Create a Guide/Template: Building a Brand Book through Team Exercises

### Overview
We need to create a guide for Brand Book so that teams can have consistent messaging for their project

### Action Items
The phases in the guide-making process are listed below. Each phase displayed in blue is linked to a wiki page with instructions on how to complete that phase. Open the wiki page in a new tab, copy the instructions for each part into the section labeled 'Tasks' at the bottom of this issue, and complete each task listed.
- [x] [Gather Examples Solo](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/How-to-Gather-Examples:-Solo) (open in a new tab)
- [x] [Gather Examples Collaboratively](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Phase-2-%E2%80%90-Gather-Examples-Collaboratively)
- [ ] [Create a Guide Draft](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/How-to-Draft-a-Guide)
- [ ] If needed, create a template
- [ ] [Have your guide peer reviewed](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Peer-Reviews-for-Guides)
- [ ] [Present your guide for leadership review](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Submitting-Your-Guide-for-Leadership-Review)
### Resources/Instructions
- wiki page where we were storing info about this process until this guide could be made https://github.com/hackforla/product-management/wiki/Branding-Exercise
- [GreenEarthOS](https://github.com/hackforla/climate-project)
- [All issues related to their branding exercise](https://github.com/hackforla/GreenEarthOS/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22feature%3A+brand+exercise%22)
- [Green EarthOS Figjam Brand Exercise](https://www.figma.com/file/JImygEUnM6m6giaP9qg3y4/GreenEarthOS-Branding-Exercise) where branding exercise is

### Resources
- FigJam: [Draft of Branding Exercise FigJam](https://www.figma.com/board/46XCIniV4B1cQ673kdpfJJ/Branding-Exercise-Template---0089?node-id=0-1&p=f&t=8HSMPBR5DdGt4IhF-0)
- Google Drive Folder for this Guide’s documents and shortcuts (to documents in other locations) [0089 Building a Brand Book through Team Exercises](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sf0eV0LBuE6U3Pf4oBxQGQt_1qV-35lG?usp=drive_link)
- Guide Draft: [INSERT GUIDE GOOGLE DOC DRAFT HERE]
- Links to relevant documents I couldn't make shortcuts to -
- Copy in this guides' folder [Copy of Consent Form for interviews](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SQ0Cx_Wa-B37X0Z_8-ZpStEx7k631yc0XKPMc106-7Q/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=116527607586876940242)
- Original in UI/UX Cop Community of Practice [Consent Form for interviews](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWsB4MBEXu92h9rwYdsZTsfxqw7Otk29a-oZuED3FKjLdDaQ/viewform)
- Copy in this guides'folder [Copy of Logo Voting form for UI/UX](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Fu7YiiOdltuIMp0UFCrPAyOSv6udr4odzgY00ihquyc/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=116527607586876940242)
- Original in UI/UX Cop Community of Practice [Logo Voting form for UI/UX](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLhvB8NbgLSVk24E2K9-u1u4lkE7a-YILzQO_NmHxUrbR7zw/viewform)
- https://abbycovert.com/ia-tools/control-your-vocabulary/
- [Checklist for Design Language](https://www.designsystemchecklist.com/category/design-language)
- Tech Work Experience (TWE) assets
- PDF: [TWE Brand Book](https://github.com/hackforla/internship/wiki/Internship-Brand-Book) - final product
- [TWE Figma Brand](https://www.figma.com/board/VgxjTXP3PJhzZxMeMURf2f/Branding-Exercise?node-id=0-1&p=f&t=Hk2Kmm2OT870ONxU-0)
- [TWE FigJam Brand Exercise](https://www.figma.com/board/VgxjTXP3PJhzZxMeMURf2f/Branding-Exercise?node-id=0-1&p=f&t=Mfu26QfAGYgelNVn-0)

#### Issues templates we will copy

Branding Exercise: Themes for Brand Value: "{value word}" - {assignee name}

- https://github.com/hackforla/GreenEarthOS/issues/147

```
Title: Branding Exercise : Themes for Brand Value Forward Thinking - Raji

### Overview
We need to find common words and themes from everyone's post its in our brand value exercise on FigJam so that we can come up with the final sentence during our team meeting.

### Action Item
- [ ] Read every team member's input for the word: [Forward Thinking](https://www.figma.com/file/JImygEUnM6m6giaP9qg3y4/GreenEarthOS-Branding-Exercise?node-id=958%3A250) brand value
- [ ] Find common themes and words and write those down in the brand value's section

### Resources
- [FigJam File Forward Thinking section](https://www.figma.com/file/JImygEUnM6m6giaP9qg3y4/GreenEarthOS-Branding-Exercise?node-id=958%3A250)

#### This issue is part of this epic
#108
```

