some examples of the new identity in action. These images reflect the flexibility of the identity and how it can appeal to different audiences.
36
Belfast Brand Guidelines
part of it
inspired
optimistic
vibrant
welcome
refreshed
energetic
informed
here now
thrilling
witty
moved
sociable
confident
noticed
there
members evening
37
Belfast Brand Guidelines
visit gotobelfast.com
89
from
Belfast
in Belfast
Christmas
2008
BVCB Xmas BT Ad.indd 1 13/11/08 15:53:15
38
Belfast Brand Guidelines
39
Belfast Brand Guidelines
40
Belfast Brand Guidelines
Belfast City Council has taken a significant lead for the city in its move to redefine the Belfast brand, for the first time creating a brand identity which will provide clear direction for all city marketing.
As brand owners it is essential that both Belfast City Council (BCC) and Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) lead the way in terms of creative and consistent use of the new identity. Communications need to be in line with our brand values and attributes.
These additional pages in the brand guidelines seek to clarify internal issues and provide guidance in cases of apparent brand conflicts. Our hope is that the new identity and our brands attributes will be adopted by many organisations in both public and private sectors. Our shared aim is to add value to the brand. This will see Belfast continue on its journey to becoming a world-class place in which to live, work, visit and invest.
41
Belfast Brand Guidelines
HIERARCHY OF MESSAGES
The Belfast brand identity and its call to action tagline is potentially a very strong way to deliver key city messages on a wide range of issues. It is possible to imagine a sliding scale of importance or hierarchy for the use of the Belfast brand. The following examples seek to explain this further.
High The identity can be used legitimately as the lead message in any campaign or communication where a tagline can be adopted as a call to action in line with the campaigns theme. The chosen tagline may then be adopted as an umbrella covering all messages on that theme. This tagline should then be used consistently so there is not a continuous search for new taglines.
Once a tagline message has been adopted then the use of the identity can move freely up and down the hierarchy dependant on the importance of each element in the communication. In other words while B active may appear as a headline in one part of a campaign, it may appear as a sign off in another communication.
42
Belfast Brand Guidelines
HIERARCHY OF MESSAGES
Low In situations where the identity is at the bottom of the hierarchy of messages (for example when there are too many other messages), rather than exclude the identity completely the priority, where possible, should still be to maximise its size within the space available whilst still complying with exclusion zone rules. This is best achieved by using the solus version of the identity without a tagline. There maybe situations where it is appropriate to adopt the default position use. Default Use We should not feel pressurised to find a themed tagline for every use, or feel that the identity is weaker when it appears without a themed tagline. In these situations we have the possibility to use a default format.
43
Belfast Brand Guidelines
entertained
Please refer however to our main guidelines about taglines the call to action - which states that taglines should not be used to convert everyday events or sentiments into a message which does not reflect our brand attributes. When used internally it is best to adhere to the versions already adopted or else the logo or default versions.
Three tests should be applied when reviewing any communication or piece of marketing collateral in relation to our brand.
- does it have a clear and understandable message? - does it reflect the Belfast brand values and attributes? - does it comply with all the rules in the brand guidelines document?
44
Belfast Brand Guidelines
45
Belfast Brand Guidelines
inspired
46
Belfast Brand Guidelines
checklist
1. Minimum size 2. Exclusion zone 3. Moment typeface 4. Use of taglines 5. Colour 6. Co-branding 7. Tone of voice 8. Imagery
47
Belfast Brand Guidelines
48
Belfast Brand Guidelines