This week’s challenge in #52Assignments is about how to use branding. This approach to Instagram is useful when you have special announcements to make, events to share, or want to be linked to an identity or brand, especially as a blogger or if you have a strong social media presence.
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You might think branding is for big companies, lawyer’s logos or fragrance companies but, a brand is a distinctive identity or ‘look’ for any of us. This includes your photos on Instagram.
Dash Kitten has distinctive branding colours based on our first banner on the web site. I use a similar range of colours and graphics in our professional quality theme today. These colours help give us an identity and people know they are on the blog.
Find a consistent color palette, style and composition in your images to create a distinct personality that is unique to you.
#52Assignments Adam Juniper
What Is Branding Anyway?
Branding can be anything from the use of one particular filter on Instagram to the choice of a colour palette you love. It can include social media templates and a logo if you have one. These give your photos a particular look that can identify you to friends and fans.
The template sample here gives you an idea of how a colour scheme can work on Instagram. You can use your chosen colour palette for use on your other social media channels as part of your identity. These templates are a great place to get inspsiration for your own Instagram branding identity.
Branding for #52Assignments
In the book Adam Juniper reflects on how branding was once seen as showing off but things have changed and it now plays a part in you being noticed on Instagram. How you look, and present yourself needs consistency if you want to stand out.
How Do I Create A Brand ‘Look’?
Your identity can be reflected in lots of different ways. You don’t have to be fancy, just explore things that reflect you the Instagrammer.
- A specific subject or object. (Cats anyone?)
- A distinctive colour palette or style, like the frames I created in Canva.
- Specific filters (from your computer or IG’s own)
- Overall look (what looks good side by side on your page).
Templates
One thing that can help streamline your presentation when you work towards developing an identity is having a few notes of filters you like and templates to work with. Unless you are a designer yourself and enjoy creating templates, you will find yourself spoiled for choice with both free and paid options. I have found that for a simple and eye-catching graphic the free or paid versions of Canva is good as many premade sets require Photoshop.
The Assignments Challenge
The book assignment asks you to present a coherent series of images united in some visual way and this is what I started to do with the two images highlighting the fun I am having doing the assignments project.
Although both photographs are different, the frame uses Dash Kitten branding colours, and the photographs of the cats are both outdoor with cats framed by foliage. The frame was easy to adapt to my idea and keeping it simple has allowed me to focus on the photo and simple text to identify the blog.
Dash Kitten and the Brand #52Assignments Challenge
- DashPhotos2021 is our #52Assignments photo account on Instagram
- You can keep track of each of the assignments here.
- You can get a copy of the book on Amazon #52Assignments – Instagram Or, your local bookshop can order it for you.
Resource of social media template creators:
- Canva (extensive choice of free and paid options)
- Freepik
- Creative Market Quality designer created templates (paid).
- Envato Quality designer templates (paid)
Cathy Armato says
This is so interesting! I really haven’t paid much attention to branding, but I know I should. I just started using Canva (free version) a lot to size my photos for social media and it’s super helpful. My photos, especially on Twitter never looked right until I started using the Twitter Post design for photos I use with Tweets. I did start making text on my Pinterest photos match my font coloring for my blog, but on many pics the background is too dark and my deep red font doesn’t show up much – in those cases I switch to black font. I never tried the frames though! What a great way to gain brand consistency. I’m going to try that on canva. Thanks!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Ruth Epstein says
Thanks for the blog hop and your weekly lesson which I am learning so much from you it is greatly appreciated. I love your logo and must think of a proper one for us. Have a safe week with a woof from the brat
meowmeowmans says
Canva is a great tool. I need to utizlize it more! Thanks for breaking down the branding mystique, and making it, well, less mysterious! 🙂
The Swiss Cats says
Very interesting ! And when you’re consistent and stick to your colors and logo, people recognize you immediately. But the more colors, the more complicated. You have a wide range of colors for your brand, but you really know how to play with them ! Purrs
Sandee says
Hope you had a great Thankful Thursday and we’re all hoping it will warm up soon. 🙂
Timmy Tomcat says
We would really like to move forward with my blog. Maybe after the cold is gone.
Marjorie Dawson says
You can’t do much when your spirits are chilled to the bone. For now, write down your ideas and dreams and keep them until the garden starts to bloom.
Leah says
Beautiful photos and interesting tips as always. I’m in the long process of trying to figure out Instagram. I may or may not continue . . .
Brian Frum says
Branding doesn’t have to be complicated and we really like your brand logo! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!