### CoPs to check
- [UI/UX](https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX)
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/wiki/Home-%E2%80%90-UI-UX-CoP-Branding-Kit-&-Templates - Only includes visual sample templates, good example of what templates every COP might need but nothing on developing brand identity
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/553 - including because teams should gather all the brand assets they have so far before starting their exercises, and document what they know about how those assets were developed.
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/473 - Contains UI/UX branding process including interview questions and consent forms
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/472 - This issue focuses more on logo selection process, not as much on working or messaging.
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/452 - While Brand books are mentioned, this Agenda mostly discusses logo selection and template creation for emails and power point slides. Messaging , voice and tone which would be more relevant to this issue, is not dealt with. "some guidance on colors and typography"
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/423 - The practices mentioned here are focused on typography and logos.
- https://github.com/hackforla/UI-UX/issues/396 - No mentions of branding excercises or voice & tone through span of agenda
- Ops
- Product Management
- Marketing
- [Info dump from Sequoia](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VMn4c4my5Ae243X0pQkid0xblwUtKneBEHX5uW_FxG0/edit?tab=t.0)
- Revenue
- Data Science
- Engineering

#### Projects to check
- [x] [100 Automations](https://github.com/100automations/website)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [311 Data](https://github.com/hackforla/311-data)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Access the Data](https://github.com/hackforla/access-the-data)
- https://github.com/hackforla/access-the-data/wiki/UX-Writing-Guide#brand-voice-chart-includes-example-text - Contains chart describing different aspects of voice to emphacize (simple vs inclusive vs helpful for example) with examples.
- https://github.com/hackforla/access-the-data/issues/87 - Example of Access the data deliberately choosing it's tone & voice and adjusting it's website copy. Contains links to articles to help with controlling vocabulary.
- [x] [BallotNav](https://github.com/hackforla/ballotnav)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Brigade Organizer's Playbook](https://github.com/codeforamerica/brigade-playbook)
- https://github.com/civictechindex/BOP/issues/272 - Contains plans to do a branding excercise but doesn't appear to have been complete **requesting access to the figjam file on 9-12**
- https://github.com/civictechindex/BOP/issues/270 - Issue is specifically about creating a brand book and outlines specific branding goals and steps to make one. However, most of those tasks have not been completed.
- [x] [Civic Tech Index](https://github.com/civictechindex/CTI-website-frontend)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Civic Tech Jobs](https://github.com/hackforla/CivicTechJobs)
- https://github.com/hackforla/CivicTechJobs/issues/606 - Issue concerns establishing a design system with image assets and components, not directly related to brand book creation.
- [x] [Civic Tech Structure](https://github.com/hackforla/civic-tech-structure)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Data Science Projects](https://github.com/hackforla/data-science)
- https://www.figma.com/board/VgxjTXP3PJhzZxMeMURf2f/Branding-Exercise?t=3WIldHJrGKBtmUa6-0 - This is an example branding excercise for Hack 4 LA in general, last updated November 2021
- [x] [Design Systems](https://github.com/hackforla/design-systems)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Engage](https://github.com/hackla-engage)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Expunge-Assist (formerly known as Record Clearance)](https://github.com/hackforla/expunge-assist)
- [Expunge Assist Team Charter](https://github.com/hackforla/expunge-assist/wiki/Expunge-Assist-Team-Charter) - Example of defining the mission, audience expectations and communication norms for this project.
- [x] [Food Oasis](https://github.com/hackforla/food-oasis)
- [FOLA Voice & Tone Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lqAxs_KwMLVWXLLCN3s7LSNynRMdLFC1dd-oA2Ziy_4/edit?tab=t.0) - Contains examples of communication dos and donts, terminalogy and values to focus on.
- [Food Oaisis design concepts + thinking](https://github.com/hackforla/food-oasis/discussions/1550) -Contains "crazy 8" sketching excercises to brainstorm design ideas, not directly related to brand book
- [x] [GreenEarthOS](https://github.com/hackforla/climate-project)
- [All issues related to their branding exercise](https://github.com/hackforla/GreenEarthOS/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22feature%3A+brand+exercise%22) - Individual issues per person titled "branding excercise" but most just link to the Figjam underneath.
- [Figma file](https://www.figma.com/file/JImygEUnM6m6giaP9qg3y4/GreenEarthOS-Branding-Exercise) Bonafide super relavant figjam featuring the branding excercise

