To begin the start of our second semester we have been briefed to create a online banking app for the age group 16-25. To start off the class we discussed the following:

What is a brand?

A brand is a combination of a name, logo, design, and other distinctive features that distinguish a company's products or services from those of its competitors. It is the sum total of a company's identity, including its reputation, values, culture, and personality. A brand is not just a product or service, but it represents the emotional and psychological connections that customers have with a company. A successful brand creates trust, loyalty, and emotional attachment with its customers, and it is an essential part of a company's marketing strategy. It is also a promise that a company makes to its customers about the quality and consistency of its products or services.

Why do we need a brand?

Brands are essential for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. Differentiation: Brands help to differentiate a company's products or services from those of its competitors. They make it easier for customers to identify and remember a company and its offerings.
2. Recognition: Brands increase a company's visibility and make it easier for customers to find and choose its products or services. This is especially important in crowded markets where there are many competitors.
3. Trust: A strong brand can create trust and confidence in customers. People are more likely to buy from a brand they know and trust, and this can lead to repeat business and customer loyalty.
4. Value: A brand can add value to a company's products or services, allowing it to charge premium prices. This is because customers are often willing to pay more for products or services that they perceive as being of higher quality or having a better reputation.
5. Marketing: A brand provides a platform for marketing and advertising efforts. It is much easier to market a strong, recognizable brand than it is to market an unknown company or product.

Overall, a brand is an important tool for building a successful business. It helps to differentiate a company from its competitors, increase visibility, build trust and confidence, add value, and provide a platform for marketing and advertising efforts.

To end the class we were given a task to go out and find out more information on banks. We then put all are findings into a Miro board and talked bout the main differences we discovered. We went to Halifax, Santander, Ulster Bank and Nationwide. One thing each bank had in common was a older audience and a large queue they all had the same dull unwelcoming atmosphere. Out of every bank we visited I would have to say Ulster Bank was the most unfriendly with graffiti and dirty windows while Nationwide had a modern clean appearance.

Words & Language

We then start to look at the importance of words and language in design. Brand language in design refers to the way a brand uses language to communicate its values, personality, and messaging in visual design. This language includes the tone, voice, and messaging used in brand communications, as well as the visual design elements that support these messages.