diff --git a/brand-guidelines/SKILL.md b/brand-guidelines/SKILL.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fb6208b --- /dev/null +++ b/brand-guidelines/SKILL.md @@ -0,0 +1,118 @@ +--- +name: brand-guidelines +description: Applies Datapath's official brand colors and typography to any sort of artifact that may benefit from having Datapath's look-and-feel. Use it when brand colors or style guidelines, visual formatting, or company design standards apply. +license: Complete terms in LICENSE.txt +--- + +# Datapath Brand Styling + +## Overview + +To access Datapath's official brand identity and style resources, use this skill. + +**Keywords**: branding, corporate identity, visual identity, post-processing, styling, brand colors, typography, Datapath brand, visual formatting, visual design + +## Brand Guidelines + +### Colors + +**Primary Colors:** + +- Neon Mint: `#46B976` (Pantone 7479C) — Primary brand color; C70 M0 Y73 K0 +- Gray Blue: `#435364` (Pantone 2168C) — Secondary; C77 M61 Y44 K25 +- Gray: `#333333` (Pantone XXX) — Body text and dark backgrounds; C69 M63 Y62 K58 +- White — Light backgrounds and text on dark + +**Neon Mint Tints (when variation is needed):** +- 80% tint of Neon Mint +- 60% tint of Neon Mint + +**Service Category Colors:** + +- Security: `#05CE7C` + `#435364` +- Mobility: `#05CE7C` + `#E8C651` (gold) + `#303A65` +- Cloud: `#05CE7C` + `#1F5F7D` + `#4DECCC` (light teal) +- IT Management: `#05CE7C` + `#1B75BB` + `#20284C` + +### Typography + +- **Font Family**: Proxima Soft (7 weights available) +- **Primary weights**: Bold and Light +- **Section Headers**: All caps, bold, tracked (letter-spaced), in Neon Mint (`#46B976`) +- **Headers**: Light weight, roughly twice the size of body copy; White, Gray, or Gray Blue +- **Body Text**: Light weight, approximately half the size of headers; White, Gray, or Gray Blue +- **Link Style**: Same size as section headers, with mouseover arrow effect + +### Logo Usage + +- **Stacked logo**: Preferred version — emphasizes the iconic "D" element +- **Horizontal logo**: For websites or space-limited situations; icon height never smaller than 1/8 inch +- **Clear space**: Padding around the logo equals the wordmark's letter height +- **On dark/photo backgrounds**: Keep icon in Neon Mint; change wordmark to White +- **Icon-only usage**: Only when the audience is already familiar with the Datapath brand + +### Iconography + +- Icons contained in circles +- Simple, no fills; 1.5pt stroke weight (Illustrator) +- Consistent line weight throughout +- Rounded corners; sharp endcaps +- Icons support copy — not standalone except in textural applications + +### Photography & Treatment + +- Apply gradient map effects using brand colors +- Separate subjects from backgrounds before applying gradient maps +- Use images with clearly defined subjects +- Photos framed with angled edges matching the logo icon's angle + +### The 5 Line Ribbon + +- Five parallel lines that interact with people/subjects as a visual metaphor for Datapath's services +- Lines enter from one side and exit the opposite; turns are simple and sharp +- Can be used with imagery or sans imagery (best on white or dark backgrounds) +- Used texturally to frame content or as a background element + +## Brand Voice & Tone + +**Voice Attributes:** +- **Confident**: Strong, direct, positive — not arrogant or brash +- **Smart**: Experienced, sharp, decisive — not bossy or controlling +- **Genuine**: Authentic, open, helpful — not exclusive or distant +- **Approachable**: Sharp, helpful — not cold, slick, or reserved + +**Messaging Rules:** +- "Datapath" is always title case, one word (except in logo or headers) +- Messages are simple, action-oriented, and straightforward +- External communications: clear, engaging, direct — avoid complexity or confusion +- Internal communications: straightforward and respectful + +## Brand Platform + +**Vision**: To be the most trusted IT solutions provider, improving lives with innovative solutions. + +**Mission**: To be a world-class managed service provider. + +**Brand Attributes**: Innovative, Trustworthy, Quality-Driven, Effortless, Approachable, Personal, Visionary + +**5 Core Values** (represented by the 5 lines in the logo): +1. Do the Right Thing & Do The Thing Right +2. People Matter Most +3. Ninjas and Unicorns +4. Ideas Bring Value +5. Commit to Give + +## Technical Details + +### Color Application + +- Uses hex values for precise brand matching +- Neon Mint (`#46B976`) is the primary differentiator — intentionally stands out from industry-standard blues and grays +- Blues and grays provide contrast for the green; green icon should always be preserved +- Applied via RGBColor class in python-pptx or equivalent CSS/hex values in web contexts + +### Font Management + +- Proxima Soft is the brand typeface; use bold and light weights primarily +- Maintain typographic hierarchy with proper weights for headers vs. body +- Fall back to system sans-serif if Proxima Soft is unavailable