Unlocking the Power of Brand Archetypes

Elise Elliott

Business
Psychology
Branding
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I'm the creative visionary behind Pass the Salt Studio. My mission is to outfit you with the creative tools needed to consistently surprise and delight your dream audience. 

Hola, I'm Elise

Brand Archetypes

Cracking the Code to Your Brand’s Core with Archetypal Alchemy

Ever felt like your brand was wandering through a dense forest, desperately searching for its core? Fear not, intrepid explorer! Your guide to unlocking the vibrant personality and essence of your brand lies within the timeless and universal world of archetypes. These aren’t your grandma’s cookie-cutter symbols; they’re the universal themes and characters that dance in our collective subconscious, whispering sweet nothings about who we really are.

In today’s world, a tangled jungle of endless choices and a barrage of communication, the battle for consumer attention has become a cry for human connection. Now, more than ever, people crave brands that not only stand out but also stand beside them, echoing their values and backing their needs. Diving into the world of archetypes is like throwing a wild party and inviting all the aspects of your brand to come as they truly are—masks off, spirits high. These archetypes, when wielded with the finesse of a brand whisperer, infuse your identity with life, purpose, and that irresistible charm that makes your audience think, “Ah, this is the one!”

Brewing the Perfect Potion for Authentic Brand Personalities

The Enigmatic World of Jungian Archetypes

The magic ingredient in your brand’s personality potion? The 12 Jungian archetypes, developed by Carl Gustav Jung, the OG of personality psychology. This framework serves as your compass for developing brand identities that are not only deeply resonant but irresistibly magnetic, planting seeds in your audience’s minds that grow into lasting connections. It’s about leveraging psychological observations and intuitive pattern recognition to create a brand identity so compelling, it becomes unforgettable.

By tapping into these archetypes, you’re not just making a brand; you’re creating a living, breathing entity that whispers directly to your dream audience’s core. Suddenly, you’re not Sisyphus eternally rolling his boulder uphill; you’re a majestic unicorn, effortlessly attracting admirers who can’t help but be drawn to your natural magnetism.

Carol S. Pearson and Margaret Mark, the dynamic duo, took Jung’s original map of the night sky and divided it into four realms: Stability, Independence, Change, and Belonging. This isn’t just any toolkit; it’s a treasure chest for charting the tempestuous seas of consumer affection. The way I see it, each quadrant embodies these core motives – to Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect. Serving as a compass that guides businesses towards understanding their core purpose and how they best serve others, in a world where standing out often means diving deep into what truly matters.

Navigating Your Brand’s Archetypal Journey

This exploration inspired the creation of my CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz, which delves into these core needs and desires, anchoring them with business drivers and purpose. Not your average archetype quiz, my mission in creating this quiz has been to create a tool to help you uncover what drives your business moves and authentic engagement style. It’s not just about making waves; it’s about embracing what’s authentic to you and creating a splash that resonates in the very core of your audience. Stepping into the spotlight with a style as distinctive as a unicorn in a field of horses – majestic, magnetic, and leaving your audience star-struck.

With the CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz as your compass, you can begin to chart the vast and vibrant landscape of your brand’s potential. Take the Quiz now to discover which quadrant resonates most with your brand’s essence. Reflecting on your results, remember that each motive – Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect – forms a foundational pillar upon which your brand’s towering identity is built. These aren’t merely categories; they embody the beating heart of your brand’s purpose and how you uniquely serve your audience.

Below, we’ll take a bird’s eye view of the four quadrants, giving you a taste of the different archetypes within each realm.

Structure quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 1 – Structure

A Symphony of Service, Authority, & Innovation

Dive into the Structure Quadrant, where archetypes don’t just walk the walk; they strut with a purpose. Imagine the Caregiver, not just a shoulder to cry on but a veritable superhero in an apron, like Pink wielding her breast cancer awareness campaign like a shield of valor. Enter the Ruler, exuding authority not with an iron fist but with the kind of charisma that makes even Mercedes Benz and Boss by Hugo Boss look up and take notes. And let’s not forget the Creator – the visionary force behind every stroke of genius, from Tony Stark’s mind-bending gadgets to MAC cosmetics’ kaleidoscope of colors. This is where elegance meets excellence, and beauty isn’t just seen but felt, deep in the core of your brand.

