Add brand guidelines

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