Creating a Visual Identity Manual from Scratch
A course by Gilian GomesGraphic Designer and Illustrator
A course by Gilian Gomes, Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Learn to organize and showcase your brand to the real world by developing a professional visual guide, from initial concept to final presentation
If you want to develop a practical and effective visual identity manual, designer and illustrator Gilian Gomes is the ideal person to accompany you on your journey. As a branding specialist, he creates designs for brands and packaging with relevant messages without losing sight of the strategic focus.
In this course, learn to create a visual identity manual from start to finish. Gilian teaches you the foundations of a manual and the differences between a brand, a visual identity, and branding. By the end, you'll have all the tools to present a professional visual identity manual ready for the client's use.
If you're also interested in mastering Illustrator and its main tools for composing impactful graphic pieces, take a look at Gilian Gomes' first course Adobe Illustrator: Graphic Design for Beginners.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 20 downloads
What is a visual identity manual?
2 minutes, 54 seconds
Understanding the nomenclatures
3 minutes, 31 seconds
Types of manuals
7 minutes, 23 seconds
Exploring other manuals
9 minutes, 16 seconds
Where and how to create your manual?
5 minutes, 56 seconds
Summary and initial topics
4 minutes, 23 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know a little bit about Gilian Gomes and his career so far in the world of design. He also shares a few of the designers that have influenced him in terms of branding and brand creation.
Begin by discovering what a visual identity manual is, its main features, and everything you need to create your own. Take a look at some of the foundational concepts and learn the difference between a visual identity manual and a brand book.
Now it's time to determine the structure of your manual, starting with what you want to include in order to put together a table of contents. Next, get to work on your logo, creating some different versions and applications before choosing the color scheme for a striking and functional color palette. Gilian also explains how to approach elements like typography, symbols, icons, and patterns.
To wrap up the course, Gilian shows you how to present your manual to the client and make all the files available and ready for use. Now you have all the skills to create a professional visual guide in a range of mediums to help boost any brand.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a professional visual identity manual, from the concept to its final presentation to the client.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, managers, and any branding professional.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is necessary for this course.
In terms of materials, all you need is a computer installed with the software of your choice.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
much theory and not details of how one can do step by step a manual....
- 5 months ago
muito bom
- 6 months ago
Muy buen curso para comprender la estructura básica de un manual de identidad visual, muy recomendado.
- 7 months ago
Completo!
- 7 months ago
Muy completo, muy claro y muy real
His creative process explores designs that express powerful and singular meanings. Through use of his illustration and typography skills, Gilian seeks unique and impressive results.
Throughout his career he's worked with large corporations, advertising agencies, and design studios like Sweety & Co. and Raison Pure. Some of his biggest clients include O Boticário, Sebrae, Grupo Zaffari, Enjoei, and Wordbank. He currently works as a freelance professional collaborating with clients all over the world.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Preparation of the manual
- What is a visual identity manual?
- Understanding the nomenclatures
- Types of manuals
- Exploring other manuals
- U3
It's time to produce your project
- Where and how to create your manual?
- Summary and initial topics
- Main elements and versions of the logo
- Chromatic pattern
- Technical aspects of reproduction
- Visual elements and applications
- U4
Showing your work
- How to deliver the MIV?
- How to send the brand files?
- FP
Final project
- Creating a Visual Identity Manual from Scratch
What to expect from a Domestika course
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Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to create and organize complete visual identity manuals, design logos, define color palettes, select typography, and build consistent graphic systems for brands, along with understanding the technical and creative branding guidelines.
This is an intermediate-level course, ideal for those with basic knowledge of graphic design or branding who want to deepen their skills in building and documenting visual identities.
Basic design knowledge and familiarity with software like Illustrator and InDesign are recommended, along with an interest in branding and visual identity. Advanced skills aren’t required, but practical experience will help you get the most out of the course.
The course guides you through structuring a manual from the brand concept to logo definition, color palette, typography, applications, usage rules, and finally layout and delivery in digital or print formats.
A visual identity manual is a document that compiles guidelines for the correct use of a brand’s graphic elements, ensuring consistency and recognition across all applications and touchpoints.
After completing the course, you’ll be able to create full visual identities, develop brand manuals for companies, events, or products, and work in art direction, editorial design, and branding across various contexts.
Yes, the course analyzes references from well-known brand manuals like Spotify, Starbucks, and the Olympics, showcasing different structures, applications, and strategies to inspire your own projects.