Centre Channel
Design System
A comprehensive guide to the visual language of Centre Channel. Built on the principles of deliberate thought, careful consideration, and exclusive accessibility.
Colour Palette
Colour
Our palette is built around the interplay of deep, confident blacks with warm brass accents. This combination conveys sophistication, authority, and the premium nature of our consultancy.
Primary — Blacks
Accent — Brass
Neutrals — Lights
Optional Accents
Typography
Type System
Our typography pairs the elegant Cormorant Garamond for display and headlines with the clean, modern DM Sans for body text. This combination bridges traditional authority with contemporary clarity.
Spacing & Grid
Spatial System
Our spacing scale is built on an 8px base unit. This creates consistent rhythm across all applications and ensures visual harmony at every scale.
Logo & Marks
The Cc Mark
The Centre Channel mark consists of two C letters — one capital, one lowercase italic — divided by a diagonal line within a circle. This represents the dialogue between consultant and client, the bridge between strategy and execution.
Minimum clear space: 1x mark width on all sides
Buttons
Form Elements
Cards & Containers
Default Card
Cards provide contained spaces for content groupings.
Dark Card
Dark cards create contrast and highlight premium content.
"The centre channel prioritises dialogue. It cuts through the noise to focus on what's most important."
— Mark LeachWebsite Application
Digital Presence
The website uses an immersive dark aesthetic throughout, creating a distinctive, premium feel that sets Centre Channel apart from typical consultancy sites.
You know digital growth is essential, but everyone's giving you different advice.
You need strategic clarity, not more opinions.
Learn moreI help ambitious leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.
Are your agencies on point?
You're paying good money but can't tell if you're getting value or just expensive presentations.
Does your board have digital expertise?
You need someone who can push these initiatives through and ensure they deliver results.
Do you have the team to deliver?
You know digital is important but don't have the experience to make confident decisions.
Key Patterns
- Full-bleed Ink Black background throughout — never white
- Subtle radial brass gradients positioned asymmetrically for depth
- Navigation fades from solid black to transparent
- Hero headlines use Cormorant Garamond Light at 64px with italic brass emphasis
- Scroll indicator with vertical text and brass gradient line
- Section dividers use warm-black horizontal gradients
- Credentials grid uses Deep Black cards on Ink Black background
- Link CTAs use "Learn more" with expanding brass line on hover
Strategy Cards
Conversation Prompts
A deck of strategy cards designed to spark better conversations and challenge assumptions. Perfect for workshops, client sessions, or as a memorable leave-behind gift.
What would you do if budget were zero?
Who haven't you asked?
Is this a technology problem or a clarity problem?
Production Specifications
- Rigid lift-off lid box, soft-touch black finish
- Gold foil Cc mark centred on lid
- 36 cards, 300gsm cream uncoated stock
- Credit card size (85 × 55mm)
- Rounded corners (3mm radius)
- Cormorant Garamond for question text
- Optional category colour coding on card edge
What are you avoiding?
What would your customer say?
If you had to decide today, what would you choose?
What's the one thing that makes everything else easier?
What would need to be true for this to work?
Stop. Go for a walk.
Email Signature
Email Identity
Email signatures should be professional and scannable. Two variants are provided — a full version with logo mark, and a minimal text-only version for ongoing threads.
Standard Signature
Minimal Signature
Use for replies and ongoing threads where the full signature would be excessive.
Implementation Notes
- Brass divider line: 60px wide, 2px height, #b8976a
- Logo mark: 48px × 48px, ink black stroke on white background
- Name: Cormorant Garamond Medium, 18px
- Title: DM Sans Regular, 13px, muted grey
- Contact details: DM Sans Regular, 11px, links in brass
- Do not include social media icons or unnecessary links
- Keep to essential information only — no quotes or taglines
Presentations
Slide Decks
Presentations maintain brand consistency while adapting to presentation software constraints. Title slides use dark backgrounds; content slides can use cream for readability.
Documents
Print & PDF
Documents carry the brand into formal communications — proposals, reports, and strategic documentation.
Strategic Proposal
Prepared for Abbott Lyon · January 2025
Executive Summary
This proposal outlines a strategic approach to elevating your digital capabilities. Our focus will be on customer experience, technology stack, and team capability.
Proposed Approach
We recommend a phased implementation balancing quick wins with structural improvements.
Document Elements
- Header: Ink Black bar with brass Cc mark
- Section titles: Cormorant Garamond Medium, 18pt
- Body text: DM Sans Regular, 11pt
- Dividers: Brass gradient, partial width
- Margins: Generous — 25mm minimum
Business Cards
Physical Identity
Business cards should feel premium and memorable — a tactile expression of "carefully considered."
+44 7429 164 215
centrechannel.com
Production Specifications
- Size: 85 × 55mm (standard UK)
- Stock: 400gsm Colorplan Ebony or equivalent
- Front: Gold foil Cc mark, centred
- Back: Colorplan Mist, letterpress text
- Finish: Soft-touch matte both sides
- Optional: Gold foil edge painting
Merchandise
Branded Items
Merchandise should feel like thoughtful gifts, not promotional items. Each piece should be useful, well-made, and carry the brand with subtlety.
Notebook
A5, black cloth cover, gold foil mark
Tote Bag
Heavy canvas, natural colour
Pen
Matte black barrel, brass clip
Coaster
Leather, debossed mark
Do's & Don'ts
- Use generous white space — let elements breathe
- Maintain brass/black contrast for key moments
- Use Cormorant Garamond for headlines
- Apply radial gradients subtly and asymmetrically
- Keep the mark at appropriate sizes (min 24px)
- Prioritise clarity and readability
- Let quality materials speak for themselves
- Stretch or distort the Cc mark
- Use brass on light backgrounds (low contrast)
- Mix other typefaces into the system
- Apply heavy drop shadows or glows
- Crowd layouts — avoid visual clutter
- Use generic stock photography
- Add unnecessary decorative elements
Voice & Tone
How We Sound
Centre Channel's voice is confident without being arrogant, knowledgeable without being condescending. We speak plainly, with warmth and authority.
- Confident: We know our expertise and share it directly
- Clear: Complex ideas, simple language
- Warm: Professional but personable
- Honest: Direct about what we can and can't do
- Thoughtful: Every word is deliberate
- Jargon-heavy: No buzzwords or corporate speak
- Salesy: We don't push or pressure
- Vague: We make specific, concrete statements
- Arrogant: Confidence isn't superiority
- Trendy: We don't chase what's fashionable
"Carefully considered and exclusively accessible."
— Brand Essence
Social Media
Social Templates
Social media should feel consistent with our broader brand — confident, premium, and never shouty. We favour quality over quantity, with rare but substantial presence.
Strategic clarity, not more opinions.
Preview of LinkedIn image post format. Statement headlines on dark backgrounds, brass gradient overlay positioned asymmetrically.
"Where the conversation comes into focus"
LinkedIn Profile Banner
Strategic Digital Consultant
Deliberate thought for digital commerce
Social Guidelines