Design Standards Drive Global Brand Consistency

A powerful way to show connection among related digital properties is establishing global standards their websites will share.

The challenge in creating global standards for related organizations, however, is that most groups have already thoughtfully created a brand identity that may include a color palette, logo, and visual and written style guides.

Families First Global Brand Styleguide

Founded in 1890, Families First improves the outcomes for families who have complex challenges by helping them strengthen their resiliency, by connecting them to internal programs including mental health, navigator, parenting education, teenage pregnancy, and adoption support services. Clients, community partners, and donors, however, often learned about the organization through the website's of the many programs offered by Families First:

• Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry

• Georgia Center for Resources and Support

• Partners in Parenting

Families First needed a way to visually convey the connection among its programs and services while honoring the integrity of each brand identity.

The Invisible and Visible Influence of Design Patterns

SHERPA introduced design patterns—shared website components—to establish global standards. Visually, website visitors saw connections between Families First and its related programs and services through the similar layouts and shapes of the components. Intangibly, users noted how all websites felt identical to use through their shared interactions.

The benefits of design patterns include:

• Ensures consistency among websites

• Enables recognizable interactions

• Creates better user experiences

• Speeds up development

A Division of Families First Component

One design pattern example SHERPA introduced to FamiliesFirst.org is using a left-drawer component to access the related programs and services on any digital property. By clicking on A Division of Families First in the upper-left corner, a drawer opens from the left side of the screen and reveals the name, brief description, and link to other organizations. Although the colors of this drawer vary from property to property, users recognize how the left drawer works and understand where to access these other links.

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Need Global Brand Standards?

Our UX specialists can review your digital properties and provide recommendations for opportunities to create a more consistent, unified experience.

To learn how SHERPA can show brand consistency with your related digital properties, call us at (404) 369-0219.