Table of Contents
Identity Designed: The Definitive Guide to Visual Branding by David Airey (2019)
Hello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick by Alexandra Watkins (2022)
The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries (2002)
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries, Jack Trout, Philip Kotler (2001)
If you're a business owner, you might wonder why branding is vital to your company's success.
The answer is simple. Successful branding goes beyond an eye-catching logo and well-designed social media profiles – it's about positioning yourself as the ultimate solution to your audience's needs and problems.
Building trust, demonstrating credibility, and commitment to delivering high-quality services are essential for any business, and customers are more likely to be loyal to a brand with a unique identity.
To make building your brand less complicated, we've compiled a list of the best 11 books about branding that offer valuable tips and advice to help you on your journey.
Here, you'll find everything you need, from comprehensive guides on creating a unique brand identity to more specific books that offer advice on improving certain aspects of your brand.
Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller and HarperCollins Leadership (2017)
Book source
Modern business owners find it challenging to connect with clients personally and often need help conveying their brand's message to their customers.
The author of the book "Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen" has developed his algorithm for presenting brands to customers clearly and understandably.
By developing an articulate, clear message, business owners make it easier for customers to recognize the benefits of engaging with a brand, potentially resulting in increased sales and brand loyalty.
In this book, you will learn about the tools that allow business owners to improve their customer interactions and maximize engagement through websites, brochures, and social media pages using storytelling.
Quote from book "The reality is we aren't just in a race to get our products to market; we're also in a race to communicate why our customers need those products in their lives. Even if we have the best product in the marketplace, we'll lose to an inferior product if our competitor's offer is communicated more clearly."
Whether you are a marketing director of a large corporation or an independent small business owner, this fantastic read will change how you communicate with your customers by enabling you to develop a strong brand identity that articulates your company's unique purpose and value.
Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team by Alina Wheeler and Debbie Millman (2017)
Book Source
This entertaining and engaging book on branding stands as a testament to over four decades of Alina Wheeler's experience collaborating with a diverse array of companies and organizations within the public and private sectors.
Divided into three sections, this essential guide covers everything you need to know about building a brand, from research and strategy to design, launch, and ongoing management.
The book features over 700 illustrations that help readers understand the visual aspects of branding, and it includes quotes from experts, CEOs, and designers to stress the importance of effective branding for companies.
Overall, "Designing Brand Identity" is the best guide, mentor, and source of inspiration for anyone involved in brand creation.
Identity Designed: The Definitive Guide to Visual Branding by David Airey (2019)
Book Source
"Identity Designed" written by the bestselling author and famous designer David Airey, offers a structured path to grasp the power of brand identity design.
It is one of the few books that gives examples of current projects from the best design studios worldwide, providing invaluable insights to help experienced and aspiring designers refine their understanding of visual branding.
This book is among the best resources for students, independent designers, and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their skills.
As you read the book, you'll delve into the historical importance of branding, gain insights into modern practices, and learn about the importance of having a clear strategy when working on your client's brand identity.
Quote from book "'When the plan is clear, the chances of success will be high, because we all know what we need to do and we won't be distracted. There's no magic potion here. The trick is to simply seek to understand the client's brand and vision."
You'll also discover various approaches for conducting research, strategizing, generating ideas, implementing style guides, and ensuring the longevity of your designs. A recap of key points follows each identity case study.
Book of Branding - a guide to creating brand identity for startups and beyond by Radim Malinic (2019)
Book Source
Written by a seasoned brand designer with over a decade of experience, this extensive guide on branding emphasizes the importance of visual identity in brand strategy. It serves as a roadmap for business owners, graphic designers, and anyone looking to understand brand identity better.
It is one of the best books in terms of practical tips that cover a wide range of topics, including requests for proposals, creative briefs, project planning and timelines, best digital marketing practices, legal requirements, and the art of understanding client feedback.
Within each section of the book, you'll find illustrations and real-life case studies showing how the author practices his ideas.
