The Minimalist Brand

Miguel Guinard • June 5, 2020

I'm starting "The Minimalist Series" to help and inspire you to be unique with a minimalist approach. This post's topic, The minimalist brand, will help you be unique and a breath of fresh air in today's crowded space. Whether you are a business owner looking to freshen up or an individual looking to stand out in the corporate world, you will find applicable information to help you soar above the rest.

This article, part of "The Minimalist series." You can read all the posts in the links below:

The Minimalist Brand

In this article, I will make the case on how to simplify your brand in the following areas:
  • Simplify personal image
  • Simplify business image
  • Simplify your message
  • Simplify your delivery

Making the case for minimalism in branding

the simplicity of Ferrari logo

If you look around you, no matter where you go, you will find many businesses and brands fighting for a piece of the pie. This "fight" for market share is ideal for the consumer Because it leads to better products. One of the unfortunate side effects is what I like to call "information warfare." When we pay too much attention to what others are doing, we tend to react and follow suit with the same strategies overcrowding the consumer space. 



As a consumer, I often feel overwhelmed by all the information bombarded at us. The news, advertisements, and solicitors all strive for our attention with clickbait and fearmongering. This "nuclear" approach has made me appreciate simplicity and transparency. 



If you want your brand or business to be unique, you must focus on simplicity, clarity, and transparency.

Simplify personal image

simple wardrobe
People, by nature, are always looking for attention. We do this with our hairstyle, wardrobe, and hobbies. I want to challenge you to simplify your wardrobe. This action alone will help you create a signature look for your brand that will make you more memorable. By simplification, I'm not saying to wear the same thing every day, although it can help you worry less about what to wear and focus that energy into other things.

My wardrobe has been getting smaller over the years, with more high-quality items that last for a long time. Notice I say quality items rather than brands. If I wear something with a logo in it certainly is going to be my logo. 

My personal preference is to stay away from ostentatious brands that plaster their logo or brand all over their wardrobe. I consider it a compliment when people ask me where I get my stuff. And guess what? Answering the question allows you to start a conversation and genuinely expand your network.

Simplify your business image

Simplicity in Apple Logo

If you talk to anyone in the branding field, they will always say to select a color palette and use it in all your marketing materials. But don't go too crazy. Less is more.



If you don't already have a logo for your business, make sure it includes your colors. The best brands have the simplest of logos. Think apple, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, etc. There are some brands with very complex logos, but they are also simplifying. Cadillac is one of those brands.



Business websites need to be minimalists in their approach. In today's mobile world, your site needs to have a minimalist design to load fast and include the information your potential clients need. If you want to add a lot of information, divide them into articles on your blog.



I like to make the case that your website's primary pages should be as concise as possible with a call to action. If people are interested in or intrigued by your product, they will look and search your blog. Having a minimalist approach to a website also reduces the cost or creating one.



Simplify your message

Think outside the box
To minimize your image and brand, you have to simplify your message. Does your logo have a story related to your message? What about a slogan? If you can come up with a saying for your business that encompasses your product, you can then revise or develop your mission statement and business plan. Remember that the uniqueness comes from simplicity rather than complexity. If your product is complex by nature, the way you describe it should be simple and easy to understand by your audience.

Simplify your Delivery

we like you too

How do you get your message out to your audience? There are many ways to proliferate your products or services. We have social media, delivery services, referral sites, travel sites, etc. Are all these mediums synchronized with the same simple information directing people to your site? All your posts need to point to your website where you can educate your audience. When was the last time you checked the links in all the outlets your brand is featured?



I encourage you to take control of the information and condense it to make simple.



The more you laser-focus your brand, the more you will recognize your clientele and serve them the best way possible. 



If you need help with any part of your business branding process I'm here to serve

Miguel Guinard

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