The PDF Brand guide is DEAD

Gone are the days of searching folders on the server labeled ‘<client> style guide new version final v2’. The new era of the Living Style Guide is here, huzzah!

So wtf is a living style guide, and why should I care?

It’s a single online destination that can get your team around a brand’s vision and identity and provide up-to-date tools to help them implement it. PDFs can’t do this because they are dead.

It’s a single destination that allows you to access the files and assets you need directly rather than go ferreting around for them. PDFs can’t handle that… they’re too busy resting in peace.

A living style guide presents a brand as an active evolving entity. Comparatively, a PDF is a caveman frozen in time. This allows for best practice brand custodianship, the opportunity to check in on your brand and refine, update and expand regularly.

Okay, let’s get it done. What are my options?

When transitioning from static PDF style guides to living, dynamic alternatives, there are several great tools and approaches that can breathe life into your brand documentation. Here are some top options for creating a living style guide:

Design Systems Platforms

These tools are purpose-built for creating and managing living style guides, making it easy to update and share across teams.

Example – Figma:

Best for teams looking to centralise design, assets, and brand elements in one space.

Features:

• Collaborative design system creation
• Real-time updates and sharing
• Easy integration with development tools (e.g., CSS, HTML)
• Components and reusable styles for consistent design

CMS-Based Style Guides

For teams that want complete control over customisation, using a CMS to create and manage a style guide might be the best option.

WordPress (or any CMS like WIX Studio or Squarespace etc)

Best for brands that want total customisation and flexibility.

Features:

• Build a fully customised online guide with sections, visuals, and code snippets
• Easy to update with new brand guidelines, color schemes, or design elements
• Responsive design for viewing on any device
• Add interactive elements like videos or animations
• Scalable as your brand grows

Specialized Design System Tools

If you want a dedicated platform designed to manage a living, breathing style guide and collaborate with design, marketing, and development teams.

Examples – Frontify

Best for brands with multiple stakeholders who need easy access to up-to-date brand guidelines.

Features:

• Intuitive, cloud-based style guide creator
• Real-time updates with customisable sections for typography, colour palettes, logos, etc.
• Permissions and roles for different team members
• Collaboration tools for design feedback

Brandpad

Best for brands seeking a visually stunning and easily shareable guide.

Features:

• Cloud-based style guide creation with a strong focus on aesthetics
• Easy drag-and-drop interface
• Customisable layouts with real-time updates
• Collaboration tools for feedback from design and marketing teams

However you decide to bring your brand to life, in the long run, a living style guide will be less time-consuming to build and maintain. It will provide a window to your brand that onboards new staff, suppliers and partners at pace. It creates a consistent approach to brand ID across channel and enhances collaboration and productivity. 

It’s time to let your brand ID live its best life.