Unlocking the Power of Archetypes: Building Your Brand Identity
Using brand archetypes to create an emotional connection with your audience.
As humans, we tend to rely on familiar symbols and heuristics to navigate the world around us. These mental shortcuts help us make sense of new information quickly and ultimately guide our decision-making and problem-solving processes. When it comes to connecting with audiences, archetypes can serve as powerful heuristic tools to create instantaneous emotional connections with your brand.
Archetypes are universal symbols that have been used in storytelling for centuries. They represent the different aspects of the human experience and can be used to connect with your audience on a deeper level. By tapping into the power of archetypes, you can create a brand narrative that resonates with your audience and sets it apart.
However, It is crucial to recognise that archetypes serve as a frame of reference rather than rigid labels. They act as a source of inspiration, providing a foundation for the development of a brand's story. With the incorporation of archetypal principles, combined with unique elements like origin, mission, and values, a brand can create a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with its audience.
The power of archetypes lies in their ability to establish a shared language and understanding of the human experience, which can serve as a springboard for brand storytelling. Rather than imposing a static and limiting identity, archetypes provide a flexible framework that allows a brand to tap into the emotional and psychological underpinnings of its audience.
Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, theorised that archetypes were universal symbols derived from the collective unconscious of humankind. For instance, consider "The Explorer" archetype embodied by characters like Indiana Jones, Disney’s Moana, Black Panther's Nakia, and The Hobbit's Bilbo Baggins, as well as brands like The North Face and NASA. These characters and brands value exploration, independence, and curiosity, making them relatable to those who share similar attributes.
What Are The 12 Brand Archetypes?
By identifying your brand archetype, you can create a foundation for your brand's identity, messaging, and values across all touchpoints. This allows you to create a consistent and cohesive brand narrative that resonates with your audience and sets your brand apart in a crowded marketplace. Can you have a guess which of the 12 brand archetypes represent you and/or your brand best?
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The role of the sage is to be a knowledgeable and wise guide. Their persona is focused on the pursuit of truth, wisdom and understanding. They are often recognised as being a trusted advisor, who offers unbiased perspectives.
Alt. Avatars: Scholar, Teacher, Mentor
Brand Motto: Knowledge is power
Mission: To seek the truth
Purpose: To discover, learn and grow
Strategy: To provide guidance and be a trusted source of information
Strength: Wisdom, Intelligence, Curiosity
Fear: Being ignorant
Voice: Rational and intellectual
Sage Brands: BBC, Harvard University
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The role of the explorer is to discover new things and experiences. Their persona is focused on the pursuit of new adventures, learning and self-discovery. They often embody qualities such as independence, courage and an unrelenting sense of curiosity.
Alt. Avatars: Adventurer, Seeker, Pioneer
Brand Motto: Don't be afraid to explore
Mission: To discover and seek new experiences
Purpose: To live an authentic and fulfilling life
Strategy: To constantly push boundaries and seek adventure
Strength: Courage, Independence, Curiosity
Fear: Being trapped or constrained
Voice: Bold and adventurous
Explorer Brands: The North Face, NASA
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The role of the innocent is to embody a sense of purity and simplicity. Their persona often evokes feelings of goodness, optimism and sincerity. They are often recognised as being trustworthy and dependable.
Alt. Avatars: Optimist, Idealist, Pure of Heart
Brand Motto: The world is good
Mission: To find happiness
Purpose: To simplify and bring joy to the world
Strategy: To be transparent, honest and dependable
Strength: Sincerity, Simplicity, Trustworthiness
Fear: Being corrupted or deceived
Voice: Pure and authentic
Innocent Brands: Coca-Cola, Dove
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The role of the outlaw is to challenge established norms and expectations. Their persona is often associated with rebellion and individuality. They often embody qualities such as freedom and a disdain for the status quo.
Alt. Avatars: Rebel, Outcast, Revolutionary
Brand Motto: Rules are meant to be broken
Mission: To disrupt the norm
Purpose: To create positive change by challenging authority
Strategy: To be unpredictable and unapologetic
Strength: Nonconformity, Independence, Courage
Fear: Being trapped or controlled
Voice: Edgy and noncompliant
Outlaw Brands: Harley-Davidson, Apple
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The role of the entertainer is to provide entertainment and light-hearted relief. Their persona often embodies qualities such as playfulness, humour and spontaneity. They are often recognised as being a source of joy and laughter.
