Yes, it’s a typo. Yes it was on purpose! Who needs digital perfection when your brand can flaunt its quirks like a badge of honor? In 2024, we’re embracing a trend that’s all about getting personal and a bit raw – incorporating hand-drawn elements into your branding. This isn’t just for the classically trained artists; it’s for anyone with a story to tell and a passion to express.
A Personal Touch
Let’s start with typography. Imagine transforming your brand’s logo or headers with hand-drawn typography. It’s not just about looking artsy; it’s about being approachable and relatable. This personal touch can give your brand an earthy, honest vibe that customers love. This can be done by actually hand sketching some fun bubble letters and then scanning the image into your computer and tracing them or curating some really personality full fonts that have a more handwritten style.
For instance, over at Cindy Rochlen Studio, we’re rocking a dual personality in design: think sleek, dark neutrals with a splash of colorful geometric shapes and a dash of rebellious grunge typography. Odd combo? Maybe. But it’s the heart and soul of our brand. We’re all about embracing the quirky, designing with audacity, and knowing just when to dial up the subtlety or when to release the Kraken!
Tell Your Brand’s Story
Next up, illustrations. Whether it’s on your packaging, website, or ads, hand-drawn illustrations can be a game-changer. They’re not just visuals; they’re snippets of your brand’s soul, showcasing its personality in every stroke. Illustrations are not just for those who aced art class. Whether it’s a sophisticated sketch or a glorified doodle, it’s all about showing off what makes your brand tick. Slap them on your packaging, website, or flying banners – as long as it tells your story, you’re golden.
Textures and Patterns
Don’t underestimate the power of hand-drawn patterns and textures. These little details can add a whole new layer of depth to your branding. Think of them as the background music in a film – subtle yet impactful. For high-end brands looking to add some zest, try blending hand-drawn patterns and textures with sophisticated typography. This mix of minimalist design and personal touches can strikingly balance elegance with creativity. You can also go hand drawn all the way for more experimental marketing pieces or more out there brands, but always make sure your textures and patterns don’t clash with your typography.
Icons and Symbols
Icons and symbols are like shorthand for what your brand stands for. When hand-drawn, they become even more special. Those little imperfections? They’re not mistakes, my friend. They’re your brand’s fingerprints – and they pack a bunch of personality.
They scream authenticity in a world of pixel-perfect boredom. In the end, these quirky, hand-drawn icons don’t just stick in people’s minds; they practically set up camp there. Adjust, fiddle, experiment – until your icons are less like graphics and more like badges of honor for your brand’s individuality. Trust me, in the sea of digital sameness, this is your lifeboat.
Consistency Across Platforms
Incorporating these hand-drawn elements across your social media and marketing tells the world, “This is who we are.” It’s about creating a cohesive image that resonates across all platforms. The trick is to keep it consistent and balanced. It’s about creating a beautifully orchestrated chaos that somehow makes sense. Hand-drawn elements should enhance, not overshadow your brand identity. It’s crucial. Maintaining a consistent style and quality across all your hand-drawn elements is what ties everything together.
Check out some brands that are using hand-drawn elements to elevate their identity:
https://dropboxdesignstandards.com/foundation/visual-imagery/Illustration/intro