Bridge Bank is a full-service business bank focused on offering small- and middle-market loans in the highly competitive Silicon Valley. They launched in 2001 with a rather lackluster image. Their new re-branded identity is a case study in how design can affect a company’s image and people’s perceptions of it. The new look and feel preserves the bank’s original red-on-black color scheme, but adds a layer of style and sophistication seldom seen in the financial world. The new design feels super contemporary — almost like an internet company — and exudes a feeling of class without necessarily suggesting a higher cost to consumers.
Lesson #1: Never underestimate the impact your brand’s visual components have on people. There are quaint sayings like “never judge a book by its cover” and “beauty is only skin deep. While the clothes might not “make the man,” they can certainly help him get noticed. If people don’t notice you, you’ll never develop a relationship with them. That’s why you need to look as good as you can.
Learn about the remaining 10 tips for building a world-class brand identity right here.
