I didn’t really want to delve into this again but here I go
I appreciate the response, but I want to make one thing clear, there’s no misunderstanding on my part. I fully understand what this directory aims to do, which is exactly why I questioned its usefulness in the first place,and let me be clear - I asked the question and replied to the answer I got, that’s the depth of my answers so far.
Let me go at this again from your perspective.
You say this is a platform for inspiration, but inspiration from current brand guidelines is not as valuable as it’s made out to be. Looking at finished brand books won’t teach a designer the why behind the decisions, only the what. If someone wants to truly understand branding, they’re better off studying strategy, psychology, and design principles rather than just browsing polished outcomes.
Your analogy about learning to speak doesn’t quite fit. Kids don’t just observe language; they experience trial and error, receive correction, and build understanding through interaction. They fail their way into fluency. That’s what real learning looks like. Designers don’t develop their skills by passively looking at finished brand books; they do it by building brands themselves, testing their ideas, and refining them through real-world experience.
Nobody becomes a great writer by copying Hemingway’s manuscripts, and nobody becomes a great designer by collecting PDFs of established brands’ guidelines. At best, this directory shows the surface of branding, it doesn’t teach the thinking behind it.
And as for whether I’ve set any design trends, what does that have to do with anything? This isn’t about me. It’s about the larger issue of how designers develop real expertise. Following trends is easy. Setting trends comes from deep understanding and originality.
Also
I can see how having a directory of brand guidelines could be useful in certain contexts. For example, it’s a great reference for designers working within an established brand who need to ensure consistency. It can also be helpful for marketers, content creators, and even clients who need to understand how branding elements should be applied across different mediums.
Additionally, for those learning how to document a brand identity, rather than create one, this kind of resource provides a solid framework.
Writing clear, effective brand guidelines is a skill in itself, and seeing how major brands present their guidelines can offer insight into structuring information, defining usage rules, and communicating a brand’s essence in a way that’s accessible to teams and stakeholders - and also designers, beginners to seasoned pros.
So while I maintain that studying guidelines isn’t the same as learning how to build a brand, I do see value in having a well-organised directory as a practical resource for specific applications.