Brand voice. It sounds like some kind of marketing-guru, blue-sky-thinking, KPI-spouting gobbledygook. It’s not. Imagine it as the distinctive personality your educational institution showcases in its communications. It’s more than just words; it’s about the language, tone, and style you choose to use in your messaging, creating a character that’s instantly recognisable to your students, staff, and families. Think of it as the way your school’s brand 'speaks' – not just what it says, but how it says it.
The voice of your brand plays a pivotal role. It’s what sets your institution apart, making it distinct in a sea of educational choices. Whether you opt for a tone that’s professional and scholarly, laid-back and friendly, or lively and vibrant, it should mirror your institution’s ethos, appeal to your audience, and reflect your place in the sector.
Consistency in this brand voice, across all forms of communication, is key. It’s like having a signature teaching style that students and parents come to know and love. This familiarity breeds trust and loyalty – crucial in building lasting relationships in the community. In our digitally-driven age, a consistent brand voice is particularly vital for educational institutions. It’s a powerful tool for engaging with students, connecting with parents, and attracting potential partnerships. But managing this can be an administrative nightmare.
Enter Canva’s Brand Kit. It’s not just a tool; it’s your partner in maintaining this crucial brand consistency. It simplifies the task of keeping your brand’s look and feel uniform across various materials. Set up your brand voice in Canva and think of it as a one-stop-shop for managing your institution’s visual identity.
Quick Tip
When it comes to materials that represent your institution, always use your official colours and fonts. And a gentle reminder – some fonts (ahem, Comic Sans) are best left in the past.
How To Set Up Your Brand Kit & Brand Voice in C
Log in with your Canva for Education account.
From the side panel on the homepage, click ‘Brand’.
On the Brand Kit tab, click Add ‘Brand Kit’.
Enter your new Brand Kit's name.
Click on Create.
Set up your new Brand Kit by uploading logos, adding colour palettes, or uploading fonts.
Write in your Brand voice elements, e.g. add school values and corporate wording, such as independent, grammar, and co-educational.
Add in brand photos, graphics, and icons that you might use regularly.
Create folders to keep all your Brand Kits organised.
Beyond just keeping your brand’s look in check, Canva’s Brand Kit is a boon for educators. It allows you to create an array of templates and branding elements that make creating engaging educational materials a breeze. This ensures that everything from class presentations to school flyers carries a consistent, professional look.
But it’s not just about admin efficiency. Canva’s Brand Kit fosters collaboration – a cornerstone of education. It allows teachers across different departments to access and use brand elements with ease. This is especially useful for institutions with multiple campuses, ensuring a unified educational message and visual identity. For a multi-academy trust, it can be an elixir of efficiency.
The Brand Kit isn’t just for teachers either; it’s also a fantastic resource for students.
They can employ brand elements to craft presentations, portfolios, and project reports that are not only visually appealing but also in line with their institution's identity. This practice not only enhances their presentation skills but also instils a sense of pride and professionalism in their work. You could, for instance, encourage students to use the Brand Kit to design their own portfolios or contribute to a digital yearbook. This fosters creativity and gives them practical experience in design and branding. As we prepare them for joining the big wide world of employment, helping them grasp corporate branding and consistency could be something that sets them up to win.
And the best part? Canva's Brand Kit is customisable and user-friendly. Whether you’re a design pro or a novice, you’ll find it intuitive and adaptable to your needs. It’s a versatile tool, perfect for various educational contexts. It bolsters brand consistency, supports collaborative creation of educational materials, and empowers student creativity. By simplifying the process of maintaining a cohesive visual identity, Canva's Brand Kit allows educators to focus more on their primary mission – teaching and inspiring the next generation.
Brand Guidelines: What To Consider
Logo Usage & Design: Ensure guidelines for its use, including size, colours, placement, and variations (e.g., full logo, icon-only, monochrome versions).
Colour Palette: Choose colours that reflect your institution's values and ethos. The guidelines should specify primary and secondary colours, with exact colour codes (CMYK, RGB, Pantone) for digital and print formats.
Typography: Select fonts that are legible and represent the tone of your institution. Guidelines should include font styles for headings, subheadings, and body text, along with acceptable sizes and colours for different types of communication.
Imagery & Photography: Define the style and tone of the imagery used. This might include guidelines on the types of images (e.g., educational settings, student activities), the tone they should convey (e.g., inspirational, academic), and any ethical considerations (e.g., diversity, consent for using students' images).
Tone of Voice & Messaging: Establish a consistent tone and messaging that aligns with your institution's values and target audience. This includes language style, level of formality, and key messages to communicate your institution's unique qualities and strengths.
Environmental Branding: Create guidelines for signage, interior design, and other environmental elements for classrooms, corridors or external spaces.
Compliance & Accessibility: Ensure that your branding is accessible to all, including those with disabilities. This can include guidelines for web accessibility, use of inclusive language, and accessible design formats.
Brand Story & Values: Clearly articulate your institution's history, mission, values, and vision. This helps stakeholders understand and connect with your brand on a deeper level.
Added Bonus: Canva’s Magic AI combined with your Brand Kit can help you create wonderful content through the power of their creative artificial intelligence tools.
Transform your classroom with Canva for Education! Check out Canopy's upcoming webinars or bring Canva directly to your school with our in-person training sessions!