Great Himalaya Trail

🔗 Connections

Sector

Region

Guideline Year

Language

Tags

Official Websites

https://www.greathimalayatrail.com

Brand Guidelines

2010

Brand Summary

Mission

To help create consistent and ‘on brand’ communications in the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) style, reflecting the adventure lifestyle it represents [^1].

Core Values

adventure
exploration
challenge
achievement
vibrancy
consistency

Target Audience

Individuals interested in adventure, exploration, and trekking through the Himalayas, including hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking challenging, high-alpine routes [^2].

Personality Traits

young
vibrant
fun
adventurous
real
energetic

Visual Identity Overview

The visual identity is defined by a bold, clean logo featuring a stylized, multicolored trail on a black background, a vibrant color palette representing different regions, modern sans-serif typography (Hermes Sans and Helvetica Neue), and authentic, reportage-style photography that conveys adventure and the grandeur of the Himalayas [^3].

Categories

Brand Imagery

The photography is a key part of the GHT branding and care should be taken to choose good quality images that are appropriate. An extensive image library of approved photographs is being developed covering subjects throughout the whole Great Himalaya Trail. This database of images will continue to grow as more and more photography is added. If none of the photographs in the database are suitable, then care should be taken when choosing an image from a different source.
Pictures should not be over-stylised or set-up. The photo should have a real life quality in a reportage style, vibrant and portray the feeling of fun and adventure.

Color Palette

There are ten colours in the GHT colour palette plus rich black. Each of the ten colours also represents a stretch of the trail. Colours should be picked depending on the region. For example a page in a leaflet referring specifially to Humla should use the red as the primary colour. The other colours could then be used as supporting colours.
Black is the GHT primary background colour and should be used as much as possible. Solid black background areas should always be set in ‘rich black.’ Text can then be reversed out in white and the logo can float freely (while always maintaining the minimum clear zone area).
To install the colour palette into your InDesign file open the ‘colours’ file in the toolkit and simply copy and paste the colour strips into your InDesign file. All the swatches with the correct names will appear in your swatches palette.
The logo square has been designed so that name style and coloured trail can always maintain a black background. The logo can be positioned on any background, as long as NO text or graphics encroach on the clear zone area around the logo square.
The coloured trail has been created as a gradient of the nine different colours. These are the main brand colours and should never be substituted or changed in any way.
The logo or any of the component should never be reproduced in another colour.
The logo should never be displayed with ANY effects added. This includes: drop shadows, gradients, frames, corner effects, highlights, blurring, embossing or any other effects.
The logo should never be redrawn.
The logo should never be shown backwards or in mirror image.
The logo should never be shown rotated at an angle.
The logo should never be stretched horizontally or vertically.
A special variation of the logo has also been designed for each of the ten sections of the trail. The name appears in the appropriate colour according to the coloured trail in the bottom half of the logo square.
The black and white version of the logo should only be used when printing restrictions apply. Otherwise the colour version is preferred.
The Far West: C/50. M/100. Y/100. K/0.
Humla: C/12. M/100. Y/100. K/0.
rara and Jumla: C/15. M/60. Y/100. K/0.
Dolpa: C/12. M/27. Y/100. K/0.
annapurna and Mustang: C/55. M/15. Y/100. K/0.
Manaslu and Ganesh: C/90. M/30. Y/100. K/20.
Langtang and Helambu: C/90. M/40. Y/50. K/15.
rolwaling and Everest: C/100. M/90. Y/35. K/0.
Makalu Barun: C/100. M/50. Y/0. K/0.
Kanchenjunga: C/100. M/0. Y/0. K/0.

Typography

The GHT Brand is made up of four different elements: Logo, Typefaces, Colours and Photography.
The name style is designed in the primary GHT brand font called ‘Hermes.’ This should always appear in white and above the coloured trail and never altered in any way.
The GHT typeface is Hermes Sans, a modern Swiss typeface which is highly readable and endlessly versatile. It has been chosen for its clean style and ideal expression for The Great Himalaya Trail.
There are six different variations of Hermes Sans within the font family that can be used for different purposes. The Oblique and Condensed versions should only be used sparingly and not for prominent or large areas of text.
Helvetica Neue is the GHT secondary font. Helvetica should be used for large areas of text as it easier to read at reduced sizes. For example the Headings in this booklet are set in Hermes and the body copy is set in Helvetica.
Letterheads and A4 documents incorporate the logo square in the top-right corner (40mm square). Ali text should be set in the secondary font: Helvetica.
Posters should carry a large statement placed over a neutral part of the image i.e the water of the lake or the sky. The statement should always be designed in the main brand font -Hermes Sans.