Screenshot of brand exercise


- [x] [Guides](https://github.com/hackforla/guides)
- https://github.com/hackforla/guides/issues/73 - Branding excercise issue, but focused on logos / aesthetics and no work appears to have been done on it as of 9-18-2025
- [x] [HomeUniteUs](https://github.com/hackforla/homeuniteus)
- Link to stakeholder communication presentations https://github.com/hackforla/HomeUniteUs/wiki/Key-Documents#wip-stakeholder-communication-for-pilot-kickoff)
- https://github.com/hackforla/HomeUniteUs/issues/315 - Communication Style Guide Issue dealing with voice and tone , emphacizing accessiblity in lanuage, and microcopy examples. Lists many steps one might take to create a brand book.
- https://github.com/hackforla/HomeUniteUs/issues/285 - Issue deals with Brand Vision/ Terminology, and Microcopy Guidlines
- https://github.com/hackforla/HomeUniteUs/issues/458 - Not entirely relevant, issue concerns standardizing email template
- [x] [Internship project](https://github.com/hackforla/internship)
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/68 - Initial Brand Value excercise
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/95 - Appears to be the 2nd Step , Epic issue where everyone involves picks the values. (term used in issue is "marry")
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/81 - Create Brand Values
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/99 - Refining Mission Statement
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/98 - Google searching Brand attributes & taglines to see results
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/97 - Issue concerns usecases and clarifying target market
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/96 - Issue concerns user testing - not neccesarily related to brand book
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/28 - Logo Crreation - not brand book related
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/wiki/Internship-Brand-Book - Example Internship Brandbook
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/256 - Steps for creating a Mission Statement
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/184 - Contains examples and analysis of Brand personalities
- https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues/392 - Design roadmap , doesn't appear related to Brand Book Issue
- All branding exercise issues in internship project https://github.com/hackforla/internship/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20branding%20Exercise
- [x] [Lucky Parking](https://github.com/hackforla/lucky-parking)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Open Community Survey](https://github.com/hackforla/open-community-survey)
- [Open Community Onesheet](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oiCWwN0aUZEYXa_ir2n0l6D47fkXqFEQFkh4YMW3CjY/preview?tab=t.0) - the one sheet clearly defines the goals of this project, boils down their brand vision / mission statement
- https://github.com/hackforla/open-community-survey/issues/8 - While creating a social media account in itself is not related, the brand book should be an essential resource listed in the issue (if one exists)
- https://github.com/hackforla/open-community-survey/issues/36 - Issue involves creating a communication style guide and has links to example brand books outside of organization.
- https://github.com/hackforla/open-community-survey/issues/55 - Issue involves redesigning "Get Involved" Page. Defining target audience directly impacts brand's voice and communication style
- [x] [TDM Calculator](https://github.com/hackforla/tdm-calculator)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [VRMS](https://github.com/hackforla/vrms)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Hack for LA's Website](https://github.com/hackforla/website)
No Brand Book / Identity Issues 8-22-2025
- [x] [Youth Justice Nav](https://github.com/hackforla/YouthJusticeNav/)
- https://www.hackforla.org/assets/pdfs/Civic-Tech-Index-Product-One-Sheet.pdf - the one sheet clearly defines the goals of this project, boils down their brand vision / mission statement

### Examples from projects both inside and outside HfLA
#### Taglines
Feeding America- A hunger-free America
Make-A-Wish: That people everywhere will share the power of a wish
Habitat for Humanity: A world where everyone has a decent place to live
Airbnb- “Belong Anywhere.”
HfLA Internship Project: Where Learning STEMS from Doing

#### This guide links
- [Brand Book folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1ydrihxFQmSzT0IKOgo9kBnVdudUvBzYI)
- [ ] This is where you will copy instructions from the wiki page for the step you are currently on.

### Tasks
- [x] **Gathering Examples with GitHub**
Follow the instructions from the slide deck Part 1: [Gathering Examples With GitHub: Wiki, Issues, Project Board, Resources Provided](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XWY-OMiomzpKw_aCL1JkdgAhqpgGDZ2bu_XuReTO1zw/edit#slide=id.g150e30fd48b_0_443)
- Remove the following labels from your issue as you complete them:
- [x] status: needs wiki examples
- [x] status: needs issues examples
- [x] status: needs project board examples
- Congrats you have completed Part 1: Gathering Examples With GitHub: Wiki, Issues, Project Board, Resources Provided
- [x] Go to [Gather Examples, Use GitHub Search](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Gathering-Examples-with-Github-Search) and copy the the text block (next steps), below this line
- [x] **Gathering Examples with Github Search**
Follow the instructions from the slide deck Part 1.5: [How to Use Github Search](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M2f2Q9vefNAzQ4lvcw13x-7McPbrb8NZIVFgJUrefzE/edit?usp=sharing)
- [x] Complete the activities inside the deck
- Congrats! You have completed part 1.5: How to Use Github Search.
- [x] Go to [Gather Examples with Slack](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Gathering-Examples-with-Slack) and copy it below
- [x] **Gathering Examples with Slack**
Follow the instructions from the slide deck Part 2: [Gathering Examples With Slack](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-Kg7yLRXsdGo4Ln8L-WiunOOO3Uc7TuXvH5afcp3AKQ/)
- Remove the following labels from your issue as you complete them:
- [x] status: needs slack examples
- [x] Phase: 1 - Gather Examples Solo
- Congrats! You have completed Part 2: Gathering Examples with Slack
- [x] Go to [Phase 2 - Gather Examples Collaboratively](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Phase-2-%E2%80%90-Gather-Examples-Collaboratively) and copy and copy it below
Use this deck Part 3: [Connecting with Other Teams & Moving the Conversation Forward](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15WxdSc_YFVLdytCZ-SxZaWPt8y6-OQTxJb8dcppZHVE/)

Remove the following labels from your issue as you complete them:
- [ ] status: needs communication with teams

Congrats you have completed Part 2: Gathering Examples with Slack
- [ ] Go to [Making Example Issues + Last Check with Admin](https://github.com/hackforla/guides/wiki/Making-Example-Issues--and-Last-Check-with-Admin) and copy the next steps, into the next comment.