Corporate identity is the set of rules covering your logo, colours, typefaces and how they are used everywhere. We go through what a corporate identity project should include, which files you should receive and how the process works, item by item.
Corporate identity is the set of visual rules that makes a brand recognisable in the same way wherever it appears. The logo is only one part of it: which colours and typefaces the logo is used with, on which backgrounds and at which sizes, and how every application looks — from the business card to the website, from the shop sign to an Instagram post — is what corporate identity covers. In this article we list what a corporate identity project should include as a checklist, and explain which files you should ask for at handover and how the process unfolds.
Is corporate identity the same as brand identity?
In everyday use the two are often treated as synonyms. If you want to draw a fine line, brand identity is the broader concept that also covers the brand’s personality, its voice and what it stands for. Corporate identity is the visual, application-focused side of it. We explain separately why brand identity is more than a logo in our article brand identity is more than a logo; this article focuses on the practical checklist.
What should a corporate identity include?
1. Logo and its variations
- Primary logo (horizontal and, if needed, vertical layout)
- Symbol or monogram on its own (for profile pictures, app icons and the favicon)
- Single-colour, white (for dark backgrounds) and black versions
- Clear space around the logo and minimum size
- Examples of incorrect use, such as stretching, recolouring or adding shadows
2. Colour palette
Primary and secondary colours, each with codes for screen (RGB, HEX) and print (CMYK and, where needed, Pantone). An identity without written colour codes will look slightly different at every printer and on every screen.
3. Typography
The typefaces for headings and body text, fallback fonts (for environments where the typeface is not available) and a size hierarchy. The licensing status of the fonts used should also be stated.
4. Visual language
Icon style, photography direction (bright, high-contrast or people-focused), graphic elements and patterns. This section keeps the brand consistent on social media and in advertising.
5. Business stationery
- Business card
- Letterhead and envelope
- Email signature
- Proposal, invoice and presentation templates
- Where needed, folder, notepad and name badge
6. Digital applications
- Social media profile and cover images
- Templates for posts, stories and Reels covers
- Colour, type and button rules for the website
7. Print and environmental applications
Depending on your business: catalogues and brochures, packaging, signage, vehicle wraps, trade show stands and uniforms. You will not need all of them; deciding which ones are required at the start of the project protects your budget.
8. Brand guidelines
A guide that brings the rules for all of the above together in one document is what makes a corporate identity last. Every designer, printer or agency you work with produces to the same rules, and the brand does not drift apart over the years.
Which files should you ask for at handover?
- Vector source files of the logo (AI, EPS, SVG and PDF)
- PNG files for screen (with transparent background, in several sizes)
- Editable source files for all templates
- The brand guidelines as a PDF
- Font licence information
The source files and the usage rights to the designs should belong to you. If you only receive JPG or PNG files, a few months later you may find you cannot get a clean, large-format file of your logo for a shop sign or a catalogue.
How does the corporate identity design process work?
- Discovery: We talk about your business, your target audience, your competitors and examples you like or dislike.
- Concepts: Concepts are prepared in clearly different directions. At AGO we usually present 3 concepts.
- Development: The logo, colours and typography are refined in the chosen direction.
- Applications: The applications you need are designed, from business cards to social media templates.
- Guidelines and handover: The rules are compiled into the guidelines and the source files are handed over.
Logo design, including brand discovery, usually takes 2–3 weeks; a complete corporate identity with guidelines and applications takes 4–6 weeks.
When should you refresh your corporate identity?
A refresh is worth considering if your logo and colours are used differently everywhere, if the brand is moving into a new market or service, if the logo is hard to read on small screens, or if the brand feels dated. A refresh does not always mean starting from scratch; often simplifying while keeping recognition is enough.
Frequently asked questions
Does a newly founded company need a complete corporate identity right away?
You do not need every application. For most new companies, starting with the logo, colours, typefaces, business card, email signature and social media templates is enough; other applications are added under the same rules as the need arises.
Does corporate identity cost the same as logo design?
No. Logo design is one part of the identity; corporate identity also covers colour, typography, applications and guidelines, so it is a more extensive job and is priced according to its scope.
Do you also design catalogues and brochures?
Yes. In our graphic design and brand identity service, as of October 2026 catalogue design is 500 ₺ per page and other designs are 750 ₺ per page (VAT included). Corporate identity projects are quoted according to scope.
What should I prepare to get a quote?
Your current logo files if you have them, a list of the applications you need and a few brands you like are enough. Fill in the quote form and we will define the scope together.