Logo Usage

The GHT logo incorporates a simplified map of the actual Great Himalaya Trail which passes through Nepal. This has been designed in nine vibrant colours which merge into each other as they pass through the various regions along the trail.
The words ‘THE GREAT HIMALAYA TRAIL’ have been specially designed to sit comfortably above the coloured trail. Both elements are housed in a black square which can then be placed over images or within larger areas of black (see cover for example).
The logo and all its component parts have been specially drawn and should always be reproduced from the master artwork files, available on the Brand Elements DVD.
The logo square has been designed so that name style and coloured trail can always maintain a black background. The logo can be positioned on any background, as long as NO text or graphics encroach on the clear zone area around the logo square.
The coloured trail has been created as a gradient of the nine different colours. These are the main brand colours and should never be substituted or changed in any way.
The name style is designed in the primary GHT brand font called ‘Hermes.’ This should always appear in white and above the coloured trail and never altered in any way. There are some specially drawn variations of the logo (see variations) where the relevant region name (i.e Dolpa) appears under the coloured trail.
It is important that the logo is always used consistently and correctly and never in a way which would damage the integrity of the design.
The logo should never be shown backwards or in mirror image.
The logo should never be shown rotated at an angle.
The logo should never be stretched horizontally or vertically.
The logo should never be displayed with ANY effects added. This includes: drop shadows, gradients, frames, corner effects, highlights, blurring, embossing or any other effects.
The logo or any of the component should never be reproduced in another colour.
The logo should never be redrawn.
As the key visual identifier, the GHT logo is the most important branding element in the design layout of any communication. For this reason it is important to maintain a ‘clear zone’ around the logo. To have any other element or design feature located too close to the logo would undermine its identity and may render it unrecognisable. Use the adjacent diagram to assess the clear zone.
Calculate the clear zone area by dividing the square. An area of at least 25% (shown here as the shaded pink area) represents the clear zone. Avoid placing text or any other graphics in this area.
When using the logo on a larger black background area than the logo square, the clear zone area should be calculated from the invisible outline of the logo square and NOT the text of coloured trail.
The clear zone is calculated by simply using the centre of the ‘O’ from the logo. Regardless of how big you are using the logo, there should always be at least one centre ‘O’ space around the edge.
To ensure the logo reproduces effectively, the minimum size should be 15mm (this excludes branded items such as pens and badges, where the logo might need to appear smaller).
MINIMUM SIZE: 15MM ACROSS
A special variation of the logo has also been designed for each of the ten sections of the trail. The name appears in the appropriate colour according to the coloured trail in the bottom half of the logo square.
The black and white version of the logo should only be used when printing restrictions apply. Otherwise the colour version is preferred.

Tone And Messaging

The aim of this little guide is to help you create consistent and ‘on brand’ communications in the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) style.
The Great Himalaya Trail style is young and vibrant to reflect the adventure lifestyle it represents.

Brand Values

The Great Himalaya Trail style is young and vibrant to reflect the adventure lifestyle it represents.