The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design by Marty Neumeier (2005)
Book Source
"The Brand Gap" is a unique book that combines creative and strategic ways to build a brand. Unlike other books, it shows how these ways work together to make a brand that resonates with customers on a fundamental level.
This book will change the way you see the whole branding process. Here, you'll discover why it directly impacts competition, the importance of collaboration for brand development, the influence of design on customer experiences, and how to leverage cost-effective methods for testing new brand concepts.
Also, this updated edition features a 220-word brand glossary, making it easier to grasp complex concepts.
Whether you are a seasoned designer or just starting, "The Brand Gap" should be on your list of books to read. It will give you many fresh ideas that you can put into practice straight away.
Creating a Brand Identity: A Guide for Designers: (Graphic Design Books, Logo Design, Marketing) by Catharine Slade-Brooking (2016)
Book Source
"Creating a Brand Identity" is an all-inclusive guide to successful branding where the author shares practical knowledge gained from first-hand practice.
The book touches on vital topics such as finding the right audience, analyzing competitors, choosing the right branding strategy, designing logos, communicating with clients, and modifying the existing brand identities to make them more appealing to your target audience.
This amazing read features diverse case studies across various industries, such as fashion, advertising, product design, and retail.
Each case study is accompanied by visual materials, including diagrams and flowcharts, making it easier to comprehend the material.
Hello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick by Alexandra Watkins (2022)
Book Source
A brand name is a crucial part of your branding strategy, just like a logo. It is an essential element of your brand identity, representing your company's objectives and principles concisely and appealingly.
A well-crafted brand name should resonate with your target audience's needs without sounding arrogant or boring.
In this book, naming expert Alexandra Watkins simplifies the process of creating impactful brand names, making them accessible to everyone, even those without a creative background, and provides many creative ideas to help you choose memorable and effective names for your brand.
The book also gives examples of companies using creative names in various business spheres and reveals additional secrets and strategies for getting hot available domain names for your new brand at the best prices.
The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries (2002)
Book Source
"The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding" is one of the best branding books that has stood the test of time. Here, you will find stories of renowned brands such as Rolex and Intel that describe their branding journey in a fun and engaging way. The authors reveal unconventional and counterintuitive strategies that both small and large companies have successfully adopted to establish themselves as international brands.
While the references made in this book date back to the early 2000s, the main principles of branding are relevant for today's market, as human psychology always remains the same. This read will help to fine-tune your strategy to capture the attention of the most demanding customers.
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries, Jack Trout, Philip Kotler (2001)
Book Source
This book explores the core marketing concept of positioning and its significant role in building a successful brand. By effectively managing positioning, brands can create a unique and favorable identity, influencing consumers' choices.
Quote from book "To be successful today, you must touch base with reality. And the only reality that counts is what's already in the prospect's mind. To be creative, to create something that doesn't already exist in the mind, is becoming more and more difficult. If not impossible. The basic approach of positioning is not to create something new and different, but to manipulate what's already up there in the mind, to retrieve the connections that already exist."
"Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind" is one of the best practical books on branding for companies that are just starting, as it contains lots of valuable insights, carefully examined case studies, and first-hand advice from experts.
This book is a must-read for marketers and entrepreneurs who want to create a memorable brand identity that resonates with their customers on a personal level.
Branding: In Five and a Half Steps by Michael Johnson (2016)
Book Source
"Branding: In Five and a Half Steps" is a helpful guide that explains the whole branding journey, including strategy and design. This book analyzes the key components of successful brands to show how their logos and mottos affect customers' choices.
It uses real-life examples to illustrate the significance of every aspect of your brand, from website design to logos and fonts.
With more than 1,000 colorful illustrations showing well-known corporate logos, along with easy-to-use templates for creating your own brand or advertisement.
Reading this book would help to succeed in business and build a strong brand identity.
:
Conclusion
A strong brand identity is essential to every successful business in the modern world. You present the face of your company to your existing and potential customers.
Whether new to branding or already familiar with its central concepts, these best branding books will help you enhance your knowledge on this vital subject and build your unique brand.