Brand Personality and Your Environment

Often it takes stepping back and actually considering the space you’re in right now. In doing so we become aware of how often we actually are unconscious of our space. Then sometimes, being taken somewhere completely unfamiliar jolts you into realising what’s contained within your own four walls. Consider your home, your work space, your favourite shops and cafés; each place in some way reflects the character of the people who designed it and can portray the core values of their brand and their brand personality. Have you noticed how your surroundings make you feel a certain way? A mood is communicated through the style of décor, the theme and layout; and it’s the consistency of the branding that affects your frame of mind. An environment will communicate brand messages that influence those within that space and can actually influence the sales to a customer, the effectiveness of an employee, the mood of a friend and the relationship with a client.

Simply noticing the brand personality of an environment gives us powerful choices. Extending our brand throughout our space gives us control over who we are in any given moment. The key is consistency in the branding which can be extended right down to the smallest of things like picture frames, door stops, furniture and lighting. The choices we make communicate our personality to those around us and tell a story about whom we are and what we stand for.

Here is an example of a space with strong brand personality:

Café Bouquiniste

You’ll find that the spaces that are the most uplifting, relaxing or appealing are those that in some way reflect a certain aspect of your own personality.

Cafe Bouquiniste is a calm but quirky, unique and eclectic, edgy café on Merthyr Rd, New Farm. Immediately on entering this space one feels calm and relaxed and extremely welcome. Surrounded by the smell of fresh home-style baking, seeking out the fun quirky décor and settling into a comfy corner, all your senses are aroused. It feels like a little sanctuary in the bustling New Farm village.  The owners’ brand and personality is clearly expressed through the love and care they put into the place and the service they provide.

Their brand values reflect onto the customers and the brand personality draws more of the ‘right’ people in.

As you walk into your space does it reflect who you are? How do you feel when you are in it?