Discover quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 2 – Discover

The Art of Simplicity, Wisdom, & Freedom

The Discover Quadrant is where brands shed their corporate cloaks and dance in the rain. It’s home to The Innocent, with a heart so pure, you’d swear it’s never seen a spreadsheet. The Sage, on the other hand, is the wise old owl in a digital forest, dropping knowledge bombs like Google on a good day. And the Explorer? They’re the Indiana Jones of the branding world, charting unknown territories with a swagger that says, “Maps? Where we’re going, we don’t need maps.” Brands like Coca-Cola, Google, and The North Face have pitched their tents here, proving that innovation and a dash of rebellion can make even the well-trodden path seem like an adventure.

Impact quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 3 – Impact

Champions of Liberation, Evolution, & Mastery

Welcome to the Impact Quadrant, where the air crackles with the energy of change. The Rebel doesn’t just break the rules; they rewrite them with a flair that makes Harley Davidson and Vivienne Westwood nod in respect. The Magician, meanwhile, is busy pulling rabbits out of hats – if by rabbits, you mean groundbreaking innovations like Tesla and Netflix. And The Hero? They’re not waiting for a cape to change the world, taking on challenges with a courage that makes Greenpeace and Thorntons look like the Avengers of the branding universe. This quadrant isn’t just about making noise; it’s about making a difference that echoes.

Connect quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 4 – Connect

Weaving Pleasure, Intimacy, & Belonging

In the Connect Quadrant, every brand is a love letter, a joke, or a handshake. The Lover makes your heart skip a beat, offering more than a product – a promise of a lifestyle, as intoxicating as a first kiss from brands like Tiffany’s or Louis Vuitton. The Jester, on the flip side, brings laughter to the table, serving it with a side of sass and reliability that makes M&Ms and Tina Fey the life of the party. And The Friend? They’re the one you’ve known forever, making brands like IKEA and Levi’s feel like home. Here, connection is more than a strategy; it’s a heartfelt embrace.

Authenticity Matters

Honouring Your Brand’s True Core & Purpose 

Having wandered through the vast expanse of brand motives – Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect – which path beckons to you? Perhaps it’s time to plant your flag, embracing the archetypal energies that resonate with your brand’s core. This isn’t just about finding your place in the market; it’s about rediscovering your brand’s heartbeat and setting a course towards a horizon filled with promise and prosperity.

Ready to uncover the core motive that drives your brand? Take the CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz now and embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of your brand’s identity and purpose. Let’s create a brand that doesn’t just exist but owns what makes it truly unique, captivating hearts and minds along the way.

Brand Archetypes

Cracking the Code to Your Brand’s Core with Archetypal Alchemy

Ever felt like your brand was wandering through a dense forest, desperately searching for its core? Fear not, intrepid explorer! Your guide to unlocking the vibrant personality and essence of your brand lies within the timeless and universal world of archetypes. These aren’t your grandma’s cookie-cutter symbols; they’re the universal themes and characters that dance in our collective subconscious, whispering sweet nothings about who we really are.

In today’s world, a tangled jungle of endless choices and a barrage of communication, the battle for consumer attention has become a cry for human connection. Now, more than ever, people crave brands that not only stand out but also stand beside them, echoing their values and backing their needs. Diving into the world of archetypes is like throwing a wild party and inviting all the aspects of your brand to come as they truly are—masks off, spirits high. These archetypes, when wielded with the finesse of a brand whisperer, infuse your identity with life, purpose, and that irresistible charm that makes your audience think, “Ah, this is the one!”

Brewing the Perfect Potion for Authentic Brand Personalities

The Enigmatic World of Jungian Archetypes

The magic ingredient in your brand’s personality potion? The 12 Jungian archetypes, developed by Carl Gustav Jung, the OG of personality psychology. This framework serves as your compass for developing brand identities that are not only deeply resonant but irresistibly magnetic, planting seeds in your audience’s minds that grow into lasting connections. It’s about leveraging psychological observations and intuitive pattern recognition to create a brand identity so compelling, it becomes unforgettable.

By tapping into these archetypes, you’re not just making a brand; you’re creating a living, breathing entity that whispers directly to your dream audience’s core. Suddenly, you’re not Sisyphus eternally rolling his boulder uphill; you’re a majestic unicorn, effortlessly attracting admirers who can’t help but be drawn to your natural magnetism.

Carol S. Pearson and Margaret Mark, the dynamic duo, took Jung’s original map of the night sky and divided it into four realms: Stability, Independence, Change, and Belonging. This isn’t just any toolkit; it’s a treasure chest for charting the tempestuous seas of consumer affection. The way I see it, each quadrant embodies these core motives – to Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect. Serving as a compass that guides businesses towards understanding their core purpose and how they best serve others, in a world where standing out often means diving deep into what truly matters.

