How to Build a Visual Identity That People Remember
Image from LEO LIN via Flaunter
In a world of endless content and mindless doomscrolling, it’s easy for even the best of brands to start blending into the background. When everyone seems to be in content overload - constantly stimulated, constantly swiping, what makes someone stop?
The answer isn’t louder messaging or flashier graphics. It’s intention. Its’s curation. It’s a brand that knows exactly who it is and shows it – not just in what it says, but in how it looks and feels.
Visual curation can breathe new life into your brand and set you apart from the crowd. It invites your audience to pause, connect and remember. Whether it’s a perfectly balanced grid, a packing detail that surprises and delights, or a consistent colour palette that becomes instantly recognisable – visual storytelling is what makes your brand stick.
So, if your brand visuals are starting to feel flat or inconsistent, don’t panic. This is your opportunity to elevate – to refine, refresh, and rebuild a look that not only cuts through the noise but becomes a signature of your brand’s identity.
Let’s break down how to do exactly that – from defining your visual DNA to crafting scroll-stopping content.
Define Your Visual DNA
Before you create anything, get clear on your brand’s visual identity. A strong identity is the foundation of every scroll-stopping post, campaign, and piece of content you’ll create. It ensures that no matter where someone encounters your brand – Instagram, email, packing or IRL – they immediately know it’s you.
Your visual identity is more than just good design. It’s a mood, a message, a silent introduction. It communicates your brand’s personality, values and voice, before a single word is read.
Ask yourself:
What emotions should someone feel when they see my content?
What colour stories, fonts or tones reflect my brand’s world?
Do I want to feel bold and energetic? Calm and minimal?
When a brand doesn’t get it right, it’s quick to show. Think colour palettes that change every few posts, inconsistent tone and typography, and content that feel like it could belong to five different brands. This kind of visual confusion sends mixed signals to your audience and ultimately undermines trust.
Tell a story, without saying a word.
Every image you post should tell a piece of your brand story. Showcase your products and services in context, not just in isolation – show them in real moments, environments, or lifestyles. When your visuals tell a story, they invite people in, sparking curiosity and evoking emotions.
Your visuals should mirror the world your audience inhabits or aspires to. This emotional resonance creates connection and loyalty beyond just transactions
When a sportswear brand posts action-packed shots of people running, at the gym or playing a sport, those images don’t just showcase clothing – they tell a story of energy, determination and achievement, without saying anything.
They don’t just sell a product - they sell a feeling, a lifestyle, a moment your audience wants to be part of. That’s the power of visual storytelling: it transforms what you offer into something people feel.
Insta-Success: Be socially savvy.
We’ve all had that moment of joy during a casual magazine-flick when we’ve discovered a particularly dreamy spread. There’s something so special about how individual images can come together seamlessly to tell a cohesive story.
That same idea now drives brand marketing on social media. Carefully curating your visuals creates a cohesive and authentic brand identity that speaks directly to your audience. When done well it invites people in, fosters engagement and builds a loyal community around your brand.
Consider a swimwear brands Instagram feed as an example: imagine a thoughtfully chosen palette of beachy blues, sun-bleached neutrals, and shimmering aquamarines that flow consistently from post to post. Each image, whether it’s a model catching waves, close-ups of textured fabric, or a sunlit beach scene, reinforces a sun-soaked lifestyle that your audience aspires to. This kind of visual harmony isn’t accidental - it’s intentional storytelling through imagery.
Stressed about keeping it in sync? There are so many apps to help you out, but we recommend you check out Plann and Unum. These clever tools allow you to visually curate, schedule and analyse so you can achieve the perfect insta aesthetic.
And remember, social media success isn’t just about quantity – it's about quality and consistency!
Out of the Ordinary: Don’t be a copycat…
Curating a brand means making something unique out of who you are. Stand tall against your competition rather than blending into that background of similarity. In this game, the winners are doing something bold and different. Think of creative ways to market your product that will get people talking (and by talking we mean liking, commenting, sharing and posting of course!).
Creativity in your packaging and tagging is a great place to start. Give customers something from your brand that is visually appealing and tangible. Cute labels that double as the product tag and a totally wearable item can turn your identification into a trend. Jewellery designer Samantha Wills uses this very concept by offering beautiful handcrafted wooden boxes with every piece.
Going that little extra is not only great DIY PR but it can be excellent value for money in terms of keeping your brand front of mind with your customer base.
Don’t Go OTT: Simplicity is key.
Consumers have been bombarded for decades with masses of ‘buy, buy, buy’ marketing (and they’re sick of it!). The mantra of ‘excess’ is used so loudly in retailing today and is far more likely to send your clients running…in the opposite direction…
Consider long-term planning much like how you would with your content, making sure your whole team is unified around who you are. This means painting your own philosophy and sticking to it no matter what creative direction you take. This way you can still have that individual voice whilst presenting in the right fashion. Don’t overdo it and don’t be a pushy salesman. It’s great to give your identity a refresh every now and again, just be sure to steer clear from all the chopping and changing – which could warrant a messy image!
Feedback is a good strategy here, helping keep on track of customer response and pinpointing the exact areas that may or may not be working. Remember: brand individuality should be encouraged; just be sure all decisions are also business favourable!
You’ve curated the look. Now it’s time to get seen.
Your brand visuals are ready – cohesive, intentional, and crafted to tell your brand story. But even the most beautifully curated content needs the right platform to get into the hands of editors, journalists, and creators.
That’s where Flaunter comes in. Flaunter is your digital PR assistant - the smarter way to get featured, discovered, and remembered.
As an all-in-one PR software, Flaunter helps you manage your media assets, build a press contact database, and amplify your reach without the back-and-forth pitch emails. Think of it as DIY PR, but elevated – built for brands that want to take control of their storytelling with ease.
Your branded press centre houses everything from high-res images and lookbooks to press releases and lifestyle campaigns – all neatly presented and ready for download by media actively searching for content.
Ready to turn curated visuals into real visibility? Start your 2-week free trial or connect with our team for a demo call at hello@flaunter.com.
Create the moment. Flaunter makes sure it’s seen.