What is a graphic charter? [With Examples]

Feb 25 • 2 min read

Knowledge Base > Web Design & Development > What is a graphic charter? [With Examples]

A graphic charter, also known as a brand style guide, is a set of guidelines that defines the visual identity of a brand or organization. It is a document that outlines the rules and recommendations for the use of the brand’s visual elements, such as the logo, colors, typography, imagery, and other design elements.

The purpose of a graphic charter is to ensure consistency in the brand’s visual communication across all channels and touchpoints, such as print and digital materials, packaging, advertising, and social media. It serves as a reference for designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to understand how to use the brand’s visual elements correctly and effectively.

A typical graphic charter may include sections on the brand’s color palette and how to use each color, guidelines for typography and font usage, rules for the placement and sizing of the logo, examples of correct and incorrect usage of the brand’s visual elements, and recommendations for imagery and visual styles that align with the brand’s overall aesthetic.

Here are some examples of graphic charters from well-known brands:

  1. Apple: Apple’s graphic charter is focused on clean, minimalistic design with a heavy emphasis on the use of whitespace. The company’s iconic logo is prominently featured throughout the document, along with guidelines for its use in various contexts. The color palette is limited to a few shades of gray and white, with occasional pops of color for specific uses.
  2. Nike: Nike’s graphic charter is focused on bold, dynamic design that reflects the brand’s active, athletic lifestyle. The color palette is centered around black, white, and shades of red, and the brand’s iconic swoosh logo is prominently featured throughout the document. The charter also includes guidelines for typography, imagery, and other design elements that align with Nike’s overall aesthetic.
  3. Slack: Slack’s graphic charter is focused on a simple, fun design that reflects the company’s upbeat, collaborative culture. The color palette is centered around shades of blue and green, and the charter includes guidelines for typography, imagery, and other design elements that align with Slack’s overall aesthetic. The document also includes examples of how to use the brand’s visual elements in a variety of contexts, from digital ads to physical merchandise.
  4. Google: Google’s graphic charter is focused on a clean, modern design that reflects the company’s innovative, forward-thinking culture. The color palette is centered around the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, and the charter includes guidelines for typography, imagery, and other design elements that align with Google’s overall aesthetic. The document also includes examples of how to use the brand’s visual elements in a variety of contexts, from digital ads to physical signage.

Useful Links:

  1. Wikipedia
  2. EN Site Ew
  3. You can also consider implementing a WordPress chart plugin to efficiently showcase and manage visual data representations on your website.

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Common Questions

  • What does a graphic charter include?

    A graphic charter, also known as a brand style guide or visual identity manual, typically includes brand identity, design elements, photography, layout, digital guidelines, and print guidelines. It outlines the design elements, style, and guidelines for creating visual assets for a brand or company, and is an important tool for maintaining a consistent visual identity.

  • Why do we need a graphic charter?

    A graphic charter is needed to maintain a consistent visual identity and ensure that all brand assets are on-brand and visually appealing. It is an important tool for building brand recognition and loyalty among customers.

  • What is a brand graphic chart?

    A brand graphic chart is a document that outlines the design elements, style, and guidelines for creating visual assets for a brand or company, also known as a graphic charter, brand style guide, or visual identity manual.

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