Key visuals: definition, development & examples

What are KeyVisuals in Marketing? Definition and examples.

Key visuals are a particularly important tool in marketing and are an integral part of a wide variety of campaigns, especially for larger companies. In this article, we will explain what a key visual is, what examples are known and how they are created.

Definition

The key visual or keyvisual is a design used in marketing agencies that serves as a guide or visual reference for a campaign. The key visual helps to see what ideas, elements, fonts, and color palettes will be used in all future ads and designs. In addition, the key visual should effectively and clearly express the communication tone and emotions we want to evoke in the target audience.

The key visual shows graphic elements, but it also communicates an identity and tells a “story”. That is why they usually have more dynamics than the logos or other designs. Mostly these are therefore also part of a
Style Guide
.

Here we can appreciate some examples of famous brands.

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Examples

Below are several examples of successful key visuals from well-known brands that have been seen on various platforms over the past few years.

Mercedes Benz

Mercedes presents here expressively that the brand stands for elegance and class. Two men in suit with bow tie and a woman in black evening dress with the top model in the background speak a clear picture.

zga keyvisuals 01

Milka

Milka is one of the most famous chocolate manufacturers in the world. The company has understood how to position itself uniquely and how to communicate that. The key visual includes everything that sets Milka apart. The Swiss mountain landscape depicted in the flesh signals the origin and love one has for chocolate making. Therefore

zga keyvisuals 012

Michelin

Michelin relies heavily on its “visual hammer,” the universally known Michelin male. With strength, conviction and confidence, it throws the tires. Exactly the values for which the tire manufacturer stands.

A picture of a man with a tire on his head.

Duracel

Another interesting “visual hammer” found on the key visual is Duracell’s bunny. Dressed in sports fashion, he can be found ready for the next task, for which he needs a lot of energy.

A bunny is standing next to a box of batteries.

Jägermeister

An iconic drink from Germany, which inspires worldwide. Despite difficult pronunciation, you can find Jägermeister in almost every bar spread around the world. The key visual represents the power of the herbs and roots that characterize Jägermeister. The stag in the background supports the dominance, masculinity but also closeness to nature of the drink or brand.

A bottle of gin is sitting on a table.
https://www.horizont.net/news/media/30/Jgermeis-rck-in-dem-Spo-sei-Mus-DNA-und-das-Nachtl-290995-detailpp.jpeg

DHL

If it has to go fast, then with DHL. Various key visuals of the logistics company, convey competence, solidarity and effort.

Dhl e-commerce website design.

Development

So how does a company come up with a key visual? Basically, this process can take a very long time, because the goal should be to accommodate or communicate the entire values, vision and philosophy in one image.

In any case, a clear and well-founded brand strategy is necessary as a basis for this.

To create an expressive key visual, skills in graphic design, rendering and photography are usually necessary. Most key visuals are a combination of these areas. Ideally, you should commission a professional
branding
agency. We have also developed numerous key visuals for clients from Graz, Vienna, Dubai and other cities.