Alt. Avatars: Jester, Fool, Trickster
Brand Motto: Life is a party
Mission: To entertain and delight
Purpose: To bring joy and laughter to the world
Strategy: To be lighthearted, spontaneous and playful
Strength: Humour, Spontaneity, Joy
Fear: Being boring
Voice: Witty and playful
Entertainer Brands: Skittles, Old Spice
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The role of the caregiver is to make others feel provided for and cared for. Their altruistic persona radiates kindness, gentleness and stability in all that they do.
Alt. Avatars: Samaritan, Angel, Guardian
Brand Motto: The world is a better place when we help those in need.
Mission: To help others
Purpose: To protect, nurture and make others feel secure
Strategy: Supporting and caring for others
Strengths: Compassion, Kindness, Empathy
Fear: Becoming selfish and self-seeking
Voice: Kind and nurturing
Caregiver Brands: Johnson & Johnson, Volvo
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The role of the creator is to encourage self-expression, imagination, and out-of-the-box thinking. Their creative persona highly values technical excellence, storytelling, and collaboration.
Alt. Avatars: Artist, Storyteller, Entrepreneur
Brand Motto: Your imagination is the limit
Mission: To create
Purpose: Turning ideas into reality
Strategy: Using their creative expertise to problem-solve
Strengths: Creativity, Self-expression, Collaboration
Fear: Executing mediocrity
Voice: Expressive and poetic
Creator Brands: Youtube, Adobe
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The role of the ruler is to model and set the industry standard in all that they do. Their persona values excellence and structure. Their sophistication and professionalism are often unmatched by their competitors.
Alt. Avatars: Sovereign, Role Model, Leader
Brand Motto: Leading the way
Mission: To have control
Purpose: To be the leading role model and thought leader
Strategy: To exercise power and influence through their high-level expertise
Strengths: Excellence, Leadership, Confidence
Fear: Becoming a follower
Voice: Authoritative and sophisticated
Ruler Brands: American Express, Rolex
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The role of the citizen is to make others feel valued and included. Their persona is often laid back, unpretentious, and aims to treat everyone around them as equals.
Alt. Avatars: Democrat, The Everyman
Brand Motto: We are all made equal
Mission: To belong
Purpose: To be dependable and trustworthy
Strategy: Being down-to-earth
Strengths: Inclusive, Welcoming, Creating spaces of belonging
Fear: Becoming exclusive
Voice: Laid-back and unpretentious
Everyman Brands: PG Tips, Ikea
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The role of the lover is to make others feel special. Their persona is often focused on creating intimate connections with others; drawing them in through their desirability and beauty.
Alt. Avatars: Romantic, Idealist, Seducer
Brand Motto: Passion, pleasure, and beauty
Mission: To connect
Purpose: To be in a relationship
Strategy: To create intimacy
Strengths: Connection, Passion, Seduction
Fear: Feeling unwanted
Voice: Seductive and sultry
Lover Brands: Chanel, Haagen Dazs
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The role of the hero is to overcome obstacles and defeat evil in order to bring justice and restore balance. Heroes are courageous and confident, inspiring others to stand up and fight for what is right.
Alt. Avatars: Champion, Warrior, Gladiator
Brand Motto: Triumphing over adversity
Mission: To help others achieve their own greatness
Purpose: To improve the world
Strategy: Take action, show courage
Strength: Bravery, Perseverance, Leadership
Fear: Being weak, failing
Voice: Inspiring and motivational
Hero Brands: Nike, Duracell
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The Magician is a visionary and transformative archetype who has the power to make dreams come true. They possess a strong sense of purpose and are often able to inspire others to believe in their dreams as well. The Magician can help others overcome their fears and self-doubt by showing them the way forward.
Alt. Avatars: Innovator, Wizard, Scientist
Brand Motto: Making the impossible possible
Mission: Transformation
Purpose: Turning dreams into reality
Strategy: Develop a vision and live by it
Strengths: Innovation, Transformation, Healing
Fear: Unintended negative consequences
Voice: Visionary and transformative
Magician Brands: Disney, Xbox