[KeriVit]

Should it be single sided or double-sided?
What's the most common way to bind?

Let's say I go 3 ring... and do tabs. Does the tab come before the first page of that section ?

I'm sure I'll have more- though it is due tomorrow (class).
These are just nitpicky things.

[Thorzdad]

Double-sided pages are fine.
For the binding, it's really up to you. I've seen these things done all sorts of ways. The small 3-ring binder is a nice, corporate way to go. I'd definitely do the section tabs as separate pages (probably in a heavier stock) and, yes, the tabs should come before the first page of the section.

Ultimately, though, there are no real "rules" about these things. Just do it in a way that won't confuse non-creatives who might have to use the manual. Always keep your end-user in mind.

[KeriVit]

Nice advice about the end user. Thus, one thing I made sure of was to use tabs to break it down. I found a lot that did not and it was a bit awkward.

My thought also is that a 3 ring binder is easily "changeable" vs reprinting the manual every time one little thing changes.

Now gridding out the logo and sizes... boy was that dreadfully painful.

[Thorzdad]

Yeah...corporate manuals are labor-intensive work. Mostly because you have to sit down and actually codify and set-in-stone the stuff you've been doing as second nature.

The real pain comes when, after putting the thing together, you watch as every sales rep, VP, and secretary in the company totally ignores the manual and slaps stuff together on their own, for their own "special projects".

[KeriVit]

So true my friend...

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by Thorzdad 

The real pain comes when, after putting the thing together, you watch as every sales rep, VP, and secretary in the company totally ignores the manual and slaps stuff together on their own, for their own "special projects".

"we can't use that letterhead/envelope/label, because word/our archaic mailmerge software/jane from membership can't adjust the margins, so please redesign letterhead just for our dept."

then, after mailing whole company both pdf and link to online guide, there is the
inevitable horrendous violation spotted, to which the reply is: I didn't know we had guidelines!!!!!

[KeriVit]

It's funny, when I was a designer at a printing company, several of our clients would ask for design jobs that they just didn't have time for. Or to set up templates for stationery, etc. When they provided manuals, I followed it like a Bible. Other times, I would design something- an identity and give them guidelines. They ignored them and wondered why it looked like crap later.

This is the first Manual I have done start to finish (meaning logo, stationery, 5 other pieces, etc.) but mostly I mean the MAnual. I'm looking at it sweating my arse off to get everything spelled out as accurately as possible. The whole time, I'm thinking, "no one's even gonna look at this."

Sucks.

[art_director]

Such manuals should always be viewed as work in progress. There will be issues / instances that you would never have accounted for. Also, as time goes on, brands evolve. For these reasons 3-ring binders are ALWAYS the best bet. That way, when content is updated, users can toss the old and drop in the new sections without incurring the costs associated with a nuke and pave approach.

To get a better idea of how these documents are often built try using the Google to search for 'graphic standards,' 'logo standards' and other such terms. Many a corporation foolishly leaves them openly posted on their sites. You can download, analyze and learn from seeing what others have done.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by art_director 

[…] Many a corporation foolishly leaves [graphic standards] openly posted on their sites. You can download, analyze and learn from seeing what others have done.

Why “foolishly”? If the identity manual isn’t made available, how can designers or production artists be expected to follow its guidelines?

[art_director]

Originally Posted by Odysseus 

Why “foolishly”? If the identity manual isn’t made available, how can designers or production artists be expected to follow its guidelines?

Simple answer: brand management. Such internal documents should always be kept on password-protected directories. There are several reasons for this. I won't burden the forum with the rationale.

[bluedog]

Originally Posted by art_director 

Simple answer: brand management. Such internal documents should always be kept on password-protected directories. There are several reasons for this. I won't burden the forum with the rationale.

Well, I'd like to clarify for the person questioning this. The idea is the guidelines should be available internally for EVERYONE to apply to the documents and materials they create. But it SHOULDN'T be available to ANYONE outside the company other than vendors who need access such as outside marketing or design services. Password protection should be for the EXTERNAL access.

Unless I'm mistaken and art_director is saying guard these guidelines like the crown jewels and don't show it to anyone.

[art_director]

Well said, thank you.