Navigating Your Brand’s Archetypal Journey

This exploration inspired the creation of my CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz, which delves into these core needs and desires, anchoring them with business drivers and purpose. Not your average archetype quiz, my mission in creating this quiz has been to create a tool to help you uncover what drives your business moves and authentic engagement style. It’s not just about making waves; it’s about embracing what’s authentic to you and creating a splash that resonates in the very core of your audience. Stepping into the spotlight with a style as distinctive as a unicorn in a field of horses – majestic, magnetic, and leaving your audience star-struck.

With the CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz as your compass, you can begin to chart the vast and vibrant landscape of your brand’s potential. Take the Quiz now to discover which quadrant resonates most with your brand’s essence. Reflecting on your results, remember that each motive – Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect – forms a foundational pillar upon which your brand’s towering identity is built. These aren’t merely categories; they embody the beating heart of your brand’s purpose and how you uniquely serve your audience.

Below, we’ll take a bird’s eye view of the four quadrants, giving you a taste of the different archetypes within each realm.

Structure quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 1 – Structure

A Symphony of Service, Authority, & Innovation

Dive into the Structure Quadrant, where archetypes don’t just walk the walk; they strut with a purpose. Imagine the Caregiver, not just a shoulder to cry on but a veritable superhero in an apron, like Pink wielding her breast cancer awareness campaign like a shield of valor. Enter the Ruler, exuding authority not with an iron fist but with the kind of charisma that makes even Mercedes Benz and Boss by Hugo Boss look up and take notes. And let’s not forget the Creator – the visionary force behind every stroke of genius, from Tony Stark’s mind-bending gadgets to MAC cosmetics’ kaleidoscope of colors. This is where elegance meets excellence, and beauty isn’t just seen but felt, deep in the core of your brand.

Discover quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 2 – Discover

The Art of Simplicity, Wisdom, & Freedom

The Discover Quadrant is where brands shed their corporate cloaks and dance in the rain. It’s home to The Innocent, with a heart so pure, you’d swear it’s never seen a spreadsheet. The Sage, on the other hand, is the wise old owl in a digital forest, dropping knowledge bombs like Google on a good day. And the Explorer? They’re the Indiana Jones of the branding world, charting unknown territories with a swagger that says, “Maps? Where we’re going, we don’t need maps.” Brands like Coca-Cola, Google, and The North Face have pitched their tents here, proving that innovation and a dash of rebellion can make even the well-trodden path seem like an adventure.

Impact quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 3 – Impact

Champions of Liberation, Evolution, & Mastery

Welcome to the Impact Quadrant, where the air crackles with the energy of change. The Rebel doesn’t just break the rules; they rewrite them with a flair that makes Harley Davidson and Vivienne Westwood nod in respect. The Magician, meanwhile, is busy pulling rabbits out of hats – if by rabbits, you mean groundbreaking innovations like Tesla and Netflix. And The Hero? They’re not waiting for a cape to change the world, taking on challenges with a courage that makes Greenpeace and Thorntons look like the Avengers of the branding universe. This quadrant isn’t just about making noise; it’s about making a difference that echoes.

Connect quadrant of archetype motives

Quadrant 4 – Connect

Weaving Pleasure, Intimacy, & Belonging

In the Connect Quadrant, every brand is a love letter, a joke, or a handshake. The Lover makes your heart skip a beat, offering more than a product – a promise of a lifestyle, as intoxicating as a first kiss from brands like Tiffany’s or Louis Vuitton. The Jester, on the flip side, brings laughter to the table, serving it with a side of sass and reliability that makes M&Ms and Tina Fey the life of the party. And The Friend? They’re the one you’ve known forever, making brands like IKEA and Levi’s feel like home. Here, connection is more than a strategy; it’s a heartfelt embrace.

Authenticity Matters

Honouring Your Brand’s True Core & Purpose 

Having wandered through the vast expanse of brand motives – Structure, Discover, Impact, and Connect – which path beckons to you? Perhaps it’s time to plant your flag, embracing the archetypal energies that resonate with your brand’s core. This isn’t just about finding your place in the market; it’s about rediscovering your brand’s heartbeat and setting a course towards a horizon filled with promise and prosperity.

Ready to uncover the core motive that drives your brand? Take the CORE BRAND MOTIVES Quiz now and embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of your brand’s identity and purpose. Let’s create a brand that doesn’t just exist but owns what makes it truly unique, captivating hearts and minds along the way.

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