Visual Style

The Great Himalaya Trail style is young and vibrant to reflect the adventure lifestyle it represents.
The GHT Brand is made up of four different elements: Logo, Typefaces, Colours and Photography.
The logo square has been designed so that name style and coloured trail can always maintain a black background. The logo can be positioned on any background, as long as NO text or graphics encroach on the clear zone area around the logo square.
The coloured trail has been created as a gradient of the nine different colours. These are the main brand colours and should never be substituted or changed in any way.
The name style is designed in the primary GHT brand font called ‘Hermes.’ This should always appear in white and above the coloured trail and never altered in any way.
There are some specially drawn variations of the logo (see variations) where the relevant region name (i.e Dolpa) appears under the coloured trail.
The logo and all its component parts have been specially drawn and should always be reproduced from the master artwork files, available on the Brand Elements DVD.
It is important that the logo is always used consistently and correctly and never in a way which would damage the integrity of the design.
The logo should never be shown backwards or in mirror image.
The logo should never be shown rotated at an angle.
The logo should never be stretched horizontally or vertically.
The logo should never be displayed with ANY effects added. This includes: drop shadows, gradients, frames, corner effects, highlights, blurring, embossing or any other effects.
The logo or any of the component should never be reproduced in another colour.
The logo should never be redrawn.
As the key visual identifier, the GHT logo is the most important branding element in the design layout of any communication. For this reason it is important to maintain a ‘clear zone’ around the logo.
Calculate the clear zone area by dividing the square. An area of at least 25% (shown here as the shaded pink area) represents the clear zone. Avoid placing text or any other graphics in this area.
When using the logo on a larger black background area than the logo square, the clear zone area should be calculated from the invisible outline of the logo square and NOT the text of coloured trail.
To ensure the logo reproduces effectively, the minimum size should be 15mm (this excludes branded items such as pens and badges, where the logo might need to appear smaller).
MINIMUM SIZE: 15MM ACROSS
A special variation of the logo has also been designed for each of the ten sections of the trail. The name appears in the appropriate colour according to the coloured trail in the bottom half of the logo square.
The black and white version of the logo should only be used when printing restrictions apply. Otherwise the colour version is preferred.
There are ten colours in the GHT colour palette plus rich black. Each of the ten colours also represents a stretch of the trail. Colours should be picked depending on the region. For example a page in a leaflet referring specifially to Humla should use the red as the primary colour. The other colours could then be used as supporting colours.
Black is the GHT primary background colour and should be used as much as possible. Solid black background areas should always be set in ‘rich black.’ Text can then be reversed out in white and the logo can float freely (while always maintaining the minimum clear zone area).
To install the colour palette into your InDesign file open the ‘colours’ file in the toolkit and simply copy and paste the colour strips into your InDesign file. All the swatches with the correct names will appear in your swatches palette.
The photography is a key part of the GHT branding and care should be taken to choose good quality images that are appropriate.
Pictures should not be over-stylised or set-up. The photo should have a real life quality in a reportage style, vibrant and portray the feeling of fun and adventure.

Layout And Composition

The logo square has been designed so that name style and coloured trail can always maintain a black background. The logo can be positioned on any background, as long as NO text or graphics encroach on the clear zone area around the logo square.
The coloured trail has been created as a gradient of the nine different colours. These are the main brand colours and should never be substituted or changed in any way.
The name style is designed in the primary GHT brand font called ‘Hermes.’ This should always appear in white and above the coloured trail and never altered in any way. There are some specially drawn variations of the logo (see variations) where the relevant region name (i.e Dolpa) appears under the coloured trail.
The logo and all its component parts have been specially drawn and should always be reproduced from the master artwork files, available on the Brand Elements DVD.
It is important that the logo is always used consistently and correctly and never in a way which would damage the integrity of the design.
• The logo should never be shown backwards or in mirror image.
• The logo should never be shown rotated at an angle.
• The logo should never be stretched horizontally or vertically.
• The logo should never be displayed with ANY effects added. This includes: drop shadows, gradients, frames, corner effects, highlights, blurring, embossing or any other effects.
• The logo or any of the component should never be reproduced in another colour.
• The logo should never be redrawn.
As the key visual identifier, the GHT logo is the most important branding element in the design layout of any communication. For this reason it is important to maintain a ‘clear zone’ around the logo. To have any other element or design feature located too close to the logo would undermine its identity and may render it unrecognisable. Use the adjacent diagram to assess the clear zone.
Calculate the clear zone area by dividing the square. An area of at least 25% (shown here as the shaded pink area) represents the clear zone. Avoid placing text or any other graphics in this area.
When using the logo on a larger black background area than the logo square, the clear zone area should be calculated from the invisible outline of the logo square and NOT the text of coloured trail.
The clear zone is calculated by simply using the centre of the ‘O’ from the logo. Regardless of how big you are using the logo, there should always be at least one centre ‘O’ space around the edge.
To ensure the logo reproduces effectively, the minimum size should be 15mm (this excludes branded items such as pens and badges, where the logo might need to appear smaller).
MINIMUM SIZE: 15MM ACROSS
A special variation of the logo has also been designed for each of the ten sections of the trail. The name appears in the appropriate colour according to the coloured trail in the bottom half of the logo square.
Letterheads and A4 documents incorporate the logo square in the top-right corner (40mm square). Ali text should be set in the secondary font: Helvetica.
Affiliate logos and the web address should be placed at the bottom.
Posters should carry a large statement placed over a neutral part of the image i.e the water of the lake or the sky. The statement should always be designed in the main brand font -Hermes Sans. All branding, additional information and affliate logos should then appear in a black panel on the right hand side. The size and shape of the overall poster can change depending on the space being displayed or the image.